In a rare glimpse into his early artistic roots, Marc Soucy’s re-release of When I Take The Five brings to life a vibrant 1983 live performance that bridges jazz fluidity with rock energy. Backed by Jeff Carano on bass and Ray Lavigne on drums, Soucy delivers a spirited and lighthearted piece that offers insight into the very genesis of his career as a composer.
Unlike his more recent electronic and textural explorations, this track leans heavily into the jazz end of Soucy’s stylistic range. Absent are the synthesizers and ambient layers of his Antartica pieces—instead, we’re treated to the immediacy and purity of live instrumentation, with Soucy’s piano front and center. There’s a playfulness in his phrasing and rhythmic flourishes that suggests both technical mastery and a willingness to take risks—a hallmark of jazz at its most lively.
The performance exudes spontaneity. Carano and Lavigne lock into a tight groove with Soucy, supporting his melodies with agility and warmth. Their interplay makes the piece feel like a conversation: responsive, dynamic, and alive. It’s a compelling reminder of a musical era where experimentation was visceral and live performance was the crucible for new ideas.
When I Take The Five is not just a nostalgic artifact—it’s a joyful, swinging slice of Soucy’s creative history. For longtime listeners, it deepens the understanding of his evolution. For newcomers, it offers a different lens through which to view an artist more often associated with atmospheric and genre-blending compositions.