Gotta Groove Records
Author Archive
The Dip — The Dip Delivers
The Dip Delivers is the second full length LP from Seattle soul outfit The Dip, described by KEXP as “one of the most exciting and joyous acts to emerge in recent years”. Vintage rhythm-and-blues combines with classic pop storytelling for an album that is simultaneously raw and polished, and perpetually danceable.
Headroom — New Heaven
In just a few short years, KRYSSYI BATTALENE, the mastermind behind HEADROOM, has moved mountains and crossed oceans with her epic guitar-playing. In addition to MOUNTAIN MOVERS, her Headroom project enables Kryssi to further explore the outer reaches of her hypnotic state (some folks call it Connecticut). Following Head In The Clouds, last year’s triumphant debut on Trouble In Mind, Headroom’s new 12” EP on Ever/Never Records is just the front-lobe massage you didn’t even know you were craving.
While recalling the towering grace of Bardo Pond, Headroom carve out their own space within the fertile crescent of modern American psychedelic rock. “New Heaven” opens the proceedings, and you’d be forgiven for imagining the title an oblique reference to Headroom’s HQ—New Haven, Conn. As guitars arc towards the sky, Battalene’s voice gets the chopped-and-screwed treatment, as if to remind you that we are always on the precipice of something new, something unpredictable. “City Lights” is an earthbound meditationwith lovely, reverb-soaked vocals and on-the-verge-of-feedback guitars that echo Les Rallizes Denudes, a key influence on Battalene and her cohorts (which include notable artists like Stefan Christensen). But they manage to maintain their cool, extending the ache until it turns into the sublime.
Side Two of New Heaven is devoted to “Skyliner,” a patiently building exercise in sustained psych mode as guitars, synths and voice ride the rhythm section to the outer limits. This is definitely a slow ride, but maybe don’t take it so easy. On New Heaven, Headroom continues to probe the boundaries and report back with their thrilling discoveries.
Dirk Mustang — Leave My 80’s Alone
Dirk Mustang is the alter ego of singer/songwriter Marcus Antoni is his epic music project attributed to hard rock and hairbands of the 1980’s. The album aims to deliver a concise articulation of the various forms of rock that evolved starting with arena rock, to the pivotal decline and eventual demise of the styles with the advent of hairband and glam that quickly disappeared in the early 90’s. Each song is like a trip back to the 80’s genre, and highlights what Marcus believed to be the best of the artistic styles that dominated the MTV generation and radio formats of the time.
The name of the album is a clear defense of the music Marcus (Dirk Mustang) and so many others grew up loving and listening to and still do to this very day.
The music has become somewhat of a novelty and although many discarded it as a very decadent and narrow style, many guitarists secretly revel in the amazing six string gods who flourished during this time of no holds barred technique which spawned many of the amazing legends who are still touring today. After spending two years on “Leave My 80’s Alone” in his home studio (Green Room Studio) giving much care to detail and performance, if you listen closely, you can hear the crowds screaming and see the lighters held up high!
The Steel Woods — Old News
The Steel Woods‘ sophomore Thirty Tigers album, Old News, represents a creative leap for the southern roots rock songwriting team of Alabama native Wes Bayliss and his North Carolina partner Jason “Rowdy” Cope, who completed their first recordings barely months after they first met. Recorded in Asheville, NC at Echo Mountain Studios, the site of an old church during a six-day break in a hectic touring schedule, the new album features more original songs and, for the first time, the whole band participated — including the rhythm section of bassist Johnny Stanton and drummer Jay Tooke — playing in a single room, cutting the tracks virtually live. Part Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, dual-guitar southern blues-rock with elements of R&B, country, bluegrass, gospel, blues, folk and metal, the descriptively named, Nashville-based band deepens its resolve on a theme-driven album that joins the mystery train of the past with the full-speed loco-motion of the present, seeking to bring people together with the universality of music.
Ryan Bingham — American Love Song
American Love Song finds Ryan Bingham honing his creativity on two distinct levels, the personal and the cultural. The record is co-produced with Charlie Sexton, the superb Austin guitarist who has played for years in Bob Dylan s touring band. American Love Song was recorded at Arlyn Studios and Public Hi-Fi in Austin with additional recording at Matter Music/Stella Sound in Los Angeles.
Jeff Cramer — Northern 45
Denver, Colorado songwriter, Jeff Cramer, is releasing his debut solo record, Northern 45, 01/25/2019. The first three of four singles, “Forgive” , “Legend of Bo Tim”, and “Big Man’s World” debuted September 26, on PopMatters, October 18, on Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, and November 16, on The Bluegrass Situation.
Northern 45 features 11 original tracks written at various outposts from along the northern 45th parallel, a cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “Colorado Girl”, and Grammy award-winning talent throughout.
Recorded at the Bombshelter recording studio in Nashville, TN, often described as an “analog paradise” and home to award-winning records from the Alabama Shakes, Margo Price, and more, Jon Estes, bassist for John Paul White, Abigail Washburn, among many others, produced the record to analog tape and played bass and keys. Guitars include Sadler Vaden of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Jeremy Fetzer of Steelism, and Spencer Cullum Jr. from Miranda Lambert’s band. Dave Racine of Jim Lauderdale’s band plays drums; Molly Parden sings backing vocals.
Kim Taylor — Songs of Instruction
Kim Taylor has toured extensively with friends Over The Rhine, artists Ron Sexsmith and Kasey Chambers, and has supported songwriting heroes like Kris Kristofferson. Her songs have been featured in numerous television shows including Flashpoint, Army Wives, Smallville, Cyberbully, One Tree Hill, Justified, The L Word, and most recently in the UK’s flagship comedy-drama, Stella.
Taylor’s current project Songs of Instruction will be released February 22, 2019. The first single, “The Hard Way”, released digitally on October 15, 2018.
Joe Bataan — Afrofilipino
Joe Bataan’s career offers a true All-American success story. Born on November 15, 1942 to African-American and Filipino parents in Spanish Harlem, Bataan briefly led a street gang and spent time in a correctional facility on a stolen car charge before emerging in the mid ‘60s to author his own unique blend of boogaloo, doo wop, and soul. Bataan’s sound caught the ears of Fania Records, who signed him for a string of eight successful albums before Bataan left to co-found the Salsoul label—he also came up with the name, a combination of salsa and soul—where he recorded three albums, of which this 1975 record was the first. You’ll hear a little disco and funk mixed in with the salsa and soul on this release, whose “East Coast Side” and “West Coast Side” were recorded on opposite sides of the country. But no matter where Bataan laid down the tracks, he made sure to get the best musicians—playing on Afrofilipino is a veritable Who’s Who of session cats including Richard Tee, John Faddis, Cornell Dupree, Randy Brecker, and David Sanborn. For the first-ever vinyl reissue of this classic Latin R&B album, we’ve given it a brand-new remastering (by Mike Milchner at SonicVision), and pressed up 1000 copies in opaque yellow vinyl…hip-shakin’ stuff! Available from Real Gone Music.