Crate Digging: Katerina Pishchik, Assistant Music Supervisor

Katerina Pishchik, assistant music supervisor at Colourbox Music, discusses her top two finds from Concord Label Group.

Expectations by Katie Pruitt

What initially caught my attention was the third track, "Expectations," which echoes the essence of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." The drums maintain classic hi-hats and interchanging kick and snare patterns, followed by a muted guitar that exudes warmth, a new take on "Dreams." It made me want to pick up a tambourine and go for it.

Katie Pruitt blends folk country, Americana-leaning, and indie rock to create something cozy, reminiscent of artists like Waxahatchee and Kacey Musgraves. Some tracks are powerful belters that I can imagine being fun to sing along to at one of her gigs. Reading more about what she envisioned for the debut, it's personal and introspective. The lyrics are honest and reflective, telling us more about her journey of self-discovery and navigating her identity as a queer woman.

The album opens with "Wishful Thinking," which is super tender and airy. I love the strings, this is one of the songs with a belter that would be so satisfying to sing live. It's followed by "Expectations," which is more upbeat and fun, making for a strong opening to the album. In "Grace Has a Gun," she addresses the challenges of her religious upbringing and the conflict between faith and identity, a powerful pop ballad. I enjoyed listening to "Loving Her" because, in comparison to the rest of the tracks, which are heartening yet retrospective, this track is on the lighter side. It is a sweet and joyful ode to her girlfriend.

This debut made me feel quite reflective. You can see how much heart and emotion went into these songs, especially what she was trying to get across. It balances well between pop ballads and folk. It's perfect for a Sunday midday boogie at home.

Black Rhythm Revolution! by Idris Muhammad

Hearing an album where drums take the lead and essentially form the melody is always a thrilling experience. As someone with a background in drumming, I have a special appreciation for this style, recalling hours spent practicing fills and shuffles. There's a unique groove when drums lead in jazz tracks, they almost tease the rest of the band. As the dominant timekeeper, the drums set the pace, and the band follows, creating an exciting dynamic where unpredictability reigns.

Many of the tracks on this album have an infectious momentum. The opening track is a great cover of "Express Yourself" by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, with trumpets taking on a key role, bouncing between the singing melody and the original take. This is followed by a funky cover of "Super Bad" by James Brown. The almost nine-minute soul-samba "By The Red Sea" and the lengthy, roaring "Wander" are great examples of Muhammad's unique style of drumming and leadership.

Instrumental covers of jazz and funk tracks often add a new tone to the instruments, traditionally characterised by vocals. Hearing these instrumental variations brings out so much character, primarily through the drumming, without overshadowing the other elements.

If you’d like to know more, or you’re keen to discover more of our repertoire, please contact: labelsyncuk@concord.com.