Yet another “discovery” from Loveland, Ohio’s retro-forward Colemine label, Okonski features three members of Bloomington, Ind., soul/R&B revivalists Durand Jones & The Indications. Pianist Steve Okonski, drummer Aaron Frazer and bassist Michael Montgomery have recalibrated as a streetwise jazz trio. Their latest instrumental single wouldn’t sound out of place on a ’90s underground hip-hop compilation.
“It comes from the first sessions we ever had together,” says Okonski. “Much more soul focused than meditative listening, it’s a refreshingly focused take on a very drum-forward track. The interplay between the three sections of the song makes this one of my favorite tracks we’ve done in this style.”
We’re proud to premiere Okonski’s “Easy.”
—Hobart Rowland
