Osibisa, Nate Smith, Octarine Sky + Others: Five for the Road
Osibisa, Nate Smith and Octarine Sky are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately:
OSIBISA – SUNSHINE DAY: THE BOYHOOD SESSIONS [50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION] (ROCK MUSIC): Sunshine Day sounds as vibrant and new as anything on the streaming services today. This is due to the timeless playing and energy of the band Osibisa, who after a half-century has pulled together studio tracks intended for Richard Linklater’s film Boyhood. The resulting album, with its mix of live songs, rarities, and hard-charging originals proves that timeless music is, well … timeless. Check out the songs, “Sunshine Day (Boyhood Mix)” and “Nkosi Sikeleli Afrika (Boyhood Mix)” if you need more proof.
MONEY CHICHA – CHICHA SUMMIT (LATIN ROCK): Always adventurous and powerful, Austin-based Money Chicha returns with 12 powerful songs for Chicha Summit. Recording at the Lechehouse and Sonic Ranch studios, the band mixes in its own musical history. The rhythms are powerful as expected, while the angular guitars and muscular singing add to a setting which is nearly unparalleled. My favorite songs? “Te Acordaras,” with his pulsating bass and inviting timbale work; and the slow-burning “Lagrimas de Amor,” which boasts an irresistible guitar theme and yearning vocals. Money Chicha knows how to groove while telling a captivating musical story.
OCTARINE SKY – CLOSE TO NEARBY (PROG ROCK): Octarine Sky drew me in with drum/producer phenom, Simon Phillips. Jan Christiana and Dyanne Potter Voegtlin kept me engaged with challenging melodies, and forward-leaning playing. Christiana blends prog touches with elements of jazz. Check out the musical interaction of piano, bass and drums on album opener “One.” Bassist Dyanne Potter Voegtlin creates a musical setting which is uncluttered, providing and opportunity for the players to shine through. Guest guitarist Guthrie Govan of the Aristocats offers his heady skills on “5” and “VII,” however Jan Christiana’s writing and occasional vocal are always front and center. If you’re a fan of the band Potter’s Daughter that Jan Christiana and Dyanne Potter Voegtlin hail from, you’ll love this. If you aren’t a fan, after a few listens you will be.
NATE SMITH – KINFOLK 2: SEE THE BIRDS (JAZZ FUSION): Referring to Nate Smith as just a drummer is to do him a major disservice. Sure, he’s a drummer and a tremendous one. I’ve witnessed his prowess playing with the tremendous Jose James. But Smith has proven his meddle as a composer, arranger, and bandleader on his solo work. His 2017 album Kinfolk remains high on my list for that year. Kinfolk 2: See the Birds, out now, swings for the musical fences likes its predecessor, often connecting. A few guests such as Vernon A. Reid on “Rambo, The Vigilante,” and “Fly (for Mike)” featuring Brittany Howard, add textures to the album, but never outshine the strong production and daring work of Nate Smith. This multi-genre work is a thing to behold.
THE DARK MONARCHY – ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME (PROG ROCK): Dark Monarchy’s follow-up to one of my declared best of 2020 albums pulls no punches. The duo of Mark Anthony K and Joe Bailey succeeds in blending sonically dazzling guitars rumbling bass and soaring vocals. This time, the keyboard game is taken to a whole new level but it’s never at the expense of a story which is self-contained for each of the six songs, but vibrant and engaging. I love “The Light of Day” and “I Lucifer.” They are epic, driving, and relevant to our time. Out now via Bandcamp, and available digitally and on CD, All Roads Lead to Rome, is compelling musical work.