Four-time Grammy-winning Fusion collective Snarky Puppy have shared a live-in-the-studio video for their new single “Bet” taken from their upcoming album “Empire Central” due is out on September 30, 2022 via GroundUP Music. Watch the video through the YouTube player below:
The 16-song follow-up to 2019’s “Immigrance” was recorded in front of a live audience over eight nights at the Deep Ellum Art Company in Dallas. Bassist and band leader Michael League formed the first line-up of group in the city in 2004, while studying Jazz at the University of North Texas.
According to the band “Empire Central“: “Expands upon our wide array of influences, including blues, hard rock, classic soul, modern gospel, funk, new tech, fusion and jazz.” League adds that the songs “ended up being a lot more direct and funkier than those on our previous records. I think it reflects the many moods of the [Dallas] scene.”
The album posthumously features pioneering American keyboardist/vocalist Bernard Wright (whom the band describe as their “musical godfather”). Tragically, Wright died in a Dallas traffic accident in May, shortly after the recording sessions had finished. He was 58.
On August 2, the band will launch a podcast with Osiris Media following the making of the album, and they’ll support the album release with a European tour in October and November. Further US tour dates are scheduled for spring 2023.
Pre-Order the album here: https://orcd.co/empirecentral
Credit:
Written by Michael League
Arranged by Michael League and Snarky Puppy
Bob Lanzetti / Electric guitar
Mark Lettieri / Electric guitar
Chris McQueen / Electric guitar
Justin Stanton / Fender Rhodes Mark 8
Bobby Sparks / Hohner D6 Clavinet and ARP String Ensemble
Bill Laurance / Yamaha CP70 electric piano
Shaun Martin / Moog Little Phatty and Talkbox (Solo)
Zach Brock / Violin
Mike “Maz” Maher / Trumpet
Jay Jennings / Trumpet and flugelhorn
Chris Bullock / Tenor Sax, Flute, and Piccolo Flute
Bob Reynolds / Tenor Sax (Solo)
Michael League / Electric Bass
Nate Werth / Percussion
Keita Ogawa / Percussion
Marcelo Woloski / Percussion
Jason “JT” Thomas / Drum set
Larnell Lewis / Drum set
Jamison Ross / Drum set
