Devendra Banhart's fifth album, "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon", is set to be released by XL Records on September 24, and Uncut has heard it! The 16-track album, produced by Banhart and long-time collaborator Noah Georgeson, sees him depart from the acid-folk style and experiment with gospel, reggae, South American balladry and even Jackson 5-style soul-pop. The album was recorded at a secluded house in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, and details Banhart's break-up with Bianca Casady of CocoRosie. Besides regular collaborators like Andy Cabic (Vetiver), Otto Hauser (Espers) and Pete Newsom (Joanna's brother), "Smokey Rolls" also features some pretty special guests. Actor Gael Garcia Bernal duets on "Cristobal", and the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson adds charango (a South American mandolin) to "Samba Vexillographica". Amongst the supporting singers, Banhart's muse, British folk legend Vashti Bunyan, contributes to "My Dearest Friend", while lost lady of the canyons Linda Perhacs comes out of a 37-year retirement to guest on the outstanding "Freely". For a full preview of "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon", visit Uncut's Wild Mercury Sound blog.
Devendra Banhart’s fifth album, “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon”, is set to be released by XL Records on September 24, and Uncut has heard it!
The 16-track album, produced by Banhart and long-time collaborator Noah Georgeson, sees him depart from the acid-folk style and experiment with gospel, reggae, South American balladry and even Jackson 5-style soul-pop.
The album was recorded at a secluded house in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, and details Banhart’s break-up with Bianca Casady of CocoRosie. Besides regular collaborators like Andy Cabic (Vetiver), Otto Hauser (Espers) and Pete Newsom (Joanna’s brother), “Smokey Rolls” also features some pretty special guests.
Actor Gael Garcia Bernal duets on “Cristobal”, and the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson adds charango (a South American mandolin) to “Samba Vexillographica”. Amongst the supporting singers, Banhart’s muse, British folk legend Vashti Bunyan, contributes to “My Dearest Friend”, while lost lady of the canyons Linda Perhacs comes out of a 37-year retirement to guest on the outstanding “Freely”.
For a full preview of “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon”, visit Uncut’s
