|
Under the shadow of a lunar eclipse, in a remote Vermont farmhouse overlooking Lake Champlain, The Nth Power tapped into what they call “The Great Spirit” – a creative force that fueled their fourth studio album, Never Alone, which greeted streaming services this past Friday, May 1st. |
Releasing right in the middle of JazzFest, the timing lines up nicely For a band tied into the New Orleans scene, the timing was right to release the record in the midst of JazzFest. |
Led by Nikki Glaspie (Beyoncé, Dumpstaphunk) with Nick Cassarino (Christian McBride) and Nate Edgar (John Brown’s Body), the album leans into themes of connection, resilience, and shared humanity. |
The album comes to life with the opening track and March single, “Dream Alive,” which delivers instant groove and danceable energy. The drums are steady and in the pocket, and the guitar riff harkens to a mellower dare I say John Frusciante-esque vibe. The soulful R&B vocals connect from the get go, making it a perfect feel-good song to sing along to. “Whatever we dream / We dream big,” Cassarino sings. |
“’Dream Alive’ captures our raw and unapologetic musical approach with its driving rhythms and lyrical message,” Cassarino states. “Everybody’s musical contributions really shine through on this song.” Filmed during the group’s 2025 fall tour, the video captures a spirited performance at San Francisco’s historic Glide Memorial Church, where the band led a Sunday morning musical worship between tour dates. |
Featuring The Soul Rebels, their April single, “Simple Life,” hits with a reggae afrobeat-type instrumentation in the beginning, soon making way to a horn section, before settling back into their signature soulful groove. “You know me / I’m a simple man / All I need is a piece of land / Deep in the woods somethin’ outta sight / My shack glows by the candelight,” Cassarino sings. The collective voices of he and Glaspie among a chorus of others meld seamlessly in harmony, and the soul oozes out with every lyric. Glaspie’s juxtaposition to his opening lyric is a fun twist on the song, as she sings about loving her simple life in the big city. |
Other than The Soul Rebels, the album also features a handful of special guests, including jazz trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonist Skerik, and former bandmate Courtney Smith. |
Another standout track is the second song, “Crave You.” It’s a slow burnin’ jam, with a sexy groove that pays homage to the one you just can’t get enough of. “Every day I wake up / All I want’s a fresh cup / Of you,” they sing. The vintage 70s era R&B soul shines through particularly well on this romantic number. It makes you want to squeeze your significant other and plan your next date. |
Never Alone was recorded at Mike Gordon’s farmhouse studio, with a lot of it coming together during a late-night session that happened to fall on a lunar eclipse. That special cosmic energy is felt within the tracks: mostly live takes, minimal overdubs, and a real focus on interplay between the three of them. |
The album is a beautiful kaleidoscope of soul and spirit that we could all benefit from these days, and harnesses that unwavering New Orleans charm to boot. |
Over the past decade, the trio’s catalog – from their debut EP Basic Minimum Skills Test through full-length releases including Abundance and Reverence – has reflected deep musical roots and a fluid approach to genre. |
The Nth Power’s upcoming tour dates are below. |
The Nth Power – Tour Dates |
Monday, May 4th – Blue Nile – New Orleans, LA
Friday, May 29th – New Park Brewing – Hartford, CT
Saturday, May 30th – Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Festival – Augusta, NJ
Sunday, May 31st – The Iridium – New York, NY
Thursday, June 11th – Oxbow Brewing – Portland, ME
Friday, June 12th – Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club – Portsmouth, NH
Saturday, July 11th – Garcia’s – Chicago, IL
Friday, July 24th – Flood City Music Festival – Johnstown, PA |
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment