(October 30, 2021) L.A. based vocalist and songwriter Lisa Dietrich is a person who knows that inspiration can come from anywhere. And when she’s inspired, Dietrich allows creativity to take over and lead. A few years ago, inspiration came from hearing Natalie Cole’s “La Costa,” a track from the 1977 album Thankful. Dietrich, who had never heard the tune before, instantly fell in love with the song because it reminded her of the music made by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66, which happened to be a favorite of her father. Dietrich asked producer, musician and writer Tracy Carter to help her make a cover version of “La Costa” for her father.
Inspiration for “Set It Off Tonight,” Dietrich’s loving look back to the lush 1970s era funk infused disco, came from a night dancing at a club during a visit to New York City. The vibe was right, established by the classic soul and disco music played by the DJ that kept the dance floor filled. Memories from that fun filled night had Dietrich asking drummer, producer and writer Wanye Linsey (who played for the likes of Miles Davis and Aretha Franklin) to help craft the original “Set It Off Tonight,” a track that captures the sound of the kind of music that bands like Earth, Wind & Fire and Rufus or solo performers like Stevie or Michael would have done back in the day.
There’s a reason for that. Dietrich and Linsey recruited a topflight band that featured musicians who helped craft the soundtrack of our lives. The band included EW&F bassist Verdine White, keyboardist, guitarists Paul Jackson, Jr., SoulTracks favorite Marcus Machado, and Phillip Lasssiter, who has worked with the likes of Prince, and Kurt Franklin on the horns and Leddie Garcia, who has worked with Carlos Santana, among others on percussion.
This group really put it down and Dietrich uses “Set It Off Tonight” to take us back to a great era of music. Check out “Set It Off Tonight Here.”
By Howard Dukes
Lisa Dietrich – “Set It Off Tonight”
