Casey Russell, keyboardist for the popular jam band The Magic Beans, has stepped into the spotlight with his debut solo album, “Patience,” penning a leter to old school soul music. The album sees Russell on keyboards and lead vocals, backed by a stellar ensemble featuring Shira Elias (Cool Cool Cool) and Kim Dawson on background vocals, Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce) on trumpet, and Nick Gerlach on tenor sax, among others.
Russell began writing the album during the pandemic lockdown, channeling energy typically reserved for live performances into crafting demos with fellow musicians. By late 2020, with eight songs in hand, Russell recorded the album in just two days at Color Red Studios with Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds. Employing Color Red’s analog Tascam-388 recorder, Russell embraced a vintage sound reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s, aligning his work with the modern soul revival popularized by acts like St. Paul & The Broken Bones and Leon Bridges.
“Patience is my love letter to old-school soul and R&B,” says Russell. “I wanted to step back in time to my favorite sounds, blending them with a touch of modern flair.”
The album’s standout tracks highlight Russell's passion for soul and funk. The title track, "Patience," exudes a breezy groove inspired by Young-Holt Unlimited’s "Soulful Strut," with memorable vocal harmonies by Elias and Dawson. The upbeat "Hit the Ground Running" pays homage to legends like Stevie Wonder and Sam & Dave, featuring a dynamic call-and-response chorus enriched by vocal contributions from Lyle Divinsky and horns arranged by Parris Fleming.
“Let’s Get It” showcases a funkier side, drawing influence from Prince and Allen Toussaint. With punchy horn lines, tight rhythm, and a standout instrumental breakdown, the track is a bold anthem celebrating confidence. “This song features my favorite instrumental moment on the record,” Russell notes, praising the synergy between bassist Dan Africano and drummer Jeff Franca.
The album also includes two covers that Russell makes his own. His rendition of Ernie K. Doe’s “Backstreet Lover” breathes new life into the New Orleans classic, while a funky take on “Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox” blends influences from Jerry Garcia and Roy Rogers & Norton Buffalo, rounded out by Bloom’s horn arrangements and Elias’s soaring vocals.
Format Info
Vinyl, and Digital Download, Also available on Streamings Services.
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