Smooth Jam
Smooth Jam is short piece, recorded by the Original Musicosophy band (OM band) that really packs a punch, able to make a musical statement in just a little over a minute and a half. The original recording was released on September 20th, 2022 and features the accomplished guitarist, axamaxa, from Caswell Guitar Studios who has a long tenure with OM.
The beat is an uptempo funk beat, known affectionately as ‘the beat-stalker’, characteristic of the rhythm engine driving almost all of Musicosophy’s work. Wasting no time at all, axamaxa jumps right in with the opening riff, punctuated by harmonic structure on the rhodes, backing acoustic guitar, and some nifty studio manipulation in the form of a reverse guitar lick. After the intro establishes the tempo and direction of the music, axamaxa proceeds directly to the guitar solo at 30 seconds into the song. While the overall tonality is Dorian in the key of C, axamaxa takes the solo a little bit ‘outside’ from a Phrygian enveloping sequence before resolving back into the Dorian tonality. Further developing the solo, he plays a pretty little duet with himself on the overdub.
Horns enter at 1:00 minute along with a subtle change in beat, with the drums adding a little percussive ‘hustle’. This is quite typical with Musicosophy songs as the Hustle frequently enters about halfway to carry the piece through with added energy. Two different saxophones play a sonorous and spirited duet until axamaxa returns to take it out with an energetic reprise of the opening riff into the fade.
Native Ubi-Jubi producer and director, jwstaley has produced many of Musico’s funk pieces. With his signature gospel-esque boogaloo, john has the uncanny ability to put together complex organic rhythms. The magic behind these beats lies in their syncopated roots, steeped in traditional native percussion. The OM band was founded on the proposition that a universal harmony pervades all music and all its notes are related to each other via an openly-inclusive modal connectome.
Musicosophy is known for creating songs with high-energy beats that make you want to dance around. The drums add a little pop to the overall composition, helping create an impression that you can’t help but move to -something that Musicosophy has become synonymous with. This sound is especially prominent in their tracks and has helped define their style over the years.
Combining the ‘beat-stalker’ style of funk with an often shifting and enthusiastic beat, Musicosophy brings a unique and exciting sound to music. This helps to entertain the psyche and ensures that everyone is alive inside the rhythm. It is this combination of funk, enthusiasm, and musical shape-shifting that makes Musicosophy unique and keeps their listeners engaged throughout all their songs and in the community.
The song is a call for people to take action and get involved with something that matters to make a difference in the world, something like becoming an activist, being engaged in your community, or even running for office (like our own Pixel Hat). This piece will get you moving!
