Clattermouuuth’s Music of The Week: ‘Short Trip to Space’ by John Tropea

By Andrew Kohler

Welcome back to Clattermouuuth’s Music of the Week, curating Rockaway’s music taste one week at a time.

Today, I thought it best to recommend an amazing album I discovered this week: “Short Trip to Space” by John Tropea, released in 1977. This jazz-fusion album is honestly, one of the most exciting ones I’ve heard in a long time. For those who don’t know, jazz-fusion is a blend of jazz with rock and funk elements—and this album does it extremely well. Each song feels new and refreshing, yet it’s as if you’ve known them all your life. Tropea’s guitar is just one of the many active voices that lead you through this ecstatic journey.

The lead track, “The Funk You See is the Funk You Do,” is my personal favorite. It feels like you’ve experienced a 10-out-of-10 album after just the first song. In three minutes and twelve seconds, it takes you to so many different places. One moment, you’re on a ’70s dance floor; the next, you’re on a beach. And when it ends, you’ll find yourself wondering, “How are there still seven more tracks?”

The next track answers that question with a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Can’t Hide Love,” featuring a much-needed woodwind solo that arguably sounds better than the original vocals (let me know what you think at clattermouuuthrec@gmail.com). This track is much chiller than the one before it and tells you you’re in for a wild ride—with plenty of twists and turns.

This album takes you on a trip, and every song is a sight to see (or hear). At the same time, each song is a trip in itself, and not a second is wasted. So please—take a “Short Trip to Space” with this album.