Micah Shalom premieres his “Baltimore Ska” single today on Top Shelf Music before it hits digital outlets on December 4th! Following his praised 2019 “Peace Rights Love” release, Texas-based trumpeter Shalom joins a talented band of Austin musicians in this special instrumental track dedicated to his grandmother Charlotte Simka.
An old-school instrumental ska single for an old-school special lady.
Shalom’s grandmother grew up in Baltimore, a city recently ravaged with violence due to racial discord. Shalom felt the need to restore the city’s previously positive rapport, utilizing a big band approach to traditional ska music. “This song means a lot to me, considering this political environment and the recent disparaging of the city of Baltimore,” Shalom comments. “So, I hope to support all the people living there now and in the past with this musical offering.”
A bubble organ and a steady skank beat make the single easygoing from the start, yet it’s Shalom’s four-piece horns that retain the central focus. Melodic and grand, the four-piece horn section lead the listener into the realm of yesteryear Baltimore city — a place safer and more peaceful than that of today. As the melody splits, Shalom solos on his trumpet first, before Mark Wilson (of Shiny Ribs and the Mau Mau Chaplains) on tenor sax has time to shine, handing the baton off to Zumbi Richards (of Cilantro Boombox) on trombone until Joshua Thomson (of Atlas Maior, Cilantro Boombox) rounds the whole collaboration out on alto saxophone. It’s quite breathtaking to hear them all ebb ad flow together.
Micah Shalom plans on releasing several more singles throughout the coming year, eventually amalgamating into an elaborate full-length album! To be the first to hear his exquisite “Baltimore Ska” single, click the link below and make sure to follow Shalom on all his future ska endeavors via his social links!
Exclusive world premiere of Micah Shalom’s “Baltimore Ska” single:
Cover photo by Michael Weintrob
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Sounds great and congratulations to Micah for getting this out there during these trying times 🎷🧿🏁
We wholeheartedly agree!