New Release: The Man Who Would Be King from Adam De Lucia

 

New Release:  The Man Who Would Be King from Adam De Lucia
Label: Independent
Release Date: August 7, 2026
Website:  https://thetektonics.com/

Guitarist, leader and composer Adam De Lucia amasses a symphony of improvised solos and mutable support structures on his recording The Man Who Would Be King, a title inspired by John Huston’s adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling story.  Integrating jazz fusion, funk, blues, and flaming Santana-esque riffs, De Lucia delivers a sonic adventure for the listener through psychedelic soundscapes, rollicking rhythms, and sizzling interplay.  Comprised of 8 original tracks by De Lucia, the music has a spontaneous slant, moving in various directions as the musicians build from one another's threads in each piece.  "Will You Follow” is a prime example, developing solo parts from a single motif that causes shifts in the melodic patterns, heightening in scope and intensity.  The funky furls of Michael Ghegan's tenor sax create a buoyant atmosphere along "8 Out," as Jordan Perlson's vigorous drumming amplify the positive energy, while the subdued ambience of  “Gorilla” emphasizes a smooth simmering groove that suspends Donny McCaslin's sleek saxophone musings and the glittery effects of Henry Hey's synthesizer.  A lively exchange is articulated between De Lucia's Stratocaster and Ghegan's sax along "6 Day Regimen," producing dynamic activity, assisted by the pummeling beats of Perlson's drumming and throbbing pulse of Tim Lefebvre's bass.  Densely layered, the parts are arranged in such a manner that each instrument is distinguishable and essential to the melodic journey.  There is a strong sense of the music being alive as the melodic progressions mutate, and the musicians engage in an active correspondence, generating a vitality that welcomes listeners.