"TESTIFY" LP OUT NOV 8TH! CD/LP/MP3
The new album from Nashville modern funk collective, Sky Hi, is a testament to the group's longevity. Nearing their tenth year, the band has weathered every manner of line up changes and reinvented themselves more than a few times. But the current line up, as it stands, brings something very special to the table. A slew of different styles and influences converge to create something palpable and unique. It has the grit and the raw essence of old school hard soul but also liberal splashes of modernity.
After nearly two years in production, Sky Hi feels they've let "Testify" marinate long enough. From the frenetic energy of the album's title track to the rolling soul of "Walk Through That Door", Sky Hi has earned their spot in the pantheon of the Southern Soul tradition. And yet it's songs like "Do Not Want" with it's quasi-reggae lean or "Fell Short" , which feels like it could fit in at any modern RnB station, that show Sky Hi isn't afraid to step away from their idea of soul music and experiment with other genres. The band makes great use of an ever expanding palette of musical textures and songwriting dexterity. A four piece horn section roars over fluttering organ melodies while prodigious guitar licks nip around a rock steady rhythm section. And all of this is anchored by DeRobert "Dee" Adams powerful vocals, thereby making this band an unequivocal monster in the rhythm and blues department. For proof of this, listen to "Love Is Real": a soulful power ballad of sorts that will floor you with it climactic crescendo.
To say Sky Hi has come full circle is an understatement. From their heady early years as a pseudo funk/jam band, to their foray into straight up soul and RnB, Sky Hi has reached the moment where their musical message has grown to the point that they must testify to it's expansiveness. By far, "Testify" is their strongest offering to date, but we don't think they are anywhere near a stopping point. The musical machine that is Sky Hi will continue turning, and with each passing revolution, it's get stronger and more interesting.
SKY HI "TESTIFY" CD RELEASE PARTY W/ THE GREAT BARRIER REEFS AND RELAPSE!
@ GILLIGAN'S, OCT 21ST!
GED007-Junkyard dog 45's in stock!
Attn: G.E.D. Soul Records Release 45
Title: GED007 Sky Hi - "Junkyard Dog" - w/ B side "Voltron's Dance Party"
Greetings Peoples!
The members of nine-piece Nashville based modern funk and soul greats, Sky Hi, and G.E.D. Soul Records have been busy writing, recording, and spreading the Southern Soul Love from coast to coast. We're proud to announce a new G.E.D. Soul Records digital 45 release from Sky Hi , and we know you are gonna dig it!
Side A, "Junkyard Dog" is a quick stepping soul cut with a rock solid groove and soaring horns. If you've ever been put down by some jive suckers and had your dreams put on the shelf, then you've felt like that poor ole dog yourself. Let DeRobert's vocals move you on over that hump, and then let some tasty Hammond organ and tenor sax solos take you even higher!
Side B, "Voltron's Dance Party" is a party-favorite, an instrumental piece of dirty, funky swagger. Featuring the Sky Hi horns and rhythm section, "Voltron's Dance Party" is a non-stop groover filled with thick horn lines, sticky clavinet, floating guitar lines, and a deep bass and drum pocket. Mark Spain's sultry sax solo smooths out the mid-section and Josh Cochran's hyper Hammond takes it on down the road, but the dance party is never over!
PRESS!
Check out all the good word we be getting!
From Soulchoonz: "....Does soul music get any better? Well, I for one love this and can't wait to hear more from this wonderful group who are upright, sturdy and taking no nonsense...real soul music is alive and well...and available on the superb G.E.D. Soul label. Down South music. Without any barriers."
Sky Hi w/The Congress - Nashvillescene: "...deep-funk maestros par excellence. We always thought Dee, their lead singer, had one of the best sets of pipes in the six-one-five..."
HERE COMES THE FUNK - Chattanoogan.com: "... Now it’s time for the SkyHi Band to get the funk on at Rhythm & Brews this Friday night. Do they bring the horns? In the words of Sarah Palin, “You Betcha!” - Four of them – a trumpet, a trombone, and 2 saxophones. Nine musicians, coincidently the same number as Here Come The Mummies, SkyHi brings their own brand of funk. It seems to have a little more R & B influence than the aforementioned bands, but with a healthy dose of funk thrown in for good measure...."
free live ep!
45's AVAILABLE
Sky Hi - "Smoothie Pie" b/w "Get Yourself Together" GED-006 $4.99+S&H
GET THE VINYL NOW BEFORE WE'RE OUT OF STOCK!
Or pick up a digital copy on bandcamp, or one of the other online retailers.
You can also get more GED Soul Records titles at our online store!
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