Ripe

Description

At the height of lockdown, the trio Brainstory huddled in their studio and turned their energy inward. With all their concerts and future tours canceled, Kevin Martin, Tony Martin and Eric Hagstrom had no other option for playing than their rehearsal space converted into a makeshift studio. Rising above the obstacles of the moment, they recorded and produced a brand-new EP. They were already top-flight musicians two years ago, but the time spent in the studio with Leon Michels producing their album Buck and playing alongside groups like Holy Hive and Chicano Batman had a profound effect on them. Their ear, skill, philosophy and dynamics have matured, hence the name of the EP, Ripe. It is a seven-song journey in which Brainstory is as much a person as a band. By choosing to record a mostly instrumental record, they moved away from their 2019 debut album Buck and show more of their jazz roots. Ripe draws on jazz, hip-hop, 70s funk, 60s soul and life in Southern California in 2021. "Seasons" is a song about getting through the challenges of 2020 that would make Roy Ayers proud. "Long Day" and "Rogers" are steeped in psychedelic smoke and promise a moment away from reality. "Bye Bye" is a sweet soul ballad destined to become a classic of the genre. As we all shake off the darkness of 2020, Ripe is a welcome ray of sunshine.