Four piece jam powerhouse Spafford has made a name for themselves with experimental live performances that often are filled with explosive energy and next level musicianship. Today they have released Live Vol 2, a re-mastered and specially mixed collection of different live tracks from recent touring highlights recorded from the last two years.

While there is a steady stream of live content available, the Live Vol series represents a chance to hear the band in all of its audiophile glory. The album starts with the 1-2 punch of “America” into “The Reprise”. These tracks see the band start with a hard driving rock sound that reaches for glorious peaks before settling into the slow drip funk of “The Reprise.”

Next up is the Jordan Fairless penned composition “All In”, stretching for over 19 minutes, this song stretches across several different genres as the band’s many influences can be heard. A funky reggae vibe leads the way into some impressive improvisation, before the sound shifts into the piano funk of “The Remedy”. Filled with fun danceable synth sounds, “The Remedy” shows what the band can do with a more traditional song structure and pop sound.

The true improvisational meat of the release comes in the powerful 26 minute exploratory journey in fan favorite “Backdoor Funk”. Building on the smooth grooves of their huge jam vehicle, the band cruises through major key funk grooves until dissipating into some ethereal minor key ambient beauty for several sections. Eventually guitarist Brian Moss locks in with the rhythm section to build a blazing peak and moment of undeniable energy as the jam hits its climax.

Finishing off the release is the easily digestible and pleasant sounds of “Salamander Song”. Another example of the band’s underrated songwriting ability, “Salamander Song” plays with a beautiful chord progression before landing into the explosive ending as Moss shouts the catchy lyrics and shreds the song’s composed finish.

Check out the band’s upcoming tour schedule, which includes dates supporting Lotus, Umphrey’s McGee and two nights in New York with The Magic Beans. You can order the album via iTunes or Bandcamp, and stream it below.

Spafford Upcoming Tour Dates

11/4 – 11/5: Chicago, IL – The Vic – Supporting Lotus
12/30 – 12/31: New York, NY – American Beauty – W/ Magic Beans
1/20 – 1/21: Richmond, VA – The National – Supporting Umphrey’s McGee
1/26: New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall – Supporting Umphrey’s McGee
1/27: Portland, ME – State Theatre – Supporting Umphrey’s McGee
1/28: Albany, NY – Palace Theatre – Supporting Umphrey’s McGee
1/29: Rochester, NY – Anthology – Supporting Umphrey’s McGee
2/3 – 2/4: Detroit, MI – The Fillmore – Supporting Umphrey’s McGee