JoJo Green: "Paint The Sky - Part 1" (2026) CD Review

JoJo Green is a group that deftly combines elements of pop, jazz, rock, soul and funk to create its own special sound and vibe. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, the band released its first full-length album, The Line, in 2021, and followed that with an EP titled The Summer Tree the next year. Now, four years later, these guys give us Paint The Sky - Part 1, which features all original material. The band is made up of Sharisse Germain on lead vocals, organ and keyboard; Scott Yonke on bass; Zach Miller on alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and backing vocals; Nancy Long on drums: Conner Allen on guitar; Doug Christianson on percussion; Dawson Redenius on trumpet; and Annie Hicks on backing vocals. The album was produced by Scott Yonke, Sharisse Germain and Matt Patrick.

The band does not make us wait for the funky fun to begin. The bass line at the beginning of the opening track, "Get Me Back," announces that the party has started. "I can feel the weight of the world/It's got me pinned to the ground," Sharisse sings. Yet her voice seems completely unrestrained, gloriously free and powerful. Her delivery has a tremendous energy, her voice seeming to drive this song. "I know the road I need to travel/I know the road that leads me home." I've said it before, but there is always something appealing about going home in song, and here that road is exciting. I love how that bass pops and dances. And the horns add another delicious layer. When this track seems to be reaching its conclusion, instead it enters another realm, led by the drums, this other realm being a seriously cool space. And then we are back in the main body of the song, and somehow there seems to be even more energy now. That song is followed by "Two Different People." Its first line, "Why are you two different people," is delivered a cappella, and then we're into another cool realm. The question is asked again, "Why are you two different people?" There is a somewhat heavy vibe to the song as the question is asked. But the band soon finds itself a delightful groove, and everything feels good, not just because of that rhythm, but because of the horns. This is a fun song to dance to, let loose to, and the horns are especially delicious. "Holding out just ain't my style/Holding on seems way more fair." Interestingly, when the question is asked again, the song returns to that initial sound; so the song has two different vibes, one more serious than the other, which works well with the question. This track also features some excellent guitar work.

The band takes us into smoother territory then with "Paint The Sky," the disc's title track. This is a jazzy pop realm with a somewhat dreamy aspect. "And I let out a sigh/I want to stay forever right here/You get up and fly/Take me by the hand, let's disappear." And when she sings, "Let's just stay here please," that line is allowed to hang in the air for a moment, before the song takes on a somewhat funkier vibe. And interestingly, this is when the song becomes more beautiful too. There is some pretty fantastic vocal work here, as well as a good lead on guitar. This song also contains really nice work on saxophone. It ends by returning to that line, "Let's just stay here please." So that thought lingers, at least until the next song begins. That song, "Couldn't Do Wrong," begins in a mellower, more intimate folk space, with some nice work on guitar. "If I could sing you this song/If I could sing you this song/If I could sing you this song/I couldn't do wrong." Those are interesting opening lines, because they get us wondering what wrong she has been doing, or is afraid of doing. Perhaps it is a greater need than we understand at first, a need to be able to sing to this person, a need to be with this person. A vulnerability is expressed in those lines. The song takes on an undeniable beauty. "The lake, it seems peaceful tonight/I couldn't do wrong, I couldn't do wrong." This is a song that really grew on me, and before the end it had become a favorite, something I wasn't expecting when it began. And each time I've listened to it since then, I've loved it more.

The album concludes with "Timothy B. Schmit," a funky number with some disco elements early on and featuring more delicious percussion, as well as some glorious saxophone work. There are interesting changes. At times, it has a dramatic, playful, even cinematic, sense that reminds me of Double Naught Spy Car. Plus, it's an instrumental number, which is perhaps another reason that group comes to mind. And it's great fun, while not being afraid to go in more romantic directions at certain moments. Also, as you might guess from the track's title, it contains some good stuff on bass. It's a wonderful ending to this thoroughly enjoyable disc. I am looking forward to Part 2.

CD Track List

1. Get Me Back
2. Two Different People
3. Paint The Sky
4. Couldn't Do Wrong
5. Timothy B. Schmit

Paint The Sky - Part 1 was released on September 26, 2026. As I understand it, Paint The Sky - Part 2 will be coming in 2027.