From Snarky Puppy’s most recent LP, Empire Central, comes the latest single Mean Green. It is delightfully funky, and I love the brass on this track. Snarky Puppy pleases with each note and rhythm. They compose some of the most interesting, engaging jazz-funk out there. Mean Green starts with the simple keyboard, adds in the drums, the guitars kick in, followed by the brass, and then the jam really starts to kick in! Clocking in at just under five minutes, it…
Read MoreSince 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. …
Read MoreMalika 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…
Read MoreFunky, 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…
Read MoreAt the beginning of 2014, Vodka changed its video review timetable to once per week, which makes listing the top 40 tracks for the previous year seem pretty silly. Instead, this year we are just going to look back on what I think are some of Vodka’s high points, musically. As always, your mileage may vary. Way back at the beginning of the year we posted Vera Jonas title track for her 2013 long-player, Game, a funky track with plenty of dance moves in the video. It is such a fun song, that it deserves mention again. Ten months ago or so, we…
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