REVIEW & OPINION: Danny G & the Major 7th make 'Irish Neo-Soul" music. What is that?
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Setting: Central Park, New York. Cruising on PCH in Cali. Date night at the crib. The sound of Danny G & The Major 7th' s upcoming "The Lookout" is the record you want playing in any of the aforementioned scenes. It's a chill pill of a recording that emits a Lofi or Chill Hop quality, although it is classified as Irish Neo-Soul (INS). But who cares about categories when the music is good? (And this album is real good.) I care about categories. It is by this categorization that I must examine this piece of work. FULL DISCLOSURE: Until hearing this album, I did not know that "Irish Neo-Soul" existed, nor was I familiar with Danny G and his ensemble. I was immediately taken aback by the oxymoronic reference to the group in the introductory email I received from their publicist. Irish Neo-Soul translates to "White people from Ireland doing Black music," but not entirely. It could also be translated as White Irish people honoring Black Soul music. And, importantly, it could be interpreted as White people inventing a new genre of music that borrows from an existing one. Insert here the reference to Columbus "discovering" America, a place that was already inhabited. DEFINITION: Soul music is a synthesis of R&B, jazz, Blues and gospel -- essentially all forms of Black artistic musical expression that was birthed in America. This fact does not change just because an adjective is placed in front of the word soul. OPINION: The Godfather of Soul, James Brown defined soul music distinctively as Black. While Black American music traveled the globe, it caught on in different parts of the world with some artists, developing an affinity for the rhythms and sounds of Black music. This is similar to the way Black music caught on in mainstream America. In essence, Dublin can be transported to America or vice versa through the language of music. But Black music comes from the Black experience (Black life) in America specifically. If Irish Neo Soul comes from the Irish experience, then it should not sound like Black music with a lead singer whose slight accent could pass for Andy Gibbs of the Bee Gees. It should sound distinctly different.  To give my thoughts on the album some context, I'm providing definitions because a worrisome debate about what parts of Black history (and other history) to include in U.S. school curriculum is currently happening. In a country like Ireland, where it may take a microscope to find any real presence of Black people and the history of Black American music is likely not being taught, one could be fooled into believing "Irish Neo-Soul" is germane to the area, i.e., that soul music originated there. Since it is Black History Month and appropriation and misinformation are both in high order in the U.S, it is my duty to scrutinize this categorization for educational purposes, which I will endeavor to do as objectively as possible. Although, I will keep it brief, this issue iI am raising is worthy of a dissertation about the universalness of soul music in its similarities and differences across race and culture. Instead, I offer this hypothesis: Danny G & the Major 7ths emulate Black neo soul music out of respect and appreciation, tracing its origins to Black American music, while categorizing it as Irish Neo Soul to be set apart in the marketplace. REVIEW: As I attempted to convey in the opening, DG & M7th's style on "The Lookout" is laid back. Tracks "Time the Healer" and "D.A.R.L.I.N.G" most musically divergent, tipping into pop and Hip Hop respectively. The latter is enhanced by a rap bridge from Brooklyn born collaborator The production quality lags behind American standards. The use of older instruments captures the time period of the late 90s and 2000s. It is the quality of the recording plus the instrumentation that brings about a welcome nostalgia. The period of time referenced may not seem that long ago, so it is great to have a group pay tribute the this era because it happens more often in fashion than it does in music. Background (courtesy of the PR firm) Danny G is one of the founding fathers of Irish neo-soul. Debut Love Joints (2014) introduced a smooth, throwback album of personal songs and harmonies. With the help of producer Ken McCabe (Wolfhound Sound) the sound has evolved to become a deeper, richer, more mature-evoking the classic neo-soul artists of the 2000s. The Major 7ths are a team of top Funk and Jazz players, including past of Hozier, Niall Horan, Loah, Fedah, Mary Coughlan, Zaska, Sive, Ensemble Eriu, Selk and LaGracia. Album number 2 is called The Lookout and was released in January 2021. Ceo for the Soul, a covers EP of Irish songs was released in late 2021. The group will launch The Lookout Album live in The Sugar Club on February 18, 2022. |
