With 16 new compositions including the song “Take It!” – sadly the last recorded appearance of ’80s funk star Bernard Wright, whom Snarky leader Michael League describes as a divine figure – the group looks with empathy to their origins and confident in the sophisticated power with which their members continue to develop the unique Snarky Puppy sound.
And which now stands as a skyscraper from a 21st century orchestra made up of three guitarists, at least four keyboard players, two brass, two horns, a violinist, several drummers and percussionists, and the skilful but unassuming Michael League, who does everything sticks to his bass.
This lineup was unimaginable when ten friends enrolled in the jazz program at the University of North Texas (aka North Texas State) in Denton, 30 miles from Dallas, they first met in 2004. But when the main members some Snarky Puppies moved to town and were embraced by the black churches and musicians in the area, matured.
“Our sonic world has expanded dramatically over the years,” says Michael League. “When the band started we were more jazzy, smarter and more oriented towards world music. As we entered the Dallas scene, we became more Groovian, more emotional and in some ways deeper. We have focused more on delivering a clear message that is understandable to the listener without trivializing things. “
With 13 albums in 18 years (which have won four Grammy Awards), an international following and the founding of his own label, GroundUP Music, Snarky Puppy has made listeners appreciate his increasingly confident and detailed arrangements of hymn tunes, heartwarming melodies, structure This is followed by harmonies, thrilling solos, catchy synth effects and enthralling rhythms.
New album Empire Central (released 09/30/22) doubles the distinctly southwestern influences of Snarky Puppy such as blues, hard rock, classic soul, modern gospel, penetrating funk, new tech, “fusion” and always misunderstood jazz without sacrificing imitative sound. Rather, it comes with a fresh and original sound.
Michael League asked his comrades in arms to compose a tribute to the city they consider their common ground and to the artists who changed the history of music, “especially the history of black music”, as he points out (this list of honor includes Erykah Badu, Kirk Franklin, Roy Hargrove, but also St. Vincent, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Miles). Eleven of the band members, plus Michael himself, contributed melodies that were developed and refined over two weeks of rehearsal.
“Snarky Puppy has always been a band that put the sound of music first,” says League. “There has been some collaboration in the process of writing this record, but when a song goes to the band and the musicians make suggestions or change things, our collective feeling really emerges. The songs are much more direct and funky than our previous records. I think they reflect the many moods of the urban scene ”.
Snarky Puppy, the genre-bending superband bears a strong resemblance to their “hometown” of Dallas. In “Empire Central,” the eclectic 19-piece electronic ensemble is big and bold, laid-back and laid-back, rooted in local culture and yet outward-looking, forward-looking. Check out the tips: “Keep It On Your Mind” and “Broken Arrow”. (Photo © Promotion V2)
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