Rose City Band Sol Y Sombra Vinyl

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Rose City Band Sol Y Sombra Vinyl

Rose City Bands music is sun-kissed timeless country rock whose seemingly effortless momentum carries the joy of its creation without ignoring the darkness pervading our consciousness. Led by guitarist/vocalist Ripley Johnson, the music of Rose City Band is rooted in his love of private press records of the mid to late 70s. The band, in addition to Johnson, features pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg and drummer John Jeffrey who enmesh a keen sense of rhythmic drive and melody with gentler, sumptuous atmospheres. Nuanced performances and interplay between players unfurl like desert flowers splashing color onto an arid landscape. The ensembles buoyant moments still glide with ease, but there is room to revel in respite of the shade of a dark cloud. Across the album, Johnsons tasteful guitar interjections and soothing voice are met in kind with the versatile playing of Walker, Hasenberg, and Jeffery, with special guest performances by synthesist/vocalist, Sanae Yamada. Album closer The Walls perfectly captures the bands explorative and expansive songs, Hasenbergs soulful organ driving the album to an emotionally cathartic conclusion. Throughout his prolific career with Wooden Shjips, Moon Duo and now Rose City Band, Johnsons music has consistently centered around exploration and discovery. Sol Y Sombra imbues his penchant for space and resplendent tonality with a denser amalgam of his influences through a delicate balance of the somber and the serene, of subtle evolutions and familiar sounds, Sol Y Sombra makes for a holistically joyous experience, finding solace in both sun and shade. A1. Lights on the Way A2. Open Roads A3. Rolling Gold A4. Evergreen A5. Sunlight Daze B1. Radio Song B2. Seeds of Light B3. La Mesa B4. Wheels B5. The Walls

• Throughout the album, Johnson's tasteful guitar interjections and soothing voice are met in style with the versatile playing of Walker, Hasenberg and Jeffery, with special guest appearances from synthesist/vocalist Sanae Yamada.