“Living Standards II” is protean drummer Karl Latham’s second adventurous jazz/jam journey exploring smash pop and rock hits that have become modern standards, following the well-received “Living Standards” (2016) featuring Mark Egan and Vic Juris.

“Living Standards II” once again, pairs Latham with good friend and iconic bassist Mark Egan and renowned guitarist Mitch Stein (Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Steve Kimmock). Top tier musicians, keyboardist Henry Hey (David Bowie, Bill Evans, Tedeschi/Trucks), renowned percussionist Roger Squitero and special guest vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid join Latham in stirring the creative pot on several of the selections.

“Living Standards II” draws influences from Miles Davis’ electric groups and jazz fusion groups of the 1970’s inventively paired with iconic class rock hits including Crosby, Still, Nash and Young “Carry On”, Buffalo Springfield’s “Rock and Roll Woman” and Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride”.

Featured tracks are Derek and the Dominoes “Layla”, Led Zeppelin’s “What Is and Should Never Be”, and The Doors “Break on Through”. The poignant King Crimson ballad “Matte Kudasi” presents a moment of reflection, with spell binding solo from Hey, before adventurous takes of “Magic Carpet Ride” and “Carry On” (with a playful nod to Davis’ “Jack Johnson and Live/Evil”) round out the release.

Karl Latham (Drums) Mark Egan (Bass) Mitch Stein (Guitar) Henry Hey (Keyboards) Roger Squitero (Percussion) Wolfgang Lackerschmid (Vibraphone)

1 Break on Through (To the Other Side) 9:20 2 Rock and Roll Woman 4:31 3 What Is and What Should Never Be 7:58 4 Layla 8:56 5 Matte Kudasai 7:53 6 Magic Carpet Ride 6:21 7 Carry On Part I 6:47 8 Carry On Part II 4:59

Bob Gluck - Keyboards Christopher Dean Sullivan - Electric Bass/ Karl Latham - Drums

Track Listing 1.     “Question & Answer” (Pat Metheny) 2.     “Afternoon” (Pat Metheny) 3.     “The Bat” (Pat Metheny) 4.     “Offramp” (Pat Metheny) 5.     “Dolphin Dance” (Herbie Hancock) 6.     “Everything that Lives Laments” (Keith Jarrett) 7.     “Roof Dogs” (Pat Metheny

The versatility and synergy of “Transcendence” pairs a dynamic trio with a repertoire that is rooted in jazz while rising beyond genre. In its collective interplay and expansive approach, the trio seeks to capture the emotional depth and storytelling inherent in Pat Metheny's compositions - from lyricism and fragility to playfulness and explosiveness - while considering new possibilities and directions. What super charges the performance is each musician’s ability to listen, respond, and truly make music together.

The “Transcendence” sessions also represented an exploratory laboratory for the writing of pianist Bob Gluck’s new book, “Pat Metheny: Stories beyond Words” (University of Chicago Press, 2024). The two projects, one sonic and the other written text, fed one another. This recording was thus informed by insight gained in the study of Pat Metheny and his music, while the book was informed by the unparalleled experience that gave birth to this exciting trio and its first album. credits releases July 1, 2025

“Transcendence: Music of Pat Metheny” Performances by Bob Gluck (keyboards), Christopher Dean Sullivan (electric bass), Karl Latham (drums).

FMR CD 718-0125. Produced for FMR by Trevor Taylor CD design by Ewan Rigg Photographs by Bob Gluck, painting by Stan Gluck, and bandmember collage by Christopher Dean Sullivan. Recorded live by Karl Latham at Firefly Studio Mixed and mastered by Paul Wickliffe

Karl Latham endorses Paiste Cymbals, Yamaha Drums, Evans Drumheads, ProMark Drumsticks, RME, Radial Engineering, AEA Ribbon Microphones, Primacoustic, Heil Sound, Big Fat Snare, Prologix Percussion. Christopher Dean Sullivan plays a one-of-a-kind Valez fretless electric bass.

About the “Transcendence” trio: electricsongs.com/transcendencemusic/