Bluesadelphia (feat. James Poyser)

#62 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series, Bluesadelphia, features the Grammy winning writer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, James Poyser. Born in the UK but very much rooted in the Neo-Soul / Philly Sound movement of the last 25 years or so, James has been a member of the band The Roots since 1997 (see what I did there?). If that isn't credentials enough, James has a very impressive (and long) resume; Adele, Jay-Z, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, John Legend, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauren Hill, Norah Jones...you get the idea. I met James while working on Norah Jones' The Fall and was immediately enamored with his sympathetic and deep musicality and we are grateful to have him guesting on this track. We hope it brings you a few minutes of much needed chill in these currently anxious times.

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Alvino Bennett (Stevie Wonder) on drums and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed by another Grammy winner, the very bearded, Rob Schnapf (Beck, Booker T., Mavis Staples) and as always, masterful mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. 

Ritual (feat. Jackie Venson)

#61 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series, Ritual, features yet another Austin, Texas voodooist, Jackie Venson. Jackie is chill personified. She showed up, plugged in, closed her eyes and without ever hearing the track before, did this. The daughter of a professional musician, Jackie knew exactly what she was getting into and at just thirty years old, with three albums, three EP's and a bunch of singles (one of which we will be releasing on vinyl at a later date) under her belt, I'd say the gettin's been good so far. I'm sure once it is safe again to venture out, Jackie will be back on the road delivering what the Chicago Sun-Times calls "formidable instrumental chops and a musical message of positivity" and "a singing voice that radiates warmth and spirit". 

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Andrew "the kid" Guterman (Rick Estrin) on drums and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed at Shangri-La by Duane Lundy (Ringo Starr) and as always, masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.