Don Was Finally Steps Out Front with “Groove In The Face of Adversity”

Don Was is one of the most successful bassists and producers in the world. He’s worked with Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, Ringo Starr, and Elton John, just to name a few, and in 2012, he was appointed the president of Blue Note Records. As such, he’s had a hand in creating music that has been enjoyed by hundreds of millions of people. However, he’s never released an album under his own name.

Until now.

Groove In The Face of Adversity marks the first full-length from Was with his latest group, the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. The nine-piece soul-jazz collective returns the bassist/producer to his musical roots by paying homage to his hometown of Detroit, Michigan.

“I’ve been chasing a sound in my head for the past 30 years. It’s jazzy and improvisational, but also glued together with a sinewy R&B groove. It’s not slick or smooth — it’s a very raw, honest, Detroit kind of thing,” he says.

The album has been gestating for a long time. The success Was had in the ’90s of working with the world’s best artists came at a cost: he hit a writer’s block for many years. “I’d sit down, play a few chords and say, ‘Well, what’s the [expletive] point of this? Brian Wilson’s just up the street. What does the world need me for?’”

An epiphany finally struck while on a session with Willie Nelson.

“I was just so filled with admiration for him,” he said. “But I realized that Willie never dropped acid and went to see the MC5 at the Grande Ballroom at 16 years old. He’s one of the greatest writers ever but growing up in 1968 Detroit is not part of his makeup. There are very few people making records right now who have that as part of their makeup. I thought ‘The thing that makes you different becomes your superpower – just be the best version of yourself that you can be.’”

Was does just that with The Pan-Detroit Ensemble. Their shared connection to the Motor City gives them a unique sound.

“From the first note we played together it was like, ‘This band clicks.’ It felt like we’ve been together all our lives,” he told the Detroit Metro Times. “But we’re all people who grew up listening to The Electrifying Mojo. They’re steeped in the history and sound of the city, and they all live here. You can try and throw folks together, but there’s nothing like having that kind of history. I’m planning to stick with this band till I drop.”

Groove In The Face of Adversity opens with “Midnight Marauders,” a reggae-infused tune that Was drives on his upright. Check out the group’s slick grooves in the studio performance:

The Pan-Detroit Ensemble is currently on the road and about to wrap up a tour with dates in Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. They’ve also dropped a new set of dates for January – see those below.

Groove in the Face of Adversity is available now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (Apple Music, and Amazon Music).

Groove in the Face of Adversity Track List:

1. Midnight Marauders
2. Nubian Lady
3. I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Time
4. This Is My Country
5. You Asked, I Came
6. Insane

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Tour Dates: