I don’t exactly how I came across the
Magic Beans. It may have been Spotify while I was scrolling through similar bands to whatever I was listening to at the time. Anyway, I’m glad I found them! Over the last week or so I have been listening to their 2018 release Casino Caberet and liking it more each time I hear it!
Who are Magic Beans
Magic Beans is a neo-jam band hailing from Nederland, Colorado. Magic Beans honed their craft playing festivals throughout Colorado for several years before releasing their first studio album Common Mind in 2017. Since then they have released two more studio albums Casino Cabaret in 2018 and Off Leash the following year.
The band is comprised of: Scott Hachey on guitars and vocals, Casey Russell keyboards and vocals, Chris Duffy bass and vocals and Cody Walker on drums.
Together the quartet uses analog and vintage instrumentation tol. A B3 Organ ,Wah guitar, Vintage Synthesizers, and 808 drums to create in infectious funk/soul/rock sound. Their music combines funk, rock, bluegrass, and electronica into one sound and sometimes even one composition.And while their sound isn’t one I typically listen to I really, really like it.
About Casino Caberet
When the Magic Beans announced the release of Casino Cabaret they hailed it as the debut of their Neo-Jam sound.
The first time I first listened to Casino Cabaret I immediately suspected that the instrumentation was a big part of their musical identity. When the second track “Mr. Scientist” was an instrumental my suspicions were confirmed.
Later after reading their biographies and their influences on their website, I knew these guys were serious musicians. Their influences span a wide range of genres, which is reflected their music.
Great Musicians influence The Magic Beans
Scott Hachey lists rockers Santana and Jeff Beck as influences, as well as, jazz artists Larry Carlton and John Scoffield.
Casey Russell’s influences include: jazz keyboardists Herbie Hancock and one of my favorites Dr. Lonnie Smith. Along with Prince, Steve Winder and George Duke.
Jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke are bassist Chris Duffy’s influences.
While drummer Cody Wales influences crossover more into the Americana genre to include The Band and Levon Helms and Leftover Salmon.
The bottomlne is that the Magic Beans are an awesomely talented band and Casino Cabaret is a terrific album. So Check It Out! As for me I need to check out their two other studio albums. I also want to check out some of the videos of their shows available on their website.
Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of the Magic Beans
Artist’s Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Bandcamp
Here’s the opening track from Casino Cabaret “Here On Out”
.
