Everybody Wins by Amendola Vs. Blades
If told about a band that consisted of only keyboards and drums, one wouldn’t be faulted for thinking, “Where’s the rest of the group?” But one listen to Amendola Vs. Blades—the funky California-based duo of Wil Blades on Hammond organ and clavinet and Scott Amendola behind the kit—and all fears will be assuaged. Blades’s cutting solos and deep bass lines make for a thick stew of soulful harmony and daring improvisation. And Amendola’s beats are simply unstoppable, simultaneously pushing the duo to heights unknown and sending the listener into a joyful sonic trance. But, in a move away from their debut album, ‘Greatest Hits,’ the new album from Amendola Vs. Blades is bursting not only with creativity, but with personnel. ‘Everybody Wins’ features only three tracks that are exclusively duo. The rest of the album sees contributions from guitarist Jeff Parker (Tortoise), saxophonist Skerik (Les Claypool, Garage A Trois), percussionist Cyro Baptista (Herbie Hancock, Sting), and keyboardist Rob Burger (Tin Hat Trio, Laurie Anderson). Unsurprisingly, the music is as outsized as the roster of guest musicians. Moving between any number of styles and moods, ‘Everybody Wins’ is sure to expand minds and preconceptions.
Tracklist
| 1. | Hi Lo | 6:09 |
| 2. | Cyroette | 6:16 |
| 3. | 'Fess Up(Before Ya Mess Up) | 4:12 |
| 4. | Metropolian Hustle | 7:44 |
| 5. | Walltown | 6:21 |
| 6. | Hambela | 5:36 |
| 7. | Everybody Wins | 4:13 |
| 8. | Fabulous:Stupendous | 5:42 |
Credits
Wil Blades - Hammond B-3 Organ, Clavinet, Wurlitzer, Moog Opus 3, Juno 60, bass guitar on “Fabulous:Stupendous”
Scott Amendola - drums, live looping electronics, tambourine, Wurlitzer and Moog Opus 3 Synth - intro of “Fabulous:Stupendous”
Special guests:
Jeff Parker - guitar
Skerik - saxophone & EFX
Cyro Baptista - percussion & voice
Rob Burger - Orchestron, Korg synthesizer, and bowed vibes on “Fabulous:Stupendous”
Produced by Scott Amendola and Wil Blades
Recorded March 25-28, 2019 at 25th Street Recorders, Oakland, CA
Recording Engineer - Andrew Freid
Assistant Engineer - Gabriel Shepard
Mixing - Eli Crews at New Improved Recording, Oakland, CA
Mastering - Thomas Dimuzio at Gench Studios, San Francisco, CA
License
All rights reserved.Tags
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