Almost Home, the debut album by the jazz quartet Groovology, is filled with variety: thoughtful solos, joyful grooves, and inventive originals.

Based in Honolulu, Groovology was formed during the pandemic. It comprises four talented and busy musicians: Aaron Aranita on woodwinds and piano, David Yamasaki on guitar, Ernie Provencher on bass, and Scott Shafer on drums.  The four musicians perform their own fresh and original compositions on Almost Home with four composed by Aranita, two each by Shafer and Yamasaki, and one from Provencher. Due to the group’s high level of musicianship, Almost Home features an impressive variety that explores many moods and styles.

The set begins with the title cut which has a sweet melody and fine spots for tenor sax and guitar. “Mambosaki” features the group romping on a joyful mambo. Provencher’s bass lines and Aranita’s rhythmic piano set the foundation behind a complex theme leading to inspired improvisations by Yamasaki on guitar and Aranita on flute. Yamasaki’s “Groovology” is funky and infectious with Aranita playing colorfully on bass clarinet while Shafer’s “Bubbles the Clown” is a good-humored medium-tempo blues featuring a tradeoff between Aranita and Shafer…..