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First Look Friday: Soul Understated Demand "People Get Ready" [Interview + Premiere]
First Look Friday: Soul Understated Demand "People Get Ready" [Interview + Premiere]

First Look Friday: Soul Understated Demand "People Get Ready" [Interview + Premiere]

First Look Friday: Soul Understated Demand "People Get Ready" [Interview + Premiere]

Soul Understated is a five-piece (sometimes more-piece) working band rooted in jazz and soul that recently has been commanding attention far beyond the audiences they've played for at live venues like NYC's Blue Note or Rockwood Music Hall (where you can catch them Saturday, 7/26 for anEP release show)--and establishing a sound that transcends the revelatory covers of funk and soul classics that they've made their signature. Anchored by the arresting vocals of Mavis "Swan" Poole and the equally lyrical drumming of Jeremy "Bean" Clemons, SU's sonic attack on upbeat tracks like the paradoxically-named "Same Ole Groove" is the interlocking funk machine created by a true ensemble of musicians at top form.

The time-machine sensation of  retro craft energized with a fresh, right-now urgency may recall TheBrand New Heavies at their best.  On quieter material Swan's voice might suggest Eryah Badu in a jazzy mood, although it might be more accurate to say she shares with Erykah a certain debt to the haunting, scat-inflected croon of Ella Fitzgerald. A second listen will make you realize that in addition to her vocal jazz prowess, Swan is a virtuoso at using the distinctive pops and whispers of her own voice in different registers, something like a female Sly Stone. A third listen might have you realizing that Sly was maybe something like a male Ella to begin with, maybe the best way to illustrate the manner in which Soul Understated's music explores new depths within material you thought you knew, demanding that you hear it with new ears. Another good way to say it would be to simply quote the title of their forthcoming project On The Shoulders Of Giants.

Okayplayer is proud to give you a glimpse of 'Side A' of that release (click below for the full EP) with the online premieres of "Same Ole Groove" and their interpretation of Curtis Mayfield's classic "People Get Ready." We'd also suggest you get to know Soul Understated a little better with this introductory interview by way of this week's First Look Friday. Listen, read on and click through for video of a live rendition of "People Get Ready." And then actually get ready.

>>>Download On The Shoulders Of Giants (Side A) via Bandcamp

Okayplayer: Please explain the name Soul Understated.

Soul Understated: Soul Understated basically suggests that any group of words used to describe the soul, and in this case, soul music, is, in our opinion, an understatement of what it is truly. Soul in and of itself is a multifaceted entity, and so vast, that any one description or definition dares to leave some stone unturned.

OKP: Well said. Can you introduce us to the boys (and girls) in the band...

SU: The bandleaders are, of course, Jeremy "Bean" Clemons & Mavis "Swan" Poole. We are the daring duo that writes, composes, and arranges all of the music. Then we have our “brother from another mother,” Joshua David on bass. He is the only original member still going strong with the group. Then there is Albert Strong (trumpet) and Bluford Thompson (saxophones). These are what we call the “anchors” of the band. Mavis, Al, Bluford and I are all alumni of North Carolina Central University. Completing Soul Understated are the newest brothers, Kevin Theodore (organ/piano/rhodes) and Samir Moulay (guitar). We have a family of musicians that we can call upon at any given time when someone may not be available for a performance. There is a long waiting list to be a part of Soul Understated, including some that used to be a part of the performing family! It’s humbling and we definitely don’t take it for granted.

OKP:  How long have you all been playing together? Touring together? What's your main gig?

SU: We had our first official gig here in NY, at the world famous Blue Note in 2008. We pretty much took 2007 to prepare music and get everything together. We’ve been touring together ever since. We also tour individually with other artists, but Soul Understated gets priority. It’s a family where each musician has the chance to be heard and express themselves at some point.

OKP: You have "Soul" in your name, but on certain tracks you seem to be philosophically a jazz band that incorporates other forms of music—where would you say your hearts are at?

Jeremy: Well, we are all degree-holding musicians. The entire band has at least a Bachelors in Music, so you clearly hear the sophistication that comes with that factor. Mavis has a Masters in music, so, she isn’t just a “singer,” she’s an accredited musician. But we both grew up in the church as well, so when you hear our song “Gonna Make It” from Mavis’ debut solo album, (Soultry), you can tell we’re comfortable in those waters. I grew up performing in a drum corps, and I am a classically trained timpanist. You get a good sense of that in the prelude of “People Get Ready,” and again, on Mavis’ album in “One.” We also listen to a wide variety of genres. Mavis has played with the rock band, The Heavy, and I’m just returning from some time on the road with Jamaican roots legend, Burning Spear. It’s difficult to box it into one genre. We avoid that limitation. Ultimately, our hearts are in the genre-less side of music.

OKP:  Tell us how this EP came together, concept-wise and recording-wise.

SU: On The Shoulders Of Giants (Side A) pays respect to the giants in music that came along before us. As young musicians, we are very aware that we are ONLY able to make a living at our craft because of our ancestors that lost their lives and fought through slavery -- “strange fruit,” Civil Rights movements, and the like. There is so much amazing music that already exists. We took the time to honor this fact by transforming, yet respecting, the song “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield. This song features Russell Gunn, Brian Jackson, and Michael Blake. We also, over the course of our lives, have both written a myriad of music. Upon combining our efforts with mostly Jeremy’s instrumental tracks, we compiled an unwritten list of songs that we’d most like to get out. We got some time in the studio courtesy of IAR, and just recorded everything we possibly could. From that, we selected favorites. After various meetings and discussions with our publicist and new friend in music, we came up with the final tracks, and the “Side A” theme.

OKP:  Mavis, please explain your relationship to these three names: Ella, Sly, Badu.

Mavis: I participated in the Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program as an undergrad. I was there working under greats like George Cables, Carmen Lundy, Winard Harper, Curtis Fuller and Nathan Jackson. We performed originals, and showed we could read and perform the music of the other participants in the program. During the final performance I did the traditional, head/(scat) solo/head out form. As I walked off stage, the legendary trombonist Curtis Fuller hollered out “Little Ella!” He and Nathan both agreed. That’s the relationship that I have with Ella, outside of being one of her unwavering and dedicated fans.

Sly? My relationship with Sly is simply the one shared with most of his followers of soul—sheer respect and reverence for his craft, and the strides that he has made within the music world.

Badu. I am often compared to Ms. Badu. Honestly, I didn’t understand the comparison. I used to think when folks said, “You sound like Erykah Badu,” they meant style-wise. Now, I get that they mean we have similar vocal timbres. The texture of my voice probably is a little “meatier” at times, but when I’m on the sweeter side of it, yeah...I can hear it.

OKP: What's next for Soul Understated?

SU: We are currently already working on SIDE B of On The Shoulders Of Giants, which also showcases more original material and includes some stellar guest artists, such as Marc Cary, Kevin Louis, and Joel Harrison. We're also pushing to do more festivals and wet our feet with some extensive touring of the US, UK, and Europe. Ultimately we are continuing to develop our voice, creating a sound that incorporates and crosses all boundaries...

Upcoming Live Shows:

Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2), NYC
Saturday, July 26

7:00pm (doors at 6:30p)

Ginny’s Supper Club, NYC
Saturday, August 16
7:30pm Show
9:30pm Show