Back To My Roots
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley April 9, 2025
Artist – David Mash
Distributor: Apple Music
Released: March 2025
Running Time: 50mins 14 secs
Website: https://music.apple.com/us/album/back-to-my-roots/1791922031
Facebook: https://davidmash.com/
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Not having come across David Mash’s music before, I was intrigued to take a listen to what he terms as returning to his roots, in the context of his music and must say I was more than agreeably surprised at this nine track album Back To My Roots.
The best terminology to describe the collection would be electronic jazz fusion that is upbeat, catchy, very cleverly constructed and consists of David Mash on guitar, joined by Bruce Nifong on alto sax on a number of the tracks, with the big band sound and backing created by Mash.
Mash, a skilled weaver of electronic and live performance has created serious sound which is vibrant, alive and has a wide appeal. Beginning with the ‘interestingly’ named Drain The Swamp – but thankfully in this instance, he begins with the sound of birds, with a pulsating backbeat which moves into a synth drone before the guitar picks up the beat.
Big band sound belts out the title song Back To My Roots, which features serious alto sax from Nifong, intricate guitar and a huge sound, which not only takes Mash back to his roots, but will certainly take anyone back there who enjoys any of the many forms of jazz.
Who is Blu and who is Rufe is something we will never know but the tribute under the title Bluz for Rufe is a serious big band sound that certainly does not disgrace the hallowed halls of Big Band – swing maybe or simply instrumental blues. Yours is the choice but whatever you think, it is one good vibe!
Prime sees the intensity slowing to a deeper more introspective sound which is most enjoyable with a guitar melody that calms as it charms, with a delightful solo once again from Bruce Nifong. A superb song.
Funktion 80.24 brings what is an immensely enjoyably hour spent with some serious jazz based sound, no matter how it is created and it is really very, very good.
David Mash was for more than forty years an educator at Berkeley College of Music; in that time also developing his love of music, technology and innovation. Back To My Roots is a stand out album which demonstrates a master at work delivering a fresh sound based in jazz,which will span genres!