Don Was, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble - Groove In The Face Of Adversity (2025)

After cofounding the pop-funk group Was (Not Was) with David Weiss (a.k.a. David Was) at the beginning of the '80s, Don Fagenson (a.k.a. Don Was) embarked on a rich and eclectic career as a producer—working with the likes of Brian Wilson, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Wayne Shorter. Even though his role as president and artistic director of the legendary jazz label Blue Note has kept him busy for nearly fifteen years, Don Was has never completely set aside his life as a musician, often picking up the bass again—whether as part of the trio Wolf Bros. or alongside Bob Dylan. It is this more personal side that Don Was has chosen to highlight with both mastery and humility, by releasing Groove in the Face of Adversity, his very first record under his own name.

Returning to his first calling, Don Was—comfortably settled within his group, The Pan-Detroit Ensemble—revisits all his musical territories here, reinventing the very idea of "fusion" by offering music that's hedonistic and direct. It's both diverse in style and unified by its sense of groove. Through an eclectic repertoire ranging from a country classic ("I Ain't Got Nothin' but Time" by the great Hank Williams) to the radiant soul of Curtis Mayfield ("This Is My Country"), via '70s jazz from Kenny Barron ("Nubian Lady"), the funk of Cameo ("Insane"), and even one of his own compositions ("You Asked, I Came," from the Backbeat soundtrack), Don Was goes all-in on spontaneity—a kind of informal live jam session that gives the band members wide room for expression.

Carried by the soulful voice of Steffanie Christi'an, the fiery solos of Dave McMurray on saxophone, John Douglas on trumpet, and Luis Resto on keyboards, the music flows with a pulsing fluidity—driven by the heady grooves of a sensual, organic rhythm section that ultimately roots its foundations in the pure joy of playing and sharing.

TRACKLIST

1. Don Was;Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble - Midnight Marauders
2. Don Was;Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble - Nubian Lady
3. Don Was;Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble - I Ain't Got Nothin' But Time
4. Don Was;Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble - This Is My Country
5. Don Was;Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble - You Asked, I Came
6. Don Was;Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble - Insane