(March 12, 2021) Countless musicians quarantined through the Covid-19 pandemic by turning their homes into their recording studio, where they found solace in performing. And the longer the quarantine, the urgency of preserving their artistic drive grew stronger. For Lilan Kane, it was the adoration of vibraphonist Roy Ayers that turned into a productive therapeutic outlet. The Oakland-based singer/songwriter’s career has been quite fruitful since graduating from The Berklee School of Music, opening for Trombone Shorty and Sharon Jones. Besides her two solo projects, Wonder and Love, Myself, Kane utilizes her extraordinary talents fronting a jump blues/swing band Hella Fitzgerald and guesting with the multi-genre Jazz Mafia’s Cosa Nostra Strings.
Now in her introduction to SoulTracks, Kane is spotlighted on her latest solo single, “TKMO(Time Keeps Moving On)” (Market Street Records). The aura of Ayers fills the atmosphere for “TKMO,” with Kane’s striking lead and backing voices layering over the soul/jazz/funk arrangement. While there is an intense storyline focusing on emotions centered on quarantining, the soundtrack provides a relaxing blend of Mike Blankenship’s keys, bluesy wah-wah guitar by Julian Hoover and Chase Jackson’s vibraphone flourishes. And every immaculate detail in making “TKMO” happen was guided by Kane in her debut production turn. At a time of a lengthy lockdown, Kane’s artistic spirit appears to have soared even further. Check it out.
By Peggy Oliver
Lilan Kane – “TKMO (Time Keeps Moving On)”