Blake Aaron is back for 2020 with a new release. It is called Color and Passion, and all you have to do is look at the album art to see the connection between the visuals and the music.
There are eleven tracks in this project, and Najee, Darren Rahn, and Kim Scott are featured, among others. In addition to the originals, you will get a remake and a track that was inspired by perhaps the funkiest artist of all time. You will also get a remake of a familiar song.
Color and Passion releases on all formats on September 18th.
Let's get into it!
Review - 'Color and Passion' by Blake Aaron
The set kicks off with Fall For You. Even though the groove is more mid-tempo, Aaron's guitar style is aggressive here, and it works well with the song. We also like the airy background vocals. The great piano parts at the end complete the song.
Darren Rahn is featured on Groovers and Shakers. Rahn produced the track, and he also plays a few of the instruments. You will move to that funky bassline, but Aaron's guitar takes center stage. If Darren Rahn is playing sax on a track, you KNOW it will be gritty and funky. You can check out the track below.
Najee is featured on the next track, Sunday Strut. This one is produced by Adam Hawley, and this is a straight up jam session! We especially love the breakdown in the middle of the track.
Drive is another collaboration with Daren Rahn. This track has a throwback feel to it, with that synth bass. As the title suggests, this is a song that should be played while you are moving along the highway. There will be no danger of you falling asleep, that's for sure!
The uptempo tracks keep on coming with Vivid. We especially like the horns, but Aaron's guitar play is stellar. You have a rhythm guitar throughout, BUT he has a great solo toward the end of the song. Couple that with the tight piano play, and you have a hit song.
Aaron breaks it all the way down with the title track, Color and Passion. Not too much to say about this song...You will feel the passion throughout as this track clocks in at six and a half minutes.
Daylight is up next. You will get some island vibes, and once again we get those airy backing vocals. They fit in nicely with the overall vibe of the track. Aaron has a lively style of play and the song will keep your head bobbing.
Would you like a Latin groove? Riviera Nights will hit that spot. You can feel the energy from the start, and it does not stop until that last note. You will love the piano ad libs toward the end of the song.
Godfather Brown is up next. This funky track pays tribute to the one and only James Brown. I think we may need an entire album of tribute tracks. It has the old school flavor, while keeping it fresh and up to date.
You get some Reggae flavor with Weekend in Paradise. Aaron is in the zone with the guitar, and all of the elements are there, the horns, the steel drum, and the lazy funky bass.
The set concludes with a version of the Stevie Wonder classic, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing. This is another one of those jam sessions, and Kim Scott makes an appearance on the flute. This is a really good take on the song. He is smart to leave you with a song that is familiar.
If you are looking for some new music that is uptempo and that has a lot of energy, then Color and Passion is something you should look into. Be sure to add several of these tracks to your favorite playlists.