NEW MUSIC FROM NEW PLACES

Grab a fresh brewed iced tea, add a little bourbon and dig right in

By Terry Paquet

Terry Paquet is an award-winning copywriter with more than 20 years’ experience. He is a regular contributor to SideOne.

It’s May. By now restrictions are hopefully a little less restrictive. Lockdowns are a little less confi ning. And masks, well, they might still be here for a little while. The good news is, we’re one month closer to summer, which means you can fi nally kick off your shoes. Show a bit more skin. And get more of that glorious, healing sunshine. Because, if you’re one of the lucky ones, living gets a little easier this time of year. And ”easy” is something we all could enjoy a lot more of right now.

This month, we’ve compiled four artists from the worlds of rock/country, reggae, jazz and one sound that’s hard to nail down. So, pour yourself a glass of fresh brewed iced tea, add a little bourbon and dig right in.

TO LISTEN WHILE YOU READ, CHECK OUT THIS MONTH’S SIDEONE SPOTIFY PLAYLIST:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Tq9nDmfJHSahotRHzTTX5?si=d90033f8489d4e70

GRACE POTTER (AND THE NOCTURNALS)

Grace Potter started out in a band she formed in college when she met drummer (and future husband) Matt Burr. The pair’s late-night jams gave them plenty of material and a mighty cool band name. Buoyed by the success of their debut album, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals released Nothing But Water in 2005, hitting it out of the park with a vibey mix of swamp rock, Southern blues and gospel.

Four years later, the band released a self-titled album featuring Paris (Ooh la la), which had a noticeably different sound. Tracks were raunchier, glossier and sexier than some fans wanted. To Potter’s amusement, it split camps into those that loved the overtly sexual overtones and those that hated it. “I think it’s fascinating that with a woman, that’s something that everyone notices,” said Potter. “But if Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant or Rod Stewart decide to amp up their look for the night, it’s not like they’ll get an inbox full of complaints.”

Not long after, Potter and Burr divorced, prompting the Vermont native to embark on a solo career in which she has already sung with the Stones, had duets with Kenny Chesney, and received two Grammy nominations.

Potter’s magic lies in her voice, which is at times soft, at times raspy, comfortably sitting in that Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones range. In short, it’s easy on the ears no matter how you slice it.

TRACKS TO CHECK OUT

• Paris (Ooh la la) – Self-titled (2009)

• 2:22 – Nothing but Water (2004)

• Big White Gate – This is Somewhere (2006)

• Empty Heart – Empty heart (2015)

• I’d Rather Go Blind w/ Muscle Shoals – Single (2018)

CHRONIXX

The story of Chronixx (a.k.a. Jamar Rolando McNaughton) begins with his Dad, a popular Jamaican singer who goes by the name of Chronicle. When Jamar was a young tyke, his father would bring him into the studio. That’s where he would see how records were made and meet reggae singers like Burro Banton and Gregory Issacs. Those early days clearly had an infl uence on him because, by the age of 14, Chronixx was recording and producing his own songs. At 20, he was touring the world with hits like Here Comes Trouble and Spanish Town Rockin’, an ode to the place he grew up. “Living in Spanish Town, you don’t have much outlook, but you become an avid dreamer just so you can make it through the day,” said McNaughton.

His hometown also happens to be the birthplace of Grace Jones – the iconic singer who pushed a few envelopes back in the ‘80s. Like Jones, Chronixx is well on his way to breaking a few barriers of his own. In the studio, he takes a little bit of reggae, roots, ska, EDM (electronic dance music) plus a ton of other infl uences and rolls it all into a catchy sound that is identifi ably his own. The result is fresh, yet familiar, and has been described as the best thing to happen to reggae music in a long time.

TRACKS TO CHECK OUT

• Skankin’ Sweet – Chronology (2017)

• Eternal Light – Free Nationals (2019)

• Here Comes Trouble – Dread and Terrible (2014)

• Same Prayer – Single (2020)

• Spanish Town Rockin’ – Chronology (2017)

KANDACE SPRINGS

Kandace Springs is a singer, songwriter and hypertalented keyboardist from Nashville known for her sultry fusion of soul, jazz, and contemporary pop. After hearing her debut album (Soul Eyes – 2016), the one and only Prince invited her to perform at Paisley Park for the 30th anniversary of Purple Rain. And there’s been no turning back ever since. Anyone who gets the stamp of approval from Prince is worthy of our attention.

Her 2018 album Indigo is a smouldering collection of original material and bold reinterpretations. The album is without duds from start to fi nish, but standout tracks include Piece of Me, a Sadesounding tale of love gone wrong, and Fix Me, which features a coy reference to Prince himself.

On her most recent album, The Women Who Raised Me, Springs veers back to traditional jazz with a cover album that pays tribute to the female artists who have inspired her over the years like Dusty Springfi eld, Roberta Flack, and Carmen McCrae.

I Put A Spell On You (the R&B classic) earns creative kudos for its inventive musical bed using Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Astrud Gilberto’s Gentle Rain. It’s an unexpected mash-up that works on so many levels. And it’s indicative of Springs’ deep love for music of all kinds.

TRACKS TO CHECK OUT

• Fix Me – Indigo (2018)

• Piece of Me – Indigo (2018)

• I Put A Spell On You – The Women Who Raised Me (2020)

• Killing Me Softly With His Song – The Women Who Raised Me (2020)

• Thought It Would Be Easier – Soul Eyes (2016)

SLIGHTLY STOOPID

This band’s been cranking out tunes for almost 25 years, so they don’t actually qualify as new. But, if you haven’t heard them before, then we’re legally good to go. Their self-titled debut album from 1996 and the follow-up effort (1998’s The Longest Barrel Ride) were a dub rock/heavy punk collection of tunes that is worlds away from what they’ve evolved into.

Since 2003’s Everything You Need, their sound has matured (or chilled?) into a happy fusion of reggae, hip-hop, folk, dub rock ditties minus the anger. Their songs are the essential soundtrack to any summer day by the pool. Not so surprising when you realize the band was discovered by Bradley Nowell from Sublime, the original king of California beach vibes.

With nine studio albums under their belt, you’d think they’d be content to play the hits on tour for the rest of their lives. Lucky for us, that’s not in their plans. Their most recent album, Everyday Life, Everyday People, still shows that there’s plenty of fi re in their hearts.

Last year, they even tackled a version of Kenny Rogers’ hit, The Gambler. It’s an odd choice for a band that spent the better part of their careers eschewing the glories of reefer and sunshine but, in some weird way, it works.

TRACKS TO CHECK OUT

• Stay The Same (Prayer For You) – Everyday Life, Everyday People (2018)

• The Prophet – Meanwhile… Back at the Lab (2015)

• Top of the World – Title track (2012)

• This Joint – Closer To The Sun (2005)

• Collie Man – Everything You Need (2003)