FreeWorld

More Love

Swirldisc Records

FreeWorld is an independent, ever-evolving, Memphis-based musical ensemble that draws from influences as broad-based as Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Steely Dan, Chicago, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley and The Meters. Under one multicultural groove these brothers, have remained a consistently entertaining and informed voice on the Memphis music scene since the group’s inception in 1987. Imagine a band so joyously creative that for 37 years, dozens of its current and former members have perpetuated a magical Memphis musical tradition as a popular Beale Street house band, well-versed in multiple styles from rock and soul to blues, funk, jazz, gospel and reggae, and offering a spiritual union of Memphis, New Orleans, San Francisco and Jamaica. The album is recorded, mixed and mastered by Grammy Award nominated audio engineers Kevin Houston, Ari Morris, and Brad Blackwood. The album is produced by vocalist/bassist Richard Cushing, while all horn arrangements are from Peter Climie.

“More Love” is FreeWorld’s eighth album and showcases the band at this, their creative high point in musical breadth and originality. This new album is a dedicated tribute to it’s founding father saxophonist Dr. Herman Green.

Featured throughout the recording are the brilliant horn section of Alex Schuetrumpf, trumpet and flugelhorn; Frank Paladino, baritone saxophone, and Freedman Steorts, trombone. There is also a total of 29 background vocalists. The album was recorded in Memphis, January thru May, 2024.

On the lead-off track we get to hear the brilliant horn section, as Matt Tutor sings “so get the message, just catch the vibe, take the journey and enjoy the ride”. “Give Until You Live” possesses a New Orleans second-line beat “sometimes you’re sure you’ll win, sometimes you’re full of doubt, if you don’t go within’, then you will go without”, with a great vocal from Chris Stephenson, as Cedric Taylor hammers away on the Hammond B-3, and piano.

The title track “More Love” is sung by Jerome Chism and has a Memphis gospel sound “every time you get a chance, don’t leave it to happenstance, spread your Love to those around you, what’ll happen will astound you”. “Red Moon” is an eloquent instrumental featuring five of the six original members from 1987, and a tribute to its founding father Dr. Herman Green, with his spoken words bringing it to a solemn close.

“To Arise”, “it’s time for justice to arise, we’ve got to open up our eyes, and start listening to the wise”. “Rush Hour” is another heart pounding instrumental. “Heart On The Table” is a reggae influenced ode and bids for an open heart “lay your heart out on the table, seek the truth, stop chasing those fables”. The slow burning “11:11 On Beale” conjures the spirit and musical heritage of Beale Street with a narrative by “IQ” Sanders “we be Bobby “Blue” Bland’s moan, Aretha’s gospel home, we are home of the blues, birthplace of rock & roll”.

On the heartfelt “Life For Tomorrow” Cushing sings “so don’t live your life for tomorrow, live for today”. The magnificent horns soar again on the instrumental “Who Knew?”. “Nothin’ Wrong” is a funky bit of whimsy “In our world here we belong, we just dance and sing our songs, ain’t nothin’ wrong with bein’ strong”. On the closer, the jazzy instrumental “Color Trip” written by Cedric Taylor, it is suggested that you listen with your eyes closed and enjoy the coloration.

If that weren’t enough two bonus tracks follow, an alternate take on the title track, “More Love” featuring Walter White and Courtney Reid joining Chism on lead vocals; and the audio track from the bands award winning video “D-Up (Here’s To Diversity)” featuring soulful contributions from over three dozen Memphis legacy artists and talented newcomers. “Sink or swim, we’re all in tis together, and there’ll be times when it’s more than we can weather, with communication, respect, and harmony, here’s to Diversity”.

Keep your eyes and ears tuned to FreeWorld throughout 2024 and beyond as “More Love”, marks yet another proud milestone in the band’s musical odyssey.

Richard Ludmerer

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