" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Basile.

With Benergy, bassist and composer Basile offers a solid jazz groove. However, his sound also reveals deep roots in ska, reggae, and dub, combined with the improvisational spirit of jazz. This record blends genres effectively, bringing jazz and Jamaican music together in ways that feel both personal and organic.

Basile, a veteran of the global ska scene with credits that include Big D and the Kids Table, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble and Pilfers, is also a dedicated member of the Hudson Valley jazz community. That dual identity is everywhere on Benergy, from the rhythmic punch of traditional ska on "Mountain Road" and "Cacao Knibb" to the subtle harmonic turns of "A Negative Peace," along with solo sections that reveal his jazz education and sensibility.

What makes Benergy stand out is the way it builds from the bottom up. As a bassist, Basile composes with a strong sense of the pocket, allowing for the momentum and energy of each song to develop. This concept is evident from the album's title, which came from a student's description of his propulsive style as "Benergy," music that is all about motion, uplift, and flow.

Each track features a shifting cast of collaborators drawn from both Basile's ska and jazz circles. Guitarist