Robert Walter Enlists Mike Gordon For ‘Saucerman’ Single

Keyboardist Robert Walter released the next two tracks in his Better Feathers series of six “digital 45s,” including “Saucerman” featuring Phish bassist Mike Gordon. Walter also teamed with Galactic drummer Stanton Moore for “Devices Of Similar Size.”

Walter is a member of Mike’s solo band. Gordon contributed his “Saucerman” bass part remotely. Better Feathers featuring tracks Robert recorded and composed at home while self-quarantining continues through Royal Potato Family with four more “digital 45s” consisting of two tracks each set for release through October 27.

Robert Walter explained the following about “Saucerman” to Relix, the outlet that premiered the track:

“’Saucermen’ was a tune I had been working on for a long time and kept coming back to. It‘s sort of genre neutral, but still feels great. I wanted to make something that avoided all the cliches of funk music but was rhythmically propulsive and syncopated. It’s very hypnotic to me and feels other worldly. This goes with my general fascination with psychedelic groove music. I decided to not play a traditional ‘solo,’ but instead think of it as improvisational sound collage.

“While I was working on the song and adding layers I kept thinking about moments I have had on stage with Mike Gordon. Sometimes we stretch something so far that the tune no longer matters and the music plays itself. I figured I would ask him to play bass on ‘Saucermen’ to try to recreate that feeling in a much shorter space. Mike and I talk a lot about getting away from intention and letting the music tell you where to go next. I think this captures that mystical thing.”

Stream “Saucerman” below along with a video featuring Gordon’s bass part:

Hear Walter team with Moore for “Devices Of Similar Size”:

The next Better Feathers “digital 45” arrives on August 18.

[via Relix]