‘Saturday Sessions’ proves to be an instantly captivating live EP from The All’s Eye. The combination of Ari Joshua on guitar, Ben Atkind on drums, and Kris Yunker on organ delivers a unique raw and alive musical experience in these two tracks, which stands out as unusual in current times. Captured live at Barbershop Studios under the direction of Emmy Award winner Matt Rifino, the release strips things down to the essentials as the band performed each track in a single take with few overdubs while displaying an effortless chemistry that required no additional refinement. Rifino’s ‘Saturday Sessions’ series includes this project which features a multi-angle video experience that makes you feel present with the band. You feel the air move. The recording lets you hear each finger’s contact with the string and every keyboard pulse while capturing every snare drum snap.
A deeply personal warmth opens the project with “Gramama”. The spiritual essence of the song takes shape through Ari Joshua’s smooth guitar playing which moves above a gospel-driven rhythm dedicated to his Granny Queenie. A richly grounded groove emerges from Kris Yunker’s organ which beats like a heartbeat while Ben Atkind maintains a soulful train-beat rhythm. The trio performs without any studio effects or production tricks to create their sound which emerges simply from three experienced musicians playing together. “Say What You Wanna Say” transitions the atmosphere into a blend of jazz-infused psych-rock elements. The trio reinvents a song originally intended for another project. The song plays with a free spirit that ignites passion while embracing boldness to challenge listeners to express their true thoughts. The musicians perform with bold improvisation that maintains order and returns to the rhythmic foundation.
Matt Rifino handled recording, mixing, and mastering the session while his distinct touch shaped the rich analog sound that provides both tracks with a natural and nearly tactile texture. The music package received an additional personal element from Ari Joshua who executed the artwork. The group performed at Umbra in Brooklyn on April 11 and Park City Music Hall in Bridgeport on April 12. But they’re far from done. Ari will release more tracks with renowned artists such as John Medeski and Billy Martin while Atkind performs alongside Elephant Proof and DJ Logic and Yunker plays with Bearly Dead making these musicians highly visible.
To support this release, the band is playing two special shows:
- April 11 at Umbra in Brooklyn, NY with Blahsum
- April 12 at Park City Music Hall in Bridgeport, CT with Kung Fu
Between the three band members, there are 18 shows scheduled this April, showing just how active and in-demand these musicians are:
The All’s Eye
- 4.11 – Umbra – Brooklyn, NY w/ Blahsum
- 4.12 – Park City Music Hall – Bridgeport, CT w/ Kung Fu
Ari Joshua Band (Phish After-Parties)
- 4.18 – Queen Anne Beer Hall – Seattle, WA
- 4.19 – Queen Anne Beer Hall – Seattle, WA
Ben Atkind
- 4.15 – HiFi – Indianapolis, IN
- 4.16 – Barrelhouse Ballroom – Chattanooga, TN
- 4.17 – Asheville Music Hall – Asheville, NC
- 4.18 – Jefferson Theater – Charlottesville, VA
- 4.20 – The Cut Live – Gloucester, MA (w/ DJ Logic and Friends, Phillyglove, N8 Bass, Ray Paczkowski)
- 4.26 – Flying Monkey – Plymouth, NH (w/ Club d’Elf)
Kris Yunker (with Bearly Dead)
- 4.4 – Lark Hall – Albany, NY 4.5 – [Venue not specified] – Boston, MA
- 4.19 – Valley Craft Ales – Wilmington, VT
- 4.20 – Colony – Woodstock, NY 4.25 – BNH Stage – Concord, NH
- 4.26 – Vinegar Hill Theatre – Arundel, ME
- 4.30 – Main Line Brewery – Richmond, VA
Looking ahead, Ari Joshua is set to release new collaborations with John Medeski and Billy Martin later this Spring. Meanwhile, Ben Atkind continues to perform with Elephant Proof and DJ Logic, and Kris Yunker keeps the energy flowing with the nationally acclaimed Bearly Dead. All three members were formerly part of the jam rock sensation GOOSE. These songs deliver a strong sense of energy. The band does not make any attempt to impress with showy performances. They just play—and they mean it.
Personnel:
- Guitar – Ari Joshua
- Drums – Ben Atkind
- Organ/Keys – Kris Yunker
- Producer, Mixing, and Mastering – Matt Rifino
- Recorded at – Barbershop Studios
- Artwork – Ari Joshua
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