By Bob Makin
originally published: 09/01/2023
Jersey Shore veterans Colossal Street Jam, who recently signed to Nashville-based Fretbar Records, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week with “Look It Here,” a scorching R&B track from their latest album, “No Way to Leave,” featuring Asbury great Des Spinks of the Swagmatics, as well as The Madmen Horns of The Netherlands. PHOTO COURTESY OF FRETBAR RECORDS
Congrats to the great Jersey Shore band Colossal Street Jam for signing a record deal with Nashville-based Fretbar Records and a management deal with its owner, Jimmy Warren.
In celebration, “Look It Here,” my favorite track from their latest and best album, “No Way to Leave,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Look It Here” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Sept. 1 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and MixCloud.
The soulful danceable tune features great guest performances by Des Spinks, leader of Asbury Park-based Des & the Swagmatics, and the Madmen Horns of The Netherlands.
“Des is soul personified,” co-founding Colossal front man Gene Potts said. “Her voice is like butter. We were beyond excited to have her on the release.
“Mad Men are our friends from The Netherlands,” he continued. “They back the Supremes and Temptations in Europe. Just masters of the horn section, and its awesome that they used a five-piece section for the song they played on. It’s also cool that they recorded it in Grevenbicht.”
Fretbar hasn’t yet announced when it will reissue “No Way to Live,” but touring, including spots opening for national acts, is a priority, said Gene on behalf of co-founding guitarist Sal Marra, co-founding bassist Tony Flora, drummer Dave Halpern and keyboardist Eric Safka. In the meantime, the band will open for Doors tribute Crystal Ship on Sept. 8 at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.
Colossal are Fretbar label mates with fellow Jersey great Anthony Krizan, whose “Into the Groove” will be released by the label on Oct. 20.
Anthony appears on my other favorite “No Way to Live” track, “Dancing in Place,” which features awesome Allman Brothers-like duel guitar solos by him and Sal.
Having written about Colossal since their formation in 1989, I’m glad to say that their deal is very well deserved not only because of their talent but also their never-say-die attitude, which includes Sal conquering cancer before the release of their latest LP.
And I’m glad to see that Jimmy Warren is a big fan of the band too, which he explains on Facebook.
For more about Colossal, click https://colossalstreetjam.com.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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