{"id":4311,"date":"2022-04-16T20:06:04","date_gmt":"2022-04-17T01:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/?p=4311"},"modified":"2022-04-25T11:56:36","modified_gmt":"2022-04-25T16:56:36","slug":"traveling-universe-bill-summers-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/traveling-universe-bill-summers-i\/","title":{"rendered":"Traveling the Universe: A Conversation with Bill Summers (Part One)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The obsession of many in the music industry to categorize art frequently overlooks the shared tree upon which so many “styles” branch. In reality, so much of today’s music, including “jazz”, “hip hop”, “R&B” and “rock” reach back to tried and true concepts and ancient rhythms. On Forward Back, Vol. 1<\/em>, percussionist Bill Summers asks listeners to reexamine the music with which they are familiar and see its origins; to discover its core. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The album itself is deceptively modern. One passively listening may hear yet another hip hop record. The looped moments on “Yellow Flowers” certainly exude that aesthetic. Or one may notice the funkier aspects of the album. After all, Dr. Funkenstein himself, George Clinton, appears on “Buttafly.” But deeper listening suggests something older – African rhythms – underscoring the entire affair. The message becomes clear; no matter how modern the music, it all ties back to the source. The record is a compelling advocate for the position that groove and intellectualism can not only peacefully coexist but mutually reinforce one another. Forward Back Vol. 1<\/em> is the type of album that drives a listener to consider approaching other recordings in their collection with a new perspective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marking over four decades of exploration and reflection, the newest release draws hues from moments across Summers’ diverse career. These include his time learning rhythms in a special fraternity, his work with Herbie Hancock and groundbreaking jazz-funk outfit the Headhunters, and his time with his band Summers Heat. In this first of our two part conversation, we discuss all of the above and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PostGenre: How did Forward Back <\/em>come together? It is fascinating how you tied ancient rhythms to more contemporary popular music.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Summers: Yes, showing those connections is the heart of this project. To answer your question, in some ways, it goes back to a band I had 40 years ago with Scott Roberts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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PG: Summers Heat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BS: Right. Scott played trumpet and percussion with that group, and I played sax, percussion, and various other instruments. And on Forward Back Volume 1,<\/em> Scott is on keys and drums, and I am on percussion. There is certainly that link back to Summers Heat. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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