A beyond-category blend of jazzy soul, alternative pop,and rock. Think: Sly Stone, Steely Dan and Jamiroquai meet Ben Harper and the Dave Mathews Band.

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Funk Rock, URBAN/R&B: Soul



Details:
By now anyone familiar with the music of singer, songwriter, and keyboard wiz, Nick Rolfe, knows full well his inclination to challenge. Challenge listeners with a sound that renders category useless. That challenges the notion that any is indeed necessary. With his release, Just A Modern Day Soul Man the title proclaimed boldly who he is as he aimed to stretch the perception of what "soul" music is . With many of his contemporaries falling prey to sameness for an empty guarantee of success Rolfe introduced himself to the scene with an eclectic brew that raised eyes to a dexterous and soulful talent with something to say and perhaps even something to prove.

On his acclaimed subsequent release, The Remedy, Rolfe blossomed into an even more savvy craftsman of expressive tracks. Boasting provocative prose ushered by funk-filled grooves and stellar musicianship laid down by Rolfe and his Slick Jackson crew this winning collection was more than a hint to the premise that it may very well be as its title, The Remedy suggested encouraging ISPYSOUL.COM to deem it "A wonderfully eclectic and soulful elixir for the predictable commercial music scene."

Now this accomplished musician who in addition to droppin' artistry as a leader has been lending his talents to a range of outstanding artists such as Lizz Wright, Amel Larrieux, T.S. Monk, Omar, Russell Gunn, Benny Golson and more is back with his boldest statement yet, the highly anticipated release of his latest, The Mind of An Evolutionary. With this effort Nick Rolfe has challenged even himself to display the full spectrum of his musical influences and the poignant views of his mind's eye. As provocative as the cover itself, which cleverly reveals Rolfe himself dropping "bullets", this collection stretches the sound of soul music like few others today dare to do. Twisting up rock, jazz, funk and pop the result is a successful balance of upbeat good times and heavy helpings of consciousness that will have music junkies grabbin' at comparisons that run the time line while at the same time cheering on his fresh approach. With the super funky Slick Jackson core (teddycrockett, Mike Griot, Eric Brown) a sterling cast of additional heavy hitters such as Russell Gunn (Cee-Lo, D'Angelo, his own 2x Grammy nominated Ethnomusicology) Gene Lake (Meshell Ndegeocello, Joe Zawinul, David Sanborn) , Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz, Cassandra Wilson, Joe Henderson), Terreon Gully (Christian McBride, Stefon Harris), Kenny Davis (George Duke, Herbie Hancock), Carlos Henderson (Common, Amel Larrieux, Erykah Badu) and more help bring the vision to life - A vision that as Rolfe describes on the opening intro is one of "music that has evolved beyond category, not just jazz ,soul, rock or funk but all of that, cause" as he continues, "after all it's just music y'all."

Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to The Mind of An Evolutionary!