Tommy Guerrero that name rang a bell, oh yes, Bones Brigade Skateboarder, as well as Powell Peralta skate deck Graphic Designer, and much to my surprise a competent songwriter. Tommy G is composing "quality" chill jams, using a unique blend of soul, jazz, blues, folk, and even a bit of Hip Hop. The end product sounds as if Curtis Mayfield and Durutti Column hung out in a San Francisco loft with Ween, but much better.
Soul Food Taqueria starts of with a bluesy 60-second intro sang by a lonesome guitar entitled "Intro Lectric Chile Goat." Then calmly kicks in with "Abierto" which introduces some chill beats back with bubbling low bass and gentle guitar orchestrations. Things pick up the pace on "Organism" with some wah wah funk guitars intermingling a funky groove the Beastie Boys in a Methadone clinic would be proud of. The gentle strut of "Thank You (MK)" glides along the lake with gentle jazzy guitars and drums. The beautifully crafted "Tatanka" is a stand out track featuring a low throbbing funk bass line woven together with impressive intricate percussion, as Guerrero adds a harmonic ensemble of chimes and melodic guitar spasms. Gresham Taylor takes the mic on "It Gets Heavy," adding a layer of pensive flavor to the already shadowy track. Another highlight is "Thin Brown Layer" filled with Latin guitar tangles, a lazy groove with a hypnotic beat, that makes you feel stoned even after completing a Twelve step program. "Terra Unifirma,' "Another Brother Gone," and "Broken Blood" are other standouts built with laid-back grooves and beautiful guitar orchestrations. The ultra funky "Getting it Together" introduces some chill vocals by Lyrics Born (of Blackalicious/DJ Shadow). The disc closes with "Falling Awake" a track which is filled with passionate guitar melodies floating along a simple beat and clouded keys slowly ascending on a journey of Satori.
Soul Food Taqueria is a highly addictive musical phenomenon capable of reaching hearts of music lovers in all genres of style. If you'd like a great album to add to your collection pick this up immediately! |