Duffmusiq
By Mike O’Cull
Veteran guitarist, award-winning Canadian producer, and songwriter Duffmusiq, a.k.a. Damir Demirovic, cooks up a hot batch of his trademark blend of funk, soul, blues, jazz, and roots music on his new five-song EP Urban Love. Released August 6th, the set is a smooth and melodic feast for the years that clearly demonstrates just how deep Duffmusiq’s talents and multifaceted skill sets are. He rips on guitar and keyboards and is a top-shelf producer and composer who knows how to get the most out of himself and the outstanding musicians backing him on these sessions. His combination of funky beats, jazz-inflected melodies, and the heartbeat of the blues, is an instant winner for listeners who like their sounds colorful and sophisticated.
Duffmusiq is originally from Serbia but now works out of Toronto. He’s an experienced and evocative musician who is well-known as a live performer and even more widely known for his work in film and TV. His music has been used in productions including Psych (USA Network) and Girlfriend’s Guide To Divorce (Bravo) and in the movies Shark City (Warner Brothers), Alles Is Liebe (Universal Studios Germany), and Black Lightning DC Comics (Warner Brothers). He has also won an American Indie Award and other honors. Duffmusiq is one of those guys who can do it all with style and grace and is one of the most listenable artists to emerge in recent years.
Although Urban Love offers up only five tracks, each one is worth an investment of your listening time. The EP kicks off with the bluesy title track “Urban Love.” It’s a funky instrumental with a thumping drum groove and a wide-open canvas for Duffmusiq to paint on with his unique sense of melody and phrasing. He doesn’t play like the other blues folks out there. His guitar licks get cooler where most pickers would just play faster. His style and taste are extraordinary and will hook you in from the jump.
For some truly beautiful blues with elements of jazz, “Ordinary Fool” features husky, soulful vocals and innovative guitar riffs with a melodic sense on par with the Old Masters, perhaps even beyond. His nimble, graceful lines are pure ear candy.
“Road To Heaven” is a sultry, smoky, Latin-influenced ballad that features vocalist Selena Evangeline. Her presence is a wonderful counterpart to Duffmusiq’s musical firepower and sends the track’s emotional level through the roof. Together, Selena and Duffmusiq are a formidable pair and will stop you where you stand with this one. “So Called Love” is another jazz-spiked ballad/soul music showcase, this time with the great Chloe Watkinson taking over the lead vocal position. Watkinson’s passionate vocals are sweet and lowdown, adding a street-level beauty to the song that needs to be experienced. Duffmusiq is slick and inventive, as he is everywhere, and uses the band’s tight pocket as a platform to take us all to school with each line he plays.
“Tender Little Kisses” is a moody, late-night R&B cut decked out with the outstanding lead vocals by Ray Robinson. Robinson’s high register is seductive and soulful and he uses it just the way you want him to. Duffmusiq stretches his strings and releases more amazing guitar work that shows us more of his edgier side. This is arguably the best song on the EP even though it’s the closer. Be sure you catch it. Duffmusiq is one of the most exciting artists building a reputation right now and Urban Love is a great place for you to jump into his universe. Turn down the lights and let these tracks work on your soul.
Listen to “Ordinary Fool”
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