Over the past 30 years, The Greyboy Allstars have built a lasting legacy by constantly evolving their sound, blending genres, and pushing the boundaries of what West Coast boogaloo can be. With the release of Grab Bag: 2007–2023, due out November 22nd, the band once again demonstrates its ability to innovate, showcasing a collection of previously unreleased material that captures the quintet’s adventurous side. While the album’s title may evoke the idea of randomness, the nine tracks on Grab Bag are anything but. Each song fits seamlessly into the band’s ever-evolving narrative, highlighting their knack for sonic exploration and fearless experimentation.
Born out of San Diego’s underground scene as the “Allstars” of DJ Greyboy’s rare groove label, The Greyboy Allstars quickly became a force in the modern music landscape. As individual musicians, the members of GBA have carved out impressive careers of their own. Guitarist Elgin Park (Michael Andrews) has become a well-known composer, scoring everything from Donnie Darko to the animated Pharrell Williams documentary Piece by Piece. Keyboardist Robert Walter has toured with legends like Roger Waters and Mike Gordon, all while leading his own band, 20th Congress. Saxophonist Karl Denson splits his time between his project, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and playing sax for The Rolling Stones. Meanwhile, bassist Chris Stillwell and drummer Aaron Redfield have made their mark as go-to session players, working with the likes of Elton John, Sia, and CeeLo Green.
Despite their packed individual schedules, the band remains committed to its collective sound. When sessions for the group’s next album were put on hold due to tour commitments, the band decided to dig into its vault of unreleased material. Many of the tracks on Grab Bag had been staples of GBA’s live shows but had never made it onto previous albums, either because they were too experimental or simply didn’t fit the vibe of earlier projects. Now, these songs are finally seeing the light of day, giving fans a deeper look into the band’s more daring sonic landscapes.
The album kicks off with “Slip the Grip”, a high-energy track that exemplifies the magic of GBA’s live shows. From there, the band dives into “Watch Out Gail”, another fiery number, and “Speed Freak”, which lives up to its name with frantic, synchronized grooves. “Boxes” showcases Walter’s jazz-infused compositions, while tracks like “San Diegogo”, “LLL”, and “Suadela” reveal a smoother, more relaxed side of the band. The album also includes a playful instrumental cover of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel”, and closes with “Pixie Stick”, a slinky, funky tune that caps off the collection on a sweet note.
This latest release reinforces GBA’s reputation as one of the most inventive boogaloo bands of the past three decades, continuing to reimagine the rare grooves that first inspired the group’s formation. In the words of Robert Walter, the band’s longevity stems from their shared love for “improvisation, rhythmic playfulness, and the beauty of ensemble playing.”
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Elgin Park agrees, adding that The Greyboy Allstars’ desire to break boundaries while staying true to their foundations is at the heart of the band’s creative process. “We’re always trying to move outside the basic parameters of the soul-jazz construct, but we know those ingredients will remain,” Park said. “It’s about having fun, experimenting, and seeing where the music takes us.”
The Greyboy Allstars will return to the road in November for a run of tour dates in Colorado and California, offering fans a now-rare opportunity to catch the band in its live element. They will be in Oakland, CA on the night the album drops, before continuing on to San Francisco (11/23) and rounding out the run with two nights at Belly Up in Solana Beach (11/29–11/30). The band also has a gig in February at The Lodge Room in Los Angeles. Tickets for all shows are on sale now. Visit the band’s website for more details and pre-order Grab Bag here. Check out the singles below.
The Greyboy Allstars — “Slip The Grip”
The Greyboy Allstars — “Suadela”
The Greyboy Allstars Tour Dates:
Nov 8, 2024 – Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
Nov 9, 2024 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
Nov 21, 2024 – Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley
Nov 22, 2024 – Oakland, CA – The New Parish
Nov 23, 2024 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
Nov 29, 2024 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up
Nov 30, 2024 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up
Feb 7, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
The post Boogaloo Legends The Greyboy Allstars Announce ‘Grab Bag: 2007–2023’ Release Ahead Of November Tour [Listen] appeared first on L4LM.
