FULL CREAM is a testament to four musicians who aren’t just playing together, they’re challenging each other, pushing boundaries, and having a blast while doing it.
Sugar Hoof Records
Ziv Ravitz – Drums; Matthew Stevens – Guitar, Bass; Greg Ward – Alto Sax, Moog; Leo Genovese – Piano
FULL CREAM is the debut from a collective of four celebrated and innovative musicians comprising Greg Ward, Ziv Ravitz, and recent Grammy Award Winners Matthew Stevens and Leo Genovese.
Music’s magic lies in how strangers can meet onstage and create brilliance together, like drummer Ziv Ravitz and saxophonist/keyboardist Greg Ward.
Hired as sidemen for bassist Linda May Han Oh’s Fall 2021 tour, Ravitz and Ward forged a deep connection during their two weeks of performing in Europe.
Ravitz and Ward initially envisioned their project as a duo, However, they soon recognized the need for a third member to enhance their sound and deepen their ideas.
The duo unanimously chose guitarist and bassist Matthew Stevens, a fellow collaborator in Oh’s ensembles. Scheduling conflicts and the pandemic delayed the recording of FULL CREAM until July 2023, a fortunate break that allowed pianist Leo Genovese to join, completing this internationally dispersed quartet. Ziv Ravitz resides in southern France, Leo Genovese in New York City, Matthew Stevens near Boston, and Greg Ward in Chicago.
The album ranges from rock to free jazz, with each musician bringing their own distinct perspective. Featuring eight original compositions, the music weaves together bold exploration with a clear sense of purpose. Ward explains, “Everyone pitched in ideas, about orchestration, texture, tempo, style, and form. Once we landed on the structure, we locked it in.
‘Nobodies’ kicks off the album with driving syncopation from Ravitz’s drums and Stevens ’funky bass lines. Stevens ’guitar tears through the mix with raw, rocking energy, locking in with Ward’s fiery wailing alto sax. Genovese’s Hammond B-3 organ adds sly, punchy phrases that weave effortlessly through the quartet’s controlled chaos. It’s a dynamic opener, brimming with energy and precision.
“Good Morning Zebras” begins with Genovese’s graceful piano, setting a serene and unhurried tone. The band moves together at an easy, loping gait, with soft synths gently shimmering beneath the surface.
‘Argo’ reflects a specific time and place in Greg Ward’s life. After graduating from school, the saxophonist moved into his grandparents ’basement in Argo, IL, southwest of Chicago. Ward’s alto saxophone starts the piece with a good amount of angst, while the drummer and bassist lock in tightly, creating a rhythm section brimming with energy and intensity.
‘Argo’ captures a sense of musical chaos and wild intensity, standing in sharp contrast to Ravitz’s ‘Late.’ With its meditative and introspective mood, ‘Late’ offers a refreshing shift, demonstrating the band’s knack for creating deeply intimate moments while staying true to the
album’s cohesive vision and the distinct voices of its players. The Hammond B3 organ weaves in perfectly, its warm, rounded tones ripple through the mix, responding to the players with subtle accents and flourishes, but never overpowering.
FULL CREAM is a testament to four musicians who aren’t just playing together, they’re challenging each other, pushing boundaries, and having a blast while doing it. We’re all the luckier for it.
