A long-awaited return, rising star showcase and rediscovered lost treasures are featured in my column this week.
Title: Perfect Union (Ru-Jac Records / Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Kool & the Gang, Earth, Wind & Fire
Tell me more: Kool & the Gang are back with their first new album since 2011. Perfect Union is at once a celebration of the enduring New Jersey-launched group's legacy and a bold step into the future. Amidst the myriad of troubles and issues facing America at home and abroad, the lead track "Pursuit of Happiness" is a hopeful message in tune with the times. Beyond that powerful track (offered via two different versions that bookend the track listing), Perfect Union features a stash of great cuts that utilize the two-time Grammy Award winning ensemble's powers at masterfully blending soul, funk, rap, rock, dance and pop. Produced by the late Ronald Khalis Bell (the brother of Robert "Kool" Bell, Khalis passed away suddenly in September 2020), the diversity of the material is equaled by the undeniable grooves, rich production, top-tier vocals and strength of the songs. The R&B dance track "High," smooth "All To Myself," breezy "Hold On" and disco-mining "Good Time" also shine. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: 662 (Alligator Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Gary Clark Jr.
Tell me more: Only 22, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is already a top-tier vocalist, bona fide guitar hero and true original. Likely the most dynamic blues-rock guitar master of his generation, the Clarksdale, Mississippi native's sophomore album 662 is required listening. Sure his guitar playing will blow you away, but like genre champions ranging from Buddy Guy and Walter Trout to Gary Clark Jr. and Eric Gales, Ingram has found his own voice in ways that impress and dazzle. On the soulful "Another Life Goes By," Ingram uses his expressive baritone to ask: "Where does hate come from and how can we make it stop? / We got to make some changes before somebody else gets shot / We need to pay attention to all the helpless cries / we got to stop the madness before another life goes bye." He turns on a dime for the powerful confessional blues rocker "Not Gonna Lie," an intoxicating track where he notes how his guitar playing was his way out of poverty and an uncertain future; his masterful rhythm and lead guitar playing is flawless and electrifying. On the soul-styled ballads "You're Already Gone" and "That's All It Takes," Ingram's emotive vocals take the listener into a cliche-free immersion into romantic loss — his subtle guitar work makes the listen all the more potent. Those who simply want to revel in his incredible guitar fireworks, listen to "662," "My Bad," "I Got To See You" and "Long Distance Woman." Ingram will celebrate the release of 662 with live performances at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 10 and the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Information: ChristoneKingfishIngram.com.
Title: Explorer Tapes (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Beck, Lannie Flowers, Roger Manning Jr.
Tell me more: While many of the new studio albums being released this summer were written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the story behind the self-titled release from Texas-spawned Explorer Tapes couldn't be more different. The creation of Explorer Tapes dates back to musicians Max Townsley and Drew Erickson setting out from the Dallas/Fort Worth area to come west to Los Angeles in search of a publishing deal and recording contact. They were also able to secure a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music and signed with Warner Records, ultimately recording a full-length effort during a three-week span in 2015. However, the album was not issued at the time. Fast forward to 2021 and the world finally gets to hear this winning collection courtesy of Omnivore Recordings. The driving melodic rocker "All Depends On You," soulful "Texas Time" (featured on Keith Urban's 2018 album "Graffit U"), rootsy folk rocker "A Good Friend Is Hard To Find" and dreamy "Washed Away" are among the early standouts on the set. The momentum of the album — a blend of modern and cool retro stylings — continues via great tracks like the jazzy "Change Looks Good On You," reflective acoustic foray "Everybody's Crazy," shimmering "Easy To Love" and several bonus tracks (the breezy "Sunset Strip" and romance-pining "Still Love Lindsay"). Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: Love Too Late...the real album (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Cars, Sorrows, The Armoires
Tell me more: The history of the music business is littered with great young artists whose creative instincts were swept aside or destroyed by music industry power brokers. Sorrows was a rising band in the late 1970s and early '80s; the quartet's sophomore LP Love Too Late was released at the dawn of the 1980s but not before the band members and singers were replaced — indeed, only the songs survived the label's ill-fated bid at commercial pay dirt. Fast forward to 2021 and Burbank-based Big Stir Records has issued "Love Too Late...the real album," a new recording of that album featuring original Sorrows members Arthur Alexander (vocals, guitar), Joey Cola (vocals, guitar) an Ricky Street (vocals, bass) and new generation member Luis Herrera (drums). The shimmering opener "Christabelle" is melodic, romantic to be sure, and bolstered by great harmonies and marvelous lead guitar work. The lovely "So Much Love" works via a mix of jangly guitars, a taunt propulsive rhythm and a decidedly sassy vocal performance in the verses. Other treasures on the disc include the reggae-flavored "Crying Time," exceptional harmonies-filled power pop cut "Rita," beautiful "Breaking My Heart (Over You)," frantically fun "Street Punk Blues" and a snappy version of The Kinks' "Tired Of Waiting For You." Information: BigStirRecords.com.
Robert Kinsler
1 comment:
This band Sorrows, really intrigues me.
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