“Fused” starts things off in a powerfully exciting fashion, letting the listener know to buckle in for a contemporary fusion buffet. Shades of Snarky Puppy, with a taste of Prog Rock, this tune just rips from beat one, with beautiful yet fiery solos. The accompanying video captures the group tracking at the legendary Sunset Sound Studio 2.

Then, just when you think you’ll get more of the same, Petrillo kicks into a nasty blues shuffle on “Late Night Diner”, that will bring the listener back to watching the Letterman show at 12:30 on NBC! This song drips New York City unapologetically, while you’re eating at the Empire Diner at 2:00 AM after a gig.

As the title implies, “How’s the Weather?”, evokes the melodic sensibility, groove and experimentation of early Weather Report, with guitarist extraordinaire Oz Noy leading the way, and a screaming soprano solo by LA’s Phillip Wack. A Jam Band radio delight!

Time to cool it out a bit to experience a  “Summer in Philly”, a sumptuous Grover-esque vibe, with a taste of the Roots and Musiq Soulchild, it was recorded mostly at Studio Crash in Philly, Will Donato brings the sexy sax sound that will bring you down to South Street on a sultry, steamy summer night. This tune is a Contemporary AC radio instant classic.

But just when you thought you had this record figured out, the nasty funk of “On the Regular” hits you upside the head with the thumping bass that is the distinctly great Gary Grainger. Pat and Gary lock it down and throw away the key, with Oz Noy once again providing the rhythmic harmonic scratch. Adding a taste of P- Funk Mini Moog on the main melody, the song breaks you down to a halftime jam where Oz Noy completely shreds. But the ending drum solo by Petrillo is not only one of technical virtuosity, but of syncopated passion, it must be heard to be believed.

The strong influence of Zig Modeliste and The Meters can be heard on “Grizzle”,  a track so greasy that you will want to sop it up with a biscuit and need some wet wipes and a cigar when it’s finished. The “in the cracks” swang Petrillo creates is hard to achieve unless in comes from deep inside the soul. The accordion and organ work by keyboardist Chris Fischer is so funky it will bring you down to the 13th Ward of uptown New Orleans.

Petrillo’s Jersey roots shine thru on the groovy “Dirty Jerz” which features the unmistakable rhythm guitar sound of the legendary Nile Rodgers. Pat and Nile worked together on his track “48th Street” from The Power Station Sessions. Undeniably, Nile, Pat and Gary Grainger once again create the foundation, while the Brecker Brothers-ish lines Pat wrote for fellow Jersey boys Trumpeter Steve Jankowski and Tenor Tom Timko are an earworm you’ll not soon forget. Again, a Jam Band radio special!

“Weekend Vibe” is a Smooth AC track that climbed the radio charts this year, featuring Billboard #1 recording artist Blake Aaron, and the great L.A tenor player Scott Mayo. Evoking early Spyro Gyra, Grover Washington Jr., the Rippingtons, and The Crusaders, the mood of this single is all about getting smoothed out on a Friday night, ready for a weekend of chilling out with friends wherever you may be.

“Sunset Sound Studio 2” is not only where this record was mostly cut, it was the inspiration for the melodic line and groovy 70’s sound that that studio has produced over the years. Modeski, Martin, & Wood would be pleased with the vibe of this track. Once again, Petrillo delivers great groove with an inspired solo.

Winding down the record is the final track, “Glide in my Stride”, which was released as a Smooth AC single that reached #66 on the Billboard charts. A positively uplifting track that serves as further testament to the fact that Pat Petrillo writes music that not only challenges one’s perception of where he “comes from” musically, but will also put a smile on your face and a good feeling in your heart while you listen to the full album for top to bottom. Hopefully inspiring the listener to do the same.