Californisoul, the sophomore offering from blues rock juggernaut Supersonic Blues Machine, is slated for delivery on October 20th, via Mascot Label Group/Provogue. The follow-up to their well-received debut, West of Flushing, South of Frisco, Californisoul pulls no punches on what Bassist/Producer Fabrizio Grossi calls, “the missing soundtrack to a summertime drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 1971!”
Inviting in another galaxy of A-list, modern day blues stars, came naturally to the trio made up of Grossi, drummer Kenny Aronoff, and lead vocalist/guitar-slinger Lance Lopez. “Lots of people have been saying to me ‘why does Supersonic Blues Machine always bring guests around? You guys can stand your own ground’,” says Grossi. “There are three answers to that – first, we’re all super friends and we’re having a blast; second, most of them don’t give lessons and for us it’s the only way to learn their secret ‘ways’; and thirdly, because the inspiration and the challenge they bring to the table.”
One of the inspirational artists to return for a second round of recording with SBM is label mate, and guitar phenom, Eric Gales. Gales joins in on the song, “Elevate.” In a world where it’s easy to fall prey to habits, vices, and distractions, Gales has pulled himself back up to the highest point in his career to date.
“Elevate’ is a very special song in the context of this album,” Grossi told us. “Music wise it’s a mesh of Blues/Rock and Funk, with a very big Hendrix and Sly Stone influence, and all the elements of the two segments of the song, are the yin-yang of the SBM musical journey. Lyric wise, even though it might appear as a straight chastising of despicable people, with despicable attitudes and acts, it’s actually an invite to use what we see as negative to be the inspiration to boost all the good and positive in us, despite the outside interference. Hence the ending mantra ‘elevate my soul.’ Then there’s the Gales factor! Having one of the most ‘poetic’ and ‘blessed’ guitarists on the planet, to counter-point the song’s message, makes it absolutely a dream turned into reality. It’s the gospel of the Re-Birth, and I know brother Eric feels as strong about this as SBM does.”
