STEVE GREGORY

Check out my new record, FROLIC

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featuring:

Jeff Babko - keys

Eric Sittner - bass

Ray Brinker - drums

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At the crossroads of funk, soul, country, and blues we find Steve Gregory’s delicate debut Frolic. A collection of lighter-than-air instrumentals that blend extraordinary tightness withtalent, vision, and pure musical joy, Frolic is an utter pleasure to experience, from start to the very end. . .

Frolic is easily among the best things I’ve heard all year. A collection of instrumentals that left me satisfied and comforted, Steve Gregory and company are an efficient bunch that arein perfect control of their craft. Their musicianship is thoroughly lovely and the professionalism that they bring with them knows no bound. An album of space left intentionally by each member of the group to be adequately filled by input from others, an album of experienced performances that give each composition exactly what it needs, no more and no less, an album of beautiful sounds that are as beautifully put together as they are beautifully played, recorded, and produced, Frolic is a thoroughly pleasant experience.

MOATAZ GWAILY, Rock Era Magazine​I

In an unshowy fashion, he demonstrates complete mastery of the guitar across 12 self-penned tracks. These range from laidback ballads to driving rock, interspersed with shades of country, blues and – in places – disco, soul and new age. Working with some first-rate colleagues, Gregory seems completely at home across these assorted styles, making the album an impressive testimony to his versality and virtuosity.  Jeff Babko offers standout accompaniment on organ and synthesizer, and where guitar and keyboards meet, there is often a Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler vibe to the atmosphere and phrasing of the music.​

Gregory’s work for television has clearly honed his skill at telling stories through sound, as several of the compositions would be right at home as film or TV incidental themes. Some albums have an instant connection and likeability about them, and Frolic is certainly one of those. One of the most enjoyable listens of 2025 so far, if there is one complaint it is that at 46 minutes it is too short. Let us hope Steve Gregory is planning more frolics in the not-too-distant future.

JOHN ADCOCK,  Jazz Journal UK