Vernon Reid’s Most Personal Album Yet: “Hoodoo Telemetry”

Описание: Guitar legend Vernon Reid joins André Cholmondeley to talk about his new album Hoodoo Telemetry — a sprawling, emotional, and deeply personal work that bridges decades of musical exploration. Reid opens up about the project’s origins, including the loss of his friend and collaborator Greg Tate, his connection to Burnt Sugar, The Arkestra Chamber, and the influence of conduction and guided improvisation.

He shares stories behind tracks like “Politician,” a tribute to Jack Bruce; “My Little Zulu Babe,” a reimagining of a 1904 Bert Williams and George Walker piece using modern AI technology; and collaborations with artists like DJ Logic, Doug Wimbish, and Micah Gaugh.

The conversation spans the full range of Reid’s career — from Living Colour and Yohimbe Brothers to his experimental solo work — while reflecting on music history, technology, and the timeless intersection of art and identity.

🎧 Listen to Hoodoo Telemetry: https://vernonreid.bandcamp.com/album...

00:00 – “Freedom Jazz Dance”
01:17 – Vernon introduces Hoodoo Telemetry and how it came together
02:30 – Reclaiming old material and creating new context outside Living Colour
03:50 – The emotional impact of Greg Tate’s passing and how it shaped the record
05:50 – The influence of Burnt Sugar and the art of conduction
08:30 – Dedication of the album to Greg Tate
09:30 – André and Vernon discuss Greg Tate’s legacy and writing
10:00 – Vernon on the Mascot label, Favored Nations, and the lineage from Mistaken Identity
12:45 – Longtime collaborators: Leon Gruenbaum, Steve Jenkins, Don McKenzie, and others
14:18 – Revisiting old friends and contributors like DJ Logic and Doug Wimbish
14:29 — “Meditation on the last time I saw Arthur Rhames”
16:00 – The story behind “Good Afternoon Everyone” and working with Nyronic
18:10 – Layers of meaning and subtle statements throughout the record
18:30 – “Politician” and paying tribute to Jack Bruce
22:00 – Reflecting on musical heroes, Living Colour’s origins, and the lost NYC music world
24:40 – André notes the wide range of influences across the album
25:00 – The rediscovery of “My Little Zulu Babe” (1904) and its recontextualization
24:54 — “My Little Zulu Babe”
29:30 – Using AI to isolate century-old vocals for modern reinterpretation
31:30 – Adding banjo and reconnecting the instrument’s African roots
32:00 – “Micah Gaugh” and tributes to Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry
34:30 – Aldous Huxley, prophetic warnings, and Hoodoo Telemetry’s deeper themes
35:30 – Closing reflections on the record’s many layers and influences
35:39 — “Or Knot”

-----

Join Club Weird for exclusive access to members-only content:
   / @makeweirdmusic  

Make Weird Music exists to encourage musicians and music enthusiasts to expand their creative horizons through interviews, educational content, and sharing of artistic music. If that resonates with you, then check out our website: http://makeweirdmusic.com/

Please consider donating to the cause by liking/following/subscribing and submitting content, ideas, money, buying a t-shirt, or even hooking us up with some weird musician contacts! http://makeweirdmusic.com/shop

We're on all the social medias:
  / makeweirdmusic  
  / makeweirdmusic  
  / makeweirdmusic