Brighter Days Ahead by Various Artists Colemine records

 

The Bombillas by The Bombillas

 

Inspired by the global funk sounds to come out of Africa and the Middle East in the 1970’s, The Bombillas offer their unique take while forging a sound that is distinctly their own. This Los Angeles quartet’s self titled debut LP utilizes vintage keyboards, lap steel, drums, bass, and guitar that come together in a melting pot of instrumental grooves and sonic colors. Featuring seven original compositions and covers of the Ethiopian classic “Sintayehu” by Hailu Mergia and the newly rediscovered diggers favorite “Dance of Maria” by Elias Rahbani, arranged with some surprises not found in the origionals to keep in line with The Bombillas fresh approach to past inspirations.
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released December 11, 2020

Sunshine Radio by Tommy Guerrero

 

TG continues to expand his horizons while upholding his Bay Area heritage. From Bones Brigade skate team in the 80’s, he has gone on to make movie appearances, design for Levi’s in Japan, Vans shoes worldwide, Sutro eyewear (among others), sign a skateboard contract with Converse, co-found Real Skateboards and 40’s Clothing and become art director for Krooked Skateboarding, along with maintaining a prolific recording and release schedule on his label Too Good, a collaboration with A Train's Al Evers. Tommy’s concerts have packed houses across the country from the legendary Café Du Nord in SF to The Knitting Factory in N.Y.C. and continue across the globe from The Underworld in London to the Fujirock Festival in his yearly tours in Japan.

From Mission District punkers to Shibuya-ku hipsters- Tommy’s music resonates in a positive way. His melodies dance lightly around your head while the rhythms build under your feet and move your hips. His is SOUL music, made by a street kid raised on Santana and Bill Withers (with more than a little nod to the Clash and Public Enemy in there, too).

"Road to Knowhere is inspired by bits and pieces of Ethio-Jazz, Afrobeat, Highlife Spiritual Jazz and dusty funk 45’s. It’s what has kept this mortal vehicle fueled. I tend to take different paths each musical outing but this one is for the long haul, the one for the blue highways and forgotten byways. It’s the one to get lost to. It’s about the journey, not the destination… [If Road to Knowhere was about the long haul, TG’s new album Sunshine Radio is all about cruising on, dropping the top, and taking in a bit of fresh air]. Sunshine Radio hopes to spark a bit of joy as well as a moment to reflect and consider the fires of the world. Take a sonic respite from the endless noise.” – TG
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released January 15, 2021

The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band by Menahan Street Band

 

In addition to their role as the official house band for Brooklyn-based Dunham Records, Menahan Street Band has received critical praise for their oft-sampled 2008 debut album Make The Road By Walking and for backing Charles Bradley. “Vibe is a quintessential element in what I’m going for,” says MSB co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and producer Thomas Brenneck. “Vibe, mood and emotion.” 

releases February 26, 2021

I Told You So by Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

 

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio—or as it is sometimes referred to, DLO3—specialize in the lost art of “feel good music.” The ingredients of this intoxicating cocktail include a big helping of the 1960s organ jazz stylings of Jimmy Smith and Baby Face Willette; a pinch of the snappy soul strut of Booker T. The M.G.’s and The Meters; and sprinkles Motown, Stax Records, blues, and cosmic Jimi Hendrix-style guitar. It’s a soul-jazz concoction that goes straight to your heart and head makes your body break out in a sweat.
The band features organist Delvon Lamarr, a self-taught virtuosic musician, with perfect pitch who taught himself jazz and has effortlessly been able to play a multitude of instruments. On guitar is the dynamo Jimmy James who eases through Steve Cropper-style chanking guitar, volcanic acid-rock freak-out lead playing, and slinky Grant Green style jazz. From Reno, Nevada is drummer Dan Weiss (also of the powerhouse soul and funk collective The Sextones). Dan’s smoldering pocket-groove drumming locks in the trio’s explosive chemistry.
Founded by Lamarr’s wife and manager Amy Novo, the trio started from humble beginnings in 2015, but since then has released two Billboard charting albums and toured the world to sold out venues. The trio returns now with their second studio album, I Told You So, with even heavier grooves and more confidence. It may have been several years since their most recent studio effort, but they haven’t missed a beat.

releases January 29, 2021

Sun Tone EP by Sun Tone

 

Sun Tone started as random musings on a laptop from Ryan Gambrell. Taking notes from classic hip hop producers, Gambrell began shaping his own sound with jazz guitar melodies, funky bass lines, and soulful organ pads on top of boom-bap beats. The project’s debut EP finds Gambrell calling upon his arsenal of collaborators in former reggae and afrobeat projects to help him bring his musings to life. As a producer, Gambrell has worked with fellow Color Red artists Sydney, Australia’s black bird hum mixing their latest release “My Side” and producing a b-side dub. He also tracked ATOMGA’s 2014 debut EP. His bloodlines in both performance and production work are displayed in Sun Tone. The collection of songs draws in influences ranging from mellow instrumental psychedelic acts like Khruangbin and El Michaels Affairs as well as lush guitar work along the lineage of Grant Green and George Benson. The end result is a distinct blend of cinematic soul music.