February 18, 2007
What Happens When an 'F' Becomes an 'A'?
And then I missed The David Zoffer Differential CD Release Party
By Stephen Bailey

This is not the story I wanted to write. I was supposed to review a live show by The David Zoffer Differential at The Annex (152 Orchard St, NYC). I was looking forward to the show. I had heard some samples from the band online and liked what I heard. But, thanks to the MTA and their latest repair schedule, this is now a CD review.

Earlier, I began to feel something was wrong when I nearly got mowed down by three separate SUVs while walking to the PATH station. I finally made it into Manhattan and on to the F train, still with plenty of time on my side. Then like some morphing comic book fiend, the F became the A after W. 4th Street.

For those of you who don't know what this means, let me tell you. Normally I would get off on Delancey which is just a couple of stops past W. 4th. However, because of this unsuspected change, I had to go all the way to Jay Street in Brooklyn, catch an unaffected 'F' train back to Manhattan. This added an hour to my travels causing me to miss the show at the Annex.

My original thought was to just go home, but I had gotten this far. I had to at the very least go to the club and introduce myself. When I walked in the band was just finishing clearing out their equipment from the cramped stage area. The Annex is a typically long and narrow NYC venue. Just as typically, bands are forced to clamber over tightly packed patrons and equipment to get to the stage.

David told me that the set was nearly cut in half thanks technical difficulties but felt it was a good—albeit short—set. David's wife Ima and I talked about how unfortunate it is that many sound people have difficulties working with anything other than the rock-band format. Despite the usual complications of performing under such circumstances, she told me that the sound in the room was pretty decent.

And what is that sound? Just picture Boris the Spider hanging on the wall at Joe's Garage, listening to a dizzying array of influences. It's jazzy, it's funky and it's groovy. It's a car driving erratically thru a city, taking unpredictable turns but seemingly fully aware of its destination. It's at once powerful, confusing, logical and welcoming. Phew! I think I just made myself dizzy!

Perhaps by design, this certainly is not Top 40 friendly. What we have are many varied ingredients coming together in the hands of very talented performers to make something new. Often it seems that different incomplete musical pieces were stacked and strapped together to make an altogether original concoction. A style of composition of which I happen to be a big fan.

This again points to the talent of the players. Band leader David Zoffer skillfully and smoothly handles the guitar as well as sharing vocal duties. He also makes his way on keys and occasionally bass. Rajdulari adds a soulful style to her share of the vocals. And when I say these two share vocals, it's just that. Their duets are like a dialogue between two film characters.

Jamie Stewardson has lent his bass and guitar talents to a wide spectrum of styles. In a continuing game of musical chairs, David and Jamie would on several occasions swap out their instruments. Rounding out the groove we have Eric Doob on drums keeping things moving thru Jazz, Funk and Latin neighborhoods.

Links:
The David Zoffer Differential
The Annex
Stephen Bailey