(July 25, 2023) For decades, the San Francisco Bay Area has been the fertile hotbed for funk and soul. Sly & the Family Stone, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, Tower of Power, Frankie Beverly and Maze – among others – launched their careers from the Bay Area to great success.
Continuing that tradition are longtime funksters Con Brio, a seven-piece collective that fuses soul and funk with a pop edge that music lovers find infectious. Recently, Con Brio welcomed two new musicians – AJ McKinley (guitar, keyboards) and guest vocalist Viveca Hawkins – who bring fresh ingredients to the band’s upcoming fourth album, Scream At It (release date – October 2023).
“Whenever You Call,” the second single from the upcoming long player, is a cool midtempo groove with a neo-80’s pop vibe. Kicking off with keys and synths, Ms. Hawkins wastes no time jumping in with the first verse, “You got me where you want me, there’s nothing left to learn”. The layered synths and drum beats soon give way to Con Brio’s brilliant horn section of Marcus Stephens (saxophone) and Brendan Liu (trumpet), as the rhythm section – Benjamin Andrews (guitar), Jonathan Kirchner (bass), Andrew Laubacher (drums) – kicks “Whenever You Call” into higher gear. Hawkins makes the point to the paramour in the story that she’s there for them always – all they have to do is give the word.
This song is a co-write with Con Brio and Michael Deni (aka Geographer). Michael says of the track, “I had just moved to L.A. and was so sleep deprived going back and forth while I got everything in order, and on one of those trips, I showed up to the Con Brio rehearsal space, met everybody, and pretty immediately just started playing the intro chords. I usually write alone or with just one other person in the room, and not usually with a full band of straight shredders. We already had a great tune and then Marcus pulled out that chorus riff on the saxophone and I lost my mind. I’m so proud of the tune, and I love the recording, they really made it come alive. It’s a great joy to be able to be a part of something that is outside of Geographer’s wheelhouse but still very much represents my love of music.“
The single makes its World Premiere here on SoulTracks with all the liveliness and flavor that best defines Con Brio. Take a listen and enjoy.
By Kevin Goins
World Premiere
Con Brio – “Whenever You Call”
