CD Review: Jakob Dreyer. Roots and Things

Jakob Dreyer’s “Roots and Things” stands as a measured advance in his progression as a bassist and bandleader, presenting a coherent and immersive set of original compositions that underscore his compositional voice and ensemble leadership. The album, released by Fresh Sound Records, captures the quartet with pristine sound quality that exhibits clarity and balance, where each instrument’s texture comes through without dominance or excess.

The line-up includes Dreyer on bass, Tivon Pennicott handling tenor saxophone duties, Sasha Berliner on vibraphone, and Kenn Salters on drums. This line-up achieves a balance that supports Dreyer’s focus on groove and melodic development, with interaction that is acute and attentive. Berliner’s vibraphone is central to the harmonic fabric, handled with restraint and careful placement; her playing adds resonance and color to the textures without overwhelming the ensemble’s sound, an aspect that often challenges the use of the vibraphone as the sole harmonic instrument but succeeds here.

From a structural and thematic perspective, the album finds rhythm and narrative through Dreyer’s compositions. It opens with the minimalist *The Fifth Floor*, characterized by Berliner’s hypnotic ostinato and Salters’ precise and percussive drumming, setting a contemplative yet forward-moving tone. *Constellation* follows as a freer, uptempo swinger, with Pennicott’s tenor saxophone boldly stating the theme before launching into a dynamic soloing section accentuated by Dreyer’s solid bass lines and Salters’ propulsive rhythms. Berliner contributes an inspiring solo further building the tune’s energy.

The track *Follower* showcases intensified explorations from the saxophone and vibraphone, over Salters’ insistent rhythms, generating a sense of momentum and exploration. *June Tune* slows the pace, opening with harmonic richness and providing space for lyrical solos from Berliner, Pennicott, and Dreyer, illustrating the group’s ability to transition smoothly from energetic to introspective moods.

Interludes appear throughout the album functioning as conceptual resets. *Land of 1,000 Blues*, a brief, swinging take on Chris Kenner’s 1962 rock classic „Land of 1,000 Dances“, injects a moment of playful familiarity. These are effective in both pacing and mood control across the 15 compositions.

Jakob Dreyer, Sasha Berliner, Tivon Pennicott, Kenn Salters | Photo © Anna Yatskevich

One of the album’s highlights is Dreyer’s modern interpretation of Rodgers & Hart’s 1929 tune „With a Song in My Heart“, taken in 5/4. This track offers ample room for collective interaction and improvisation, with solo statements weaving complex lines over a shifting rhythm section backdrop.

Ballads like *Downtime* reveal the band’s subtler dynamics, with brushwork on the drums, responsive comping from Berliner’s vibraphone, and lyrical lines from tenor and bass. The uptempo *Fight or Flight* further demonstrates the players’ adeptness at intertwining intricate rhythms and harmonic ideas, drawing tacit influence from Wayne Shorter’s works without direct imitation, featuring engaging exchanges between saxophone, vibraphone, and drums.

Closing tracks such as *Choral Diner* explore sonic layering and texture, using arco bass overdubs by Dreyer to create a chamber music feel that contrasts with the more rhythmically driven compositions earlier in the album.

Throughout *Roots and Things*, the ensemble’s communication is characterized by clarity and sensitivity, supporting Dreyer’s compositional framework while allowing for individual expression within collective coherence. Salters’ drumming combines precise drive and nuanced interaction, completing a rhythm section that underpins the harmonic and melodic movement without intrusion.

Stylistically, the album occupies a space between jazz tradition and contemporary idioms. The pieces reflect influences ranging from the Blue Note sound of the early 1960s, particularly through compositional gestures related to Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, to classical counterpoint and modern harmonic concepts. This synthesis offers an experience that respects jazz history without resorting to pastiche.

The album’s use of succinct interludes punctuates the listening experience, providing breathing spaces that invite reflection and prepare the listener for the evolving moods across the tracks, avoiding a sense of narrative fatigue.

Jakob Dreyer’s *Roots and Things* may not radically redefine genre boundaries, but accomplishes an articulate, well-executed collection that demands attentive listening and reveals depth upon repeated plays. Its sonic quality, thoughtful arrangements, and performances invite engagement from those interested in modern ensemble interplay and compositional craft in jazz.

In my opinion, this album exemplifies a deliberate balance between individual virtuosity and ensemble cohesion, highlighting the relevance of subtlety and interaction over overt showmanship. The integration of Berliner’s vibraphone as a harmonic anchor, often considered a challenge in such contexts, succeeds here due to her tasteful execution and the group’s responsive dynamic control.

In summary, *Roots and Things* is a significant step forward in Dreyer’s career, demonstrating his growing confidence as a leader and composer and a clearly articulated vision for the sound of his group. It is a recording that rewards close listening and situates Dreyer as an artist shaping contemporary jazz with intelligence and restraint.

Line-Up:
Jakob Dreyer – Bass | Tivon Pennicott – Tenor Saxophone | Sasha Berliner – Vibraphone | Kenn Salters – Drums

Release Details:
Release Date: 14 November 2025
Format: Digital | CD
Label: Fresh Sound Records