L4LM is proud to premiere the new LP from Andrew Block, guitarist for Gramatik and recording artist on the Lowtemp Records label. Block is a NOLA staple, delivering that timeless funky sound on various collaborations throughout the years, sharing the stage with artists like Dr. John, Dumpstaphunk, Oteil Burbridge, and Eric Krasno, and even recording tracks for Pretty Lights on his upcoming album.
Block is a guitar veteran, and it shows on his LP You Can Only Go Up From Here. Produced by Grammy-award winner John Porter (BB King, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Los Lonely Boys), the LP is bona fide funk. With guest appearances from Ivan Neville, Nigel Hall, Terence Higgins, Raymond Weber, and Tony Hall, You Can Only Go Up From Here is a great listen. It also features Lettuce/Shady Horns mastermind Ryan Zoidis, who arranged the horns throughout the album.
Speaking about the record, Block talks about his influences, and his interest in branching from traditional funk. “True funk musicians, not music snobs, but the James Browns, Sly Stones, George Clintons, etc., have embraced new technology to help make their music, and those guys always strived to make sounds that hadn’t been heard yet. Sly used the Funkbox to create new rhythmic textures on There’s A Riot Going On and Fresh, and Parliament used synth’s to add new dimensions to their music. So with that in mind, I would love to incorporate anything new to my music, as long as the end result is funky and not contrived, or new for the sake of being new.” He continues, saying, “Plus, I love hip-hop and I’m learning more about house music everyday with Gramatik, so yeah, as long as it’s funky, I’m into it.”
Listen to You Can Only Go Up From Here below:
GRAMATIK TOUR DATES
12/10 — King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut — Glasgow, UK
12/11 — Manchester Academy — Manchester, UK
12/12 — Thekla — Bristol, UK
12/13 — The Forum — London, UK (w/Â Big Gigantic)
12/26 — BC Place — Vancouver, BC
12/27 — BC Place — Vancouver, BC
1/23 — Best Buy Theater — New York, NY
1/24 — Best Buy Theater — New York, NY