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Parking Lot Symphony [LP]
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Parking Lot Symphony [LP] in Bloomington, MN
Current price: $13.99
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Size: CD
On his fourth studio effort and first for
Blue Note Records
, 2017's
Parking Lot Symphony
, New Orleans singer, songwriter, and brass wizard
Troy Andrews
(aka
Trombone Shorty
) fully embraces the organic '70s-style R&B he's heretofore only touched on. Ever since officially debuting in 2010 with
Backatown
,
Andrews
has moved ever closer to that '70s soul aesthetic with each subsequent album.
even featured contributions from both
Lenny Kravitz
and legendary New Orleans pianist
Allen Toussaint
. In fact, his previous effort, 2013's
Say That to Say This
, had a similarly old-school bent courtesy of neo-soul master and co-producer
Raphael Saadiq
. But for
dives into the sound full-force, paired with producer
Chris Seefried
(
Fitz & the Tantrums
Haley Reinhart
Andra Day
) on a set of songs that bring to mind the earthy, vinyl-laden vibe of '70s artists like New Orleans own
the Meters
. Heralding this vintage approach are several well-chosen covers, like
' 1974
Santana
-style groover "It Ain't No Use," and
Toussaint
's New Orleans funk jammer "Here Come the Girls" (originally recorded in 1970 by
Ernie K. Doe
).
channels new life into both tunes with his vibrant jazz- and brass-infused arrangements -- ones that don't so much reimagine the originals as re-energize them with a live-in-the-studio vibe and a youthful zeal. Even his originals here, like the joyous, choir-backed title track and the yearning, organ-steeped ballad "No Good Time," find him working in the nuanced harmonic colors and hip-swaying lyricism of band's like
Earth, Wind & Fire
and
Stevie Wonder
. And yet it would be reductive to simply describe the album as "retro." Longtime fans will appreciate that
hasn't abandoned his crossover, hip-hop-inflected sound, just integrated it deftly into songs like the buzz-bass heavy "Familiar" and minor key-tinged "Where It At?," tracks that nobody would think twice about hearing churn out of the car stereo in 1977. Also, as with past
albums, he leaves plenty of room for enthusiastic, mid-song trombone and trumpet improvisations.
even ambitiously bookends the album with two New Orleans funeral parade marches, showcasing his bluesy phrasing and clarion brass tone. Ultimately,
is one of
's most balanced productions, equal parts New Orleans R&B sophistication and loose, block party fun. ~ Matt Collar
Blue Note Records
, 2017's
Parking Lot Symphony
, New Orleans singer, songwriter, and brass wizard
Troy Andrews
(aka
Trombone Shorty
) fully embraces the organic '70s-style R&B he's heretofore only touched on. Ever since officially debuting in 2010 with
Backatown
,
Andrews
has moved ever closer to that '70s soul aesthetic with each subsequent album.
even featured contributions from both
Lenny Kravitz
and legendary New Orleans pianist
Allen Toussaint
. In fact, his previous effort, 2013's
Say That to Say This
, had a similarly old-school bent courtesy of neo-soul master and co-producer
Raphael Saadiq
. But for
dives into the sound full-force, paired with producer
Chris Seefried
(
Fitz & the Tantrums
Haley Reinhart
Andra Day
) on a set of songs that bring to mind the earthy, vinyl-laden vibe of '70s artists like New Orleans own
the Meters
. Heralding this vintage approach are several well-chosen covers, like
' 1974
Santana
-style groover "It Ain't No Use," and
Toussaint
's New Orleans funk jammer "Here Come the Girls" (originally recorded in 1970 by
Ernie K. Doe
).
channels new life into both tunes with his vibrant jazz- and brass-infused arrangements -- ones that don't so much reimagine the originals as re-energize them with a live-in-the-studio vibe and a youthful zeal. Even his originals here, like the joyous, choir-backed title track and the yearning, organ-steeped ballad "No Good Time," find him working in the nuanced harmonic colors and hip-swaying lyricism of band's like
Earth, Wind & Fire
and
Stevie Wonder
. And yet it would be reductive to simply describe the album as "retro." Longtime fans will appreciate that
hasn't abandoned his crossover, hip-hop-inflected sound, just integrated it deftly into songs like the buzz-bass heavy "Familiar" and minor key-tinged "Where It At?," tracks that nobody would think twice about hearing churn out of the car stereo in 1977. Also, as with past
albums, he leaves plenty of room for enthusiastic, mid-song trombone and trumpet improvisations.
even ambitiously bookends the album with two New Orleans funeral parade marches, showcasing his bluesy phrasing and clarion brass tone. Ultimately,
is one of
's most balanced productions, equal parts New Orleans R&B sophistication and loose, block party fun. ~ Matt Collar