Vodka doesn’t often get terribly excited about instrumental-only music. It happens though, and quite a lot more often than it used to. It’s not that I don’t like instrumental music, I do. Listening to instrumental music is a pleasant experience, I just have a tough time getting my mind into it enough to review much of it. Some notable exceptions are Lydian Collective, Snarky Puppy, a handful of others, and now Carlos Eiene. Carlos Eine has been a big force in…
Vodka likes to expose all sorts of music, but honestly, it usually isn’t straight-up instrumental. There are several exceptions, Lydian Collective, Snarky Puppy, etc., but for the most part, the music that I cover here has lyrics. That seems to be shifting a bit over time. Perhaps because the quality of instrumental music itself has increased, or perhaps I’m just noticing it more these days. Enter Daniel Sherrill, whose traditional banjo compositions are beautiful and breathtaking. Fortune, (seen/heard here) is from Sherrill’s…
Malika Tirolien may be familiar to you if you are a fan of Snarky Puppy, a collective of musicians who have made a name for themselves in instrumental music influenced by jazz, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, pop music and more. Malika sang on the group’s Grammy-winning Family Dinner – Volume One. A singer, songwriter, and pianist based in Montreal, Malika will wow you with her music and style as noted here on GROW, from the recent (February 2021) LP, HIGHER. This electric, energy-driven, track explores jazz, funk, and R&B…
Vodka regulars will note that instrumental music of any kind is a rarity here. It’s not that I don’t like instrumental music, but for it to reach the blog, it really has to be accessible. Lydian Collective, Snarky Puppy, and The Fearless Flyers are just a few whom I believe have transcended the niche status. Enter Andrew Wasylyk, whose compositions are super-accessible and blend modern classical, ambient, and jazz to create a unique and wonderful soundscape. Awoke In The Early Days…
Funky, fun, and fabulous, The Fearless Flyers prove that lyrics aren’t necessary when you are _this_ good at your instruments! Ace of Aces is from the band’s March 23, 2018, self-titled six-song debut EP. The band shares composition duties while baritone guitarist and guitarist Cory Wong acts as producer for the group. Laying down the phenomenal beat is Nate Smith who is flat-out perfect on Ace of Aces. The rest of the band made up of Joe Dart on bass and Mark Lettieri (of Snarky Puppy) on baritone…