I was pleased to learn this week on Instagram that California-based band The BellRays had a new album due out in a matter of days. Today's the day as I write this that the latest in their collection, “Heavy Steady Go!” is out on all streaming services and Bandcamp.
I first learned of The BellRays through the Black Rock Coalition web site's A-Z list of bands and artists. When I first gave them a listen I discovered the soulful, Tina Turner-inspired vocals of Lisa Kekaula over a guitar-driven rock band powered by versatile co-founding guitarist Bob Vennum.
Early this morning I got up for my weight lifting routine in my basement and selected this brand new album on Apple Music. The raw, exciting energy of this 12-song album motivated me to power through my incline bench presses and tricep kickbacks. Lisa brings passion and urgency to straight-ahead rock tracks, a bluesy shuffle titled “Snakes,” a surf rock gem called “California” and even a surprising cover of “Ball of Confusion," a Temptations classic, delivered here as a guitar rock barn-burner.
- Stream on Spotify
- Stream on Apple Music
- Purchase on BandCamp (download or CD)
- Purchase on The BellRays' web site (download only)
Bassist Pablo Rodas and drummer Craig Waters round out the lineup delivering a potent rock sound worthy of your ears. If you like rock or soul, you will love this album.
In the aftermath of George Floyd's death at the hands of a police officer and our increased national focus on racial issues, I became more intentional to seek out Black artists to listen to. I turned to the Black Rock Coalition as a source of who to check out. I was aware that Living Colour, a favorite band of mine since my college years, was an advocate for the group. Though the style of rock I gravitated to since my teen years tends to favor white artists, its roots are undeniably from music played by Black blues, gospel and honky-tonk artists. It frustrates me when I learn an artist like Lenny Kravitz has trouble gaining traction for his great music because white establishments consider him “too black” and Black institutions consider him “too white”, because he's a Black artist playing a form of music that was invented in the Black community but evolved commercially for massive white audiences.
Artists like Lenny Kravitz, Living Colour and The BellRays absolutely belong in the rock world making the exceptional music they make. And I'm here for all of it!
This effort marks The BellRays' 13th full-length album since their founding in 1990. They're heading out on a North American tour this fall, including stops in New York City and New Jersey.