Jazzy Joy: a Listen to Growing Pains’ Warped Wonder
This album is clearly a labor of love. Over twelve tracks, fusion jazz goodness drips out of the speakers and pours sonic honey straight into your ears. From the first touch of fingertips on the Wurlitzer, the album draws you right in a and envelopes you in a smooth, fluffy blanket of sound. Warped Wonder is Jordan Alexander on saxophone (and lyrics), Derek Detzler on flugelhorn, Tyrique Mcneal on vox, Jerry Buckley on keys, Milan Blissett on bass, and Tony Broniec on drums. Each member is at the top of their game and solidly in-pocket, interlocking beautifully to create an album that is soul-satisfying.
Tyrique Mcneal has a unique voice. It’s toasty, full of bass, and clear as a bell. At certain points, he sinks into a light vocal fry from a low note, giving the whole verse a rich, raspy cap. His voice pairs well with the bright sounds of the Whurly, but doesn’t fight at all with the bass or the sax. There’s a magical, dreamlike quality to the interplay between the lyrics and the instrumentals. Heavy with imagery and metaphor, the lyrics lead the mind almost like a guided meditation, while the instrumentals lift the spirit. Sax punches are invigorating, nothing is lost in the mix, and everything is crisp or sultry in all the right places.
In Warped Wonder’s Bandcamp bio, it states, “Above all, Warped Wonder aims to speak to the human condition with their music”. I think that quote is an apt description that Warped Wonder lives up to. There are elements of R&B, funk, Latin music, jazz, math, soul, and gospel in this album. Tasty tidbits, morphing grooves, and trading solos make “Growing Pains” a pleasure to unfold. Though the album is titled “Growing Pains,” and I’m sure that there was an abundance of blood, sweat, and tears that went into the making of each track, this album is a remedy to pain. It is both calming and invigorating, savory and sweet, gentle and rough. “Growing Pains” was a joy to listen to and I encourage you from the bottom of my heart to give it a thorough listen.
You can listen to and download “Growing Pains” here:
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