BLUE NUMBER NINE: Living It Up In The New World

blue number nine

Living It Up In The New World

© 2005 check other music (783707108209)

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Variety - from R&B to funk to jazzy rock to quirky pop to an 8 minute crazy fast jam

tracks

1 Don't Let Them
2 Love the Beat
3 When I Wake Up
4 Dig My Hands
5 The Lucky Ones
6 Dance Dance Dance
7 Gimme More Time
8 Castles
9 Never Felt That Way
10 Turnpikes & Parkways
11 The Grass Is Always Greener
12 I'm In Debt

notes

“blue number nine's music is simultaneously fresh and retro; it's a brilliant blend that's fun and funky. Great horns, killer grooves, and lots of style.” – M. Hill, Tonight on the Radio.

Like their last CD, the band’s fourth release was created in the group’s newly refurbished “Concussion Studios”. After revamping the studio, bandleader Stefanie Seskin, first produced another band (BELT) on her “check other records” label, with bn9’s Marco Accattatis and Jack Gourdine as studio musicians. Upon its completion, Seskin began producing bn9’s project, with BELT’s vocalists singing some backups. Always resourceful, Seskin also created the artwork, with input from close friends.

With dynamic horn arrangements, the powerful first track “Don’t Let Them”, written by Seskin and Accattatis, inspires the listener to speak his or her own mind. “Love the Beat” is a funky uptempo dance tune that builds in intensity and leaves the listener unable to sit still. “When I Wake Up” is a sweet soulful number with interesting horn arrangements by Accattatis. The last song on the CD, “I’m in Debt”, inspired primarily by Seskin’s student loan debt (she has an MA in Media Studies from New School University), is over 8 minutes long. Seskin originally wanted to fade the song out, but the musicians, especially the horn players, put so much energy and excitement into the extended jam (done in one take) that she decided to leave it up to the listener whether to let it roll or to hit “stop".

reviews

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  • blue number nine never lose the thread
    author: Editor - CNET

    Keeping a nonet tight is always an exercise in organization. When its members have backgrounds ranging from Motown to Latin jazz, it seems that chaos is inevitable. But blue number nine never lose the thread, tying jammy combo interplay to smooth, soul-based lead vocals.

  • Editor's Pick
    author: J-sin - Smother.net

    Blue Number Nine, a funky band that carefully blends a slew of influences ranging from ‘70s funk, Motown, Latin jazz, and R&B, is here to live it up. The vocalist Stefanie Seskin is truly great with a dynamic weaving of melody... If you’re looking for great funk and perfect groove, look no farther.

  • The songs are fresh and contemporary yet have a cool retro vibe.
    author: Laura Turner - Kweevak.com

    Stefanie Seskin and Marco Accattatis are the driving forces behind the inventive Blue Number Nine. The two produced Living It Up In The New World, guiding an impressive troupe of musicians. The CD features beguiling bass lines flowing under a diverse range of instruments including an animated horn section. The music melds funky-soul with jazz, pop, R&B and rock. The songs are fresh and contemporary yet have a cool retro vibe. All twelve-tracks are innovative and insightful with multi-layered parts. Stefanie is a strong singer and her leads harmonize well with the other vocalists. The CD opens with 'Don't Let Them' with its funky bass lines, vibrant instrumentation and catchy hooks, followed by the up-tempo, jazzy 'Love The Beat'. The album also finishes strong with 'I'm In Debt' an astute song about financial obligations enhanced with animated horns and an extended jam clocking in at over eight minutes. These two songs book end a solid collection of colorful songs. Live it up and pick yourself up a copy of Blue Number Nine's latest release!

  • blue number nine offer an enthusiastic celebration of R&B
    author: Alex Henderson - All Music Guide

    Soul music didn't totally evaporate after the '70s, but you have to know where to find it. One option is the neo-soul of '90s and 2000s artists such as Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, D'Angelo, India Arie, and Mary J. Blige; those singers have combined their appreciation of classic '60s and '70s soul with urban contemporary and hip-hop elements -- an approach that critic Nelson George terms "retro-nuevo." But there are others who offer a faithful re-creation of classic pre-'80s R&B, and Living It Up in the New World -- like albums by the Brand New Heavies and the Boston-based SuperHoney -- is unapologetic in its devotion to '70s-style soul and funk. This 2005 release isn't neo-soul; under the direction of lead singer/founder Stefanie Seskin, Blue Number Nine offer an enthusiastic celebration of R&B as listeners knew it in the pre-urban contemporary era (with a few detours into pop/rock territory). And the influences that have served Seskin well on previous BNN albums -- Rufus & Chaka Khan, the Average White Band, LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, among others -- continue to serve her well on infectious tracks like "Dig My Hands" and "Castles." Seskin takes a very hands-on approach; on top of singing lead and playing the flute, she co-produced Living It Up in the New World (with BNN bassist Marco Accattatis) and wrote or co-wrote all of the songs. Seskin is no innovator, but if this album is derivative, it is pleasingly derivative -- for those who are seriously into the soul and funk of the '70s, it isn't hard to enjoy Seskin's celebration of that era. Anyone who has spent a lot of time savoring the retro-soul pleasures of the Brand New Heavies or SuperHoney is advised to give Living It Up in the New World a close listen.

  • Best blue number nine CD yet
    author: Michael

    I love this CD - it's the best blue number nine CD yet. Stefanie Seskin is a great songwriter. Marco Accattatis is an amazing, funky bass player. The harmonies are great, the horns are killer. The last song is hilarious! (the album cover looks much better in person than on this site for some reason.)

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