Sometimes things are just meant to be. Being at the right place at the right time is a vastly underestimated concept. This notion certainly seems to ring true for the Nth Power who formed during a 2012 New Orleans Jazz Fest after-hours jam session.

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A few years later with 150+ shows under their belt, including appearances at Catskill Chill, WakarusaSummer Camp, Telluride Jazz Festival and the High Sierra Music Festival, the Nth Power are releasing their first full-length album, Abundance. Produced by Ira Schickman, who has also worked with talents like Chaka Khan, Kylie Minogue and N’Sync, and recorded at The Music Shed in New Orleans, the product is a soulful and healing record that offers plush instrumentation and strong storytelling.

Solid groundwork is set up on Abundance during the opening instrumental track. Featuring a solid groove from drummer Nikki Glaspie, delicate keys from Nigel Hall, a funky underlying bass line from Nate Edgar, wobbly rifts from guitar player Nick Cassarino, “Intro” is a great mood setter for a funky, R&B-laden, gospel record.

“Only Love” opens up with a groove similar to that of the “Intro” and gives way to the powerful and sultry vocals of Cassarino backed by Glaspie and 111th generation West African drummer Weedie Braimah. The song peaks with a convergence of great keyboard work by Smith and a crashing percussion section.

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“Walk On Water” is the first song with imagery in relation to water. Always a powerful message. The tune utilizes acoustic instrumentation and tells the tale of relationship struggles. One can’t but help but feel the pain in Cassarino’s vocals.

“Right Now” is a celebratory funk and jazz tune, but also has strokes of introspection and self-reflection. It hearkens the listener to embrace the present moment and not take life for granted.

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One of the most enjoyable things about Abundance is the songwritingSee, “Could It Be” and “Holy Rain.” Sure, there are great sections of controlled chaos and jamming, but this is a “Soul” record in that the Nth Power bared their souls to anyone who listens to this album, unabashedly and unapologetically. It’s quite commendable.

The album picks up with a retro 70’s like groove a la Earth, Wind & Fire on “Waiting.” Silky smooth guitar riffs are complemented with a classic funk bass line and relentless groove. On the other side of the spectrum, “Only You” slows things down and mellows things out. A definite “slow jam.”

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“Soul Survivor” is the wildcard of the album. It contains the most intense, frantic sections of the album and the most dynamics. After an insane shred session in the intro, the tune dissolves into a slow ethereal beat with Glaspie on vocals but then quickly gives back way to Cassarino’s devilish, driving rock. Braimah gets a shoutout for his incredible work on the bongos during this song. The energy is through the roof. “Soul Survivor” contains some of the most powerful lyrics on the album, too. Glaspie sings:

What I really want is to empower the people
Free the pains of yesterday and inspire the world
We can heal each other better if we first heal ourselves
There is God within you, let him move and flourish.

It’s through lyrics like this that you realize this album is just as much of a gospel album as it it is jazz or funk. There’s a great range of material and substance on Abundance.

Bookending the album with another instrumental, “After Call” is an exquisite cool down jam, what some may call “psychedlic gospel.” Call it what you will, the Nth Power delivers a savory treat in Abundance on their debut album. 

Stream Abundance in its entirety below. 

 
Catch The Nth Power at the inaugural Fool’s Paradise April 1-2, alongside Lettuce, GRiZ, Chris Robinson’s Soul Revue, Vulfpeck, and Goldfish, this is one destination festival that you won’t want to miss! Tickets are on sale now and available here.