The 21st Century has just given birth to another genre of music. Yes, it is true that most of these new categories are combinations of pre-existing ones, but as long as the sound flips our stomachs and releases a different emotion we have yet to experience, then that catalyst deserves a title. So, say hello to the brand new music classification, groovy-pop. For those of us, who wished we could have been born in the true counterculture era, rather than the poser society we live in today, this genre shows that elements of the 60s and the 70s are not as long gone as we think. Who might the current king of groovy-pop be? Mr. Gabe Dixon is a top contender with his new album, “One Spark”, which dropped August 23rd via Fantasy/Concord Music Group. The genre was just born, so we’ll let the artists battle awhile for the throne, but we don’t see Dixon yielding to any of the possible competitors.
Dixon was not always a solo artist. He originally formed the group, The Gabe Dixon Band, in the late 90s, at the University of Miami. We can’t lie to you Shockya readers. We, too, are University of Miami alumni, but we will put our college loyalty very much aside for the review, right after we say this, Go Canes! The Gabe Dixon Band’s self-titled release in 2008, earned the trio some buzz. The track, “Find My Way”, which is off of the album, was featured as the main title theme for the film, “The Proposal”. Despite the album’s widespread critical acclaim, Dixon went solo in 2009 and will make his debut with, “One Spark”. Produced by Marshall Altman, “One Spark” displays Dixon’s charming vocals as well as his skills as a pianist.
“One Spark” opens with the spunky track, “Strike”. There is no better way to describe our reaction to the tempo of the track than with the word, happy. This emotion is one of the main reasons why we enjoy music of the 60s and 70s. The soulful beat, of these effortlessly “groovy” tracks, keeps our hearts bouncing from one beat to the next with our worries pushed aside. “Strike” follows just the same path. Just as the song’s tempo gradually gets cheerier as the chorus approaches, so does Dixon’s vocals. His intonation throughout the track allows us to connect with the lyrics of the tune and feel just as empowered as Dixon does when he sings, “Strike a match and light my heart up……So come on, strike up all my dreams.” Overall, “Strike” upholds our belief of why Dixon will continue to lead the groovy-pop pact. He harbors the qualities of the genre and expresses them in the catchiest of ways.
The “feel good” fluidity is afloat with other “One Spark” tracks, such as “My Favorite”, “Losing You” and “Running On Fumes”. Dixon is able to keep the pop flare from sounding repetitive amongst these tracks by varying the instrumental sounds and his singing styles. Let’s take the track, “Running On Fumes” to better illustrate our statement. “Running On Fumes” has a jazzier beat and Dixon makes this tempo even more noticeable by making his singing curter and the lyrics more sharply pronounced. His vocals persistently sound soulful throughout the entire album, but on “Running On Fumes”, the soul is taken to a deeper level by letting jazz and hints of bluegrass music substitute for pop.
Just as with 60s and 70s music, sometimes more somber tunes can cause us to put happiness aside and embrace a sullen feeling, but in a healthy means that doesn’t involve anger. Dixon exudes this passive approach with the beautifully sung tune, “Burn For You”. Our guess is that the track expresses the hearts need for a lover and that’s where the “burning” comes in. You can sense the yearning in his vocals. The emotion is channeled so emphatically within the tune that rather than feeling hatred towards the distress in the relationship, you walk way taken a bit aback, but with logic at hand. Once “Burn For You” ends, you feel that your emotions have been released, but through a soothing melody, not through yelling.
The therapeutic form of expression is also evident in the tracks, “Release Me” and “I Can See You Shine”. In our opinion, we know we have found true talent, when the artist is able to express similar emotions, but in different means. The battles of love are prevalent throughout “One Spark”, but Dixon gives you several rhythms to choose to connect with. The tune, “On A Day Just Like Today”, is more vocally and instrumentally relaxed like the tunes listed above, but through the potent piano chords and hopeful sound in Dixon’s vocals, the tune is ideal for when you are ready to move on from your troubles and no longer lament the pain. He has the vocal range and he has the instrumental range, but what allows him to triumph to the top of our groovy-pop chart is his emotional range.
To all you male ShockYa readers, tapping into your hearts, every once in a while, really can win over the females, not only on the album charts, but the love battlefield as well. Gabe Dixon, you are our new crush. XOXO.
by Lonnie Nemiroff
