During the global pandemic of 2020, Texas-based drummer and composer Tim Solook released his fourth album Delete Event.

That album was a noteworthy continuation of Tim’s jazzy, instrumental fusion sound and featured a range of musicians that helped him bring that album to completion.

Now, in 2024 Tim Solook returns with his fifth solo album Changed Lives. Featuring a fresh set of Solook originals, the 10-track, 43-minute album spotlights several of the same musicians featured on Delete Event including electric guitarist Paul Chester.

Inspired by the life-changing events of the past four years, including the pandemic and war in Europe, Changed Lives sounds equally positive and inspiring.

The chemistry between the players on hand is very impressive with Tim’s full-scale drum kit leading the ensemble through a full range of musical changes.

The performances of guitarist Paul Chester and the keyboards of Andrew Lienhard are quite impressive, as they were back on 2020’s Delete Event. Adding more to the sound of Changed Lives are David Craig (bass) and Warren Sneed (sax).

1. Rhythm Suite #1
2. January
3. Free Sample
4. Rhythm Suite #2
5. I’m Not Sayin’ Nothin’
6. Changed Lives
7. Rhythm Suite #3
8. Old Friends
9. Steve Gadd
10. Twenty Three

A regular drummer for fellow Houston Jazz Mafia member Tianna Hall, this mesmerizingly musical new recording opens on the veritably ethereal, stoic yet moving Rhythm Suite #1, before next unleashing the joyful escapade of January, the melodious Free Sample, the feverishly sculpted Rhythm Suite #2, and then comes the beautiful dance floors swirls and twirls of I’m Not Sayin’ Nothin’.

Along next is the ornately sewn title track Changed Lives and the third, and final of the atmospheric Rhythm Suite’s (#3), and they are in turn followed seamlessly by the upright bass-fed, languishing beauty within Old Friends, the drum-led exploits of Steve Gadd, closing on the luxuriant Twenty Three.

Changed Lives was recorded in Sugar Land, Texas in late 2023 with the exception of the title track, recorded at Houston’s San Jacinto College in mid 2022. An affirmation of optimistic musical energies generated during times of adversity and challenge; Changed Lives is a positive channel for Tim Solook’s collective musical expression.

Official Spotify Purchase Link