UniversalDice returns with “Struggle and Peace, Half 1” on what can be their sixth album launch, coming in 2026, and since I obtained an opportunity to preview the monitor and watch the video clip, I haven’t been capable of cease taking part in it. This music runs within the background and performs in addition to on headphones, so you’ll be able to go about your day and revel in what it supplies, regardless that it touches on the pains of struggle, it additionally touches on peace and supplies a soothing impact.
The band consists of bass participant, Ed Canova, with a visitor look by Fred Rieter, of the New York Jazz Ska Ensemble, and that includes band chief Gerry Dantone on vocals and all different devices + mixing and producing. However it is a UniversalDice music like no different, regardless that it doesn’t take them past recognition within the course of. For those who’re not within the learn about them, “Struggle and Peace, Half 1” is nearly as good a spot to begin as any, however you’ll instantly discover the distinction with this lengthy operating single containing glorious saxophone work by Reiter, as he takes a large solo permitting the story to breath with melody and a sure class.
Dantone is just not solely a musician and band chief, but additionally a gifted songwriter and political philosophical author and activist incorporating it into his music, which makes for a really distinctive sound all their very own which no one else is doing prefer it, and this needs to be identified earlier than moving into UniversalDice, and that’s the place the enjoyable begins. If not realizing the place they’re coming from, their newest launch in 2024, Misfit Memoirs LP, comes extremely really useful, however additionally, you will discover “Struggle and Peace, Half 1” to vary from their norm, with out dropping their signature groove over it.
The musical backing and lyrics dominate the primary half of “Struggle and Peace, Half 1” with the sax solo taking on and sending it into the stratosphere, as soon as the work of Rieter takes over, in case you’re not hooked, you’re not paying consideration. The music is superior indubitably, however the sax solo does all of the enterprise one can to convey it excessive, and hats needs to be tipped to this unbelievable solo. It wins on all counts, because it is available in time to seize your full consideration.
Extra historical past on UniversalDice is so as when you hear “Struggle and Peace, Half 1” and it’s definitely worth the analysis as a result of Dantone write some extraordinarily eye-opening stuff for the fashionable music age, with direct socio-political theme that make you suppose, surprise, and even filled with phrases to contemplate performing on. This inspiration stage isn’t going round sufficient, and UniversalDice present a effectively’s price on the topic’s individuals are every part from uncomfortable to completely devoid of in these chaotic instances, and “Struggle and Peace, Half 1” may not play as anticipated by followers of UniversalDice, however comes as a very good shock. Don’t miss this compelling single, hear the gorgeous sax solo, and take a look at the accompanying video clip.
Mindy McCall
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