Here’s our third Lockdown Round-Up! Listen to these new releases below!
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Gregory Porter – ‘Mr Holland’
‘Mr Holland’ is Porter’s address to his love interest’s white father, a man who treats Porter as one of his own. In his recent appearance on Later… With Jools Holland, Porter revealed that the eponymous character was very much inspired by the maestro Jools Holland himself. In the episode, Porter speaks fondly of Holland’s warmth and inclusive approach to music. ‘Ultimately ‘Mister Holland’ is a song about equality,” explains Porter. “It’s about the desire for mutual respect and the desire for a young man to be treated like an average teenager. A song of thank you for being treated normal. The implied unspoken experience is the subtle protest of this song. Stevie and Marvin taught us how to groove with a social song, so, thank you Mister Holland.’ Some may argue that the piece congratulates white people for not being prejudiced. Yet the fact that Porter is so taken aback by Mr Holland’s ‘colour-blindness’ tells us everything we need to know about his experiences with racism. The song has a gentle groove, pushed along by Porter’s impeccable baritone.
Slim Drew feat. Tony Mac & Katie Burke – ‘Without You’
A self-defined ‘retro dreamer from Moscow,’ Slim Drew brings together vocalists Tony Mac and Katie Burke on this bouncy groove with lots of brass slink. He explains: ‘I think I found the main inspiration in the fact that even the closest and dearest people can quietly destroy their families and relationships because of one single reason – pride. You can have everything, you can be successful, important and irreplaceable when you are alone. But all this is absolutely unimportant when your person is not near you. The main message of the track – despite all the contradictions between all of you, if you are together – stay together until the end. Do not part with your loved ones.’ There are some mean guitar and sax solos.
Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers feat. Kim Dawson – ‘Good Thang’
Live instrumentation, attitude, and old-school funk, Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers’ ‘Good Thang’ is very listenable indeed. ‘Crushed Velvet and the Velveteers is all about spontaneous creation for me and the very creative friends I get to call on to be a part of it. “Good Thang'”is a perfect example,’ says founder Alan Evans. ‘Initially I went into the studio, picked up the guitar and let whatever I was feeling come out without worrying about what kind of song it was.’ He continues, ‘Before I knew it, I had a really great feeling bed of bass, drums and guitar laid down. From there, I asked my great friends Darby, Pete, Brian, Alex, Tucker, Jarad and Kim to take what I started and record exactly what inspired them to play. That is the best part of making music for me, creating something that will inspire people.’ Vocalist Kim Dawson – who impressed with her single ‘Try‘ – pushes herself vocally, wailing over the band with attack.
Jeremy Beck & The Heavy Duty Horns – ‘Take Me By The Hand’
Jeremy Beck & The Heavy Duty Horns are an eight-piece ensemble based in New York City. Inspired by the likes of Tower of Power and Blood, Sweat and Tears, they offer a rich, horn-laden sound, with Jeremy Beck’s tenor at the helm. Listen to their latest single ‘Take Me By The Hand’ below.
Image Copyright:
Gregory Porter, ‘Mr Holland’ – Gregory Porter, under exclusive license to Decca Records France
Slim Drew feat. Tony Mac & Katie Burke , ‘Without You’ – Improved Slim Records
Crushed Velvet & The Velveteers feat. Kim Dawson, ‘Good Thang’ – Vintage League Music
Jeremy Beck & The Heavy Duty Horns – ‘Take Me By The Hand’ – Jeremy Beck & The Heavy Duty Horns
