Co-produced by Brent Jackson and accomplished musical polymath Ben Fox, Sunshine Makers’ self-titled album seamlessly weaves threads of funk, soul, alt-rock, reggae, rap, and pure, unapologetic pop through its R&B framework, resulting in a universal tapestry of tastes, eras, and textures.
Alongside Jackson and Fox, keyboardist Jemuel Roberts (aka J3M) and saxophonist Dennis Passley (Arkells, Pocket Dwellers) handle most of the instrumentation. And then there’s the featured guestlist that’s as long as it is diverse.
There are contributions from members of international headliners like Tame Impala, BADBADNOTGOOD, and Yeasayer; acclaimed emcees including Shad, Odario, Nigel Williams, pHoenix Pagliacci, and Tea Fannie; the velvet-smooth voices of Carleigh Aikins, Tafari Anthony, and Kamilah Apong; and cred-oozing innovators like Aquakultre, Blunt Chunks, and Sinzere. And that’s – literally – just naming a few...
Ultimately, the album is seven years in the making – and it sounds that way in the best light possible, built on a foundation of tight musical fusion and foils. It’s communal but calculated, balancing electric and organic instrumentation. It boasts warm, enwrapping arrangements coated in a cool, crisp production – thanks largely to a pristine mix by Gus van Go (Metric, Arkells) and mastering by Dan Weston (Flo Rida, B.o.B.).
The self-titled debut LP from collaborative R&B collective Sunshine Makers doesn’t so much emanate from the speakers as it does seep and swirl out, winding, wrapping, and enveloping the listener in a warm, mesmeric aural embrace.
