Butcher Brown’s Solar Music is the next phase of their jazz-based exploration into Black pop. The Richmond, Virginia band’s musical inclusiveness is the central inspiration of the new album. The title refers back to the saying “Everything under the sun.” The band’s creative choices have a long lineage going back to Roy Ayers, A Tribe Called Quest, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Digable Planets, Roy Hargrove, and Robert Glasper. The kinship between jazz, hip-hop, and R&B is a fluid movement for Butcher Brown and their latest addition to the conversation builds each song with playing that swings regardless of the styles in the mix.
“Espionage” featuring guitarist Charlie Hunter stirs like a ’60s soul jazz cookout complete with a funky organ and solos that would make Eddie Hazel proud. They take another trip and make house music from Detroit, Baltimore, Chicago, and London their destination with “MOVE (Ride) featuring East London artist Jay Prince. “Turismo” is another escape into dance music reminiscent of the days of Roni Size’s drum and bass hyper rhythms. “Eye Never Knew” conjures up a kettle of modal jazz and poetry when genre shapeshifter Pink Siifu whispers and Keyon Harrold’s trumpet blows sketches in the air. The collaborations are fresh and Butcher Brown’s grooves keep the album interesting. Limited red vinyl copies of Solar Music and merchandise are available with the usual streaming options. Their global tour started this week and tickets can still be purchased.
Butcher Brown Tour Dates
10/12 – Reno, NV – University of Nevada, Reno – Nightingale Concert Hall
10/17 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
10/18 – New York, NY – (Le) Poisson Rouge
10/20 – Charlottesville, VA – The Southern Café and Music Hall
10/21 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live (upstairs)
10/22 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe
10/24 – Minneapolis, MN – Dakota
10/25 – Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village
10/26 – Detroit, MI – El Club
10/27 – Indianapolis, IN – Jazz Kitchen
11/4 – Eindhoven, NL – So What’s Next?
11/6 – London, UK – The Forge
11/7 – Antwerp, BE – De Roma
11/8 – Berlin, DE – J.A.W. (Zenner)
11/9 – Mannheim, DE – Alte Feuerwache
11/10 – Técou, FR – Coco Jazz
11/11 – Groningen, NL @ Rockit
11/12 – Rotterdam, NL – Rooterdam / Bird
11/13 – Amsterdam, NL – Bimhuis
11/14 – Charloeroi, BE – Palais des Beaux Arts
11/15 – Paris, FR – Le Trabendo
11/18 – Eilat, IL – Red Sea Jazz Festival
11/24 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
11/25 – Washington, DC – Atlantis
12/5 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
12/6 – Portland, OR – The Get Down
12/7 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
12/8 – Santa Cruz, CA – Kuumbwa
12/9 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
12/10 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues, Voodoo Room
