Jon Muq – Flying Away
This Ugandan singer presents an exceptional 12-cut debut with Flying Away (Dropped May 31/Easy Eye Sound/Concord/38:00). Produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach (guitar/acoustic guitar/percussion/handclaps). Recorded in Nashville I find not a singer who emulates but encompasses. I can hear in his songs the tonal richness, refinement & class of Sam Cooke.
On other songs without the dance groove implications, Jon Muq also runs a slender finger across the rim of Angelo Bond’s musical glass (“Reach For The Moon” from his Bondage LP). Angelo’s closer to a soul-disco feel vocal, unfortunately, but Angelo’s voice is vivid (though overproduced). This is the quality I hear in Mr. Muq.
What’s unique is that Jon (acoustic guitar) came from his country to Austin, Texas & amassed street cred by opening for Billy Joel & Norah Jones. Mavis Staples, The Black Keys & deservedly so. He’s a focused artist & never loses sight of the importance of being commercially attractive while deep into the soul groove as a remarkable balladeer, troubadour & stylist.
The Sam Cooke touch has vulnerability & also an instinctual presence on beauties like “Butterflies.” Gentle piano notes & acoustic guitar sweetness & with this particular song a folky-middle-of-the-road reverence. Despite the references, the songs have a signature Jon Muq sound that’s inspiring & well-defined. It’s on “Hello Sunshine,” which sounds like a mainstream pop song with sugar & spice but no – it’s a well-written ballad with a tight arrangement & a fully fueled performance.
Jon doesn’t sound like his contemporaries. Not as bluesy & rural as Keb ‘Mo or Taj Mahal but not as commercially saccharine as Lionel Ritchie. “Dark Door” even suggests a direction Jon could go if he chose songs that sink deeper into the genre. There’s little here to suggest it’s standard stuff or going through the motions of creating a simple pop song.
A little reggae comes through “Flying Away From Home,” & as light as it is it’s infectious to the ears & feet. No embellishments. The sound is a hair away from the English Beat & Madness (“Victoria Gardens” & “One Step Beyond”). Effective. A great track wonderfully rendered. This is a career-defining tune.
Jon exits on “Riding” – a delicate, melodic & catchy piece. His vocals have a lift that projects nicely & he sings a good story. Listenable throughout. What a find.
Highlights – Runaway,” “One You Love,” “Lucky Love,” “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying,” “Butterflies,” “Hello Sunshine,” “Dark Door,” “Flying Away From Home” & “Riding.”
Musicians – Jay Bellerose (drums/percussion/tambourine/shaker), Tom Bukovac (electric & acoustic guitars/lap steel/12-string acoustic), Tommy Brenneck (bass/acoustic, baritone & electric guitars), Mike Rojas (piano/Hammond organ/mellotron/Wurlitzer/marimba/Rhodes piano/harmonium/glockenspiel/harpsichord/vibraphone/bells), Trey Keller (bgv), Sam Bacco (tambourine/shaker/hand drum/bongo/conga/triangle) & Matt Combs (strings).
Cover image courtesy of Jim Harrington. CD @ Amazon + https://easyeyesound.com/products/flying-away-digital & https://jonmuq.bandcamp.com/album/flying-away
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: The Secret Sisters w/Jon Muq at The Basement East
