Hello Reader,
Welcome back. We’ve made it to another Friday so it’s time for more new music!
Today, we’re going to delve into Aaron Frazer. Frazer was born in Baltimore and started playing the drums at age 9. Hip-hop music has always been an integral part of Frazer, influencing his musicianship from a formative age that continues to the present day. While in high school in B’more, he started making his own beats on the digital audio workstation program FL Studio. While studying sound engineering at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Frazer met guitarist and vocalist Blake Rhein, bass guitarist Kyle Houpt, and organist Justin Hubler and the quartet bonded over a shared love of the Delta Blues genre and soul music. The resulting band, Charlie Patton’s War ended up releasing two excellent albums, one in 2013, the other in 2015. You can also find more of their music here at their Bandcamp page.
A good introductory track to the band and one of my favorites is “Pharoah”:
(All credits and rights to Charlie Patton’s War)
Taking you back to Indiana University in the early 2010s. Rhein met Louisiana native Durand Jones several years prior while Jones was undergoing postgraduate studies for classical saxophone. Both Jones and Rhein were also involved in Indiana University’s Soul Revue. Frazer would soon bond with Jones over shared excitement over old soul music 45s and songwriting. Shortly after that, Jones, Frazer, Rhein would form a new band, Durand Jones & The Indications in 2012. In 2013 the additional Charlie Patton’s War band members, Houpt and Hubler would join to make the band a quintet. While Charlie Patton’s War was creating music and sharing it with audiences locally and on tour, Durand Jones & The Indicators were not creating music at the same pace. Their self-titled debut came out in 2016, followed by American Love Call (2016), Private Space (2021) and Wait Til I Get Over (2023). The latter ranking at #5 of my listing of the best 50 albums of 2023 that I listened to and arguably the best soul music from 2023. A truly gorgeous sound. By the end of 2019, both Houpt and Hubler would no longer be in the band working on other projects.
Here’s a sample of the Durand Jones & The Indicators live show complete with both vocals from Jones’ and Frazer’s and more. And plenty of soul on “Love Will Work It Out”:
(All credits and rights to Durand Jones & The Indications)
How’s that for building up excitement? Singer, songwriter and drummer Aaron Frazer’s debut solo album Introducing… (2021) was met with critical acclaim. His falsetto vocals, compositions and overall sound were commonly praised. And on Friday June 28th for our listening pleasure via the fabulous label, Dead Oceans is Frazer’s second album, Into The Blue. The album was inspired by a breakup which then inspired a long distance move westward across the US. Frazer said about this new album, “That has been the last year of my life and I’m still in the blue. But there are also songs here that celebrate love and giddiness of a new relationship and all that. That’s part of the breakup to me, processing the whole thing, remembering the things that were right as much as the things that were wrong.”
Giving credit where it’s due. The long list of musicians and artists that made the album. Into The Blue album credits:
- Aaron Frazer sang lead and background vocals, drums and co-arrangements on multiple tracks. Performed percussion, bass, synth and handclaps on track 4. And played electric guitar on track 6. Also co-produced the album.
- Joe Harrison played bass and electric guitar on multiple tracks and flute on track 1.
- Alex Goose played synths and performed drum programming on multiple tracks, and played organ, and performed handclaps on track 4. And co-arranged multiple tracks.
- Ginger Dolden played violin on multiple tracks and co-arranged multiple tracks.
- Pete Lanctot played viola on multiple tracks.
- Chloe Rowlands played trumpet and flugelhorn on multiple tracks and French horn on track 7.
- Aaron Frazer, Maria Landi, Marley Bleu, Joshua “Joshy Soul” Strauther performed background vocals on multiple tracks. Fonteyn is credited with them on track 6.
- Darian Donovan Thomas played violin on multiple tracks.
- Anna Brathwaite played violin on multiple tracks.
- Tiger Darrow played cello on multiple tracks.
- Steve Okonski played piano on track 1.
- Oliver Hill played violin on track 1.
- Jake Troth played acoustic guitar on track 2.
- Lydia Kitto performed vocals on track 3 and synths, glockenspiel and sang background vocals on track 8.
- BLEEKMG1 created the drum programming on track 3 and co-produced track 3.
- Daniel Abraham Jr performed synths and keys on multiple tracks, Wurlitzer on track 7, organ on track 8.
- Nick Waterhouse played electric guitar on track 4.
- Simon Huber played cello and violin on track 5.
- Thomas Drayton played bass on track 5.
- Joel Van Dijk played acoustic guitar on track 5.
- Cancamusa sang vocals and played percussion on track 5.
- Robin Hannibal played piano, synths, and drum machine and co-produced track 5 with Frazer and Goose.
- Camilo Medina played electric and acoustic guitar on track 5.
- Charlie Bereal played electric guitar on track 7 and guitar on track 9.
- Zac Sokolow played electric guitar on track 8.
- Joshua Lloyd played bass and synths on track 8.
- Ryan James Carr played drums and synth on track 9.
- Gilbert Cameron Evans played guitar, bass and synth on track 9.
- Bryan Ponce sang background vocals on track 11.
- Jukka Sarapää played drums on track 11.
- Sami Kantelinen played bass on track 11.
- Seppo Salmi played electric guitar on track 11.
- Nick Ferraro played piano, saxophone, and flute on track 11.
- the album was co-produced by Aaron Frazer and Alex Goose on each track.
- mixed by Jon Castelli. Engineer for mix was Brad Lauchert.
- mastered by Dale Becker.
- the photographer was Rosie Cohe.
- the creative director was Marielle Co.
- design and layout by Miles Johnson.
And now some hype for your ears and eyes from the new album, Into The Blue!
The titular song; it’s a warm welcome and the video features an incredible mountain side drive in the video for “Into The Blue”:
(All credits and rights to Aaron Frazer)
The song has a fantastic groove, and the video has an excellent chase scene for the song “Payback”:
(All credits and rights to Aaron Frazer)
The awesome perspective thanks to Georgie, Ginger and Gigi in the video for “Time Will Tell”:
(All credits and rights to Aaron Frazer)
Overall, Into The Blue is a wonderful listening experience. Frazer’s vocals are one of a kind and he’s one talented musician and artist as well. Frazer has assembled a lengthy list of musicians to collaborate with and while that could hinder some, it doesn’t work against him here. He works seamlessly with each one. Kudos on every single musician for their talent and creativity but also for working so well together. The arrangements throughout Into The Blue are superb, some of the best that I’ve heard so far this year. The live drums interlaced with drum programming create some gorgeous beats throughout the album. There are plenty of grooves and yet there’s a balance amongst themes of heartbreak and moving on and the lyrics convey plenty of heart on a sleeve emotion. Paired with moments of optimism and hope. The songwriting is from an older era in the best ways and that older vibe matches the arrangements. There’s a decent flow and progression of the heartbreak narrative from song to song. By the end of the album, both healing and catharsis seem to occur. Into The Blue is another step forward in his artistry and thus an improvement over his debut album.
“Thinking of You” the ‘Hey it’s him again. Uh oh.’ intro makes you stand up and take notice. Then Frazer’s falsetto vocals hit your ears. Vocals that will transport some to soul from decades past. And then the melody anchored by a steady drumbeat. The backing vocal choir of Frazer, Landi, Blue, and Strauther is masterful choice and executed well. The first of seven songs we’ll hear them together. The strings to close the song out add the perfect mix of melancholy to the song, matching the mood of the lyrics. The lyrics begin our journey of heartbreak.
The beginning of “Into The Blue” is a thing of beauty. The soulful singing from the backing vocals in a choral fashion alongside with some excellent drum work. The lyrics are further along the journey, we’re on the move physically but not experiencing complete closure yet. The melody within “Into The Blue” does a great job of incorporating trumpet from Rowlands in an ascending fashion. The brass sound is not quite triumphant, but it is on the way, there. Frazer’s vocals again pair perfectly with the arrangement.
“Fly Away” has some great old school production. It reminds me of the mid to late 90s R&B. Listener what does it remind you of? Maybe the song of the same name, “Fly Away” by the group Hi-Five that Frazer’s song samples a drumbeat sequence from. Lydia Kitto’s vocals add a nice depth and flourish to the song. They balance well with Frazer’s and allow both singers to shine. Along with the backing vocals that will harken to days past, maybe in a church setting if you focus on the vocals and not the lyrics themself. The lyrics suggest a new romantic interest with excitement that is not hidden.
“Payback” kicks the beat into a higher gear. The most energy we’ve heard on the album so far. The listener is in a sprint now and the resulting melody is a soulful dance groove. If you haven’t been moved to dance so far while listening to the album, this song will get you there. The claps from Alex Goose and Frazer elevate the song to another level. The electric guitar from Harrison and Waterhouse scream in all the best ways, the strings and horns as well. As does the organ when it gets its time. The lyrics tell a karmic tale.
“Dime” is pronounced dee-mah and it means tell me in Spanish. The song, “Dime feat. Cancamusa” starts with a drum machine beat and has some nice programming, actual drums and other percussion. To that foundation, mix in some synths, organ, piano, a few guitars both electric and acoustic, and even some strings and the result is a fabulous rhythm. While we have this beat, it’s time to add some Spanish vocals and lyrics too. The lyrics are reflective, with some longing, and at times happy as Frazer contemplates. Cancamusa is the artistic name of Chilean singer, songwriter and drummer Natalia Andrea Soledad Pérez Peralta. Peralta and Frazer exchange vocals and they both are exquisite within this one. They need to create more music together in the future.
“Perfect Strangers” features a stripped-down melody of electric guitar from Frazer. Frazer is the lead vocalist accompanied by the backing choir of Landi, Bleu, Strauther, and
Fonteyn performing wonderfully during the choruses of which this song showcases several times over. Drives the point home. The lyrics are a relatable tale of the evolution of a relationship from infatuation to no longer speaking to them. It’s one that’s been sung in various ways over the years. But never as done here.
In the song, “Time Will Tell” the funk gets turned up a few notches. The synths and Wurlitzer, both played by Abraham Jr is on point as is the electric guitar from Harrison and Bereal. Great instrumentation additions to the melody and rhythm section of this song. The strings and brass notes also add a bit to the mood of the lyrics. The lyrics are a balance of apprehension and confidence about moving past a former relationship.
“I Don’t Wanna Stay” features a fabulous set of repeated choral refrains from the talented background vocalists Frazer, Kitto, Landi, Bleu, and Strauther. They pair well with fantastical musical instrumentation where the synths, glockenspiel and strings create a haunting ambience. Frazer’s solo vocals stand out once again. They do in each song. The mood is set and stays with you the entire song. Unlike the subject’s former lover. The lyrics are caught between.
“Play On” has a more R&B, soul melody than the previous song. The drums, bass, synths, and drum programming really set that sonic scene anchoring it throughout the song. The lyrics are a coaching up session and serve as positive encouragement. And Frazer’s vocal delivery pushes that home.
Abraham Jr’s tickling of the electronic ivories on “Easy To Love” is worth the listen alone. But there’s plenty more to love on this jam. The drums along with drum programming anchor the beat, and the electric guitar has the funk turned up to 11. The groove is lovely. If you’re not clapping along to the beat listener, I’m at a loss for words. The vocals and backing vocals are again, exquisite. The lyrics are told from a state of deep infatuation of another human.
“The Fool” is the last song on the album. It opens with a drumbeat from Sarapää and soon is followed by a lovely sax solo from Ferraro. One that could fit into any era. You’ll shortly hear soothing backing vocals, a flute, a bass groove and electric guitar rhythm and even a piano and some drum programming. The outro is a wonderful mesh of all the instrumentation within the song. The lyrics examine the realization of what one is and has become, the titular character.
Into The Blue gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It’s definitely worthy of that placement into the upper echelon of the 4.5 rating at this mid-year point. We’ll see at years end, but this could be the best soul genre release this year. This album is truly multi-genre but at its core, there’s undeniable soul. If you’ve read my reviews before, you know I love blues and soul and R&B on vinyl. All three are a must as the music is made for that listening perspective and sound ambience. So, add this album to your collection on any format of your choosing but do so on vinyl as well.
Into The Blue Track listing [song length]
- Thinking of You [2:56]
- Into The Blue [3:26]
- Fly Away [3:17]
- Payback [3:04]
- Dime feat. Cancamusa [3:18]
- Perfect Strangers [2:19]
- Time Will Tell [4:05]
- I Don’t Wanna Stay [4:16]
- Play On [2:48]
- Easy To Love [3:51]
- The Fool [3:55]
Total runtime: 35:25
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The process with Into The Blue album from start to finish will take you just over an hour’s worth of your time if you listen twice back-to-back. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
Aaron Frazer’s site with his socials, merch, Fall tour info and more linked right here!
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
