Motif by Greg Abate Quartet: A Post-Bop Masterpiece That Sticks With You
Let’s cut to the chase—Greg Abate’s Motif isn’t just another jazz album. Released in 2014 under Whaling City Sound, this record is like a warm cup of coffee on a chilly morning: smooth, invigorating, and full of soul. If you’re into post-bop with some sharp edges and heartfelt melodies, buckle up because this one’s got layers.
First off, let me shout out the crew behind it. Greg Abate handles saxophone and flute duties while also penning most of the tracks (except for Phil Woods’ contribution on “Buddy’s Rendezvous”). The rhythm section? Pure gold. Tim Ray on piano, John Lockwood on bass, and Mark Walker on drums—they gel together so effortlessly that it feels less like a band playing and more like old friends chatting over beers. And hey, props to Peter Kontrimas for engineering, mixing, and mastering this baby; he makes every note pop without losing that live-in-the-room vibe.
Now, onto the tunes. I gotta talk about two tracks that stuck with me long after my first listen: “Snowfall” and “Morning Of The Leaves.”
“Snowfall” kicks things off with this dreamy, almost cinematic intro. It’s like walking through an empty park dusted with fresh powder—the kind of quiet that makes your thoughts louder. Then BAM! The tempo shifts, and suddenly you’re running downhill, snow crunching beneath your boots as Greg Abate’s sax dances around Tim Ray’s nimble piano lines. By the time the track ends, you feel winded but exhilarated. Like, whoa, what just happened?
Then there’s “Morning Of The Leaves,” which feels like waking up to sunlight streaming through trees. This tune has this gentle swing that sneaks up on you, pulling you deeper into its groove until you realize you’ve been tapping your foot nonstop. Lockwood’s basslines here are hypnotic, grounding everything while giving space for Abate’s sax to soar. There’s something bittersweet about how the melody lingers—it’s like saying goodbye to summer but knowing autumn will bring its own magic.
But honestly, what makes Motif stand out isn’t just the technical wizardry or killer compositions. It’s the vibe. Every track feels alive, like these guys were vibing off each other in real-time rather than just going through the motions. You can hear their joy, their passion, even their little imperfections—and that’s what makes it human.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to Motif made me think about how much we take music for granted nowadays. We swipe through playlists, skip songs halfway through, always chasing the next hit. But albums like this remind us why sitting still and really listening matters. Jazz might not be everyone’s jam, but if you give Motif half a chance, it’ll sneak into your heart when you least expect it.
So yeah, grab yourself a copy—or stream it, whatever floats your boat—and let Greg Abate take you on a ride. Just don’t blame me if you start daydreaming about snow-covered parks and golden autumns.
