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Part of these collections: New Jazz, Remixed by Four Stones.
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| - Big Dipper | play hifi lofi, license, BUY |
| - Cezanne | play hifi lofi, license, BUY |
"Drop Trio is anchored by a rhythm section tighter than the Texas education budget and a Rhodes keyboard that gets pushed to its limits on every cut.."—Houston Press
"Drop Trio is poised to make its mark in the future of jazz.."—Jambase
"Drop Trio is solidly entrenched somewhere in my top ten."— Mark Sabbatini, All About Jazz
Drop Trio is a melody-driven funk jazz band from Houston, Texas. Their
solid musicianship and incredible energy on stage have been drawing
kudos across Houston and beyond. In the words of the Houston Press:
"Houston isn't the greatest city in the world for live jazz, but folks
like Drop Trio are out to change that. They don't really fit in with
the avant-garde, the martini sippers or the purists; they're more for
the young cats who like their jazz a bit funked up with lots of energy.
Drop Trio is anchored by a rhythm section tighter than the Texas
education budget and a Rhodes keyboard that gets pushed to its limits
on every cut."
Since their debut in fall 2002, Drop Trio has quickly gathered a loyal
Houston following. The trio tours regionally, playing packed rock and
jazz clubs, coffee shops and festivals. Feature articles in the Houston
Chronicle and nominations in the Houston Press Music Awards, only
months after the band's inception, have given the band broad exposure
and an exponentially growing fan base.
The band recently released their first full length studio album, Big
Dipper, and they are gearing up for more regional tours to support it.
Magnatune was in town, exhibiting at the music show, and John Buckman
of Magnatune videotaped the entire Drop Trio concert onto his Sony Clie
Palm camera.
Be sure to notice Mike Blattel--Drop Trio's drummer--wearing his very
fashionable "We are not evil" Magnatune shirt!
You can view or download
the entire quicktime movie.
Drop Trio is:
"Big Dipper"
There's something eternally cool and otherworldly about the sound of a
Hammond B-3 organ. Instantly identifiable and soaked with a distinct
atmosphere, the whirling and fat sounds of the vintage keyboard jump
out from any recording or performance. Though the classic B-3
ceased production in 1975, it still has a cult following, and new jazz
artists like Medeski, Martin, and Wood and John Scofield are leading a
new wave of interest in the organ.
Houston's versatile funk jazz band Drop Trio perfectly synthesizes this
fresh approach, using the instrument as its prime musical source on Big
Dipper's 12 instrumentals. Members Ian Varley (Hammond organ, Rhodes
piano), drummer Mike Blattel and bassist Nino Batista somehow mix and
merge a cacophony of notes into an utterly pleasing soundtrack. From
the rhythmic work on "Second First" and "Lefty's Alone" to the funkier
"Invisible Pants" and "Flux," there's space both for soloing and
playing together. As a nod to the instrument's '70s heyday, there's "Wallawalla
" (which could easily make the soundtrack for a Fat Albert cartoon) and
"Gin & Nothin'." All three players are crack instrumentalists and
elicit top-notch groovin' material, and Varley is as adept on the
Rhodes as he is with the Hammond.
Big Dipper makes for a great instrumental record, one with a fresh
approach to a classic sound. Here's a "jazz" record with solid
crossover appeal, even to those who don't know Thelonious Monk from
Thelonious Monster.
Drop Trio organist Ian Varley also plays in Arthur Yoria's live band.
Drop Trio's music careens between styles, with feet squarely in the New
Orleans funk and Acid jazz camps, and nods to such diverse influences
as progressive rock, classical composition and electronica. Their sound
simultaneously appeals to the jazz sophisticate and the jam band
devotee, while their virtuosity earns them fans in unlikely camps. In a
recent appearance on Reprogram Radio, a hip hop and DJ showcase on KPFT
90.1, they earned the respect and appreciation of the local DJ scene
as one DJ, put it, their music is "top-notch stuff."
Watch Drop Trio at the renowned Jazz club "The Elephant Lounge", part of the 2004 South by Southwest music festival.
Mike Blattel (drums, percussion). When not on the road, Mike teaches
private drum lessons to more than 50 students. He recently left the
successful rock band Southern Backtones to form Drop Trio.
Nino Batista (bass guitar). Founder and editor of basszone.net and
rockmusicnews.net, Nino is an accomplished musician, designer and
writer. He has studied and taught bass for over 15 years, and has
played countless gigs as both a live and studio musician.
Ian Varley (Rhodes piano, Hammond B3 organ). After studying Jazz Piano
with John Nazarenko, Ian earned a degree in composition and theory from
Skidmore College. His performances have included stints with rock bands,
straight jazz combos, and atonal metal bands. He has worked as an
arranger, composer, publisher, choir director and performer on all
three coasts.
By Bob Ruggiero
Houston Press, Aug 2003
