Star People Nation [Blue Vinyl]

by Theo Croker

Overview

Since 2014's Afrophysicist, trumpeter Theo Croker has been expanding upon his funky, stylistically far-reaching jazz sound with ever more electric and electronic influences. He takes this approach even further on 2019's cosmically expansive Star People Nation. The album follows his equally ambitious 2016 effort Escape Velocity and once again finds him backed by his ensemble featuring saxophonist Irwin Hall, keyboardist Michael King, bassist Eric Wheeler, and drummer Kassa Overall. Star People Nation is a stylistically balanced album, deftly counterpoised between spacy '70s world fusion, modal jazz, alternative R&B, and forward-thinking hip-hop. It brings to mind classic works by Eddie Henderson, George Duke, and Donald Byrd, the latter of whom Croker was mentored by while a student at Oberlin College. The opening "Have You Come to Stay" is a slowly rolling electro-space mantra that emerges like an interstellar transmission from a hazy sparkle of keyboards before giving way to a cascade of overdubbed horn lines and two transcendent solos from Croker and Hall. Similarly spacy, "Subconscious Flirtations & Titillations" finds Croker evoking a dreamy, Miles Davis-esque futurism as he contrasts his warm, breathy horn against bug-like digital motifs, sparkling piano, and an analog bass'n'drum rhythm. "Wide Open" also has a Miles-ian quality, as Croker swims through dizzying underwater trap beats and aquamarine synths as he blows long bubble lines with his muted, EFX-laden trumpet. Elsewhere, he brings on board several guests including vocalist Rose Gold on the sensual "Getaway Gold," pianist ELEW on the minor-key "The Messenger," and Jamaican singer Chronixx, who helps elevate the atmosphere even higher on the socially conscious "Understand Yourself" as Croker mixes tropical club-jazz with African percussion and deep tropical vibes. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	08/12/2022
Label:	Music On Vinyl
UPC:	8719262024977
Rank:	128436

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Theo Croker   Primary Artist,Trumpet,Sampling,Sequencing,Synthesizer,Fender Rhodes,Vocals (Background)
Eric Harland   Drums,Featured Artist
Eric Lewis   Piano
Michael King   Piano,Mellotron,Fender Rhodes,Organ (Hammond),Moog Synthesizer
Jamar McNaughton   Sampling,Sequencing,Ride Cymbal,Synthesizer,Fender Rhodes,Trumpet
Rose Gold   Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Dave Whitfield   Fender Rhodes
Eric Wheeler   Bass (Acoustic),Bass (Electric)
ELEW   Featured Artist
Irwin Hall   Flute,Sax (Alto),Flute (Alto),Clarinet (Bass)
Kassa Overall   Drums,Percussion,Featured Artist
Chronixx   Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Anthony Ware   Sax (Tenor)

Technical Credits

Bob Power   Liner Notes,Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer
Joe Chambers   Composer
Gene McDaniels   Composer
Jamar McNaughton   Drum Programming,Composer,Lyricist
Todd Carder   Engineer
Rebekah Muhammad   Composer,Lyricist
Stephen Kaye   Engineer
Matthias "Doktor Audio" Ermert   Engineer
Max Dahm   Engineer
Donna Ferrato   Cover Photo,Layout Photography
Daniel Schlett   Engineer
Theo Croker   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Programming,Drum Programming
Darren Elpant   Engineer
Jack Harper   Graphic Design
Josh Giunta   Engineer