About Polyrhythmics
Funk-soul-R&B-jazz-Afrobeat
Rich with bold
brass and hypnotic percussion, Polyrhythmics' latest album, Caldera, showcases the instrumental
eight-piece's impossibly tight grooves and virtuosic musicianship as they tear
through a singular blend of funk, soul, psychedelic rock, R&B, progressive
jazz, and Afrobeat. Calling to mind everything from Antibalas and the Dap-Kings
to The Meters and Fela Kuti, it's without a doubt their strongest work to date,
merging the infectious power of their live show with a sleek and nuanced studio
sophistication.
Named for the
smoldering crater left after a volcanic eruption, Caldera was written during a band retreat to rural Oregon, where
Polyrhythmics embraced truly collaborative songwriting for the first time
during a marathon session in the shadow of Mt. Hood (itself an active volcano).
The resulting album is a blistering declaration from a band that's progressed
beyond the sum of its influences to come fully into its own. From the
downtempo, Afrobeat trance of "Stargazer" to the triumphantly
anthemic, high-octane pump-up funk of "Marshmallow Man," Caldera is instrumental music at its
best: emotional, evocative, mesmerizing. On "Cactus Blossoms,"
Polyrhythmics craft an eerie, retro gem straight out of a 70's film score,
while the trippy effects and wah-wah guitar of "Goldie's Road"
suggest a psychedelic journey (or perhaps a bad trip), and the shuffling
"Vodka For My Goat" draws on Stax soul while hinting at BB King's
merger of the blues and jazz. It's an eclectic collection, tied together by the
melding of eight distinct musical voices coming together as a cohesive whole.
The record
follows the Seattle band's stellar third album, Octagon, which earned them tour dates around the country along with
plenty of critical acclaim. The Stranger
dubbed Polyrhythmics a group to watch, hailing their "sophisticated
slinkiness and expressive brassiness," while WNCW praised their "modern afro-psycho-beat
blend," and
the Seattle Times dubbed them
"funk maestros." The band was invited to perform live on influential
Seattle NPR station KEXP, shared bills with
everyone from Snarky Puppy to Booker T, and played massive festival stages
including Bumbershoot, High Sierra, and Vancouver International Jazz Fest.
Polyrhythmics are: Ben Bloom: Guitars, Grant Schroff: Drums, Nathan
Spicer: Keys. Lalo Bello: Percussion, Karl Olson: Percussion, Jason Gray: Bass,
Scott Morning: Trumpet, Elijah Clark: Trombone, Art Brown: Sax and Flute
- Website:
- http://polyrhythmics.com/