OKP Premiere : Kris Bowers - "Star Glider" (Clever Austin Remix)
Kris Bowers might draw more crossover love from both Okayplayer and Revive than any other artist. Many have filed Bowers (who is somehow only 25 years old) under the category of jazz-hip-hop, but that's not completely accurate. The young keyboard master has crafted a style that uses hip-hop tropes as a jumping-off point toward fresh and surprising improvisations--an approach that rang loud and clear (and dope) on his debut Heroes + Misfits LP. Want proof of Bowers's genius? Check his searing cover of Kendrick Lamar's "Rigamortis."
Last week our siblings over at Revive premiered some mesmerizing footage of Kris Bowers and his band blazing through "Wake the Neighbors," a guitar-driven standout cut off of the aforementioned LP. The performance comes from this spring's release party for Heroes + Misfits and highlights Bowers in his prime as both soloist and sideman (it just goes to show what touring in Jose James's band will do for you). Our man at Revive DanMichael put the video into perfect perspective:
Joining Bowers in the video are Kenneth Whalum III (sax), Solomon Dorsey (bass), Jamire Williams (drums), and the song’s co-writer, Adam Agati (guitar). The video captures Bowers and the band at the Bootleg Bar in Los Angeles for the Heroes + Misfits album release party that took place on March 13th. Even though we weren’t present in sunny Los Angeles for Bowers’ album release party to give you the full scoop, we’re guessing – based on the video – that it was a memorable night for the crowd and the members on the bandstand as well. While Bowers is the leader of the group, Adam Agati, who co-wrote “Wake The Neighbors,” steals the show. It’s not easy to develop a story with sound, but Agati provides the audience with a masterclass on how to arc a solo. That being said, it’s not always about the soloist, unless of course if it’s a solo instrumental performance. But when you’ve got a rhythm section with names like Bowers, Dorsey, and Williams to back you up, arcing solos and developing a story by having a conversation with your bandmates becomes an easier task.
Head over to Revive and read the full dissection of Kris Bowers's budding brilliance here.
