There seems to be an unconscious line of thinking among music critics that they shouldn’t expect much from solo albums by drummers (in any genre), no matter how established they are. After all, they are ‘just’ drummers, often having in mind that trite joke that drummers are musicians’ best friends.
Yet, over and over again, quite a few drummers come up with albums that bring some excellent music, whatever genre or genres they take on. Current case in point – Sometimes, Late At Night, debut solo album by Jharis Yokley, a session drummer, who has worked with the likes of Solange, Chance the Rapper, Ani Difranco, DJ Premier, and others.
Sure, on the album, Yokley shows his brilliant skills at his chosen instrument, but he also shows that he is an excellent composer who is able to cross quite a few genres, practically all those that the other artists he has worked with operate within.
With a somewhat deceptive title, which probably refers to mood swings that solitude sometimes brings late at night, Yokley combines jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop beats, with subtle streaks of pop variations when necessary, along with an excellent choice of collaborators like BIGYUKI, José James and Taali, he creates a heady musical brew that can actually be listened to any time of day.
