The Void Union is a musical collective, whose core line-up consists of current and former members of Boston soul/ska heroes Westbound Train - Thad Merritt on bass, Jesse Hayes on drums, Rich Graiko on trumpet, Alex Stern on guitar, and Anant Pradhan on tenor and alto sax.
Both on and off stage, the Void Union invite other, like-minded musicians to join in - so it's no surprise that their sophomore full length "Higher Guns' includes appearances from King Django, Angelo Moore, Dave Hillyard, and Obi Fenrnandez just to name a few. This album has two distinct faces - Side 1 showcases the VOID UNION as a powerhouse instrumental Jamaican jazz collective, full of scorchin' ska and scratchy reggae that's independence-era Skatalites one minute, conscious 70s Tommy McCook & The Supersonics the next.
Side Two starts off with King Django and Obi Fenrnandez going head to head on "Aiming", Pressure Cooker's Craig Akira Fujita takes over on the rockers excursion "Rock The Function", the sultry vocals of Hayley Jane graces "Garden Of Eden" and Angelo "Dr Madd Vive" Moore of Fishbone slings prose on "Fly-A-Me-Away". And those are just the vocal guests...Dave Hillyard, Joey Lefitz, Ray Jacildo, and Josh Cohen contribute as well. If its sweet timeless Jamaican grooves you're looking for, the Void Union are for you. Their years of experience in the Jamaican music scene have earned your attention, their mission is to always keep the music/art the number one priority while keeping people on the dance floor all night long.
Tracklist
1. Revenge
2. Aiming
3. Fly-A-Me-Away
4. Garden Of Eden
5. In Like Flying
6. Tea Party Girl
7. Rock The Function
8. Don't Trust Her
9. Sad To Say
10. Tobacco
11. Judgement
12. Song For Lester
13. Higher Guns
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Anant Pradhan
Drums – Jesse Hayes
Electric Bass – Thaddeus Merritt
Electric Upright Bass – Thaddeus Merritt
Guitar – Alex Stern
Melodica – Rich Graiko
Organ – Alex Stern, Ray Jacildo (track B4)
Percussion – Anant Pradhan, Jesse Hayes, Joey Lefitz (track B2), Rich Graiko
Piano – Alex Stern
Saxophone – Josh Cohen (track B4)
Tenor Saxophone – Anant Pradhan, David Hillyard (track B4)
Trumpet – Rich Graiko
Vocals – Alex Stern (track B2), Angelo "Dr Madd Vibe" Moore (track B5), Craig Akira Fujita (track B3), Hayley Jane (track B4), Jeff "King Django" Baker (track B1), Obi Fernandez (track B1).
