Jay Trainer Band's much-anticipated self-titled EP is the six-song precursor to the upcoming full-length offering, slated for fall 2010. Trainer's thick, prolific guitar riffs complements his stark lyricism, creating a striking juxtaposition that unites the album into a cohesive production. His honest portrayal of traditional funk, rock and blues create a provocative and intense experience. Drawing from vintage tones, Trainer transports us back to the classic blues and rock of the late 60s while at the same time crafting a sound that is modern, relevant and fresh.
Joining Trainer on the EP are several industry legends, including Mic Gillette on horns and Wil Blades on the Hammond. Gillette is best known for 40+ years of stellar horn work with Cold Blood, and Tower of Power, Santana, The Rolling Stones, Quincy Jones, Rod Stewart and Elton John. Blades organ work has been heard among notables O. G.D., Motherbug, Amendola Vs. Blades, Steppin, Melvin Sparks, Karl Denson, Will Bernard, Scott Amendola, Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore, and Betty Joplin. Blades organ captures the essence of the blues heard throughout the EP, while Gillette's addition rounds out the multilayered tones on the album creating a unique experience for the listener.
Recorded at Sunset Studios and Get Reel Productions in San Francisco, California, the theme of these tracks illustrates the changes in Trainer's own life over the last several years. The EP is a journey through Trainer's awakening to the abundance of social and environmental dilemmas present in our world today. Trainer's rebirth has expanded considerably in the message of this most recent release while simultaneously this stirring prompted him to start his own non-profit dedicated to create events that support other nonprofits called Artfulchange. Trainer's music has always explored themes of the inner-turmoil of the human experience.
On this release, Trainer delves deeper, inviting us to probe into the bedlam of our collective human experience. He does not shy away from touching on social and political issues in his music, rather, this candor adds to the openness and honesty of the album, ultimately creating a piece of work whose veritable openness cannot be restrained.
Having shared the stage with national acts including North Mississippi All Stars, legendary guitarist Dickey Betts, Robert Walter's 20th Congress (founding member of The Greyboy Allstars), Cowboy Mouth and Vinyl, Jay Trainer Band has secured a foothold in the West Coast music scene with a rare combination of infectious backbeats and guitar driven grooves. With the release of the new s/t EP and the next full-length album in the works, the band is poised to build upon its success and continue to capture the hearts and minds of music fans everywhere.
