“Underneath,” the debut recording album of David Vincent Mills’ band, DiVoM, delivers a powerful, multi-dimensional musical journey that immediately knocks the breath out of you. Then, just as suddenly and gently, it swoops beneath and transports the listener back in time with its infectious spirit of celebration and joie de vivre. “Junk,” as the style is affectionately referred to by Mills, is a fusion of jazz and funk – but this is anything but the traditional definition of that word. Joining Mills on this project are veteran musicians, bassist Baba Elefante and drummer Craig Bunch. This polished ensemble delivers a smooth, nuanced layering of each piece. It’s virtually impossible to pick a favorite track as each has its own flavor. Would you limit yourself to just one flavor of decadent ice cream or sample them all…again and again?
The overall sound of the
album is perfect for wine drinking, philosophizing over coffee, or shaking off
the blues. The tracks are varied from
upbeat tempos that get you moving to more soulful, introspective, nostalgic
pieces that evoke memories or daydreams of days gone by. There’s al little bit for everyone. If you think you don’t like jazz, you’ve likely
never heard this stuff. It just might
have you looking around for speakeasies and F.Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Many of the tracks are reminiscent of the
sophistication and roaring spirit of the 1920s, an old Ringling Brothers
carnival vibe, along with a few contemporary twists in places that evoke a
Cirque du Soliel groove, as best demonstrated on the rollicking “Mazel Bop.”
Opening track, “Stomp” had
me searching for my top hat, cane and tap shoes. “Bumpin’” and “Jabberwookiee” found me sashaying
and shimmying across the living room floor, clapping my hands and snapping my
fingers like the of coolest of the ‘60s cats.
“Absinthe” delivers a funky up beat, while Mills’ melodic harmonica on
“Rosalyn’s Café” speaks directly to the soul before kicking into an almost
dizzying jubilation. “Answer 42,”
sultry and pensive, inspires the listener to wonder if the Universal answer is,
in fact, contained in the shower of stars that can be heard in the delicate tinkling
of piano keys. “T.O.E” and “Off the
Cuff” offer sophistication, paired perfectly with a nice Bordeaux. “Mr. Purple” hints at both dark and light, alternating
between a mysterious and dangerous Pink
Panther vibe and an almost frenzied up tempo crescendo. The album culminates in the dreamy title
track, “Underneath,” and gently drifts up and away.
What results is an overall
feel good experience that will tempt even the most morose and melancholy out of
their chairs and onto the dance floor, or at the very least, across their
living room or kitchen floors. This upbeat
collection unfolds more deeply with each listen. Likely the best anti-depressant this side of
Prozac, it delivers a mood lift without all the side-effects. Once “Underneath” gets under your skin, good
luck getting it out. I’ve had it on
repeat for a week….and I’m still dancing across the floor.
For more information, see www.divomtheband.com and follow the band
on Facebook www.facebook.com/divomtheband
Album is available for download and hard copy CD on:
Album is available for download and hard copy CD on:
Upcoming Shows:
MIA'S LOUNGE
~ Thursday, May 16, 9:30pm
26 S. San Francisco St. Flagstaff
OAK CREEK BREWERY ~ Friday, May 17, 7-11pm
2050 Yavapai Dr. Sedona
INDIAN GARDENS ~ Saturday, May 18, 3-5pm
3951 N. State Route 89A, Sedona (3 miles north of uptown)
MARTINI BAR ~ Saturday, May 18, 6:30-9:30
1350 W, Hwy 89A, Sedona
26 S. San Francisco St. Flagstaff
OAK CREEK BREWERY ~ Friday, May 17, 7-11pm
2050 Yavapai Dr. Sedona
INDIAN GARDENS ~ Saturday, May 18, 3-5pm
3951 N. State Route 89A, Sedona (3 miles north of uptown)
MARTINI BAR ~ Saturday, May 18, 6:30-9:30
1350 W, Hwy 89A, Sedona
All shows
featuring DiVoM's LA Contingency from the album, Baba Elefante
~ bass,
Craig Bunch ~ drums
