Nobody saw a new Sunburst Band single coming, there wasn’t much advanced work done for it and I think that’s part of the plan. Because nobody saw a cover of the late Jon Lucien’s “Listen Love” on the agenda, with a superb performance by vocalist Wayne Hernandez. Nor did they envision a remix collaboration by Louie Vega and Josh Milan working together.
It’s a real joy to hear these four intense musical minds working over Lucien’s frenetic classic, which appeared on 1974’s Mind’s Eye and has been covered by artists ranging from Japanese jazz/funk project United Future Organization to Lucien himself. Dave Lee’s “Jazz Funk Renaissance Mix” is both faithful to the joyfulness of Lucien’s original and pinches a bit of the smooth jazz of his 1991 remake. A big appeal here is the jazz scat by Hernandez and Lee’s chords rising to match and sometimes answer him line-by-line.
I can’t even contemplate how big the room was to fit all this music recorded by Louie Vega and Josh Milan on their remix. Between Hernandez, the keys, the percussion and a bassline that races through the frame like a butterfly with its wings on fire, this is the fruit of an amazing collaboration. This is one of those beautiful moments when everyone shines in different colors but nobody outshines each other.
The Sunburst Band featuring Wayne Hernandez: Listen Love (Z Records / July 2021 / Digital)
1. The Sunburst Band featuring Wayne Hernandez: Listen Love (Dave Lee Jazz Funk Renaissance Mix) (08:00)
2. The Sunburst Band featuring Wayne Hernandez: Listen Love (Dave Lee Flute Reboot) (05:27)
3. The Sunburst Band featuring Wayne Hernandez: Listen Love (Louie Vega & Josh Milan Remix (09:05)
4. The Sunburst Band featuring Wayne Hernandez: Listen Love (Louie Vega & Josh Milan Dub) (08:46)
⚪️ Disclosure Statement: This record was not submitted as a promo.
This was originally published in 5 Mag issue 190: #Rejuvenate with Franck Roger, Ed Nine, Berlin under lockdown & more. Support 5 Mag by becoming a member for just $1 per issue.
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