Roger Odell, drummer/composer is known as a member and co-founder of the famous UK-based group Shakatak. With more than 50 albums the band is one of the most productive world wide. Beside this all band members have already released own solo projects. In case of Roger Odell it's the formation Beatifik.

In late 1999/2000 Roger recorded the first album entitled Blue Window. One can call it a family project, because his son Jamie played on keys, his wife Larraine and Jacqui Hicks were the featured vocalists, his daughter Maxine sang background. Now Roger is back with the sophomore album Intrigue (2015).

The new album features Larraine and Jacqui again. Roger plays the drums and composed most of the songs, while Jamie plays all keyboards, recorded and engineered the project. In addition perform Mornington Lockett on saxes and Keith Winter on guitar. Keith was an ex-member of Shakatak, before he had to leave the group because of a nerve disease of his fingers. After his miraculous recovery he has returned to former strength.

The album starts with the awesome ballad Burning featuring the outstanding Jacqui Hicks on vocals. With the sense for the perfect timbre she builds a chorus line of the main melody, while saxophonist Mornington Lockett infuses the song with great jazzy improvisations. The title song takes a modern drum programmed approach with bass drum and rim shot, while Jacqui devotes her full-bodied vocals the divine recitation of the meaningful tune.

Beat of My Heart is also propelled by a modern drum beat in support of Jacqui's interpretation, which is very close to the Shakatak style. Dedicated To You features prominently guitarist Keith Winter with a dreamy guitar performance. Larraine breathes the chorus with female elegance. The village of Pittulongu is a popular Sardinian  tourist destination and seaside resort. Geographically, the piece rather settles in Brazilian climes. Challenging the pace, authentic the style, dynamically in structure this tune has the quality of a high flyer.

With Seascape the holiday mood holds on. Jamie's soft keyboard sounds merge with Keith Winters guitar chords in an enchanting way. An instrumental jewel. The title indicates it, Dance With You invites you to dance. Star-Crossed is a phrase describing a pair of lovers whose relationship is often thwarted by outside forces. Jamie layers a funky jazz fusion sequence, on which Mornington unveils his magic sax excursion.

Cole Porter wrote I've Got You Under My Skin in 1936. A huge song inspiring many jazz and pop interprets to numerous covers. Beatifik's outstanding rendition features singer Larraine Odell in an intimate set. I Wouldn't Know What To Do goes the Shak mode with Jacqui in the vocal forefront and a terrific bridge by Jamie on keys. Warm offers a slow Bossa Nova style with Jacqui sharing personal memories of summer nights and true relationship. Final tune is the moody He's Not Here with Jacqui in doubting hold. Mornington gives this song a jazzy touch in his very own inimitable manner.

I will not ask the question, why Roger waited so long until the second edition of Beatifik. Anyway the wait is over and was worth it. Intrigue rewards with many facets of high caliber musicians.

 

Biography

Website

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Album Information

Title: Intrigue
Artist: Beatifik
Year: 2015
Length: 0:57:58
Genre: General Jazz
Label: Secret Records


Tracks:
01 Burning [4:05]
02 Intrigue [4:48]
03 Beat of My Heart [4:49]
04 Dedicated To You [4:44]
05 Pittulongu [5:59]
06 Seascape [5:40]
07 Dance With You [5:06]
08 Star-Crossed [4:30]
09 Under My Skin [6:00]
10 I Wouldn't Know What To Do [3:55]
11 Warm [5:08]
12 He's Not Here [3:15]

 

Further review:


Blue Window