Chris Dave And The Drumhedz - Chris Dave And The Drumhedz (2018)

The final two songs on Chris Dave’s debut album present a vivid argument for the drummer as modern bandleader. After a couple of minutes of the psychedelic “Lady Jane,” the Houston-born musician’s stickwork explodes, scattering percussive shrapnel all over the track before he takes command and slows the song to a stuttering halt. And on the space-jazz-influenced “Trippy Tipsy,” Dave’s rocket-fuel drumming lends momentum to celestial sax riffs. Together, they showcase the man behind the drum kit as the lead musical voice. But it’s telling that those two songs are instrumental affairs, because the 13 tracks that precede them are heavy on guest vocalists, to the point where Dave becomes cast as a backseat presence on what should be his journey.

Make no mistake, Dave’s credentials are fully in check. Drumming since the age of three, he’s subsequently played with D’Angelo and John Legend, while in the recording studio he’s contributed to Grammy-winning albums by the Robert Glasper Experiment (Black Radio) and Adele (21). Dave’s connections and reputation have allowed him to pack his self-titled debut with guests who roll with Kendrick Lamar (Top Dawg Entertainment’s Inglewood connection SiR and the singer Anna Wise), hip-hop turntable icon Jazzy Jeff, renowned underground MCs Phonte Coleman and Elzhi, and even former Timbaland collaborator Tweet. But the relationship between guests and hosts isn’t even. The sheer number of voices, which is around 50 once you factor in musicians, threatens to muffle Dave’s smart and soulful playing.

When the vibe is stripped down, the project works best, but it often feels like slogging through molasses to get there. Track six, “Spread Her Wings,” is exquisite: Bilal and Tweet’s sweet vocals are thoughtfully matched with Dave’s shimmering cymbals. “Who better than me to spend your whole lifetime?” croons Bilal at the song’s apex, before Dave’s drum kit erupts into a kaleidoscope of percussion. Crucially, as the song settles, you realize that it’s the drum work conveying the emotion.

Tracklist

01. Rocks Crying
02. Universal Language
03. Dat Feelin' feat. SiR
04. Black Hole feat. Anderson .Paak
05. 2n1
06. Spread Her Wings feat. Bilal & Tweet
07. Whatever
08. Sensitive Granite feat. Kendra Foster
09. Cosmic Intercourse feat. Stokley Williams
10. Atlanta, Texas feat. Goapele & Shafiq Husayn
11. Destiny N Stereo feat. Elzhi & Phonte Coleman & Eric Roberson
12. Clear View feat. Anderson .Paak & SiR
13. Job Well Done feat. Anna Wise & SiR
14. Lady Jane
15. Trippy Tipsy