As huge Jimi Hendrix and Ari Joshua fans, you can imagine our excitement to hear the news that Ari had covered the iconic song Voodoo Chile. Now, Ari’s multidisciplinary artistry and guitar work is a masterclass in music creation, so we had a feeling that we would be in for a sonic surprise with the release.

The cover kicks off with a cerebral, trippy guitar work which feels akin to a psychedelic trip into another dimensional. The performance rivals the original in creative essence, but also in finger work. It’s no small feat to cover a Jimi song, so there is no doubt that Ari’s intention was clear from the outset to ensure that he did it not only justice, but made it his own – and the results are tangible.

In case you didn’t know, Voodoo Chile started as a candid jam session, and eventually became one of the most iconic songs in Hendrix’s discography. The song was a fan favourite during his career and remains one of his most memorable (and most drawn-out) vocal and guitar performances. This is brought to life masterfully by Ari and his collaborators.

The lyrics of are filled with references to voodoo magic and religion, providing plenty of haunting images throughout the song. Ari and Jimi sing about being a “voodoo child,” which confirms their shares belief in magic and superstition. This is a quality that transpires in Ari Joshua’s wider discography, which has always had a conscious and psychedelic edge, so it is inspiring to not only have this confirmation, but see it manifest with this cover.

“You don’t just play Hendrix – you conjure his spirit,” Ari Joshua confesses. We learn that the take on Voodoo Chile was done in a single recording and no doubt retains all the aura and electrifying energy of the original.

The cover features Ari Joshua slaying on guitar and vocals, Russ Lawton brings to life his kinetic energy on drums, Ray Paczkowski manifests intricacy on keys, whilst Ben Collette heads up tracking at Tank Recording, Jonathan Plum shares his skill as mixing engineer at Mat London Bridge Studios, with Joe Lambert‘s expert mastering. The artwork illustration was created by Burgandy Viscosi, whilst Monte Mitchel at Forest Shore Designs designed the layout.

We have added Ari Joshua‘s version of Voodoo Chile with RAAR Trio to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TRIPPY and TIMELESS playlists, whilst we continue to stream the growing body of work from RAAR Trio, and anticipate future releases!

The post Ari Joshua and RAAR Trio take us on a psychedelic trip with evocative, intricate and mind-bending cover of Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile appeared first on KIMU.

Earlier this year, to celebrate the release Kambo Wambo by the RAAR Trio, we interviewed visionary composer, Ari Joshua, so you can imagine our excitement when we found out that the talented multi-disciplinary artist and his creative cohorts were back with Star Light Mountain.

Setting the tone with a psychedelic electric guitar performance and a dimensional, electronica-hybrid soundscape, Ari Joshua’s RAAR Trio open Star Light Mountain with intricacy, immersion and sonic genius. The creators share an inspiring tale with their prose as we experience the lyrics, “If your spirits down and lonely, and your heart’s aching for a cure, when vision bursts just listen softly, she says, there’s a road to heaven, we can take you there for sure…”

Fans of iconic acts like David Bowie and The Beatles will be able to connect with Star Light Mountain, which hold a timeless nostalgia, and features stunning harmonies, with out of this world guitar performances, and a holistic, conscious, and intentional depth – something that we have come to love and expect from Ari Joshua. Tonally, the creators also suggest how Star Light Mountain would fit well alongside roots rock bands like The Black Crowes and Alabama Shakes, as well as classic rock jam bands such as Dead and Company, and The Trey Anastasio Band, which we are inclined to agree with!

The overarching sentiment of the track is vibrant, and clearly showcases how exemplary Ari’s guitar skills truly are. The mid point of the opus is stripped back and meditative, allowing the psychedelic edge to lead us into a vortex of divine creation and beyond for the finale.

Along with Ari Joshua on guitar and vocals, Star Light Mountain features Russ Lawton on drums, and Ray Paczkowski on organ, is set to drop this Friday along with new East Coast tour dates and recording sessions. The three creators are also joined by Josephine Howell, who performs soulful backing vocals!

In celebration of the release, Ari has announced an extensive tour featuring performances on both the East and West Coasts, with dates including May 22 at The Seamonster Lounge, May 31 at Nectar’s in Burlington, June 2 at Mercury Lounge, June 5 at The Stone Church, and June 7 at a venue to be announced. The tour boasts a growing lineup that includes Kris Yunker & Ben Atkind from Goose, Matt Dolliver, and members of Dead Set, Joe Doria, with more guests to be announced. Fans can look forward to more details on The Helping Friendly Podcast on Osiris live on May 23rd. The tour is a series of dates featuring a growing list of amazing players, follow Ari’s socials or label page for updates!

We learn that the recording of Star Light Mountain was a cross-country collaboration, with tracking by Ben Collette at Tank Recording in Burlington, Vermont, overdubs by Aaron Harmonson at Ari Joshua’s Music Factory Studios, and a high-resolution mix by Jonathan Plum of London Bridge Studios.

We always connect with what Ari Joshua manifests, and have added Star Light Mountain to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our new TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Ari Joshua, and anticipate future releases from the RAAR Trio.

Upcoming Tour Dates

The Suncatchers featuring Joe Doria & Ehssan Karimi
May 31 – Seamonster Lounge – Seattle, Wa

Ari Joshua Band
May 31 – Nectars – Burlington, VT
June 2 – Mercury Lounge – New Tork, NY

Kris Yunker, Ari Joshua, Ben Atkind dates
June 5th The Stone Church – Bratelboro, VT
June 7th TBA Brattleboro – VT

Check www.arijoshua.com for more dates.

The post Ari Joshua’s RAAR Trio returns with immersive and transcendental new opus, Star Light Mountain appeared first on KIMU.