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Mike Gordon: Steamroller Wheelies: A Restoration Convoy

JEMP

Ever since Hurricane Irene ravaged Mike Gordon’s current home state of Vermont in August 2011, the Phish bassist has been a leader in raising funds to help those affected rebound from the flooding. For his latest Vermont Flood Relief fundraising effort, Gordon compiled a collection of ten tracks from various projects recorded during the last 12 years, featuring a varied array of collaborators such as Little Feat, Chris Thile, Oteil Burbridge and Phish bandmates Jon Fishman and Page McConnell. Steamroller Wheelies: A Restoration Convoy demonstrates the diversity of the many projects in which Gordon has involved himself. Surprisingly, one of Gordon’s first forays into hip-hop, “Walking On Ipe,” is one of the collection’s standout tunes—thanks to funky keyboard work from McConnell and catchy rhymes from P. Diddy’s valet Farnsworth Bentley. Other highlights include the slinky, syncopated groove brought to “Sideways” by Gordon and the Benevento-Russo Duo, a fun reimagining of “Hokey Pokey” and Thile’s rapid-fire mandolin work on “Hang Glide.” Despite the variety shown throughout the album, it’s Gordon’s signature bass stylings that tie the ten tracks together into a cohesive package worthy of a listen.