MUSIC

GOING TO MARKET

RELEASED FEBRUARY 15, 2019

on Flatcar / Fontana North

The exceptional debut full-length album Going To Market showcases the squad’s soulful sound that is simultaneously lost in the thrill of the moment while evoking a timeless musical nostalgia. At the centre of the album are Visentin's massive Hammond B3 organ skills, and wholly inspired performances from the band's superb solos to their signature flashy endings.  Going To Market is a collection of clever, stunning original compositions, as well as one cover track – the stand-out rendition of "Chain Of Fools.", a fitting tribute to the Queen of Soul that speeds up the tempo and raises the temperature.  On "Slacktivision", the group recalls the classic '60s and '70s Hammond B3 organ trio sound of Jimmy McGriff, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and "Brother" Jack McDuff. Taking the slacker theme one step further, "Fashionably Lazy" fully lives up to its title, being both fashionable AND lazy, with a captivating groove seemingly out of a French art film from the early 60s. "Squadzilla," the first single that’s already garnered high praise and radio play, leans into the funk, with Halischuk holding the groove alongside the finely executed congas of percussionist Michel Dequevedo. Guitarist Adam Beer-Colacino, saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, and Visentin solo impeccably throughout. "Forty Filth" was written by Visentin the morning after the most recent presidential election. Pure, Gospel organ music. Featured is JUNO Award-nominated bassist Marc Rogers. “Caustic Optimism”, bounded by a Bermuda Triangle of gospel, soul and jazz, sees JV indulging in a delicious pun on the phrase "cautious optimism". It seems that all of the groups playing '70s soul-jazz have an animal song of some sort, hence “Capybara Walk”, a reference to the animal that escaped from the High Park Zoo in Toronto. "Different Times," is an attempt to write a theme for a TV show of the same name, that never existed. A nod to classic shows and also the shifting seven-beat rhythms throughout the song.  "Market Research" has a softly soulful Motown groove and the the entrance of the incandescent (and recently a JUNO Award nominee) Alison Young wailing on alto sax, tears the song apart. The relaxing lows and explosive highs are reminiscent of the current volatile stock market, hence the song title.  A kind of answer song – literally – to James Brown's "Ain't It Funky Now?", "I Suppose It Is" aims to match the depth and infectious energy of JB's best grooves. The perfect ending track to a perfectly crafted album.

#3 on JazzWeek’s national “Chartbound” Radio Chart

#7 on JazzWeek’s national “Biggest Gainer” Radio Chart

#14 on JazzWeek’s national “Most Adds” Radio Chart

"This is very good!" ~ Jazzcast.ca

"We loved this track (“Squadzilla”) here at SPILL HQ!" ~ SPILL Magazine