SunSquabi moves beyond jam band in ‘Odyssey’ [EP Review]

by: Lucy Davidson Apr 10, 2016

Colorado electro-funk jam band SunSquabi has been creating groovy productions since 2011, but after signing to GRiZ‘s label All Good Records at the beginning of 2016, the most recent four months has been perhaps the most exciting chapter yet in the group’s career.

SunSquabi released four tracks leading up to the release of Odyssey, their third EP and first project with All Good Records. According to the group, the EP’s title is indicative of its purpose: “each song represents a specific time or place or person that has shaped the band not only musically but as individuals.”

The band embraced their Boulder roots on collaborations with some of the scene leaders in live electronic and electro-funk. “Tequila Mockingbird,” for instance, features Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic, while the EP’s title track brings in label boss GRiZ and his signature saxophone stylings. Several productions on Odyssey were written while the band worked with the GRiZ as he wrapped up his soulful 2015 album Say It Loud. Though SunSquabi is best known for their funk-inspired productions, Odyssey showcases the breadth of the band’s capabilities — glitch-hop and classic jazz elements are present alongside the more expected soul and live-sounding electronic influences.

“The recordings on the EP will portray all the elements of a live band plus digital and analog production. The drum recordings are the best we have ever done to date and we wanted to really showcase Butters (Chris Anderson) on the EP,” shared SunSquabi about the EP. “What you are going to see live is naturally going to reflect more energy than what is on the recording as we can improvise each set to the mood of the audience.”