Mo Pleasure returns with his first solo offering in four years with Elements Volume I: Eclipse, a limited edition five song EP. From the ether that permeates our entire earthly experience, to the fire that generates heat, to the water that gives life and quenches thirst, to the very earth that sustains us, down to the air that we breathe, the Elements are nothing less than essential to the human experience.
This special, limited edition EP offers the listener a taste of the elements that captured Mo’s artistic imagination many years ago. The songs on this special offering were selected with the intent of representing all five elements musically – fire, water, air, earth and ether.
R U Down, featuring vocals by the late, great Ali Woodson, represents fire. Ali’s impassioned vocals over such a hot track aims to give you the right amount of heat before cooling you down with Water, as represented by H2O, featuring lead vocals by the incomparable Maysa Leak.
The song, described by Pleasure as “Joni Mitchell folk meets Sarah Vaughan-esque phrasing,” pays homage to the force of love, comparable to rushing waters that swirl about smoothing heartache as though it were a stone in a stream.
The next element to receive Pleasure’s thoughtful treatment is Air, exemplified by a track featuring the dynamic vocals of Tony Terry. Pleasure imbues the instrumental with an abundance of space, underscoring the statement that less is more, while Tony Terry’s vocal sends the listener floating on a cloud in this tender homage to the heights of love.
Earth is represented by Only At Nite: 9 & 2, an instrumental funk groove featuring brilliant interplay between special guest Bobby Ricketts on saxophone and Mo on trumpet.
And finally, rounding out the elements is the mysterious ether, represented by the equally transcendent “Eclipse,” inviting the listener to take a trip to the very edge of the cosmos riding a percussive groove. The song’s evocative title harkens back to its creation; Pleasure recorded the electric bass line as a duet with the synth bass during an actual lunar eclipse, lending the track a depth akin to that of its cosmic inspiration..
Elements Volume I evokes the warmth of the classic eras of jazz and funk while expressing Mo’s own unique artistic vision. This exclusive five-song suite is a must-have addition for any serious fan of real music.
Nb. "Only at Nite: 9&2" will only be sold together with the whole EP, not as a single download
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