“Moving people through the power of soul music, that’s what it’s all about,” says Josh Hoyer of his band’s sixth studio album, Green Light, released on October 21st. “You’ll hear the sounds of pain, solitude and spiritual reckoning – a heartfelt reaction to the realities of today.”
Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal have lived up to their name for the past decade, spreading bold yet nuanced soul/R&B through constant touring and regular releases. Averaging 125 shows a year and already eight albums deep (including live releases), the ultra-authentic sextet is sharing the healing power of love and empathy through melody, lyricism, groove, and dance.
Hoyer formed Soul Colossal in 2012, completing the award-winning band with Stephen Cantarero (bass), James Cuato (sax), Blake DeForest (trumpet), Harrison ElDorado (drums), and Benjamin Kushner (guitar). Hoyer handles Hammond organ, electric piano, and lead vocals.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Hoyer off the road but also gave him time to take pause and patiently craft the album of his life in Green Light. The result is an instant genre classic that can be savored as a coherent yet emotionally dynamic collection or as ten standalone singles, each distinct in tone, identity, and message.
The entire Hoyer-produced album was tracked, mostly live, in less than 48 hours at Denver’s Mighty Fine Studios and mixed by James Fleege at Silver Street Studios in Ashland, Nebraska.
The love, sweat, and tears poured into Green Light are palpable in its elevated songwriting, eloquent lyrics, taut performances, and Hoyer’s tinglingly emotive vocals. It communicates on multiple levels, shaking booties while shaking off complacency. Both a celebration and a call to action, a sharing of and a shelter from universal angst, Green Light is a timeless record that far transcends its instant-gratification good vibes and irresistible, sinewy grooves.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the standout track “Harmony.” Brimming with down and dirty old school soul instrumentals, the song finds Hoyer laying down his usual brand of feisty vocal prowess. With just the right amount of Memphis soul and greasy funk, this is a true romp through lively vibes that lead to straight dancing grooves. As has been the trend since he started cranking out the heat, this song offers yet more proof that Josh Hoyer continues to be a vital force in the soul music community who should be touring large venues around the country.
Josh Hoyer describes the inspiration behind the song:
“Harmony is a call to action for us to realize our place within the confines of the natural world and a warning for those that don’t understand the science of humanity’s relationship to climate change. This song is for the mind and the body, asking mankind to dream of learning to sing in Harmony with Mother Nature. When I perform this song live it always gives me visceral experience with many visions of the current suffering and future destruction due to climate change.”
LISTEN: