Tag: cross-genre

Nite Bjuti – Illustrious Negro Dead

     Fitting neatly into the Vodka mold of “music that isn’t the same old thing, mostly…” this cross-genre, spoken word offering from Nite Bjuti’s forthcoming (April 14) LP hits the nail squarely on the head. Says lead singer Candice Hoyes, the song: “reclaims this impassioned plea that dignity and legacy of Black artists not die in ‘conspicuous forgetfulness’ as Black people of all nations continue to face state-sanctioned racial violence and hegemonic occupation in Haiti and throughout the Diaspora,” Let’s face it: This isn’t just a problem in…

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Snarky Puppy – Take It!

     Since Vodka found Thing Of Gold back in 2012, I’ve been a fan of Snarky Puppy. Though it doesn’t fall neatly into the philosophy of shining a light on music that is mostly hidden from view, Snarky Puppy’s live ecosystem of music performance is a thing to marvel at (see video). Take It! (seen/heard here) from their new LP, Empire Central (coming October 2022) falls squarely in the jazz-funk fusion category as far as Vodka is concerned.  Vodka…

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Joey Harkum – Sick And Tired

     Folk artist Joey Harkum is poised to release his third full-length LP Salt and Tar,  sometime this spring. While Sick And Tired (seen/heard here) will appear on that LP, the song dates back to 2008 when Joey was writing and singing music with The Pasadena Band. That said, while the song maintains the lyrics and melody, the style of playing is much different here, as are the vocals from Joey. His voice has gained a rich, natural, falsetto since those early days…

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Aaron English – Pride

     Once in a while, usually about the time I’m getting disillusioned by the state of music and the music business, an artist or band will drop into my lap and change my attitude, reminding me that there are still great artists out there, great talents, that deserve and need to be recognized. Such is the case with Aaron English, who came to my attention via a house concert invitation. Thank you, Matthew Hough!  Pride (seen/heard here) came together during the pandemic as a collaborative effort with eight artists from around the…

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Jimkata – Roots Down

     You’ve got to love this band! Jimkata,  is a three-piece synth-based pop band, that transcends that label, mixing in echoes of Motown, modern rock and funk, within that framework. It’s a formula that definitely works, as demonstrated by Roots Down (seen/heard here), a single that was released back in March. This track is full of dance-beat goodness, but not the thump-thump of the modern DJ-driven spinners, replacing that instead with a genuine beat that compliments the music perfectly. The band’s vocals are very pleasing.  If you are looking for information…

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