Casey Russell, best known as the keyboardist of The Magic Beans, has released “Hit the Ground Running,” the debut single off of his solo record Patience, which is due out on Color Red on November 8, 2024.
The track features special guest vocalist Lyle Divinsky rounding out a studio cast of Casey Russell (keyboards & vocals) Dan Africano (Bass), Jeff Franca (Drums), Taylor Frederick (Guitar) Kim Dawson (Vocals), Shira Elias (Vocals), Parris Fleming (Trumpet & Horn Arrangement), and Alex Cazet (Saxophone).
Inspired by Soul greats such as Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, and Sam & Dave, Russell “set forth to write a song with an impactful multi-harmony chorus.”
He shares:
I knew I wanted a call and response vibe, so I sent the demo to my vocal Guru, Lyle Divinsky. He sent back 16 vocal tracks of pure gold, and we finished the lyrics that week. Parris Fleming added a very nice horn arrangement, and the song was born. Put it on repeat!
Russell began writing the album shortly after the pandemic lockdown, pouring energy that would normally be used on gigging into sending demos back and forth between musical colleagues locked down in their studios.
In late 2020 with a solid batch of demos in-hand, he called Eddie Roberts (The New Mastersounds & The Lucky Strokes) to book a session at Color Red Studios and record 8 songs in 2 days. The record was mixed & mastered by Josh Fairman of Laskin productions.
Russell explains:
Patience is my love letter to old school Soul and R&B music. From the song writing to the recording methods, I wanted to take a step back in time to my favorite sounds of the 60s and 70s, with a little bit of modern flare mixed in. It has a very funky retro-soul feel, complete with an 8 piece band recording through analog equipment.
To celebrate the release of Patience, Russell will be performing the album in its entirety at Cervantes’ Other Side in Denver, Colorado on November 9th joined by an all-star band featuring Dan Africano (Thievery Corporation) on bass, Collin O’Brien (Neal Francis) on drums, Taylor Fredrick on guitar, Brittany Beckett (Watermelon Funk) on vocals, Will Trask (High Hawks) on percussion, Gabriel Mervine on trumpet, and Alex Cazet on saxophone. Jamtronica quintet Splendid Blend will open the night.
