The Greyboy Allstars Dig Into Archives For New ‘Grab Bag: 2007-2023’ Compilation

The Greyboy Allstars announced their eighth studio album, Grab Bag: 2007-2023, which is due on November 22 via the band’s own Knowledge Room Recordings imprint. Out today are the nine-track collection’s first two singles: “Suadela” and “Slip The Grip.”

For Grab Bag: 2007-2023, the renowned quintet featuring saxophonist Karl Denson, keyboardist Robert Walter, guitarist Elgin Park aka Michael Andrews, bassist Chris Stillwell and drummer Aaron Redfield, mined their vault for nine previously unreleased recordings from the past 17 years. “While these stellar cuts were initially deemed stylistic and sonic outcasts resulting in their exclusion from previous albums, here they seamlessly come together to highlight the more experimental side of the band’s ever-evolving sound and vision,” as per a press release.

​”We are always trying to move outside of the basic parameters of the initial soul jazz construct that we based the group on when we first started 30 years ago. We know those basic ingredients will be the staples and what we pepper in there will break through the boundaries, however subtle,” noted Elgin Park. “Be it synths, or slowing down, relaxing the grooves, opposing genres, mixing folk and funk or ‘60s boogaloo and new wave. We embrace that we are in the modern world and have access to everything that has come before us. The point is to have fun creating music that makes us laugh and dance.”

The Greyboy Allstars assembled in December of 2023 to record new material. When the five musicians needed to return to their other projects, they used the opportunity to comb their archives for the forthcoming compilation.

“We were deep into recording a set of brand new music, but we had to pause because Robert had to leave for a tour with Roger Waters and Karl had limited time due to his obligation with The Rolling Stones,” added Park. “We knew we had these tunes in the vault that we loved and have always wanted to release and this seemed to be the perfect time.”​

​ ​

“It made sense to go back into our archive and put out some of our favorites from the past several years,” explained Robert Walter. “A lot of these songs on Grab Bag are more experimental and representative of the edges of what we would normally do stylistically. I think it shows our range in a great way.”

Two of the nine tracks, “Suadela” and “Pixie Stick,” were laid down during the December 2023 sessions. “Suadela” and Grab Bag opener “Slip The Grip” were selected to preview the set.

Stream The Greyboy Allstars’ “Suadela” and “Slip The Grip” below:

The Greyboy Allstars return to the stage in November. A pair of shows in Colorado will be followed by a five-concert swing through their native California.

Grab Bag: 2007-2023 Tracklist

1. Slip The Grip
2. Watch Out Gail
3. Speed Freak
4. Boxes
5. San Diegogo
6. LLL
7. Suadela
8. The Way You Make Me Feel
9. Pixie Stick