Gitkin is the alter ego of Brian J. of Pimps of Joytime. That may give you some idea of the sound of the new Gitkin album Safe Passage, or it may not. After all, he calls his music Outernational Psychedelic Twang, which is not only a mouthful, but also hard to envision without hearing it. The new album incorporates sounds of Peruvian chicha as well as surf rock into a funky blend that is probably unlike anything else you’ll hear. Of the album, Gitkin said he wanted to “explore tonalities I’d never messed with” while not involving his voice.
Even without knowing his previous work, it doesn’t take long to notice that he did explore a variety of tones. You can hear a classic surf guitar sound in songs like “Cat Nip,” which also has a sort of cinematic Bollywood feel to it. If there’s a Bollywood movie about a secret agent, this would be a great song for the soundtrack. Other songs bring a danceable rhythm and a South American influence. One example is the clapping in “Nosotros Tambien,” which would feel right at home on a Peru Negro recording.
Most of the songs are instrumental. An exception is “Foot Steps” featuring Carol C on the airy vocals that add to the psychedelic feel of the tune. This song blends psychedelic rock and Eastern sounds in a way that brings Dengue Fever to mind. At times the guitar tone is like something on the soundtrack of a psychedelic spaghetti western.
Throughout the album, you absorb such a variety of sounds that you kind of feel like you’re prepared for whatever might come next. Then you hear “Spug Life,” but it’s not the Blaxploitation sounds of the guitar that catch you off guard. No, that distinction belongs to the Sousaphone, which seems like something you would never hear in a psychedelic song, yet there it is. It’s a tribute to the artist that he can make an album so unusual and still catch you off guard with unexpected instrumentation.
This isn’t so much an album as it is a listening experience. Not only that, it is a listening experience so varied that it is perfect for chilling in an altered state on your couch, enjoying your morning coffee, or dancing to the groovy rhythms with or without a partner. It’s pretty fair to say that you won’t find another album like this anytime soon (if ever), and that is why you should tell your friends about this groovy gem.
