Back in 2017, Thundercat (his name is also a Dragon Ball Z reference) released his breakthrough third album, Drunk. Thundercat is a kid of the 80s and it shows (or if he isn't, he can sure fake it well!). Steely Dan performs “Reelin’ in … ... Michael McDonald joins Thundercat for performance. It all makes for an album that gently weeps, then does a set of star jumps. That said some of these songs are his peak. Thundercat on Steely Dan and Michael McDonald. It’s a rare musician, too, who can combine writing songs for his cat, Tron, with picking up a Grammy for their sterling work with Kendrick Lamar, the finest rapper of his generation. Here’s a fantastic clip from the “Old Grey Whistle Test”, which was recorded around 1973 but wasn’t aired until 1978. Steely Dan guitarist and co-founder Walter Becker has passed away at age 67 and hip-hop is reacting. Thundercat commands a bass almost the same way as a conductor commands an orchestra and in a way, his music is just as complex. Close. Even he didn’t realize how much until after he recorded the songs. Thundercat’s playing is tremendous, weaving almost comically overextended bass lines throughout. He also Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. TOPS succeeds in brightening skies through their unique brand of nostalgic dream-pop that recollects the best of what Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, and soft/yacht rock can do: … The lovely Fair Chance, a tender bromantic ode, mourns Miller. The march towards a new Thundercat album continues. This song is more of a novelty than a solid effort, but with Thundercat showing the way, well, the future looks bright. The sonic references to Steely Dan fit right in. Blending elements of rock, jazz, latin music, R&B, blues and sophisticated studio production with cryptic and ironic lyrics, the band enjoyed critical and commercial success starting from the early 1970s until breaking up in 1981. If Bruner is a loyal friend, he is equally keen to showcase influential figures and bit-part players. Steely Dan . Thundercat's new song "is about going down the rabbit hole, taking you to another place… On the edge of dark, there's the brightest light". Archived. The track Miguel’s Happy Dance suggests dancing, however bad you feel. A meandering, bizarre, at times unparsable ramble through acid-jazz in which true-to-life laments on sex, love and American life were interspersed with references to science fiction and yacht rock. ( Log Out /  “Trabajar con Kendrick (Lamar) moldeó mi forma de ver las cosas de otro modo, sin duda. Read more about Michael McDonald joins Thundercat for performance on Business Standard. Despite the occasional sop to more contemporary sounds, It Is What It Is is encased in the opalescent sounds of late 70s FM radio. Creating A Songwriter: The 13 Albums That Made Thundercat Rob Hakimian , April 14th, 2020 08:53. The charm of Thundercat’s 2017 album Drunk cannot be overstated. Private Playlist is a listening session with Southern California’s most notable musical figures in their private creative environments. Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952) is an American singer-songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer. Back in 2017, Thundercat ... (He did the same on Drunk, a record that unexpectedly embraced Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, and Kenny Loggins). It’s a rare musician, too, who can combine writing, Watch the video of Dragonball Durag by Thundercat, embraced Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, and Kenny Loggins. The march towards a new Thundercat album continues. Rappers Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B guest. By CAS Chicago host Sam Willett. Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952) is an American singer-songwriter, keyboardist, and record producer. Con Steven Ellison (Flying Lotus) he pasado mucho tiempo en el estudio, noches enteras. share. ‘A quick mind and faster fingers’: Stephen ‘Thundercat’ Bruner. Despite the occasional sop to more contemporary sounds, It Is What It Is is encased in the opalescent sounds of late 70s FM radio. "I remember everything was … Thundercat’s fourth album is a jazzy jaunt through space, time, and grief. Bruner’s fourth album as Thundercat finds him meditating on the loss of Miller and embracing the multiple, contradictory strands of his art. By way of example, one of his tunes – Them Changes – was covered by Ariana Grande in Radio 1’s Live Lounge a couple of days before the death, in 2018, of Mac Miller, who was Grande’s ex and Bruner’s close friend. The erstwhile Doobie Brothers leader and Steely Dan associate’s first album in 20 years is more of an urbane R&B labor of love than an attempt to capitalize on his resurgent popularity. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. A Guide to Synthwave Part II - Drive, Blood Dragon & Hotline Miami, Tracey Thorn's 'Smoke' is the perfect lament for post-Brexit Britain. No Brasil, um músico que sentiu bastante a partida de Becker foi Ed Motta, que sempre foi um dos maiores fãs do Steely Dan. He appeared on subsequent Steely Dan recordings including 1976's The Royal Scam and 1977's Aja. report. Thundercat can be dense, goofy, comedic or desperately sad. Michael McDonald has a lot to say on Wide Open, his first album of original material in 17 years, out Friday (Sept. 15). Praise the day, new Thundercat has arrived. best. Mit seinem neuen Album »Drunk« stellt sich Thundercat 2017 einmal mehr als unglaublich vielseitiger Fusion-Künstler heraus. Posted by 3 years ago. Listen: Steely Dan Aja Musical Lead Up Playlist Read more: Album Of The Month: Steely Dan Aja Kate Nash's 'Made Of Bricks' 10 years on - still worth the hype? It is hard to drop into any one song on this and enjoy it in isolation – since they have an interlocking flow and rarely surpass 3 minutes. Check out how Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and more are honoring his legacy. Musician Thundercat teamed up with jazz virtuoso Michael Mcdonald, formerly of Steely Dan, and soundtrack king Kenny Loggins for a live performance of his new song 'Show You the Way'. Part of the Cat’s appeal is his dislocation from our reality, but when he does touch back home the results can be surprising. Check out how Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and more are honoring his legacy. 最近ラジオから偶然流れてきて、steely dan?なんだこのaor?とshazamしてみると、なんと去年リリースされたthundercatの曲でした。完全に80年代の知らない名曲かと騙されてしまいましたが、thundercatやflyinglotusの仕事だともう納得。 Steely Dan is an American rock and jazz fusion band founded in 1972 by core members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Donald Fagen’s spongy electric keys abound, as do squeals of sax and Totoesque precision on the beat. His reach was already broader than that of most musicians, thanks to that stint in Suicidal Tendencies and his work with Lamar, Erykah Badu, Earl Sweatshirt, Childish Gambino and his own close childhood friends Flying Lotus and Kamasi Washington, with whom he shared teenage jazz bands. This made-up genre provided a sanctuary for McDonald and other musicians, such as Kenny Loggins and Steely Dan, who seemed out of place in the current musical scene. The other artists here adapt the Dan’s soft rock mastery to their own tastes with exciting new flavor, most notably Wilco, The Sea and Cake, Thundercat (featuring Aja collaborator Michael McDonald), and Ween. London, Jun 8 (PTI) Musician Thundercat teamed up with jazz virtuoso Michael Mcdonald, formerly of Steely Dan, and soundtrack king Kenny Loggins for a … “These people are too fancy, they’re too sophisticated," William S. Burroughs said of Steely Dan in 1977. Thundercat on Steely Dan and Michael McDonald. Bruner’s quick mind and faster fingers dash off on tangents, never quite exploring his grooves to their fullest extents. Lá fora, o baixista Thundercat também foi outro que publicou post falando do colega. (He did the same on Drunk, a record that unexpectedly embraced Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, and Kenny Loggins). London, Jun 8 Musician Thundercat teamed up with jazz virtuoso Michael Mcdonald, formerly of Steely Dan, and soundtrack king Kenny Loggins for a live performance of his new song "Show You the Way" Change ), Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters -Review, A Guide to Synthwave Part III – Stranger Things & the future, The Christmas Song We Deserve: Girls Aloud's 'Not Tonight Santa', This Pet Shop Boys style cover of 'Last Christmas' is the tits. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Ditto Overseas, an early 80s smooth-funk track in which the blithe lothario-figure – who appears again in Dragonball Durag – imagines trysts in various exotic locations and joining “the mile-high club”. Another song, Black Qualls, finds Thundercat voicing the anxiety brought on by success and a modicum of money. I would spend a lot of time listening to Steely Dan, and I didn't connect the dots – sometimes you don't connect them on your own. Thundercat – “Paris” Thundercat – “Paris” News November 15, 2015 5:44 PM By Peter Helman. The 10 Best Steely Dan Songs. This thread is archived. "They’re doing too many things at once in a song." Another Great Track Here’s the video link https://youtu.be/jmdiKePVUy8 It feels a little unfinished. Born in 1952, he started his career as a touring member (and studio fixture) of Steely Dan before joining The Doobie Brothers when vocalist Tom Johnston got sick mid-tour—a temporary pairing that proved so successful (“Takin’ It to the Streets,” “What a Fool Believes”) that … ew virtuoso jazz bassists could a spend a decade in a legendary thrash punk band and then swap all the shredding to tour with Snoop Dogg, purveyor of languid west coast hip-hop. Following team-ups with Thundercat and Solange, the singer reflects on his recent resurgence and what inspired his first LP of new songs in 17 years ... Christopher Cross, Steely Dan … "They’re doing too many things at once in a song." The frisson comes from the inexplicably intricate grooves and song structures underlying his dorm-room polemic. 27. Few virtuoso jazz bassists could a spend a decade in a legendary thrash punk band and then swap all the shredding to tour with Snoop Dogg, purveyor of languid west coast hip-hop. His music is a nice little blend of whatever dragged its way into the 80s from the previous decade combined with the stuff of then and even the occasional stuff of now. He also Thundercat’s playing is tremendous, weaving almost comically overextended bass lines throughout. RIP to one of … Featuring Kenny Loggins [of 'Highway To The Dangerzone' fame] as well as Michael McDonald of Steely Dan. Steely Dan performs “Reelin’ in … His love for Steely Dan’s Aja is more evident than ever. Get latest Steely Dan news updates & stories. Here’s a fantastic clip from the “Old Grey Whistle Test”, which was recorded around 1973 but wasn’t aired until 1978. In these 40 jam-packed minutes are some of Bruner’s most pop-facing tunes yet, where the epic sadness is counterbalanced with levity. ... leaning on Steely Dan … Bruner wanders through these 15 songs half-cut and rambling about the cosmos, Back to the Future, durags, girls, and whatever other fancy flits across his bong-addled state of mind. The drawback here is not that Bruner hasn’t made the out-and-out pop album his narrative arc as an artist might demand. Thundercat just released the video for "Dragonball Durag," the second single from new album due out April 3. Sep. 2, 2015 from Morning Becomes Eclectic It was a record that catapulted Bruner out of muso renown and into qualified fame. ( Log Out /  When the title track glides in, at a luxurious five minutes (even if it is in two parts), you wish Thundercat had given all his ideas the benefit of the album’s title – It Is What It Is. He joined Steely Dan in 1974 as a lead and backing vocalist. The Grammy Award winning producer and singer appeared on "The I would spend a lot of time listening to Steely Dan, and I didn't connect the dots – sometimes you don't connect them on your own. London, Jun 8 Musician Thundercat teamed up with jazz virtuoso Michael Mcdonald, formerly of Steely Dan, and soundtrack king Kenny Loggins for a live performance of his new song "Show You the Way" ( Log Out /  A hazy, 52-second song called Existential Dread gives instructions on how to survive a panic attack, recalling Tame Impala as much as it does any of Bruner’s idols. Thundercat is a kid of the 80s and it shows (or if he isn't, he can sure fake it well!). You stuck with it for the talent of the guy himself (Stephen Bruner); his silky vocals and nimble fretwork. It Is What It Is provides more kitschy delights. “These people are too fancy, they’re too sophisticated," William S. Burroughs said of Steely Dan in 1977. Thundercat just released the video for "Dragonball Durag," the second single from new album due out April 3. save. London, Jun 8 (PTI) Musician Thundercat teamed up with jazz virtuoso Michael Mcdonald, formerly of Steely Dan, and soundtrack king Kenny Loggins for a live performance of … London, Jun 8 (PTI) Musician Thundercat teamed up with jazz virtuoso Michael Mcdonald, formerly of Steely Dan, and soundtrack king Kenny Loggins for a … サンダーキャット(thundercat)がtower vinylにやってきた! His music is a nice little blend of whatever dragged its way into the 80s from the previous decade combined with the stuff of then and even the occasional stuff of now. Despite the occasional sop to more contemporary sounds, It Is What It Is is encased in the opalescent sounds of late 70s FM radio. ‘Dragonball Durag’ is his best song yet, an effortlessly assured sex jam about how much he loves his titular headpiece featuring the choice lyric “Baby girl, I’ma smash in my durag / ‘Cause it’s only right.”. The sound quality is sometimes demo quality too, which seems a shame. This song is more of a novelty than a solid effort, but with Thundercat showing the way, well, the future looks bright. Sort by. You wish for a record that allowed Bruner to do less and just… be. Don’t anticipate this enticing many new fans. The song’s video sees Haim, R&B singer Kali Uchis and the US comedian Quinta Brunson turning the deluded Bruner down, despite his fetching bandana (the titular “durag”), manga shorts and signature leopard-print ear muffs. MENU. The series featured McDonald, portrayed by co-creator JD Ryznar, in a heroic light bringing life and energy into what would prove to be the newly coined genre, Yacht Rock. In 1974, McDonald became a member of Steely Dan's touring band, singing lead and backing vocals. [7/10] Steve Arrington was at one time the singer in the funk band Slave, active in the early 80s; he guests on Black Qualls, alongside Steve Lacy, guitarist from the Internet – three generations of performers united by very distinct takes on funk. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. His love for Steely Dan’s Aja is more evident than ever. Thundercat may record all his vocals alone, but his albums stress interconnectedness. Thundercat, "Song For The Dead" by Alex Balk June 23, 2016. Steely Dan is an American rock band founded in 1972 by core members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Du Steely Dan à la sauce electro-R&B, pour le meilleur et pour le kitsch. ... but rather using their platform to denote relatable situations in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, everyone from Steely Dan to Beck has taken their respective swings. ( Log Out /  ‘Black Squalls’ is a fairly honest account of paranoia and fame; “Just moved out the hood, doesn’t mean I’m doin’ it good / Wanna post this on the ‘Gram, but don’t think I should.”. This is still a very strange brew of 1000 competing and conflicting interested and influences, but a great listen all the same. [7/10] The blinding ‘Interstellar Love’ and beautiful idiocy of ‘Miguel’s Happy Dance’ are testament to the unfathomable range of Thundercat, and his balance between genius and absurdity. Thundercat commands a bass almost the same way as a conductor commands an orchestra and in a way, his music is just as complex. Protagoniste de la bouillonnante scène de Los Angeles, acolyte de Kendrick Lamar et de feu Mac Miller, le prodigieux bassiste Thundercat revient sur It Is What It Is en (bonne) compagnie des Californiens Steve Lacy, Kamasi Washington, Louis Cole et bien d’autres pour un revival seventies funk et A.O.R. If there is a sore spot here it’s the lack of bankable songs. Steely Dan guitarist and co-founder Walter Becker has passed away at age 67 and hip-hop is reacting. Explore Steely Dan photos and videos on India.com. 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