Sam Barsh

A jazz populist, Sam Barsh brings the Rhodes-fueled soul jazz of the 1970s into the new millennium. Instead of soloing a lot, Barsh likes to revisit solid keyboard vamps, but he isn't limited to any one idea or era. He gives plenty of space to Tim Collins' vibraphone work, and the rhythm section succeeds with some unconventional approaches (on "Rainy Day Loop" they almost seem to be trying to trip things up). The clever song titles include "George Dub," "Jew Hefner" and "Harriet Nyborg" -- jam rockers may enjoy Barsh and his crew more than jazz fans.