Channeling some of the defining elements of ’80s dance music and the new wave phenomenon that dominated the era a la Peter Gabriel and Talking Heads, Brooklyn-based pop-rock and funk nonet Turkuaz are releasing an impressive new LP this October 2nd called Digitonium. The group’s second national LP release showcases the band’s deep playbook and versatility within the genre, dialing back the clock for a classic sounding funk record.

Not as “in your face” as 2014’s Future 86, the 24-track effort is a concept album at its core, hitting on themes of empowerment and self-actualization using imagery from the allegory of Plato’s cave and repeated phrases throughout the record, ultimately exploring a dystopian technological future with various characters based off the classic myth of Avalon. This album is really clever that way. There’s more than enough on this album to please any casual listener or the hardcore fan who wants to delve into the intellectual curiosities of Digitonium.

The album kicks off with the aptly titled “Introduction,” which relies on the pulsating synth groove and funk licks courtesy of Craig Brodhead and Dave Brandwein that make you think of Lakeside’s “Fantastic Voyage” or something out of the Parliament canon. Like much of the Turkuaz catalog, the songs off of Digitonium pay homage to their funk and disco forefathers like Sly & The Family Stone and Bohannon, yet remain fresh and vibrant, helping to spur on an exciting new era of funk.

Listen To ‘Give It To Me Baby’ From Dopapod and Turkuaz’s Studio 54 Set At Catskill Chill

And while there are plenty of funk tracks to please the late-night raging crews like the two part passage “Nightswimming”, “Percy Thrills The Moondog”, “Doktor Jazz”, “Lika” and the ferocious groove of “The Generator”, one of the most intriguing things about Digitonium is the album’s liquid like progression. Throughout the record there are several instrumental selections that leave it up to the listener’s imagination to where they want to be transported to. It’s lovely. It moves much like a score to a movie. See “The Cup Runneth Over”, “Fish Out Of Water”, “Back To Reality”, “Overture”, “Love Hurts”, “Bird Of Prey”, and “Calm Before The Storm”. One can only hope Turkuaz incorporates these compositions into their live shows.

Also of note on Digitonium is the prevalence of female vocalists Sammi Garett and Shira Elias. The duo shines through on the record and illuminate some of the softer nodes of the album alongside the funk-steady rhythm section of bassist Taylor Shell, drummer Michelangelo Carubba and Turkuaz’s energetic horn section comprised of Chris Brouwers, Greg Sanderson, Josh Schwartz. 

Watch Turkuaz Cover The Beatles On Their Fall Tour Opener

The notion of the whole being more than the sum of its parts has never been more true than when it comes to Turkuaz. The nine-piece army of musicians have produced a memorable odyssey in Digitonium that leads the listener though all kinds of sonic portals of funk that can’t be denied, only boogied down to. 

Don’t miss Turkuaz on their Fall Tour, including a big stop at the Ardmore Music Hall just outside of Philadelphia, PA this Friday! Tickets are available here.

Live For Live Music Presents: The Digitonium Fall Tour

09/29 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl**+
09/30 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*+
10/01 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club*
10/02 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall* 
10/08 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live 
10/09 – Joshua Tree, CA – Joshua Tree Festival
10/10 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theatre
10/11 – Albuquerque, NM – Marble Brewery
10/16 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre@
10/17 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom***
10/20 – Missoula, MT – Stage 112 
10/21 – Moscow, ID – John’s Alley Tavern***
10/22 – Boise, ID – The Reef***
10/24 – Placerville, CA – Hangtown Halloween Ball 
10/25 – Placerville, CA – Hangtown Halloween Ball
10/28 – Bend, OR – Domino Room***
10/29 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern***
10/30 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom***
10/31 – Eugene, OR – HiFi Music Hall***
11/04 – Fort Worth, TX – The Live Oak Music Hall 
11/05 – Austin, TX – Spider House Ballroom
11/06 – Houston, TX – Last Concert Cafe
11/07 – New Orleans, LA – The Parish at H.O.B. 
11/10 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco 
11/11 – Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5 
11/12 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House&
11/13 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Freebird Live&
11/14 – Boca Raton, FL – Funky Biscuit&
11/15 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar Live& 
11/18 – Charlotte, NC – The Rabbit Hole& 
11/19 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House& 
11/20 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry 
11/21 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage

* with Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band
** with Polyrhythmics
*** with The Quick & Easy Boys
@ with Chali 2na and The Funk Hunters
& with The Fritz
+ with PitchBlak Brass Band