Album Review: Black Pumas - Black Pumas

Black Pumas

Black Pumas

**** out of *****

The combo of Grammy Award-winning guitarist / producer Adrian Quesada and 27-year-old songwriter Eric Burton have crafted a winning debut with this self title record from their new band, Black Pumas. The Austin, TX based band have spun some great retro-soul that is not beholden to the genre and works as a late night get down vibe and a affirming testament to the solid music/songs.

Quesada is a Texas soul music veteran, having worked with Brownout and others, Burton is a relative newcomer and the partnership gives off a soft warm glow as "Black Moon Rising" ascends to the heavens. While the opening track sets the tone the hits just keep on coming. "Colors" is a positive jam speaking to unity while "Know You Better" is a bright love song that uses crisp drums and electric keyboards to excellent effect. 

The restrained horns and deep bass come out to play during "Fire" as directions are given about help and heartache around the groove while "Touch The Sky" and "OCT 33" both use southwestern guitar styling and focus on Burton's vocals as the instrumentation rises around them. There are shades of Otis Redding throughout but the duo are well versed in the experts in soul and others such as RZA like production with drum beats and guitar warbles.

"Stay Gold" bring in strings and flexes Burton's vocal range while "Old Man" uses a squirrely guitar line and layers of bubbling keyboards as drums slap and loop around. Closer "Sweet Conversation" is more delicate based around acoustic plucking and bird chirps with sonic collage created by Quesada behind the layered vocals of Burton.  

If there is a detriment it is that some of the songs may run on a bit too long in relation to their ideas, but overall this is a minor quibble for such an impressive first collaboration. This is such a confident debut from this pair it is exhilarating,each song rings with confidence talent and a nod to their retro-soul roots while digging on the future. That future is bright for Black Pumas.

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Support the artists, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video:

   

Live Streams: Black Pumas

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: Black Pumas

View this post on Instagram

#PumaPack We miss you and can't wait to be back on the road. Until then, please join us for a special livestream on Thursday, April 16th at 5pm PST / 7pm CST brought to you by our friends @fender NEXT and @toyotausa! We'll be performing some stripped back versions of our songs to adhere to social distancing and Toyota is making a $20K donation to the @musicares Coronavirus Relief Fund and you can help while you watch. Head to the link in bio for more info. See you soon! #StayAtHome #AtHomeTogether

A post shared by Black Pumas (@theblackpumas) on Apr 13, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT

Tonight one of RtBE's favorite new artists, the Black Pumas will be doing a live stream. We loved their debut record, and even ranked it on our year end list of the best albums of 2019. This will be a fun live stream during crazy times.

Support the artists any way you can. To get into the mood tonight here is some video from the band:

Black Pumas Announce New Album and Single "More Than A Love Song"

One of RtBE's favorites, Black Pumas have announced a new album and released a new single. 

Black Pumas, photo by Jody Domingue

As it’s more than four years since their breakthrough self-titled album, Black Pumas are back with album number two, Chronicles of a Diamond. The Austin duo push their distinctive artistry with their new single, “More Than A Love Song (below). More Than A Love Song” is the first track to be unveiled from the Austin duo’s highly anticipated sophomore effort, Chronicles of a Diamond, set for release on October 27th on ATO Records. Pre-order the album HERE.

Co-written by singer/songwriter/producer Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada, “More Than A Love Song,” was produced by Quesada and co-produced by Burton, with additional production by Grammy-winning John Congleton. Explaining the lyrical content, Burton comments, “’More Than a Love Song’ is a message I borrowed from my Uncle Steve. As a songwriter and caregiver, he’d listen to me write songs from afar and if I were lucky he’d have a pointer or two for me. ‘Life is more than a love song.’

Check out the new tune:

Year In Review 2019 - Favorite Albums Part 2 (#10-6)

Another great year is finishing up for @RockBodElec and we wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE Presents the Best of 2019 Favorite Albums numbers 10-6.

In the instance that RtBE has reviewed the album either on the site or somewhere else we will link to that review and just give a quick summation; click on the name and title and you can read our full opinion. RtBE worked with the Glide Team to give input on their Top 20 so you can expect some overlap if you already have seen that list.

Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but full releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle or singles for us.

The number ten just works for this so this is the first part of our top ten, you can see the albums that just missed as well. Like all of our lists or best of's these are meant to start conversations more than end them...

Live Streams: The Black Pumas

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: The Black Pumas

Last year the band put out their debut record and it turned out to be one of the best records of 2019 and now they celebrating the one year anniversary at 7pm CST:

View this post on Instagram

Please join us for a special livestream event at 7pm CT on June 21st celebrating the 1 year anniversary of our debut album brought to you by @texaslottery and @marginwalkertx!

A post shared by Black Pumas (@theblackpumas) on Jun 8, 2020 at 8:05am PDT

To get in the mood here is a tune from the Austin, TX based band:

Year In Review 2019 - Favorite Albums Part 3 (#5-1)

Another great year is finishing up for @RockBodElec and we wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE Presents the Best of 2019 Top Ten Albums numbers 5-1.

In the instance that RtBE has reviewed the album either on the site or somewhere else we will link to that review and just give a quick summation; click on the name and title and you can read our full opinion. RtBE worked with the Glide Team to give input on their Top 20 so you can expect some overlap if you already have seen that list.

Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but full releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle or singles for us.

The number ten just works for this so this is the second part of our top ten, #5-1. You can see #10-5  and the albums that just missed this as well. Like all of our lists or best of's these are meant to start conversations more than end them...

Album Review: Brownout - Berlin Sessions

Brownout

Berlin Sessions

**** out of *****

The funk band Brownout have been busy, recording tributes to Public Enemy, Black Sabbath and other projects, like part of the amazing Black Pumas, but now for the first time in eight years they deliver an album of original tunes. Berlin Sessions was recorded by the Austin Texas based nine piece outfit with the help of Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) as the collection strikes through various styles and genres with success

The band, Gilbert Elorreaga, Greg Gonzalez, John Speice IV, Matthew "Sweet Lou" Holmes, Mark "Speedy" Gonzales, Adrian Quesada, Beto Martinez, Josh Levy, Alex Marrero, and Peter Stopschinski never seemed tied to one particular sound and like a chameleon changes from tune to tune. Just one example is the get down soul of "Upon This Rock" and the dramatic/scenic/psychedelic freak rock of tunes like "Seamus" and "Hold Your Way"; the band is naturally at home in both worlds.

The funky rock and roll recalls groups like Galactic or Tower of Power as the band puts it's own Texas spin on it, whether it be the Spanish vocals on "Nain" or the intoxicating wah-wah guitars and horn blasts on "Brownie", an album highlight. The group is determined to show off their range, and do well in all genres they experiment in, including two gospel leaning tunes, the inspired "You Gotta Change" with Anthony Farrell and the percussion based "Fill My Cup".

This is the first album for the group with Marrero as the lead vocalist and he does a great job on tunes like"In-Between" and opener "Somewhere To Go" but the group really shines brightest when all the musicians are locked in like on the burning instrumental effort "The Zealot". The only number that feels a bit out of place is the overly dramatic string laden closer "After November" which won't be an issue if you have the digital version as two grooving winners "Ilusion" and "West Coast" are added as bonus tracks.

The album art recalls Parliment-Funkadelic and while the group displays a broader range than P-Funk did, that sense of anything is possible is present in both groups. Berlin Sessions proves that covering other artists in the recent past was just a prelude to Brownout's full on coming out party. 
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Support the artists, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video:

Album Review: Adrian Quesada - Jaguar Sound

Hey all, got a review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!

It is of Adrian Quesada's newest release Jaguar Sound.

A cool record, too bad the Black Pumas are done, because these beats are dope and some singing on top of them would be pretty perfect. 

Support the artist, buy the album, read the review and peep some video below:

NOLA Jazzfest 2021, Artist Predictions

So... we did this back in early 2020, and got a bunch right...then Jazzfest was canceled. Let's hope this one is happens and a lot of the same artists are involved. 

The lineup for the 2021 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Funky Big Sam,  Galactic, Trombone Shorty who will all be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show. This is the first time the festival is being held in October so that changes things.

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....

Nola Jazzfest 2022 Artist Predections

 So... we did this back in early 2020, and got a bunch right...then Jazzfest was canceled. Then tried again for a special October 2021 edition of Jazzfest and that was canceled as well...third times a charm for 2022? 

The lineup for the 2022 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Funky Big Sam,  Galactic, Trombone Shorty who will all definitely be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show. 

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....

NOLA Jazzfest 2020, Artist Predictions

The lineup for the 2019 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Big Sam,  Galactic, Trombone Shorty all the Brass Bands who will all be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show.

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....