THE GROOVE DIVINITIES

 

By Neil Hubbard, Triplearadio.com Contributing Editor

The Album
The Groove Divinities

The Single
"American Thang"

The Label
Do Right Records

Discography
The Groove Divinities (2005)

Liner Notes
On paper the self described "hip-rock-soul" of The Groove Divinities looks too diverse to work. Listening to their fusion of funk, soul, roots rock and blues proves otherwise. The CD sounds like a kick-ass party. And their live shows truly are. Led by Kenni Ski and Jimmy Sloan, The Groove Divinities "blend heartfelt lyrics and melodies, soulful rhythms and a seductive edge that can only be described as spiritual trippiness."

Ski & Sloan first met at the Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans in 2000, and when they compared musical tastes and ambitions, they hit it off right away. Soon after, they did a live jam session at The Mint in L.A. with Rami Jaffee of The Wallflowers. The first song they played there, “Mainline," is on the new CD.

Joined by veteran bass player Carmine Rojas, who played on David Bowie's, "Let's Dance," backed Stevie Wonder and served as Rod Stewart's Musical Director for over 13 years; drummer Tal Bergman, who held down the beat for the likes of Billie Idol, Chaka Khan and LL Cool J, and keyboardist Phil Parlpiano, who has worked with Lucinda Williams, Tracy Chapman and Rod Stewart; this band of musical gypsies was oozing with excess talent and experience. To round out the lineup, Vibe guitarist Southland Slim and singer Trip Jenkins lend their soul and blues-induced influences.
 
The CD presents a palette of aural colors, from the to the sexy swing of "American Thang" to the smooth soul of "Neopolytan" to the slow grooves of "Turnaround" and "Mainline," to the roadhouse blues of "Playin' Yer Soul" to the funky "Tomorrow" to the gospel tinged closer of Sam Cooke's "Change Gonna Come."  This CD takes a world of great influences and styles and adds new soul and passion to deliver a very satisfying musical journey.

The Musicians
Kenni Ski, vocals and keyboards
Jimmy Sloan, guitar
Carmine Rojas, bass
Tal Bergman, drums
Phil “Silky” Parlapiano, keyboards

Site
www.thegroovedivinities.com

Spins
WXPN Philadelphia
WTMD Baltimore
KBAC Santa Fe
KBOO Portland
KUT Austin
WNCW Spindale-Asheville/Charlotte
WYSO Yellow Springs-Dayton
WCBE Columbus
WPFT Houston
WMNF Tampa
KTAO Taos
KVNF Paonia CO
KLCC Eugene
...and more!

Retail
The Groove Divinities is in stores as of October 11.

Contact
CrystalAnn