Riding high from the release of their latest dance single "Lesson," Pimps of Joytime welcome 2022 with "Are You Gonna?," the second single featured on their much-anticipated new studio album, Reachin' Up, set for release on February 4, 2022 on Regime Music Group. An intersection of Brooklyn's indie music scene, New Orleans funk and San Francisco soul, the Pimps' new studio album, Reachin' Up, drops worldwide on Friday, April 15, 2022.
Akin to icons such as Prince and Stevie Wonder -- who were at the helm of studio production while laying down instrument and vocal tracks for their lauded recordings -- Pimps' lead man the GRAMMY Award-nominated producer Brian Jay is of the same vein and the mastermind behind the sonic veil on Reachin' Up. Brian Jay brings Brooklyn attitude and the swagger of the Crescent City to Reachin' Up with his '60s soul-inspired vocals, blues guitar, and Latin rhythms at the center of the mix. Sultry singer Carol C (Si*Sé) appears on Reachin' Up, who is now a permanent member of Pimps.
"Are You Gonna?" is heavy on the groove with a thick dub bass line, traditional blues guitar, Cuban drum rhythms, and a stellar horn section. Brian Jay's hypnotic vocal phrases add that special hook on the chorus that imprints a permanent impression that you'll be humming for days on end.
"Cuban Cha-Cha and Jamaican Ska are at the heart of 'Are You Gonna?,'" says Brian Jay. "The track goes way back to when I was putting together the first Pimps album. I had rented a cabin in the woods and moved my gear there for a month. One night in an elevated state of consciousness, I just let this groove play for an hour and out of nowhere I started singing, 'Are you gonna leave me and make me sing the blues again?' The rest of the song pretty much wrote itself. I am so happy this song finally made its way on to a Pimps of Joytime record."
The first two singles "Lesson" and "Are You Gonna?" offer fans a glimpse into Reachin' Up, which showcases Brian Jay’s underground funk and dance music multi-instrumentation. With Carol C (Si*Sé) in the band lineup and electric bassist Pete Shand (New Mastersounds) adding lots of vibe to the mix, Brian Jay reunites with old friends Chauncey Yearwood and Marcus Farrar (Antibalas) on the Reachin' Up singles, whose roots trace back to Pimps of Joytime's earliest efforts.
Brian Jay is no stranger to working with A-List talent in the studio as he's produced albums for a "who's who" of New Orleans heavyweights, including stars such as Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers), James Andrews, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (The World's Most Recorded Drummer), and Corey Henry (Galactic). He's shared the stage with Art Neville, George Porter, Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters), and Eddie Bo; collaborated with GRAMMY Award-nominated blues artist Cedric Burnside (grandson of legendary blues musician R.L. Burnside) and Ivan Neville; and has written with jazz-funk luminary Roy Ayers, among others.
Reachin' Up is currently available for pre-order now with exclusive merchandise bundles, vinyl, CDs, and more HERE.
Pimps of Joytime -- Winter 2022 Tour Dates:
Saturday, February 19 - The Fillmore - Denver, CO
Thursday, March 24 - Starline Social Club - Oakland , CA
Friday, March 25 - The Venice West - Venice, CA
Saturday, March 26 - Mustache Bash - San Diego, CA
Friday, April 15 - Brooklyn Made - Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, April 16 - Park City Music Hall - Bridgeport, CT
Saturday, Apr 30 - The Parish - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
Saturday, May 28 - Denver Day of Rock - Denver, CO
Saturday, June 11 - Hog Farm Hideaway - Laytonville, CA
