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Kàren Hunter Press Release
Release Date: Monday December 14th 2009
Auckland based Singer Songwriter Karen Hunter’s latest outing, Words&Groove, blends jazz, dirty blues and performance poetry. Hunter will be embarking on a solo tour of New Zealand throughout summer 2010 to support and promote this exciting new album.
Embellishing on themes of local significance, Words&Groove sees Hunter entwining personal experience with liberally exaggerated stories that bridge the dangerous (drug addiction, social welfare dependency, the NZ road toll) and the mundane (infatuation, familiarity and separation). Poems emerge within the songs, often appearing over extended bass and drum vamps, hence the title Words&Groove. The album also features a funky powerhouse version of the 1968 Jimi Hendrix classic ‘Long Hot Summer Night’, which showcases Hunter’s arranging skills over a three part horn section led by Roger Manins on Tenor saxophone. Hunter first appeared on the Auckland music scene in the early 90’s with an original style of blues-based acoustic funk and a voice described in the NZ Herald as ‘one of the most sensuous in the country’. Hunter's work can be described as gritty jazz/folk. Songs are infused with dirty blues grooves using spoken word poetry and jazz scatting to create powerfully thoughtful and dynamic performances.
Words&Groove was recorded in collaboration with the first rate rhythm section of drummer Ron Samsom (Nathan Haines, Samsom Nacey Haines, Whirimako Black) and bassist Aaron Coddel (King Kapisi, Caitlin Smith, Jennifer Ward-Lealand). This stunning collection of new work was realised in two weekend recording sessions under the care of award winning local Producer Steve Garden, concluding a yearlong process of ‘work-shopping’ songs through reinterpretation and improvisation.
Although Samsom and Coddel are jazz musicians, Hunter’s blues, roots and folk influences are prominent. The Words&Groove summer tour 2010 will see Hunter exploring solo versions of these songs and incorporating the best material from her previous nine albums.
Words&Grooves is proudly released on Raw Fish Salad Records. Retail distribution in Aotearoa is by Ode Records. Digital aggregation (including itunes) is through DRM.
For more information please contact Káren Hunter: 09-376-4873/021-946-399 karen@karenhunter.com / www.karenhunter.com
Words&Grooves Promotional Tour Dates:
More dates and details will be added – see www.karenhunter.com for updates.
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