During the global pandemic of 2020, Texas-based drummer and composer Tim Solook released his fourth album Delete Event. That album presented a fine 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 is back 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.

Three of the Changed Lives tracks, “Rhythm Suite #1”, “Rhythm Suite #2” and “Rhythm Suite #3” are short but sweet no doubt inspired by Tim’s mastery of both the drum kit and a range of percussive instruments that he plays on his new album. There’s even a drum solo here simply called “Steve Gadd”, influenced by the famed jazz drummer of the same name.

Too spatial in scope to fall completely under the smooth jazz and funk-jazz banners, yet too easy on the ears to be considered fusion or progressive instrumental, Changed Lives is diverse, contemporary instrumental jazz in the finest sense of the meaning.

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).

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.