Ben Levin Carryout or Delivery

Ben Levin
Carryout or Delivery
VizzTone

About Ben Levin's previous album, "Before Me," I wrote that "he plays and sounds with a maturity far beyond his youth." I concluded, "After listening to this recording several times, I am struck by how fresh this music keeps sounding. "Before Me" is an exceptional recording." "Carryout or Delivery" is his follow-up recording recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recorded in mid-June 2020, he is backed by his father Aron Levin on guitar, Oscar Bernal on drums, and Chris Douglass on bass.

Ben Levin wrote eight originals, and there are four covers. With this solid backing band, he is heard on piano, electric piano, and organ. He again impresses with his unforced, heartfelt vocals as well as his superb keyboard playing. He mixes flourishes of virtuosity with more nuanced playing. He evokes Otis Spann's piano on the opening "You Know" as he sings to his baby that if she keeps running around on him, she won't be around him much more. He displays an adroit touch on the electric piano is displayed on "Too Good For Me." "Carryout or Delivery" has a jazzy tinge with a vocal chorus, and Aron Levin adding tasty fills in addition to Ben Levin's sophisticated piano solo.

"Nola Night" is a delightful instrumental with a Latin tinge evocative of the Crescent City. Another salute to the Crescent City is a top-notch rendition of Professor Longhair's recording "Hadacol Bounce." Also of note is Levin's unrushed cover of Frank Frost's "My Back Scratcher" with him playing some restrained but greasy organ. Another selection is his introspective rendition of Floyd Dixon's "Time Brings About a Change." It is a standout rendition in the manner of Dixon and Charles Brown and closes another outstanding recording from Ben Levin.

I received a review copy from a publicist. Here is a selection from this album.