Over the past seven years, Shaun Martin has been so busy and
successful collaborating, writing and producing for other artists that he could
not find time to put out his own album. Finally, his highly-anticipated first
album Seven Summers (Ropeadope, 2015) is here.
The same care and professionalism he brought to projects for
Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu, Snarky Puppy and others, he has brought to his own
work. Over the years, he has won four Grammy awards so although this is his
debut album, he is by no means a rookie.
After brief introductory prelude, he opens the album with the
song One Big Party, an excursion into New Orleans: the listener can imagine
dancers twirling umbrellas and stepping out. The song has a fabulous horn
section with Quamon Fowler and Chris Bullock, both on tenor sax, Jarriel Carter
trumpet, and Gaika James on trombone.
The song Yellow Jacket displays Shaun’s piano playing with
some fine drumming by Robert ‘Sput’ Searight and percussions by Frank Moka;
with Keith Taylor holding it down on bass.
Shaun slows down the pace with song Lotus with yet another fine horn section but Alcedrick Taylor on trumpet nearly steals the show.
The preceding songs were all instrumental but the next few
songs introduce vocals beginning Nikki Ross encouraging you to Have your Chance
at Love.
In Love Don’t let me Down, he turns to the always-dependable
Claudia Melton. It is a song that would fit in nicely on any of the many Quiet
Storms shows around the country.
Long Gone with Adrian Hulet on vocals and Mark Letierri on
guitar is like a slow Bruce Springstein anthem.
Also included is All in a Day’s Work with Geno Young on
vocals; and Madiba, a tribute to Nelson Mandela.
Seven Summers is the kind of work that propels an artist to
stardom. But in today’s musical landscape where major labels no longer throw big
money after artists, it is going take the shoe-leather of all of Shaun Martin's
fans and foot soldiers to get the word out on this remarkable album.
Track Listing and Personnel
Introduction: Robert ‘Sput’ Searight, drums; Keith Taylor
bass; Frank Moka percussions; Shaun Martin all other instruments.
One Big Party: Shaun Martin, piano, keyboard; Bobby Sparks
organ; Jamil Byrom drums; Michael League acoustic bass; Nate Werth percussion;
Quamon Fowler tenor sax; Chris Bullock tenor sax; Jarriel Carter trumpet, Gaika
James trombone.
The Yellow Jacket: Robert ‘Sput’ Searight, drums; Keith
Taylor bass; Frank Moka percussions; Shaun Martin all other instruments.
Lotus: Robert ‘Sput’ Searight, drums; Keith Taylor bass;
Frank Moka percussions; Jason Davis, tenor sax, Alcdedrick Todd trumpet.
Have Your Chance at Love: Jamil Byrom drums; Michael League
bass; Maurice ‘Piranhahead’ Herd and Soulchestra strings; Nikki Ross vocals;
Shaun Martin all other instruments.
Love Don’t Let Me Down: Claudia Melton vocals; Shaun Martin
all other instruments, programming.
Long Gone: Shaun Martin piano, keyboard, percussion; Jamil
Byrom drums; Michael League bass; Mark Letierri guitar; Nate Werth percussion, Maurice
‘Piranhahead’ Herd and Soulchestra strings.
The Torrent: Shaun Martin piano; Michael League upright
bass; Jamil Byrom drums.
Madiba: Shaun Martin piano, Keith Taylor bass, Robert ‘Sput’
Searight drums; Frank Moka percussion; Jason ‘Da Mayor’ Davis tenor sax,
Alcedrick Todd trumpet; Maurice ‘Piranhahead’ Herd and Soulchestra strings.
All in a Day’s Work: Geno Young vocals; R.C. Williams,
Rhodes; Ernest Green scratches; Shaun Martin all other instruments,
programming.
Closing Credits: Matt Butler cello; Shaun Martin all other
instruments.
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