Chuck Rainey Steps Into the Light
Rainey finally gets his chance to lead, and he takes it with quiet confidence.
By the time Chuck Rainey recorded Born Again, he had already played bass on hundreds of sessions for everyone from Aretha Franklin to Steely Dan. He was one of the most dependable session players in America, the guy other musicians called when they needed rock-solid pocket and no drama. Born Again is his chance to lead, and the album matters precisely because it's straightforward about who he is.
This isn't a showcase where Rainey tries to prove he can play bebop or get avant-garde. Instead, he builds something that sits comfortably in the soul-jazz tradition—grooved, soulful, and built on bass lines that lock in hard. The album lets you hear what made him so valuable on all those other records: he doesn't overplay, he doesn't chase attention, but he knows exactly where the pocket is and never leaves it. His bass isn't the focus here; the ensemble is. That approach might sound boring in theory, but it's actually how jazz works best when the musicians trust each other.
Within Rainey's catalog of twelve albums, Born Again isn't a left-turn or a statement of artistic reinvention. It's a logical entry from someone who understands his strengths and isn't interested in pretending otherwise. If you're coming to Rainey expecting virtuosity for its own sake, this might feel like a sidestep. But if you appreciate craftsmanship and musicianship in service of the song rather than the ego, this is exactly the record to hear. It's solid work from a solid player finally getting his name on the marquee.
Who's playing
Chuck Raineybass guitar
Ray Chewpiano
Roger Bethelmydrums
Paulinho da Costapercussion
Dom Um Romãopercussion
Crusher Bennettcongas
James Alan Smithkeyboard
