I have reviewed a lot of very versatile artists, but I think Raphael Groten just might be at the top of my list as the most versatile. His eighth album, Shine, is a collaborative project with his son, Oliver, called Leo & the Goat (Oliver is the Leo and Raphael is the Capricorn). The real surprise is that this is a funk and soul album that grew out of influences from as far back as the 1970s through more contemporary soul and hip-hop artists. The ten original tracks are a combination of five instrumental tracks and five vocals. Both fun and funky, the lyrics are poetic and meaningful - a delightful combination that is very different and completely original.

Quoting Raphael:
“We aim to carry the torch forward, with irresistible grooves, conscious lyrics and wholesome Vermont vibes!”

Since I review so much instrumental, piano-based music, Raphael wasn’t sure I’d be interested in this album, but having grown up in Oakland, CA, soul music was a very big part of my growing-up experience and my own record collection includes albums by James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, Sam & Dave, and many more. So yeah, I get it and love it!

Shine begins with “The Regulator,” a funky instrumental with strong bass, horns, sax, percussion, electric guitars, violin (Rebecca Kodis) and keyboards. I’ll bet you can’t sit still while listening to this one! The title track is a rap about slowing down and being more aware of what’s going on around us. “Ride” is another light-hearted and funky instrumental that makes it very hard to sit still while listening! I especially like the trombone in this one, which I’m pretty sure is one of the guys pretending to be a horn. “Diggin’ in the Garden” is a favorite and I love the lyrics. Here’s a short sample:

we’re diggin in the garden
diggin for the truth
a weedin and sowin
and a waterin too

sun and rain and wind and storm 
we carry on 
bless the morning dew and shade that keeps us cool

“Silver Linings” slows it down considerably for a soulful instrumental for guitars, percussion and sax that’s very suitable for a romantic slow dance! “Cornerstone” is a soulful song about how the cornerstone of unity is you and me. “Riff Raph,” a guitar-driven instrumental, will have you dancing in your chair - or at least bobbin’ your head and tappin’ your toes! “Puddin’” features background vocals by Rebecca Kodis and rap by Raphael about the pursuit of all the wrong things in modern life and how that has to change: “The puddin’ is the proof.” The funky “Play” is about walking the railroad tracks with guitar in hand, ready to sit down and play anywhere. The album closes with “Eastslide,” an uptempo instrumental with guitars, sax, percussion, bass and plenty of funk.

So, if you’re looking for something really different with inspiring lyrics, great instrumentals and an abundance of soul, here you go! Raphael has set up a page on his website with the lyrics so you won’t miss a word as well as more info about himself and Oliver. Don’t miss this one!

Shine is available from Bandcamp, Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as on many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Love it!