(August 30, 2016) Welcome to the fourth installment of our Another Groove series, dedicated to introducing new music that is neither "pure" soul nor R&B but which includes some elements of those genres, often rhythmic, by artists generally categorized outside of the soul arena. We feature this week "The Great and Undecided" by Ryley Walker from his new album Golden Sings That Have Been Sung released on August 18.
(August 30, 2016) Welcome to the fourth installment of our Another Groove series, dedicated to introducing new music that is neither "pure" soul nor R&B but which includes some elements of those genres, often rhythmic, by artists generally categorized outside of the soul arena. We feature this week "The Great and Undecided" by Ryley Walker from his new album Golden Sings That Have Been Sung released on August 18.
Walker is singer/songwriter and guitarist from Rockford, Illinois whose music has a certain poetic, ramshackle rogue elegance. It features big, open vistas and loose but in-the-pocket musicianship, with acoustic and electric guitars often leaping about like the namesake of Elton John's "Amoreena," who lived "like a lusty flower, running through the grass for hours." Walker's sweet spot is indie folk/rock, but he sometimes veers into jazzy R&B with a gentle swing and sway reminiscent of Van Morrison's Moondance era.
Our featured track is carried forward by an exquisitely simple, ever-so-slightly-delayed beat that creates anticipation beneath the floating, circular guitar and piano patterns that shape the lovely melody. Walker lays a soulful vocal softly on top and transports you away from the madness, if only for a few minutes. Enjoy.
By Robb Patryk