When an album starts off with a 9-minute song, it’s a statement. It’s declaring that it’s not for those who seek the instant gratification of the modern age of songs. Jeff Summa and The Roasters’ “Who’s Got My Lighter” is for those who crave an experience they can immerse themselves in fully. An album that should be consumed religiously and actively listened to in one sitting. I believe that is the only way to experience such a varied and nuanced creation.
If it’s not obvious from the title, the album is like Funkadelic, Frank Zappa, and Stoner music from the ’70s combined into one beautiful concoction. There is so much musicality on display here, and the musicians are having an absolute blast. Everybody gets a solo, everybody gets to improvise and add their touch to this amazing, soulful album. Let us embark on this transformative spiritual journey together.
These influences I mentioned are immediately apparent in the title track. It is just straight up fun, has a great sense of humor, and the drumming is simply top tier. It’s setting you up to lie back because this is going to be a whole ride. The groove and what the brass section plays remind me of Japanese jazz fusion. There is more music in this one track than in some albums. Jeff Summa and The Roasters waste absolutely no time and go ham on the very first track of this incredible record.
Bringing it down a notch, the band effectively draws you into a more mellow track, “Iguanas”. Vibes are good until that synth lead hits, then it becomes amazing. The sense of melody and how the ensemble moves through the harmony together in perfect chemistry will leave a smile on your face and melt the coldest of hearts.
Transporting us to reggae land, “Non-reality” features lyrics that challenge your perception of reality and explore themes of voodoo magic, and the music really slows down to give the lyrical storytelling more space. A clavinet also joins the fray of varied textures on this track and helps polish its trance-like groove.
Now, about groove, the swing on “Funk All Night” is nasty; it’s just so deep in the pocket you can’t help but move along with it. Jeff Summa and The Roasters are effectively now in “The Zone” from the Pixar movie “Soul” where every musician is locked in and completely one with the music. The tastiest riffs and fills I’ve heard all year. This record continues to surprise me, and we’re only halfway through.
“Simple Song” takes us in a completely different direction into country ballad territory. But it tackles a topic that is foreign to the genre. It’s about the creative process and how one becomes inspired to write a song. And as always, the textures continue to vary. This one has a texture inspired by Dire Straits. Showcasing their versatility and their musical prowess once again.
“Loss Cat” picks up the pace back into absurdity. All the instruments go wild on this track, just like the titular character; everybody is lost in the groove in their own pocket universe. Probably the most Zappa-inspired track on the album.
“That Ship Has Sailed” is more blues-oriented, following a traditional progression but keeping similar instrumentation and arrangement to the other tracks. Honestly, the album feels like it was all done in one take. That’s how cohesive it feels. The song’s lyrics are an effective form of social commentary about how the importance of truth has dwindled in society, and the lines between truth and lies begin to blur.
A much dreamier song now, “So Far Away” has bright layers of harmony while the organ constantly drones in the background. You will feel like you’re floating through the clouds with beautifully executed minute-long, clean guitar solos as the band’s dynamics take off to take you far away and finally land in the next track.
“Everybody Knows” starts with a fanfare of brass sounds ushering in the infectious groove of the song. The song tackles the sobering theme of life’s responsibilities catching up to a free soul with grace, not wrath, not complaining about not being able to party all the time. That’s just the way it goes, as they say. And so we savor the moments where we get to have fun.
Taking a more serious turn now, in “High Mage” the atmosphere is magical (pun intended). Seriously, I had to put my drink down just to take it in. The psychedelic and progressive rock aspect of the album reaches its peak as the lyrics recite concepts of esoteric magic and the music takes unexpected turns through multiple tonalities, like going through a labyrinth, unveiling esoteric secrets lost long ago.
“Waters Run Still” serves as the finale of this Technicolor movie of an album with lush acoustic guitar and grand piano sounds. A heartfelt ballad full of nostalgia that explores the days of youth and how it seemed like we had endless time and dreams as kids, and that those dreams were not achieved. But it’s not bitter, no, it does the opposite. The song serves as a reminder that the waters run still and that your dreams are still achievable, and I think it’s a perfect positive ending to this musical odyssey.
Jeff Summa and The Roasters’ “Who’s Got My Lighter” is a life-changing genre-bending album that you should get your friends together and listen to with a good sound system or in a car together, and just sit in silence to enjoy it and really cherish it because this is audible gold. A genuinely well-crafted, passionately made piece of art, and one that will definitely have a lasting impact on you.