In the three years between the release of the veteran pop/rocker's first
Lifeforce project and this dynamic and diverse follow-up, Peterik gained solid acceptance among the musicians and fans who create the intensely passionate contemporary urban jazz community. While
Forces at Play features Peterik (onetime lead singer of
Ides of March and co-founder of
Survivor) on guitar (his primary instrument), percussion, and keyboards and includes several vocal spotlights, his ambitious aim as producer seems to be orchestrating, à la
Quincy Jones, the creation of a powerful collection of diverse rock, pop, soul, worldbeat, and contemporary jazz tunes featuring many A-list friends in his new genre. Overall, the results are joyfully schizophrenic, jumping from one vibe to the next, as if Peterik's the host of a magical studio-based festival with rotating chairs. Genre fans could enjoy his crisp ensemble action with a virtual who's who of its top instrumental stars:
Steve Cole (sax) and
Chieli Minucci (guitar) revving up on the punchy, in-the-pocket title track;
Mindi Abair (sax, vocals) charming her way through the soulful "'Sall Good" and firing up with
Minucci on the blistering ballad "Slither";
Lisa McClowry (vocals) and
Acoustic Alchemy easing dreamily through "Teach You Tonight";
Jessy J (sax) vibing with Peterik on the sultry "Jazzy Lady";
Steve Oliver (guitar, vocal percussion) driving the exotic, feel-good jam "Talking Drum";
David Pack (a pop/rock contemporary of Peterik) in a duet with Peterik on the inspirational rocker "Look for Your Life"; and
Alex Ligertwood (vocals). While one of the the main points of the first
Lifeforce CD was to introduce Peterik to a new audience with radio-friendly, essentially instrumental versions of his earlier pop hits,
Forces at Play takes Peterik to challenging new creative heights -- working with amazing musicians who help him up his game as a composer, singer, musician, and producer. It's exciting to see him making such a high-energy artistic statement and having so much fun doing it. ~ Jonathan Widran