The CD itself is a very cute vinyl-style black with circular label and a lyrics booklet is included!
Includes unlimited streaming of LOVE OR FREEDOM - songs around the world
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about
I got introduced to the music of Italian down-tempo composer Gold Lounge (aka Michael Effe) via the medium of Groove Salad, which has been a favourite Internet radio station for many years (check it out - and don't forget to send them a donation if you dig it, they are independent and listener supported, just like Unowned Artist). One track of his, Aegean Summer, gets played on there a lot and I ended up writing and recording an unauthorized top line and lyrics over it, "New Friend" which I put on my promo EP CD "If it's not popular can it still POP!", available for streaming on this site. It managed to reach Gold Lounge's ears and to my delight, instead of telling me to take it down, he proposed we write a track together. "Golden State" is the result of that collaboration; done entirely in the cybersphere as we have still never actually met in person! I recorded the vocals in sections and sent Michele a mountain of takes to choose from, and which he then put together for the final version.
I love the relaxed Rhodes playing, the foundation groove, and the beautiful clear production overall. Lyrically, it is kind of like a nostalgic love letter to California, (the "Golden State") seen in its best light. At the same time, it has a bittersweet end of summer/ end of the party vibe:
"Our state is only golden / for a moment of grace / just like the sun on the horizon / just before it melts into the waves".
It's a perfect set-ender and I'd love to see it get traction as a final song o the night club regular. I can also imagine playing it live at the end of some tremendous all-night beach party somewhere beautiful, just as the sun is triumphantly re-emerging and hope I get to experience that someday. Then again, it could work really well in a film or teleplay, accompanying a nostalgic flashback sequence...
So, anyone wanting to try a remix, or interested in this track for licensing/synchronization, or for single release, or should you be a DJ a-wishin to spin it, whether on air, net or dance floor, please get in touch so we can work with you to get this song out there.
lyrics
Golden State
and our state is only golden for a moment of grace
like the sun on the horizon just before it melts....into the waves
cruisin’ around with the top down, won’t stop for captain bringdown
palm trees swayin’ in the breeze
takin’ the long way around town
no wrong way when you’re just runnin’ around
no expectations, free of guarantees
in a golden state...a golden state
and our state is only golden for a moment of grace
like the sun on the horizon just before it melts....into the waves
takin’ a moment to kick back, reflect, no rush
relaxing sound of soothing melodies
takes me away from the mad crowd
seat back, bass up, crank it up real loud
gimme summa dat smooth groove salad please
in a golden state...a golden state
and our state is only golden for a moment of grace...
credits
from LOVE OR FREEDOM - songs around the world,
track released July 8, 2015
Michaele Effe (Gold Lounge), keyboards, synths, production. Milano, Italy
Diana, vocal recording
Post-production and mastering, Kai Schlünz, Katapult Tonstudio, Karlsruhe, Germany
2014
After being discovered by Bobby McFerrin as a young vocal improviser in San Francisco, I spent some years writing and
performing with ensembles that remain important in the history of Bay Area arts, then did time tangling with the music biz in LA & NYC, followed by a decade in Europe, recording all the while, before coming "home" to NOLA. This is a partial musical record of that journey....more
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