There comes a point in every great artist’s career when the music comes full circle, and the root of the muse returns to once again deal out inspiration: the people, places, sounds and memories of the past serve to influence splendor. For Skip Heller, Homegoing is just such a moment. And in going back, Heller takes his greatest step forward. His most focused and rewarding album to date, Homegoing signifies Heller’s emergence from a revered cult figure on the Los Angeles music scene to a national presence as a composer, bandleader and guitarist in today’s jazz world. Released on Innova Recordings, the date features Heller’s quartet, including Mike Bolger on organ, Robert Drasnin on clarinet and alto saxophone and Howard Greene on drums. Lee Toft makes a special appearance on trumpet as does former Blasters’ guitarist Dave Alvin on vocals.

Streamlining the eccentricities of previous albums, Skip Heller does exactly as Homegoing suggests - returning in heart and spirit to his birthplace Philadelphia where he cut his teeth as an aspiring teenage jazz guitarist in the early to mid ‘80s. It was South Philly jazz dives like Bob and Barbara’s, All That Jazz and Sir Winston’s where Heller learned his craft. "In those days I was working in jazz clubs three and often five weeks a night. I like party music, and the bars where the organ was the center of the action were a perfect blend of jazz and rhythm ‘n’ blues. The guitar had a strong role in the sound, too. The audience tended to shout their approval in the middle of your solo if you were getting over."

Homegoing is this year’s outside contender for the finest organ jazz record of the year. The date alternately cooks and simmers, and groovy soul jazz workouts abound, but always with Heller’s playful, deeply loving touch. 'Meydele' is a lowdown, funky, slow burn that might give Grant Green pause, yet in prime Heller fashion it’s drawn from a Yiddish wedding march. Heller’s pal, Dave Alvin, drops in for a perfectly swinging, late night serenade of the Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne standard 'Time After Time'.

A striking contrast begins to set Homegoing apart, exemplifying what makes Heller’s approach so essential. Where one might expect honking tenors on tunes such as 'Emily Remer' and 'The ‘Intensive’ Girl - a soulful clarinet drives the melody. The music appropriates a warm, down-home elegance, always reverent but completely void of worn clichés. One would never expect an adaptation of Mahler’s 'Symphony #5' to serve as a centerpiece for Heller’s quintet to stretch out and smoke a bit, but the band lights it up bar after bar in brilliant fashion.

Dave Alvin returns for the Little Walter classic, 'I Just Keep Lovin’ Her', which very well might evoke a twist on the dance floor with the old lady around 3:00 A.M. Closing the program is a gorgeous version of the Terry Adams ballad 'Thinking of You', twinkling with lush organ and sweet, soul singing guitar. And there you have it. A stroll through Skip Heller’s Philadelphia on a full moon night.

Arriving in Los Angeles in 1995, Heller immediately began to carve out a career, exploring a musical eclecticism that few musicians would be capable of. His collaborations include artists as far and wide as exotic diva Yma Sumac to Todd Rundgren, Big Jay McNeely, Dave Alvin, Susanna Hoffs, Big Sandy, Ken Nordine, and even Martin Mull. In addition, Heller’s composed music for The Flintstones and Dexter’s Laboratory, produced roughly two dozen well-received indie discs, toured as a member of NRBQ and has been commissioned to compose for various modern music ensembles. All the while, keeping his own working bands in tact, playing every bar from the House of Blues on Sunset Strip to The Living Room in Watts. The Skip Heller Quartet, featured on Homegoing, has become a staple on the L.A. jazz scene, and are slowly venturing out for dates around the country. Upcoming tours in the Midwest and East Coast are expected shortly.

Web site: http://www.SkipHeller.com/