Rock, pop and soul unite in SEAL PARTY’s latest single ‘Kaleka’
Following their extensive American tour, the Oakland-based genre-bending music collective SEAL PARTY are sharing their new single. Titled ‘Kaleka’, this stunning piano-based composition brings together the best elements of David Bowie and Joe Cocker. Much of the footage from the accompanying video is from the band’s recent midwestern tour. Though they are based in San Francisco, the band has midwestern roots. This is the latest audio-visual taster from their debut album ‘MMXXII’, following the single ‘Maison’, featuring R&B organ wizard Chris Rob (Kanye West, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Anita Baker, Talib Kweli).
“We feel recharged every time we get back to see our friends in the Midwest. We’re hoping to tour there often. McGrew and I wish Seal Party could tour all the time. Someday, hopefully, For the fans of 20th century classical music… the bass in the chorus plays through a 12-tone row: A# B E D# G G# C# D A C F F#. It’s my first experiment in twelve-tone serialism, and likely my last. Schoenberg is rolling over in his grave,” says frontman Kevin Seal.
“One of my earliest memories was of John Lennon’s murder and Yoko Ono saying, at the time, that she didn’t want the murderer to become famous — that his name should be forgotten, and we shouldn’t reward him with notoriety. Sadly, that did not come to pass. However, that was part of my inspiration in writing a song about a much beloved guy named Satwant Singh Kaleka. Kaleka died a hero’s death, trying to save his fellow Sikh temple worshipers in 2012. I don’t remember the name of the guy who shot Kaleka, and I don’t want to. I do, however, wish that Mr. Kaleka had left behind some fiction for us to enjoy.”
As a songwriting-production duo, Chris McGrew (drums/production) and Kevin Seal (keyboards/vocals) formed Seal Party after many years of helping other artists realize their visions. On their debut record, these studio veterans let their own voices come to the fore, revealing and beauty, both rock and groove. Epic melodies soar over tasty chords to tell their stories.
Habitually session musicians, quarantine culture finally gave McGrew and Seal access to an empty recording studio — namely Studio C of Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco (AKA Wally’s HydeOut), in the room of the former Wally Heider Studios, where artists ranging from the Dead Kennedys to the Grateful Dead to Herbie Hancock recorded some of their most legendary sides.
‘MMXXII’ is a meaningful and timeless collection, filled with improvisation. Evoking ‘70s soul, rock and R&B while maintaining a raw and exploratory approach, this eclectic work meshes unusual songwriting and musicianship that is at once playful and rebellious. Eclectic and beautiful, this album is continuous, expansive, engrossing. Stretching across genre boundaries, jazz luminaries and punk stalwarts join together to create a series of unique songs.
Recorded by Liam Wesley Craddock and Chris McGrew, the ‘MMXXII’ album was mixed by McGrew and Jaimeson Durr (Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Hope Sandoval). This record also involves world-class horn players, violinists, organists and vocalists. An all-star cast of 22 collaborators includes music royalty like Isaiah Sharkey (D’Angelo, John Mayer, Patti LaBelle) and Keyon Harrold (D’Angelo, Maxwell), punk icon Larry Boothroyd (Jello Biafra, Victims Family), bassist Uriah Duffy (Whitesnake, Fantastic Negrito), Ben Misterka (Collectivity), saxophonist Kenneth Whalum (Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake), trumpeter Rich Armstrong (Spoon, Boz Scaggs, Thomas Dolby), guitarist Jonnie Axtell (Psychefunkapus, Dee Snider, Tone Loc) and saxophonist Daniel Casares (Atta Kid, Jazz Mafia, the New Mastersounds).
‘MMXXII” album is out now, available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music,and Bandcamp..The digital version will be released via New Age Distribution and the CD released by X Racer Productions.
CREDITS
Chris McGrew – drums, percussion
Liam Wesley Craddock – bass, guitar
Jon Axtell – synth
Sonny Climes – guitar
Chris Rob – organ
Evan Kahn – cello
Kevin Seal – vocals, piano
Written & produced by Chris McGrew & Kevin Seal
Recorded by Liam Wesley Craddock & Chris McGrew
at Wally’s HydeOut in Hyde Street Studios, San Francisco
Mixed by Jaimeson Durr & Chris McGrew
Mastered by Justin Weis
‘MMXXII’ album cover artwork by Tony Calzaretta
‘Kaleka’ single cover artwork by Serena Di Pinto’s
‘Kaleka’ video co-directed by Ben Torres and Jezrel
Artist photos by Shealin Ritter and Maryzelle Ungo
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