Boston-based bassist Mike Goodspeed returns with Family Truckster, his third album, released in September 2024, featuring collaborations from an array of talented guest musicians. The album opens with “Oort Cloud Prelude,” a piece marked by enchanting, steely guitar chords plucking and strumming in their own language, telling their own story over immersive ambient music cascading in slowly. It sets the tone for Family Truckster, offering a glimpse of the spatial and introspective journey ahead.
Then follows a reworking of his 2022 piece “Oort Cloud,” now called “Beyond The Oort Cloud,” which introduces catchier and punchier guitar melodies. Rustling, airy drums lend a funky effect to the piece, as brass instruments breathe life into the arrangement. The music feels spontaneous, with each instrument contributing to an improv-like dynamism as if recreating a lively party.
“The Pedantic Autodidact” (feat. Kevin Stahl, John DiStase, Mike Valeras) presents a multidimensional sound, marked by lively rhythm sections, hypnotic progressions, and solos by New Jersey guitarist John DiStase and Nashville six-stringer Mike Valeras that pull the listener deeper into its groove with intricacy that immerses and engages organically.
“Vista Nonpareil” (feat. Ever Onward) takes you on a drive down an open road as the sun sets in the distance. The music takes the post-rock turn with gritty guitars, while percussion sizzles underneath with that jazzy aesthetic, and Ever Onward’s drums steadily pound. On the other hand, Goodspeed’s upright bass pushes the flow with a solo.
“Surreal Countdown” meanders into experimental territory, using what sounds like pouring rain or technical glitches to create an otherworldly atmosphere. As the background sounds merge with the ambience, the piano gently pulses on and the strings play a little tune. It’s a surreal and fitting conclusion to the album’s experimental journey.
Family Truckster by Mike Goodspeed and his collaborators is an intriguing mix of improvisational spontaneity and carefully structured compositions. Check it out on all major streaming platforms.
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Review by: Naomi Joan