What makes HEAVY DROPS so engaging isn’t just the technical skill, though it’s definitely evident, but how enjoyable the music is to listen to.
Self Released
Adam Ben Ezra – Double Bass, Keyboards, Vocals, Flute; Michael Olivera Garcia – Drums and Percussion; Omer Mor – Electric Guitar (Play It Cool)
For more than a decade, Adam Ben Ezra has been reshaping the role of the double bass, elevating it from a supporting instrument to a lead voice as expressive as any saxophone, trumpet, or guitar. HEAVY DROPS takes that evolution even further, pushing boundaries while keeping the groove and melody that make up his signature style. He’s joined by powerhouse drummer Michael Olivera, whose dynamic, rhythmic interplay enhances Ben Ezra’s percussive and melodic approach.
Inspired by a diverse range of heroes, including Bach, Jaco Pastorius, Bobby McFerrin, and Chick Corea, Ben Ezra has built a flourishing international music career. He has performed worldwide, playing hundreds of shows and he’s shared the stage with artists like Snarky Puppy, Pat Metheny, and Victor Wooten.
Recorded over three days in Madrid, with additional layers added in Ben Ezra’s home studio in Portugal, HEAVY DROPS is a bold, self-produced statement. The ten original compositions blend jazz, Latin, classical, and funk, all powered by his bass, which grooves, sings, and drives the rhythm. Olivera’s drumming serves as both a foundation and an equal voice in the conversation, sparkling with lively, back-and-forth energy.
The title track, HEAVY DROPS, weaves intricate basslines with tight, syncopated polyrhythmic percussion. Olivera’s drumming is hypnotically precise, while overdubbed layers of vocals, flute, and synthesizers melt seamlessly into the mix.
Bach’s influence shines through in ‘Portrait of Natalie’s’ elegant voice leading and Baroque-inspired harmonic progressions.
‘Hazy Steps’ ventures into jazz fusion territory, full of harmonic twists, a groove-heavy funk beat, waves of synthesizers, a vocal chorus, and powerful percussion that pulls the music along.
‘Taming the Bull ’draws inspiration from the music of his home country, Portugal, subtly nodding to Fado. The track resonates with the bass’s intricate rhythms and emotional melodies. The interplay between the bass and drums is perfectly in sync, while additional percussion layers are added post-recording, building texture upon texture.
What makes HEAVY DROPS so engaging isn’t just the technical skill, though it’s definitely evident, but how enjoyable the music is to listen to. With Olivera in the mix, the duo creates an album that’s rhythmically vibrant, harmonically rich, and full of surprises.
