Jeshua Marshall – The Flood
This is Marshall’s 2nd CD & the 10-cuts were produced by the artist & Todd Rosenberg at FUZZ Phonic studios in Oregon. The set opens with sharp blaring horns & Jeshua’s vocal is a blend — funky & soulful with authority.
Anyone who enjoys the drive of the 60s Sly & the Family Stone, the inventiveness rock cum rhythm & blues of Prince & soul crooning of Angelo Bond will find this engaging. While the instrumentation has flare & sparks it never comes gets out of control & remains gratifying. “Water” opens the set & by “The Flood,” a more reggae-inspired tune plugged into a highly charged presentation is a winner. The songs have an enticing array of styles. Varied brass takes that make each song convincing. A highly enjoyable showcase.
The independent CD The Flood (Drops Sept 22) is a well-mixed convention of musical styles. Jeshua also has a talent for music pacing since he has the active tunes grab the ear & then “In a Dream,” seduces the listener. A warm tight spirited ballad that’s well recorded & captures its cool resounding sensitivity. The guitars jingle, jangle & scrape in a syncopated breezy way.
The band is a tight unit. Not over blown. While it would be easy to suggest the brass is Arthur Connelly inspired (“Sweet Soul Music”) it actually has a stronger Mexican band brass groove.
There are also hints but not heavy-handed swipes at Terence Trent-Darby & Shuggie Otis more than Jimi Hendrix. That’s what my ears hear. It’s when there are just “hints” of these elements that a new vibration rises from the phoenix of those past artists. No copying or emulation. No heavy influence to be detected since Jeshua Marshall is a very capable artist.
Mr. Marshall knows how to mix the viable ingredients liberally to make it work within his own framework.
Jeshua’s vocals are pure & don’t possess any raggedness of many reggae roots artists. But that works to his benefit since some would skip the harshness of the more homegrown singers. On “Agua Es Vida,” while a reggae-based tune with value-added boasts the syrupy smooth & sweet addition of vocalist Yanin Saavedra. Dramatic without being a drama.
“Closed Doors,” could be construed as reggae but more in a ska manner as Jeshua infuses the band with that Madness/General Public propulsion. An excellent dance tunes. The band is just firing away on all cylinders. “Best Friend,” has the fiery combination of brass dynamite with guitar pyrotechnics.
This a great set of songs that have only one aim – leave you smiling for 37 minutes.
Highlights – “Water,” “The Flood,” “In a Dream,” “Agua Es Vida,” “Closed Doors,” “Ride,” “Best Friend,”
Musicians – Jeshua (guitar & vocal), Davey Hemm (bass), Miguel Mendoza (trumpet), Seth Acquarolo (guitar/keys), Wendi Wampler (clarinet), Todd Rosenberg (drums/vocals) & Yanin Saavedra (vocals).
Image courtesy of Jeshua’s Soundcloud site. CD @ Apple & https://jeshuamarshall.com/