Rotcod Zzaj - Dick Metcalf

"As you've heard me say (many times) before, there are some musical collections that just merit going to the head of the stack, & Ben's superb piano and keyboard work (along with all the other players - check the PERSONNEL LIST, as it's far too long to itemize here) on this high-energy CD is clearly one of those! Truth be told, I haven't heard this much energy and life in an album since the glory days of some of his heroes - Zawinul, Hancock, even Miles Davis...

There's a clear and identifiable jazz feeling about the 10 tracks Ben offers up here, & though there are elements of "World", Dowling's music integrates the future in each tune without sacrificing that soulful feeling. I fell in love immediately with tracks like "The Calling", my favorite on the CD... the percussion just simmers with life & will have you up on your feet & dancin' 'round th' room only 2 or 3 bars after the intro... superb keyboards from Ben keep it driving all the way through, & the brass sounds COOK, to be sure!

I'm sure you've heard lots of groups who proclaim themselves to be "fusion" oriented, but after listening to the 10 tracks on this CD (about 10 times already), it's clear that they are just pretenders to the throne. There's one way I can especially relate to Ben's background, too, having been 'round the globe ever since I was 17, but he puts it into words most eloquently - "so I'm this Southern white boy who knows how to shovel snow, design synthesizers and play funk. Go figure..." it's just that kind of musician who (if they've learned their "people lessons" well) can absorb their environment & put it back out for listeners to groove to - & groove these folks DO!

I give this album my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, as well as the "PICK" of this issue for "most forward looking jazz". The "EQ" (energy quotient) rating is a staggering 4.99! Get more information at http://bendowling.com/ (& be sure to tell Ben that I sent you - I can guarantee you will be hearing great music from Mr. Dowling for years to come)" - Rotcod Zzaj