Side A
The record's opening track, "Yoda Mode," begins with a glorious burst of horns. This is a delightful, funky number, with a very cool, soulful and energetic vocal performance by Maiya Sykes. "Don't call me up with all your problems and your plans/I need a minute, baby." I also appreciate the playfulness of this track. It was written by Maiya Sykes, Hadrien Feraud, John Heintz and Chad Smith. It's not the first song to quote Yoda, of course, but it does so with a natural joy. And there is a sort of gospel vibe, which is perfect. "I can love and I can fight/I am not afraid to face the night/Fear is the path to the dark side." This is an absolutely wonderful opening number. I especially dig that work by Ruslan Sirota on keys. Erick Walls is on guitar, Hadrien Feraud is on bass, Chad Smith is on drums, Jason Hann is on percussion, and Philip Lassiter is on horns. Then "When The Juice Ran Out" comes on with a heavier sound, a harder rock feel, with a great dose of funk too. It also has a set of lyrics I love, at the beginning mentioning, "We got too much information/So we just abbreviate." I detest most current acronyms and abbreviations, in large part because no one knows what he or she is saying anymore (we've all heard someone say "ATM machine"). There is a lot more going on here with this track, for it's about disconnecting from the internet, or rather about being disconnected from the internet. How can we function these days while being disconnected? What happens if it all shuts down? That's Angelo Moore (of Fishbone) on vocals, and at moments he shows a bit of inspiration from James Brown (exclaiming, "Good god!"). In addition to his kick-ass vocal performance, this track features a great, powerful, delicious instrumental section. Tim Stewart is on guitar, Rodney "Skeet" Curtis is on bass, and Jack Irons is on drums. This is fantastic.
Maiya Sykes then returns for vocal duties on "Ain't Nowhere To Go," delivering another excellent vocal performance. "Ain't nowhere to go but up." There is such a good, positive vibe about it. In a way, this too is about disconnecting, about finding a place elsewhere, "a place where I can breathe." I am digging that sweet guitar work during the instrumental section in the middle. Gemi Taylor, Bobby Easton and Tim Stewart all play guitar on this track. Larry Dunn is on keys, and Frank Mapstone is on organ. Norwood Fisher is on bass, Stephen Perkins is on drums, and Leon Mobley is on percussion. There is something uplifting about this song. And what a voice! The first side concludes with "Birds Of A Feather," an instrumental track that features a delicious bass line by Norwood Fisher and some excellent drumming by Lee Allen. And there is plenty of great stuff from the brass section. Greg Hollowell is on saxophone, Alex Bradley is on trumpet, and Derrick Johnson is on trombone. The horns have something to say, for sure, urging us to come together. They seem to be telling us that things are good. We can feel it throughout our bodies while this music plays. Before the end of this track, you'll likely be dancing. Mary Francis is on keys, and both Tim Stewart and Stefan Kallander play guitar on this track.
Side B
The second side opens with "Feelin' It," featuring Rev. Desmond D'Angelo on vocals and percussion. "Let's have a party," he sings early in the song. And this whole album feels like a party, and especially this song, in part because of Rev. Desmond D'Angelo's fun, wild vocal performance. And, hey, the lyrics mention 1983 and Mr. T, returning me, at least momentarily, to my youth. If you feel like getting down, this music will help; and if you don't, well, soon enough you will. John Heintz's bass line will see to it. John-Paul Miller and Bobby Easton both play guitar. Frank Mapstone is on keys, and Jack Irons is on drums. That's followed by "Crispy Chicken," a ridiculously fun instrumental track, the horns leading the way to a brighter place, and the only way of getting there is dance. Not just for us, but also animals, plants. Hell, the air itself is moving and shaking. Can't you feel it? Of course you can! John Michael Bradford is on trumpet, and Big Sam Williams is on trombone. Larry Dunn is on electric piano, Frank Mapstone is on organ, Gemi Taylor is on guitar, Bobby Easton is on guitar, Norwood Fisher is on bass, and Stephen Perkins is on drums.
Justin Poree (of Ozomatli) is on vocals for "Super Galactic," the lyrics delivered as a sort of rap. He and John Heintz wrote the lyrics for this one. "Gonna party like there's no tomorrow," Justin sings. Well, there might not be. We're not guaranteed anything. This is a song about a party that extends across the globe. And why not? Why can't this happen? Let go of politics, let go of religion, and just listen to the music. "So if you're feeling the vibe/Feeling electric and alive/Put your dancing shoes on." That guitar certainly has something to say if you just pay heed. Erick Walls is on guitar. Ulises Bella (from Ozomatli) is on saxophone, Andrew Baham is on trumpet, and Big Sam Williams is on trombone. This track features some cool work by Terence Higgins on drums. Hadrien Feraud is on bass, Todd Stoops is on keys, Jason Hann is on percussion. And Maiya Sykes provides backing vocals. Then "Joy Rider" seems to take us on some kind of magical ride through the heavens, where each star becomes a dance floor, and where space no longer is empty of life, but full of power, pulsing and shining. The track features more excellent drumming by Jack Irons, and something of a punk thing happening in the bass line at times. That's Josh Paul (of Daughtry and Suicidal Tendencies) on bass. This is the kind of energy we need to carry us into this new year, make it something wonderful, something exciting, something joyous. This track contains some seriously cool stuff by Keith Anderson on saxophone, as well as some wonderful stuff by Philip Lassiter on trumpet (you might know them from their work with Prince). Tim Stewart is on guitar, and Peter Keys is on keys. This fantastic instrumental track ends with a drum solo. What more could you want?
Record Track List
Side A
- Yoda Mode
- When The Juice Ran Out
- Ain't Nowhere To Go
- Birds Of A Feather
- Feelin' It
- Crispy Chicken
- Super Galactic
- Joy Rider
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