Colemine Records News

FOR FANS OF.. Mayer Hawthorne, Durand Jones, Leon Bridges, Nick Waterhouse. Ben Pirani & The Means Of Production are back with their first single from their newly built studio! Heavy dancefloor vibes with a punk attitude are the order of the day! Dig on Ben's new composition "More Than A Memory" with lush, soulful string arrangements from Ben and mix engineer Rafferty Swink!

Full LP of new, original holiday music featuring members of Durand Jones & The Indications and The Dap-Kings. "A Joyful Sound" is a future soul classic with all the elements of a classic R&B record, but simply with a joyful holiday lean. With an all-star supporting cast of who's who from the contemporary soul scene this record is truly a family affair with Kelly at the wheel. Featuring members of Durand Jones & The Indications, The Dap-Kings, Ghost Funk Orchestra, Monophonics, Thee Sinseers, Orgone, Ikebe Shakedown, Jason Joshua & The Beholders, The True Loves, Neal Francis, Jungle Fire, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Ben Pirani, The Jive Turkeys, The Ironsides, The Harlem Gospel Travelers, Rudy De Anda, Alanna Royale, and more! Inspired by records like Atlantic's "Soul Christmas", Phil Spector's "A Christmas Gift For You" and Rotary Connection's "Peace" this album will be a record that will appeal not only to lovers of holiday music, but lovers of SOUL music in general! This is Kelly Finnigan's third full-album production in just under two years, including his debut LP "The Tales People Tell" and Monophonics' most recent effort "It's Only Us". He is rapidly establishing himself as a key producer, songwriter, and performer in the current soul scene.

Repress! This is the first full length release from The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble - If you are a fan of the organ, gritty Funk, and beautiful original soundtracks, these guys are for you. The SFSE is a heavy, original, instrumental soul band based out of San Diego, CA that released their debut self titled album on Colemine Records in June of 2015, and the band will be releasing their sophomore album in the fall of 2016 on the same label. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble has recently shared the stage with Lee Fields and the Expressions, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Kung Fu, Polyrhythmics, New Mastersounds, Monophonics, Kamasi Washington, and many others. They draw influence from the masters of the style from the past and modern day, including: The Meters, Isaac Hayes, El Michels Affair, Mulatu Astatke, Budos Band, The Nite Liters, Menahan Street Band, Fela Kuti, and The Poets of Rhythm.

The Jive Turkeys are made up of four musicians who have been playing together for the better part of the last five years in a hip-hop group called Soundscape. Soundscape is a group based in Oxford, OH, home of Miami University. This is where Matt Amburgy (organ), Terry Cole (bass), Andrew DeRoberts (guitar), and Rob Houk (drums) first met. And while Soundscape has always provided all of them the opportunity to grow and develop as musicians through the group's unique fusion of genres (hip-hop, funk, jazz, rock).

The Winston Brothers are taking Colemine back to its roots. Heavy drums, breakbeats, nasty funk, and all instrumental. The debut 45 from this German based funk powerhouse is just a tease for what's to come from their forthcoming LP. Very much coming from the boom bap side of things and sharing production credits for Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, that makes sense. This is a 45 tailor made for DJs so grab doubles.

It's 1992. You're seven to twelve years old. What are you doing? You're probably biking home from Blockbuster with a Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cartridge. You've waited weeks to get your paws on it, but since it's still a "new release," it's only a three day rental. No matter - you've already stocked a whole weekend's worth of Surge and Fun Dip. You fire up your Genesis. Your television screen erupts with a blinding flash of white light, as The Blue One tears across the screen leaving the letters S - E - G - A emblazoned in his path. You're in a tizzy. Your thumbs begin to twitch in anticipation. Level two, CHEMICAL PLANT ZONE, is uncharted territory. Your palms start to get sweat as you see toxic sludge fill the screen. The Surge and the Fun Dip hit you at the same time. Rings, spin dashes, Chaos Emeralds...everything blurs into a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes and sounds and... You snap out of it. It's not the nineties. It's 2021 and you're in your 30s. Drats. The good news is the new "Chemical Plant Zone" 45 by Minneapolis rascals Black Market Brass. A 12-piece psych-afrobeat band covering music from the Sonic 2 soundtrack? Pshaw!

The debut single from The Resonaires! A group featuring members that have been apart of some of the pivotal artists of the soul revival movement: Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, Lee Fields. Now striking out on their own with the powerful vocals of Saundra Williams, The Resonaires hope to strike a chord with their debut single "Standing With You"!

From a funky basement in Nashville, TN comes the third 45 from The Gripsweats. Nasty, vocal shout style NOLA funk. Heavy, dirty, raw, and in the cut. This one is meant for playing loud in the clubs. A classic part 1 / part 2 approach to this sweaty dancefloor burner.

"It's Only Us" is the sound of Monophonics continuing to grow as songwriters, musicians, performers and people _ reflecting on where they've been, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the years to come. The title track from their most recent album is arguably the song that epitomizes the album's sonic palette best: soulful, psychedelic, and looking forward. It is now available as a 7-inch single. Including a bonus B-side titled "Get The Gold".

Black Market Brass is a Minneapolis-based group performing their own brand of originally composed Afrobeat/Afrofunk music, as well as completing authentic renditions of the classic 1970's West African sound. Taking their cues from the godfathers, the band draws on complex polyrhythmic percussion, driving bass lines, dizzying guitar interplay, rolling keyboards, and room-commanding brass. The result? An eclectic blend of cool deep funk and driving Afrobeat grooves that will lure you to the dance floor and never let you leave.

Dojo Cuts were one of the first groups to release a 45 on Colemine Records back in 2009 and eleven years later, they represent the 89th 45 in the label's history. As perhaps the most soulful outfit to come out of Australia the last few decades Dojo Cuts with the help of leader singer Roxie Ray and producer Nathan Aust are back to cranking out new tunes like they haven't since 2012. "Rome" and "Falling In Love Again" are from the most recent LP Tomorrow's Gonna Come.

Soul Slabs Vol. 2 is a collection of A-sides from the 7-inch catalog of Loveland Ohio's Colemine Records. Specializing in heavy soul, funk, and R&B, Colemine prides itself on authenticity and an old school production style, while still making songs that seem fresh and are moving the genre of soul forward. This 3LP collection of 27 tracks puts their diverse catalog on full display, many of these songs being presented for the first time on an LP. Featuring artists such as Durand Jones & The Indications, KellyFinnigan, Ben Pirani, Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Monophonics, Ikebe Shakedown, The Dip, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, Soul Scratch, and more!

From label owner Terry Cole, "It was on March 16, 2020 that we closed up our storefront as the reality of a worldwide pandemic began to spread across the Midwest. We had no idea how it was going to impact our shop, our label, or the artists we represent. We were all fortunate to have our family members stay safe and healthy; however, the livelihood of many of our friends and artists were drastically and immediately impacted. No tours, no live performances, record shops closed, pressing plants shut down, etc. And while the level of uncertainty was unnerving, from that uncertainty came the idea for Brighter Days Ahead. We knew we wanted to continue to release new music, but proceeding with our heavy 2020 release schedule as planned seemed ill advised. So the idea was to release individual tracks from many of our artists on a weekly basis and as a musical family, we could all help shine light on each individual artist weekly. Strength in numbers! So throughout the summer and into the fall, that's what we did. We released several dozen tracks and the weekly announcements certainly garnered a strong sense of community for our artists and fans alike. We're very proud to present Brighter Days Ahead: a compilation from our talented stable of artists on both our Colemine and Karma Chief imprints."

The first new material from the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio in several years is coming in hot! They've been on the road for the last two years and just finished cutting their upcoming album for 2020 and plan on hitting the road again in a big way to support it. "Fo Sho" finds the trio right where they left off: super pocket funky organ jazz! Dig!

First single from Monophonics' new album "It's Only Us".
This is the first new material from the group since their 2015 album "Sound Of Sinning" and they're picking up right where they left off, blending authentic soul with hints and leans of psychedelic elements as well. And on the heels of Kelly Finnigan's debut solo record, the group just continues to get stronger and stronger with regard to production and songwriting. This 45 of "Chances" hits stores on February, 21th and their new album will be out on March, 13th.

Limited clear vinyl 7" is for Indie stores only. The incredible uptempo track from Kelly's debut album that feels like it's was pulled straight off of some deep and rare Numero compilation, we are proud to present the stand alone 45 of "Since I Don't Have You Anymore" with the instrumental on the flip. Also Available From Kelly Finnigan: Catch Me I'm Falling 7”, The Tales People Tell LP/CD, I Don't Wanna Wait 7”.

Limited hand written label 7" is for Indie stores only. On the heels of his debut LP, "How Do I Talk To My Brother?", Ben ventured to the west coast and was welcomed with open arms by fans of his sweet and uplifting soul music. The A-side, a cover "That's The Way It Goes by the Harptones, was recorded on a handheld cassette while performing live at a radio station. The B-side was recorded in Brooklyn upon returning from the tour and thus christening their newly renovated recording studio. So enjoy this unique little 45!
Also Available From Ben Pirani: How Do I Talk To My Brother? LP/CD, Art School Girl 7”, Light Of My Life 7”.

For Fans Of... Durand Jones, Leon Bridges, Otis Redding, Al Green, Son Little.. Limited Honey Yellow Vinyl orders are for Indie stores only, stock is very limited and orders may well be cut. Fresh, sweet soul from Akron's Wesley Bright & The Honeytones. After going through some changes in both personnel and sound, Wesley and the guys have found their groove. This tune represents a new direction for the band, produced by Colemine Records' in-house producer Leroi Conroy at their Loveland, OH studio, these tunes are rough and tough, yet super sweet as well. Maybe that because lead singer Wesley Bright is also a beekeeper. That's right. He's a sweet soul singer that makes honey. You can't make that up.

The debut album from Seattle's Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. The group channels old-school organ combos like The Meters and Booker T & The MGs, but are making it fresh and feel new again!

The nastiest, sweatiest instrumental funk on Colemine is back with a second helping. This time coming through with some fuzzed out funk on the A-side with 'Gripsweats Theme' and some mellow library vibes on the B-side. DJs are going to need doubles of this bad boy as this one has the vibe to get the party started right. For Fans Of... The JBs, The Meters, Vulfpeck.... Breakbeats for all the DJs that are diggin' for breaks. Also Available : Ziggy's Walk / Alpha Dog 7'.

RIYL: Sly & The Family Stone, Charles Bradley, Nathaniel Rateliff. The lead single from Monophonics' 2012 'In Your Brian' LP finally gets a proper 7" release. After DJs have begged for years, we finally acquired the rights and this gem of a cover will finally be available. And as if the psychedelic soul take on Sonny Bono's 'Bang Bang' wasn't enough, Kelly Finnigan and company take on Ike Turner's instrumental banger 'Thinking Black' on the B-side. Two killer covers, one heavy little 45.

RIYL: The Budos Band, El Michels Affair, BadBadNotGood, Will Sessions. San Diego's instrumental funk ensemble is back with the first new material from their forthcoming third LP on Colemine Records. Since their debut LP release in 2014, the group has established itself as a staple in the instrumental world of funk and soul music. And their newest effort does not disappoint. A cover of Roy Ayers' 'Aragon' on the A-side and some moody, clav-heavy funk on the B-side. Sure to satisfy any funky DJ out there. Their song 'Funky River' is currently being used in the background of Fifth Third Bank's recent ad campaign that will continue through January of 2019

he first new material from Durand Jones & The Indications since their debut LP was released in July of 2016! And man, they didn't disappoint! Two covers from the Numero catalog that are earth shattering. "You And Me", a tune originally by Penny & The Quarters is reinterpreted by the current kings of sweet soul, with drummer Aaron Frazer taking the lead on this one.

Ikebe Shakedown's fourth album pulls from a wide range of influences including soul, afro, psych, and jazz, all coming together in a gritty, cinematic explosion!

Ein Gespräch mit Thee Sinseers kurz vor der Veröffentlichung ihres neuen Albums ,Love Stories" bei Colemine Records macht eines ganz deutlich: Dies ist kein Album, das eine glatte und ordentliche Liebesgeschichte erzählt. Es geht hier nicht um das Happy End. Es geht um alles, was davor, danach und trotz allem passiert. Auf dieser LP hat sich die Band auf eine erdigere Instrumentierung konzentriert - Kontrabass, Gitarren, die durch Verstärker laufen, um einen wärmeren, an die Sechziger angelehnten Klang zu erzielen - und sich von allem inspirieren lassen, wo es sich bot, selbst an den unwahrscheinlichsten Orten. Es ist dieses genreübergreifende Denken, das Sänger Joey Quiñones als das bestimmende Merkmal der Platte ansieht. "Es fühlte sich zu keinem Zeitpunkt so an, als würden wir Soul-Musik machen", sagt er. ,Es fühlte sich an, als würden wir einfach unsere Musik machen." Die Band wollte etwas Ehrlicheres einfangen als nur die Höhepunkte - sie wollte die Höhen und Tiefen romantischer Beziehungen zeigen und gleichzeitig den Rahmen erweitern, um auch das Familiäre, das Komplizierte und das Ungelöste einzubeziehen. Die Eltern der Bandmitglieder sind auf dem Albumcover zu sehen, ihre eigenen Liebesgeschichten sind in die visuelle Identität der Platte eingewoben, manche dieser Geschichten bestehen noch, andere nicht. ,Jeder einzelne Songtitel führt dich auf einen anderen Weg der Liebe - egal, ob du gewinnst oder verlierst." Quiñones wollte, dass die Zuhörer sich auf diese Mehrdeutigkeit einlassen. ,Liebe ist unendlich", sagt er. ,Sie reicht über ein Leben hinaus. Ich möchte, dass die Leute immer noch verwirrt sind - ich möchte, dass es wie ein offenes Buch bleibt." Doch eines bleibt durchgehend konstant: das Bekenntnis von Thee Sinseers zu ihrer Herkunft. Diese East-LA-Identität stellt sich nicht zur Schau - sie existiert einfach, eingewoben in das Gewebe der Musik, ohne als Abzeichen getragen zu werden. Hier wird kein Liebeskummer vorgetäuscht, sondern es ist das Echte.

After nearly two years, Okonski returns with Entrance Music — an album that finds the trio at the height of their improvisational prowess and celebrating the spontaneous and meditative. On the heels of 2023’s debut Magnolia, pianist and leader Steve Okonski has reconvened long-time musical collaborators (Durand Jones and the Indications bandmate Aaron Frazer on drums and bassist Michael Isvara “Ish” Montgomery) for another session in the spirit of artists like the Bad Plus, Gerald Clayton, and The Breathing Effect. Ultimately Entrance Music serves as an invitation to early hours, where songs linger in the doorway, announcing their presence before returning to the air, in a meticulous drift into the next.
Recorded over a five day session, Entrance Music was one of the first albums committed to tape at Portage Lounge, Terry Cole’s studio in Loveland, OH. “It was a new setup, but with Terry behind the dials it was very familiar,” says Okonski. “I can’t emphasize enough how much Terry feels like a fourth member of the band because of the space he’s curating, the energy he is bringing, and the production ideas.” The energy and sound created with the Colemine labelhead at the helm makes for a listening experience equally at home with ECM or Stones Throw catalogs.
From the rippling notes of the pastoral opener, “October,” Entrance Music is lush with anticipation, both band and listener feeling the tension in the tranquility — where the interplay of jazz improvisation and boom bap beats never shortchanges the musicianship but the talent is ever in service of the song.
While the band does not play together as often as they would like, not much time is needed for the three to lock in. Montgomery’s bass opening to “Passing Through” bends and moves with a singular meditative grace before piano and percussion joins the daylight filling a room with breath and light. If Magnolia resonated with last calls and late nights, Entrance Music counters with early mornings and first cups of coffee.
Whereas much of the debut resonates with his time in New York, Entrance Music “feels a little less ‘on the streets at 2 A.M.’ and a little more nature-based…a little more ethereal,” says Okonski. “It’s definitely age, environment, and family — all of that does come through in the music.”

Over the course of 2026, jazz piano trio Okonski (Steve Okonski on keys, Durand Jones and the Indications bandmate Aaron Frazer on drums, and bassist Michael Isvara “Ish” Montgomery) have been trickling out a wide variety of singles to keep fans at bay ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 LP3. The tracks offer a variety of influences, and include collaborations with the likes of Saxophonist Cochemea and harpist Rachel Kitchlew. To conclude this series of singles, Colemine records has pressed up a limited number of cassettes including all the newest tracks and a few bonus live tunes. The group's regarded EP 'Trio Session Demos' have been added to the flip of the cassette, the first time these hip-hop inspired early cuts have been available physically.
At the top of 2025, Okonski released their sophomore LP 'Entrance Music' to wide acclaim. The spiritual jazz record received praise from Rolling Stone, BBC, Billboard, KEXP, countless others and has streamed over 10 million times. The trio recently completed a sold out LA show and embark on their first UK/EU tour this fall. There is much more to come from Okonski in the coming years.

The studio at 122 West Loveland Avenue was not an unfamiliar space for Steve Okonski, the leader of his eponymous trio Okonski. Ever since the Colemine label set up shop in Loveland, Ohio it has been a host to a number of groups passing through town, including Durand Jones and the Indications who all of this trio's members have connections to. After setting aside some time in winter of 2020, Okonski, trained initially as a classical pianist, invited Michael Isvara "Ish" Montgomery and Aaron Frazer to work on an album that was initially planned to be beat driven and fully composed trio instrumentals.

After finishing this first session with some improvisations, a second week was booked in the summer of 2021 to try and capture some more of that spontaneous energy. During this session, the tracks were all improvised and recorded live to a Tascam 388 during several late nights at the Colemine HQ. They were structured to allow the group's collective intuition to fully shape the melodies and arcs of the music.

The album opens with Runner Up, where a triumphant yet melancholic melody in the piano leads to a more reserved B-section driven by the drums and bass of Frazer and Montgomery. As you journey through the remainder of the album you are met with a plethora of evoked and explored emotions. The calmness one has walking down a moonlit street after midnight, the connection one has for a person who comes into their world for just a moment or a lifetime, and the nerves and catharsis one feels when starting upon a new, unknown journey.
Magnolia closes with Sunday, a track that was recorded late into the night at the close of their first recording session. Without the spontaneity of Sunday, the remainder of Magnolia would likely have never come to fruition.
Magnolia was composed from the heart and from the spirit of those in the studio those late nights in Loveland. It is the culmination of an emotional and artistic release that was not afforded or recognized before the band sat at their instruments, and because of that it is introspective, meditative, spiritual, and new.

Im Laufe des Jahres 2026 hat das Jazz-Piano-Trio Okonski (Steve Okonski am Keyboard, Aaron Frazer Bandkollege von Durand Jones and the Indications am Schlagzeug und Bassist Michael Isvara Ish" Montgomery) nach und nach eine Vielzahl von Singles veröffentlicht, um die Fans bis zum mit Spannung erwarteten Album LP3" im Jahr 2027 bei Laune zu halten. Die Tracks zeigen vielfältige Einflüsse und beinhalten Kollaborationen mit Künstlern wie dem Saxophonisten Cochemea und der Harfenistin Rachel Kitchlew. Zum Abschluss dieser Single-Reihe hat Colemine Records eine limitierte Auflage von Kassetten gepresst, die alle neuesten Tracks sowie ein paar Bonus-Live-Stücke enthalten. Die hochgelobte EP Trio Session Demos" der Band wurde auf die B-Seite der Kassette gepackt damit sind diese vom Hip-Hop inspirierten frühen Aufnahmen zum ersten Mal physisch erhältlich. Anfang 2025 veröffentlichte Okonski ihr zweites Album Entrance Music" und erntete dafür großes Lob. Das Spiritual-Jazz-Album wurde von Rolling Stone, BBC, Billboard, KEXP und unzähligen anderen gelobt und wurde bereits über 10 Millionen Mal gestreamt. Das Trio hat kürzlich ein ausverkauftes Konzert in LA absolviert und bricht diesen Herbst zu seiner ersten Tour durch Großbritannien und die EU auf. Von Okonski ist in den kommenden Jahren noch viel mehr zu erwarten.

Das Studio in der 122 West Loveland Avenue war für Steve Okonski, den Leiter seines gleichnamigen Trios Okonski", kein unbekannter Ort. Seitdem sich das Label Colemine in Loveland, Ohio, niedergelassen hat, war es Gastgeber für eine Reihe von Bands, die auf der Durchreise waren, darunter auch Durand Jones and the Indications, zu denen alle Mitglieder dieses Trios Verbindungen haben. Nachdem er sich im Winter 2020 etwas Zeit genommen hatte, lud Okonski, der ursprünglich als klassischer Pianist ausgebildet wurde, Michael Isvara Ish" Montgomery und Aaron Frazer ein, an einem Album zu arbeiten, das ursprünglich als beatgetriebene und vollständig komponierte Trio-Instrumentalstücke geplant war. Nachdem diese erste Session mit einigen Improvisationen abgeschlossen war, wurde im Sommer 2021 eine zweite Woche gebucht, um zu versuchen, noch mehr von dieser spontanen Energie einzufangen. Während dieser Session wurden alle Stücke improvisiert und live auf einem Tascam 388 während mehrerer später Nächte im Colemine-Hauptquartier aufgenommen. Sie waren so strukturiert, dass die kollektive Intuition der Gruppe die Melodien und den Verlauf der Musik voll und ganz prägen konnte. Das Album beginnt mit Runner Up", wo eine triumphale und doch melancholische Melodie am Klavier zu einem zurückhaltenderen B-Teil überleitet, der von Schlagzeug und Bass von Frazer und Montgomery getragen wird. Auf deiner Reise durch den Rest des Albums begegnest du einer Fülle von hervorgerufenen und erforschten Emotionen. Die Ruhe, die man empfindet, wenn man nach Mitternacht eine mondbeschienene Straße entlanggeht, die Verbindung zu einer Person, die nur für einen Moment oder ein ganzes Leben in deine Welt tritt, und die Nervosität und Katharsis, die man spürt, wenn man sich auf eine neue, unbekannte Reise begibt. Magnolia" endet mit Sunday", einem Titel, der spät in der Nacht am Ende ihrer ersten Aufnahmesession aufgenommen wurde. Ohne die Spontaneität von Sunday" wäre der Rest von Magnolia" wahrscheinlich nie zustande gekommen. Magnolia" entstand aus dem Herzen und dem Geist derer, die in jenen späten Nächten in Loveland im Studio waren. Es ist der Höhepunkt einer emotionalen und künstlerischen Befreiung, die erst möglich wurde, als die Band sich an ihre Instrumente setzte und gerade deshalb ist das Album introspektiv, meditativ, spirituell und neuartig.

Nach fast zwei Jahren meldet sich Okonski mit "Entrance Music" zurück - ein Album, auf dem sich das Trio auf dem Höhepunkt seines improvisatorischen Könnens befindet und das Spontane und Meditative zelebriert. Nach dem Debüt "Magnolia" von 2023 hat der Pianist und Bandleader Steve Okonski seine langjährigen musikalischen Mitstreiter (Durand Jones & The Indications-Bandkollege Aaron Frazer am Schlagzeug und Bassist Michael Isvara "Ish" Montgomery) für eine weitere Session im Geiste von Künstlern wie The Bad Plus, Gerald Clayton und The Breathing Effect wieder zusammengebracht. Letztendlich ist "Entrance Music" eine Einladung zu frühen Stunden, in denen die Songs in der Tür verweilen und ihre Anwesenheit ankündigen, bevor sie in die Luft zurückkehren, um sorgfältig in die nächste Runde zu treiben. "Entrance Music" wurde in einer fünftägigen Session aufgenommen und war eines der ersten Alben, die in Portage Lounge, dem Studio von Terry Cole in Loveland, OH, auf Band gebannt wurden. "Es war ein neues Setup, aber mit Terry hinter den Reglern war es sehr vertraut", sagt Okonski. "Ich kann nicht genug betonen, wie sehr sich Terry wie ein viertes Mitglied der Band fühlt, wegen des Raums, den er kuratiert, der Energie, die er einbringt, und den Produktionsideen." Die Energie und der Sound, die mit dem Colemine-Labelchef am Ruder entstanden sind, sorgen für ein Hörerlebnis, das sich mit den Katalogen von ECM oder Stones Throw messen kann. Während ein Großteil des Debüts auf seine Zeit in New York zurückgeht, fühlt sich "Entrance Music" "ein bisschen weniger wie ,auf den Straßen um 2 Uhr morgens' und ein bisschen mehr auf der Natur basierend an - ein bisschen mehr ätherisch", sagt Okonski. "Es ist definitiv das Alter, die Umgebung und die Familie - all das kommt in der Musik durch."

There is something to be said about being both popular and prolific enough to be anthologized—it’s a space that soul music stalwart Kelly Finnigan and his latest release, B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems, occupies with intent and fire. Serving as a mile marker pacing the 15 year collaboration between Finnigan and Colemine Records, B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems is an easter egg moment for new and long-time fans to collect rare takes and flip sides in one spot, while unearthing Finnigan’s evolution as an artist, producer, and vocalist.


From his earliest explorations to one of the first tracks cut at his new studio in Ohio, this travelogue in sound both brings the listener forward to the present while laying out Kelly Finnigan’s road ahead.


“Colemine has grown so much, I've grown so much… I think this collection is a chance to take a little look back and share that with the people, the fans, the music lovers, the Colemine lovers,” says Finnigan.

Auf ,Emeralds", dem zweiten Longplayer von Parlor Greens, präsentiert das Trio eine sorgfältig zusammengestellte Auswahl dessen, was funkige Orgelmusik leisten kann. Drei wahre Meister ihres Fachs: Tim Carman (ehemals GA-20) am Schlagzeug, Jimmy James (True Loves, ehemals Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio) an der Gitarre und Adam Scone (Scone Cash Players, The Sugarman 3) an der Orgel. Erfahrene und gefühlvolle Profis, die sich zusammengetan haben, um mitreißende, funkige Instrumental-Jams zu kreieren. Parlor Greens sind in Bestform: Sie sind eingespielt und selbstbewusster denn je, was ihre Identität und ihre Ausrichtung betrifft. Der Opener des Albums, ,Eat Your Greens", beginnt mit einem von Charles Earland inspirierten Four-on-the-Floor-Beat, wobei Jimmy und Scone den Song wie einen überladenen Güterzug vorantreiben, der einfach nicht zu stoppen ist. Greens", startet mit einem von Charles Earland inspirierten Four-on-the-Floor-Beat, wobei Jimmy und Scone den Song wie einen überladenen Güterzug vorantreiben, der einfach nicht zu stoppen ist. ,Lion's Mane" zeigt eine etwas raffiniertere Seite des Trios, mit Anspielungen auf einen von Scones Orgelmentoren , den unvergleichlichen Dr. Lonnie Smith. Um seinen Bandkollegen in nichts nachzustehen, demonstriert Tim Carman in ,Letter To Brother Ben", einem gospelartigen Shuffler, warum er den besten Shuffle diesseits des Mississippi spielt. Und obwohl die Ergebnisse stärker denn je sind, war die Stimmung bei dieser zweiten Aufnahmesession ganz anders. Als sich die drei zum ersten Mal in Loveland im Colemine's Portage Lounge Studio trafen, war die Atmosphäre von einer gewissen Frische geprägt. Es war neu, es war das erste Mal, dass sie alle zusammen spielten. Es war aufregend, es war Neuland. Die Session für Emeralds lastete viel schwerer auf allen drei Mitgliedern. Da alle drei mit persönlichen Tragödien in ihrem individuellen Leben zu kämpfen hatten, war die Session für die Gruppe ein echter Moment der Freude. Nur drei talentierte Musiker, die nun als Freunde in einer vertrauten Umgebung Musik schreiben und spielen. Nirgendwo wird die Bedeutung dieser Session deutlicher als beim letzten Titel des Albums, ,Queen Of My Heart", einem Stück, das Jimmy für seine Mutter kurz nach ihrem Tod geschrieben hat. Mit schwerem Herzen und voller Emotionen ist Colemine Records sehr stolz darauf, das zweite Album dieser drei Meister präsentieren zu dürfen. Parlor Greens präsentiert_ Emeralds.

Distance as a measure of time and place informs Kelly Finnigan's, A Lover Was Born with a grit and grace that turns passion into virtue. The latest solo release from The Monophonics frontman roots itself in the best traditions of midwest soul labels like King, Curtom, Dakar, and the Bodie Recording Company. A Lover Was Born is a testimony that these deep cut grooves are not resigned to nostalgia, instead, they are at the burning heart of longing and hope. The journey Finnigan takes listeners on over Lover's eleven tracks echo the state of motion and growth since his solo debut, The Tales People Tell (2019). These two records bookend a prolific period of output, including a pair of Monophonics albums, a Christmas album, a mixtape, and a full slate of producing other artists (The Ironsides, Alanna Royale, the Sextones). "There's nothing like making records," says Finnigan. "It feels like that's my purpose _ the reason I was put on this earth." Written in California, Ohio, and Staten Island, Kelly Finnigan collaborated with old friends in and outside the studio. "I enjoy working alone but it's not how you want to make a record_almost everybody I brought in for this album I've worked with, toured with or spent a great deal of time with." Max and Joe Ramey (The Ironsides), Jimmy James (Parlor Greens), Sergio Rios (Orgone), Joey Crispiano (Dap Kings) and Jay Mumford (aka J-Zone) all contribute to the overall sound of A Lover Was Born. Dramatic influences like Isaac Hayes (check out the piano on "Be Your Own Shelter") and Jerry Ragovoy are chopped and folded into Northern Soul uptempo numbers to create stompers like "Get a Hold of Yourself" or "Chosen Few". Finnigan's take on Deep Soul is captured brilliantly on "Walk Away from Me" and "Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)", while Boom Bap pervades on hard hitters "His Love Ain't Real" & "Cold World". Slower songs such as "Let Me Count the Reasons", the emotional "All That's Left", and the soul-stirring album closer "Count Me Out" show the honest and tender side that has become Finnigan's calling card. All the while, the voice is raw and earthy _ in the best tradition of R&B shouters like Otis Redding, Lee Moses, and David Ruffin. The songs on A Lover Was Born reconfigure the spliced and sampled DNA of hip hop (extracted by crate diggers like Dilla and RZA) to create something new, underscoring both the spectrum and depth of soul while making a case to the timelessness of Finnigan's sound.