Finally!, the debut from Jake Sherman and Abe Rounds (Jake and Abe), feels like an intimate jam session where the magic of groove and melody takes center stage. This project, seven years in the making, leans heavily into funk, jazz, and soul, but what sets it apart is the dynamic way these genres are deconstructed and reshaped into something wholly unique. Sherman’s wizardry on the keys and Rounds’ masterful rhythmic precision blend into a sonic adventure that feels timeless yet undeniably fresh.
The album opens with “Incognito Mode,” a track that immediately grabs you with a liquid groove that slithers between steel guitar slides and deep, syncopated bass hits. Jake’s keys move from sultry electric piano riffs to hard-hitting organ stabs, anchoring the track with a rich warmth. Meanwhile, Abe’s drumming is tight but playful, his cymbals shimmering and snare snaps precise. On “Give My Money Back,” Sherman’s keyboard takes a sharp, aggressive turn, laying down punchy chords over Rounds’ staccato hi-hat and a deceptively simple kick-snare beat that pushes the track forward like a freight train. The mood shifts with “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” where the instrumentation becomes more subdued. Sherman’s organ swells gently under a bluesy piano riff, while Rounds keeps the rhythm sparse but steady, using brushes on the snare for a more delicate touch. This track feels like a love letter to the deep soul and gospel roots of their influences, with space between each note allowing every melodic phrase to breathe.
“Curbs,” arguably the album’s centerpiece, showcases the duo at their most experimental. A moody, descending bassline threads its way through the track, while Jake’s keyboard oscillates between ethereal synth pads and playful, wah-inflected clavinet riffs. Rounds’ drums weave in and out of the melody, his ghost notes and off-beat accents adding layers of complexity to what initially seems like a straightforward groove. The track’s chorus, though, shifts the tone entirely, drifting into a dreamlike funk that’s as cerebral as it is danceable. One of the album’s most impressive features is the way Sherman and Rounds handle dynamics, as shown in “Success” and “Stargon.” On “Success,” the duo stretches their legs, allowing each instrument room to explore before returning to a tight, locked-in groove. Sherman’s keys span the spectrum, from a shimmering Rhodes piano to a biting synthesizer solo that screams with both intensity and joy. Rounds, meanwhile, alternates between tight funk patterns and loose, open fills that give the track a sense of expansive freedom. The album wraps up with “Aussie Kiss,” where Sherman lets his fingers fly over the piano keys in a bouncy, upbeat melody, while Rounds opts for a more laid-back, almost lazy shuffle. The simplicity of the song belies the duo’s technical prowess—it’s the perfect encapsulation of their ability to make complex musicianship sound effortless and joyful.
For fans of Steely Dan’s grooviness, Flight of the Conchords’ witty lyrics, Stevie Wonder’s soulful harmonies, and the laid-back yacht-rock of Loggins & Messina, Finally! is a must-listen. Ultimately,. Finally! feels like the culmination of years of experience and experimentation for Jake and Abe. It’s not just a homage to their influences but a statement on how to make retro sounds feel contemporary. But for those who love music that’s filled with surprise and depth, Jake and Abe’s debut will leave you eagerly anticipating what’s next from this dynamic duo.
