Bennett Roth - It'll Always Work Out

​Bennett Roth

It'll Always Work Out
self-released; 2024

By Matt Jensen

Bennett Roth has long been an understated force in the jazz world, his fingerprints scattered across countless projects as a sideman, music director, and composer. But on It'll Always Work Out, Roth steps unapologetically into the spotlight, presenting a collection of compositions that balance technical prowess with the unfettered spirit of improvisation. It's an album that doesn’t just lean on his years of experience but celebrates them, as if to underscore the titular mantra: everything, indeed, works out.

The record spans an array of styles—samba, hip-hop, funk, and fusion—all deftly woven into the traditional jazz trio format. Roth enlists long-time collaborators William Bohrer on electric bass and Michael Henning on drums, creating a trio dynamic that is tight yet unforced, letting the interplay breathe and allowing Roth’s melodies to carry the conversation. Drawing inspiration from contemporaries like Robert Glasper, Taylor Eigsti, and Kris Bowers, Roth situates himself comfortably in the lineage of modern jazz pianists while carving out his own space.

The opening track, “It’ll Always Work Out,” is an immediate showcase of the trio’s chemistry. Roth’s piano leads the way, but your attention inevitably flits between Henning’s nuanced drumming and Bohrer’s steady, grounded basslines. The musicianship is nothing short of stellar—exactly what you'd expect from players of this caliber—but the track never veers into self-indulgence. It’s clean, precise, and refreshingly unembellished, a trait that runs throughout the record.

Tracks like “With My Eyes Closed,” “Smooth and Ambitious,” and “Our Village” lean into Roth’s clean aesthetic, eschewing effects or production tricks in favor of raw, unadulterated sound. There’s an undeniable purity to these recordings, a respect for the form that will resonate with jazz purists. Yet, it’s not all buttoned-up tradition. “In The Spirit,” for instance, is a standout for its restraint, its lightness, and its almost ethereal groove. The trio’s ability to leave space between the notes and make it feel intentional is masterful, resulting in a track that’s both grounded and airborne.

“Dream of Vee” shifts the tone, evoking the late-night intimacy of a dimly lit lounge. The track begins with a sultry bassline that feels almost tactile, its sensuality expanding as the dynamics build. By the time the trio leans into the song’s intensity, you’re jolted from the lull into something more electric, more urgent—a subtle but effective pivot.

The closer, “Turning Heads,” caps the album with a sense of resolve. It’s a groove-heavy track, with syncopated basslines and cascading piano riffs that play off each other effortlessly. Henning’s snare cuts through the mix, adding sharpness to the trio’s fluid interplay, leaving you with the kind of energy that makes you want to hit repeat.
​
It'll Always Work Out isn’t for jazz skeptics—this is a record made for those who already understand the form, or at least want to. But for anyone with an ear for the genre, Roth’s latest offering is essential listening. It’s a record that reminds you of jazz’s enduring vitality, how it can be both intricate and accessible, rooted in tradition but forward-looking. With It'll Always Work Out, Roth proves that the best things don’t just work out—they elevate.

Become A Fan

bennettrothnewell.com

Tweet