Rating: 4 Pulses
Gathering one of the largest fan bases in the Murfreesboro area, SkyHi’s odyssey to bring their enlightened soul/funk/R&B grooves upon their loyal followers has made them one of the best live acts in town.
Their latest self-titled work, SkyHi, delivers enthusiastic, inspiring soul, and translates their live sound into a well-rounded 16-song album. Blending together their rich sound with smooth transitions and densely-layered progressions, SkyHi has come close to reaching its brilliant live sound in this studio production.
Pulling together a true eclectic sound reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Graham Central Station and Parliament, SkyHi has managed to expose true enthusiasm for funky grooves and rhythmic intensity.
The vocals of Dee Roberts portray true heartfelt meaning and agility, delivering messages of a better way to live and how to make life better in a tough world. The rhythm section of Tim Hawkins with thump-popping bass lines and Dave Singleton’s precision drumming is full of intensity and rich texture, and keyboardist Ryan Sowder displays amazing precision, adding an infectious groove to the overall sound. The horn section, consisting of Aaron Heffron on alto sax and Nick Timmerman on tenor sax allows play within the band, taking the band to cosmic heights, providing stellar harmonies and plenty of furious energy. And not to be taken lightly, Ron Cook provides complex guitar work, adding dimension with tough riffs and strong, diverse leads.
The album is diverse in song selection, going from the party-style funky “It’s Yours” to the more jazz/soul visions of “Nu Funk #2,” adding a more contemporary style to the old soul/funk traditions.
The overall feeling of the album is full of smooth, funk styles layered with soul groove and pop hooks. Although it is hard to deliver the pure live sound of the stage into the studio without actually recording the band live in front of a crowd, the album still represents the band well, giving the listener a full, rich sound. The songs show impressive craftsmanship and musicianship, and although the lyrics may not exactly be poetic, the words deliver a powerful, deep message that works well within this musical genre.
Although this music is not the most original, progressive sound of today, it still breathes life into a Southern area filled with Southern rock and blues sounds, filling a necessary musical void in the Murfreesboro scene. Although this album displays a very nostalgic sound, it still delivers passion and taste contributing heart, soul and artistic expression to their musical stylings. Bring on the funk.
Catch SkyHi at the Buzz Nation Freedom Bash July 4 outside the Boro Bar and Grill.
jeffrussellmusic@yahoo.com
