Tag: Orgōne

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Los Angeles’ Orgōne Shares a Slow-Burning and Soulful Lament

Tracing elements of their origins back to the 1990s, Los Angeles-based psych soul outfit Orgōne — currently Sergio Rios (guitar), Adryon de León (vocals), Dan Hastie (keyboards), Sam Halterman (drums) and Dale Jennings (bass) –is a pillar of the contemporary West Coast soul music scene, developing and maintaining a reputation for being an unmissable touring band for more than a decade, thanks in part to their arresting intensity, impeccable playing style and undeniable, irresistible chemistry.

2023 has been a busy year for the Los Angeles-based outfit: They were the studio backing band for JOVM mainstays Say She She‘s critically applauded sophomore album Silver. They then backed the JOVM mainstays on their wildly successful world tour. As the year is coming to a close, the members of Orgōne announced that they’ll be releasing their Sergio Rios-produced 15th album, Chimera.

Slated for a February 9, 2024 release through 3 Palm Records, the album’s title is derived from a mythical beast the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. Sonically, the album’s material weaves voodoo soul, thrumming Afro funk and psych rock and evokes a dreamlike odyssey, tripping through the hazy swamps of New Orleans, and features contributions from vocalists Jamie Allensworth, Terin Ector, and Congolese artist Mermans “Mofaya” Mosengo.

“The album really took form organically. It’s raw and dark with a hopeful thread throughout that’s highlighted by the incredible soul singers we work with,” the band’s Sergio Rios says of the album. “There’s a looseness to most of the cuts, giving the album the feeling of a shadowy dream.”

Chimera‘s latest single “Lies & Games” is a heart-wrenching lament that pairs Terin Ector’s soulful and yearning delivery with a slow-burning, 70s soul-inspired arrangement of vintage spacey synths, a sinuous bass line, some grimy rhythm guitar and Wailers-inspired backing vocals. While sonically channeling the severely under-appreciated Mandrill, in particular songs like “I Refuse to Smile” “House of Wood” and others, the song speaks of the rocky and uncertain road of forgiveness and redemption with a seemingly Biblical air.

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: Say She She Share Gorgeous Visual for Slinky and Shimmering “Astral Plane”

Acclaimed NYC-based disco outfit and JOVM mainstays Say She She — Piya Malik, Sabrina Cunningham and Nya Gazelle Brown — released their critically applauded, eight-song, Sergio Rios-produced full-length debut Prism through Karma Chief Records last year. 

Prism saw the trio quickly establishing a sound that nodded heavily at 70s girl groups — multi-part female harmonies paired paired with funky, disco-inspired arrangements played by a backing band featuring some of New York’s most talented and accomplished players, featuring former members of  Antibalas, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaries, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, The Shacks, Twin Shadow and others. Evoking a distinct Studio 54-era disco nostalgia, their work is imbued with a contemporary thematic grit paired with global dance floor influences.

Building upon a rapidly growing profile both nationally and internationally, the trio’s highly-anticipated sophomore album, the 16-song, Sergio Rios-produced Silver is slated for a September 29, 2023 release through Karma Chief Records. Reflecting on the group’s growth as songwriters, performers and artists as they enter a new phase of their art and careers, Silver derives its name from the element known as the metal of self-confidence and the mirror of the soul. With an emphasis on their now-trademark global disco sound, the JOVM mainstays sophomore album features material that ranges from protest anthems, Hindi-flecked songwriting and feel-good, disco-infused tracks, the album reminds listeners of the beauty in the world while firmly and boldly asserting their respective identities as modern femmes.

Largely written and recorded live-to-tape at Killion Sound Studio in North Hollywood, the analog recording session root the acclaimed trio’s sound in bedrock of old-fashioned, tonal warmth. But cutting the tracks live with their backing band, which also featured members of Rios’ Orgōne, the album captures the deeply special magic of communal creativity in the moment.

The album will feature “C’est Si Bon,” a funky disco love letter and summertime club anthem, built around a sinuous bass line, twinkling keys, space lasers paired with the trio’s gorgeous harmonies, penchant for big, catchy hooks, deep groves and expansive psychedelia-tinged song structures. Thematically, the song reminds the listener to seize the day and make their time count.

The album’s third and latest single “Astral Plane” is a slow-burning, Quiet Storm soul-inspired take on disco built around the trio’s yearning harmonies, sinuous bass lines, a silky, slinky groove and a series of head-nodding hooks. The result is classic love song rooted in craft, love and earnest, lived-in songwriting and performances.

Continuing their ongoing collaboration with director Lisa Schiller, the accompanying video for “Astral Plane” is a stylishly shot, hazy and sultry dream that features the members of the trio dancing on a disco spaceship with a window viewing the planets and other gorgeous natural phenomenon.

Say She She will be embarking on the European leg of the Don’t You Dare Stop Tour, which sees the trio bringing their dance floor friendly sounds across the world. Check out the remaining tour dates below.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

Acclaimed NYC-based disco outfit and JOVM mainstays Say She She — Piya Malik, Sabrina Cunningham and Nya Gazelle Brown — released their critically applauded, eight-song, Sergio Rios-produced full-length debut Prism through Karma Chief Records last year.

Prism saw the trio quickly establishing a sound that nodded heavily at 70s girl groups — multi-part female harmonies paired paired with funky, disco-inspired arrangements played by a backing band featuring some of New York’s most talented and accomplished players, featuring former members of  Antibalas, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaries, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, The Shacks, Twin Shadow and others. Evoking a distinct Studio 54-era disco nostalgia, their work is imbued with a contemporary thematic grit paired with global dance floor influences.

Building upon a rapidly growing profile both nationally and internationally, the trio’s highly-anticipated sophomore album, the 16-song, Sergio Rios-produced Silver is slated for a September 29, 2023 release through Karma Chief Records. Reflecting on the group’s growth as songwriters, performers and artists as they enter a new phase of their art and careers, Silver derives its name from the element known as the metal of self-confidence and the mirror of the soul. With an emphasis on their now-trademark global disco sound, the JOVM mainstays sophomore album features material that ranges from protest anthems, Hindi-flecked songwriting and feel-good, disco-infused tracks, the album reminds listeners of the beauty in the world while firmly and boldly asserting their respective identities as modern femmes.

Largely written and recorded live-to-tape at Killion Sound Studio in North Hollywood, the analog recording session root the acclaimed trio’s sound in bedrock of old-fashioned, tonal warmth. But cutting the tracks live with their backing band, which also featured members of Rios’ Orgōne, the album captures the deeply special magic of communal creativity in the moment.

The album will feature “C’est Si Bon,” a funky disco love letter and summertime club anthem, built around a sinuous bass line, twinkling keys, space lasers paired with the trio’s gorgeous harmonies, penchant for big, catchy hooks, deep groves and expansive psychedelia-tinged song structures. Thematically, the song reminds the listener to seize the day and make their time count.

The album’s third and latest single “Astral Plane” is a slow-burning, Quiet Storm soul-inspired take on disco built around the trio’s yearning harmonies, sinuous bass lines, a silky, slinky groove and a series of head-nodding hooks. The result is classic love song rooted in craft, love and earnest, lived-in songwriting and performances.

Say She She is currently in the middle of Don’t You Dare Stop Tour, which sees the trio bringing their dance floor friendly sounds across the world. Check out the remaining tour dates below.

DON’T YOU DARE STOP TOUR

July 27 – 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (USA)**

July 28 – Wicker Park Fest, Chicago (USA)

July 29 – Maha Festival, Omaha (USA)

July 31 – Globe Hall, Denver (USA)

August 3-4 – Pickathon Festival, Portland (USA)

August 6 – Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles (USA)*+

August 16 – Musikfestwochen, Winterthurer (Switzerland)

August 18 – Festival Chez Hubert, Brittany (France)

August 20 – Green Man Festival, Wales (UK)

August 22. – Bla, Oslo (Norway)

August 23 – Vega, Copenhagen Denmark)

August 24 – Faschiong, Stockholm (Sweden)

August 26 – Shambala Festival, Northamptonshire (UK)

August 28 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham(UK)

August 31 – Village Underground, London (UK)

September 1 – End Of The Road Festival, Dorset (UK)

September 2 – Manchester Psych Fest, Manchester (UK)

September 3 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (UK)

September 10 – Music At The Intersection, St. Louis (USA)

September 22 – XPonential Music Festival, Camden (USA)

* as support for St Paul & The Broken Bones

** with special guest, Abby Jeanne

*+ as support for Portugal The Man & Chicano Batman

^ as support for Shannon & The Clams

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

Ojai-born, Long Beach-based vocalist Adryon de León has had a vast and varied career. de León has been a backing artist for an eclectic and impressive array of acclaimed artists including Lady Gaga, George Clinton, Macy Gray and others. She spent seven years as the frontwoman of Orgōne — and she’s currently one of the dead vocalists in Matador! Soul Sounds alongside Eddie Roberts, Alan Evans, Kim Dawson and Nate Edgar. Recently, de Leòn contributed vocals to a a track on Trent Reznor‘s score for the Netflix biopic Mank.

de Leòn’s Max MacVeety and David Tam-produced single “Ally” is funky, Motown soul-inspired strut, centered around the Ojai-born, Long Beach-based vocalist’s soulful, powerhouse vocals. And while seemingly indebted to the likes of James Brown, Steve Wonder and others, the song was inspired by contemporary events: The song finds de Leòn reflecting on the riots incited by George Floyd’s murder happening two blocks from her Long Beach home — and the messages she received from well-meaning friends the following morning.

As, a response, the Ojai-born, Long Beach-based vocalist decided to stop being precious and cute with the subjects of race and injustice. “Ally” wound up being a vehicle to process her emotions and respond to all of them — with the song being a fiery and soulful reminder and call to the arms. The fight for equality and justice is an ongoing one, the song says. this particular iteration of uprising and struggle is a small chapter in a much longer story. And as the song — and its narrator — demands of the listener: if you’re in a position of privilege, it’s your responsibility to stand up for the disenfranchised, the vulnerable and overlooked, and to be an ally for positive change.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Monophonics’ Kelly Finnigan Releases a Strutting and Funky Christmas Tune

Kelly Finnigan (vocals, keys) is best known for being the frontman of the acclaimed West Coast-based soul outfit Monophonics. And since their formation, the act which also features Austin Bohlman (drums), Ryan Scott (trumpet, backing vocals, percussion), and Max Ramey (bass) has developed and honed a sound and approach that continues the traditions of early Motown Records, Stax Records, Muscle Shoals, Daptone Records and Dunham Records.

Earlier this year, Monophonics released their third album It’s Only Us and the album further cements their reputation for being an act that’s particularly keen on crafting and playing a heavier and digger take on classic soul — but while revealing a band gently refining their sound to incorporate warmer textures. Thematically, It’s Only Us may arguably be the hardest hitting of their catalog as it touches upon desperately needed calls for unity, understanding, resilience and acceptance in our fractious and divisive world.

Capping out what has been a busy year, Finnigan’s sophomore album Joyful Sound sees its official release today through Colemine Records digitally. (Holly Berry Red will be releasing the vinyl on December 11, 2020). Produced by Finnigan, Joyful Sound is the third album he’s helmed in the past two years — his solo debut, last year’s The Tales People Tell and Monophonics’ It’s Only Us. While continuing Finnigan’s growing reputation for specializing in the classic R&B and soul production and sound, the new album is imbed with a joyful, holiday spirit.

Featuring members of Durand Jones & The Indications, The Dap-Kings, Ghost Funk Orchestra, Monophonics, Thee Sinseers, Orgōne, Ikebe Shakedown, Jason Joshua & The Beholders, The True Loves, Jungle Fire, Delvon Lamar Organ Trio, The Jive Turkeys, The Ironsides, and The Harlem Gospel Travelers, as well as Ben Pirani, Neal Francis and Rudy De Anda among others, Joyful Sound is inspired by Atlantic Records‘ Soul Christmas, Phil Spector‘s A Christmas Gift For You and Rotary Connection‘s Peace.

“I want people to feel joy and hope. I want the music to remind them what they are thankful for,” Finnigan says in press notes about Joyful Sound. “The songs and mood of the music should spark a feeling that it is a special time of year but also that it can also be a very difficult time for others. Holidays are about bringing people together to celebrate and I want this record to be a soundtrack for those celebrating but also a reminder that a lot of people are still struggling regardless if it’s Christmas or not. Most Importantly, I want them to hear the love and passion that went into the music. I’m lucky to have some incredible musicians and artists on the record and I hope they can hear the joy that everyone put into their performance. There’s a feeling of magic and nostalgia that lives in those classic Christmas songs and I believe I was able to capture some of that on this record. Christmas has become a grand event in most places in the world but we all have to remember that the reason this holiday is special for most is because it brings people together and reminds us that our friends and family are what’s most important.”

Last month, I wrote about the lush Motown Records-like “No Time To Be Sad,” a classic make-up song that finds the song’s narrator pleading to his lover that they should stop their quarreling and make it a romantic Christmas — because that’s not the season to be bitter or breakup. “Santa’s Watching You,” Joyful Sound’s latest single finds Finnigan giving a strutting gospel burner by The Sacred Four “Somebody’s Watching You” a playful Christmas take in which Santa is now looking at all of us in judgement of our behavior, actions, words and deeds. So you better get your act straight and fly right — or Santa will make sure you get coal and fiery, eternal damnation.