Photo: Dagnasterpus by Justin Kreutzmann
We are pleased to premiere the video for “Looking Back” by the mighty jam band Dagnasterpus from their debut record from award-winning composer Tree Adams’ new groove powerhouse. The Dagnasterpus record features New Orleans funk legend Cyril Neville (background vocals, percussion), Joe Ashlar (keyboards), Eric Bolivar, Yayo Morales and Michael Jerome (Drums), Carl Sealove (bass), Wally Ingram (Djembe), Shaunte Palmer (trombone), Jordan Katz (trumpet), and David Ralicke (sax), and released on Six Degrees Records.
Jam warriors Dagnasterpus drop some deep funk and a ton of old school memories on their new song and lyric video “Looking Back.” Award-winning composer, vocalist, Tree Adams spins rhymes about his early days coming up in New York City over a smooth and funky pocket that features New Orleans funk hero Cyril Neville on background vocals and percussion. The song has a righteous 70s soul feel to it that’s anchored by tight clavinet, bass, and rhythm guitar parts that lock into each other like a seamless whole.
Adams’ lyrics talk about the ups and downs of his NYC life, all the messes he made, and the regrets he doesn’t have. His words also pop out of the track’s lyric video in sharp detail. Dagnasterpus’ sax player David Ralicke directed the clip and elevated the impact of this swinging tune to another dimension. Fans of music that’s both smart and kinetic will find a lot to like here. Let “Looking Back In Time” wash over you and you’ll remember 100 days you wish you could relive.
Tree Admans, former frontman of the New York City jam band, The Hatters, is known for his award-winning working scoring film and TV projects such as The 100, Californication, Belushi, Legends, and NCIS: New Orleans, as well as producing songs for Grammy Award-winning artists like New Orleans legend, Cyril Neville and Taj Mahal.
Watch “Looking Back”
“Looking Back is a song about reminiscing,” according to Adams. “It’s a love letter to the good times and bad I had growing up. Ralicke chose to feature the song in the context of space to convey the alienation that we find ourselves in today… and it’s always fun to jam in outer space!”
Tree Adams’ lyrics are imaginative and evocative with a hint of New Orleans imagery that evokes merriment and mirth. The band’s namesake represents a benevolent, mythical creature part Poseidon, part Octopus and part Buddah. Recorded in Los Angeles and New Orleans, the record showcases an all-star lineup of featured players from New Orleans and Los Angeles like Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers, The Meters), Joe Ashlar (Dr John, Stanton Moore Trio), Eric Bolivar (Anders Osborne, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe), Wally Ingram (Sheryl Crow, Bob Weir), Carl Sealove (Bob Dylan, Glen Campbell), Shaunte Palmer – (Steel Pulse, Earth Wind and Fire), David Ralicke (Beck, Lucinda Williams), Jordan Katz (DeLa Soul, Ghost Face Killah), Yayo Morales (Azar Lawrence) and Ethan Phillips (Fitz and The Tantrums, Orgone). The album was produced by Adams with recording engineer James Brack, mixing engineer Jack Miele and mastered by Joe Causey.
Dagnasterpus’ album is available on all major streaming platforms order link here
On September 21st, Dagnasterpus will open for New Orleans funk powerhouse Dumpstaphunk at Teragram Ballroom. For info and tickets see here
Dagnasterpus online
Very nice!
You know I log the funk. Gonna have to check the whole album out!
Love Dagnasterpus!! Finally a video of one of my favorite songs! Very cool. Thanks Martine!