Hearing the band on the EP gave me that same feeling you get when you see the tomboy come out in her prom dress at the end of the movie about high school. It’s everything you love about Michael Martin Band, but with an extra shiny high gloss polish.
Heather Marie Collins comes right out of the gates with her unique, grabbing voice. So good. The duet is sweet, I caught a few nuances in this listen that I had not in any of the live sets I’ve heard the group.
I always feel like the band is two percussionists away from being a real true American Salsa band for their contemporary generations. Partially, this is because the music has a particular groove in it so much of the time (Josh Hatfield, on the bass).
The other reason for the Salsa comparison is that Michael Martin is arguably Ruben Bladés reincarnated as a Hoosier. Check out the folk spirit of his lyrics, written by a man whose values are shaped by the suffering he’s done for his art. No big screen TVs or boats, but rather lines about letting go of material things, as in “Old Building”.
Uncle Stan is meant to refer to a local businessman who now runs a bar in the space Martin had done the same in until recently. I think its an invitation to let go of your luggage and carry on. Michael knows his strengths and has called in a good team of musical companions for this project, I look forward to hearing the following two EPs soon.
