sillygirlcarmen aka Carmen Johnson’s Sun & Sound Detroit imprint releases its first ever vinyl, 4-track VA EP ‘Ease’, out April 17th for Record Store Day. A ‘vinyl conversation’ between Detroit & Chicago’s house heritage via deep house, jazz roots, and forward-looking soul, ‘Ease’ embodies the spirit of collaboration, community, and cross-generational artistry ably represented by Glenn Underground, Coflo, Jon Dixon, Kevin Reynolds & sillygirlcarmen herself.
DJ/producer/vocalist, sillygirlcarmen represents the new wave of Detroit creativity; raw, fearless, and deeply rooted in the city’s house lineage. She blends her emotive vocals, deep grooves and shimmering electronic textures to connect heart, dancefloor and heritage. She co-founded Sun & Sound Detroit label as a platform both to showcase her music and spotlight other artists’ soulful innovation & underground integrity.
Says Carmen: ‘Releasing the first vinyl on my label Sun & Sound Detroit as a compilation of profound talent from friends in the House/ Electronic space is a really exciting opportunity and brings much gratitude. It’s so empowering to bring creative collaborations to life. I love working with artists of all mediums to keep pushing our culture and possibilities forward. The cover art is even designed by a local Detroit muralist, Jesse Kassel. Every component has intention and vibrancy, I always want to share great music and vibrant color through the Sun & Sound imprint. I want to inspire, take risks and stay courageous in all efforts.’
‘Ease’ EP tracks:
Glenn Underground ‘Dive (Into The Deep)’; the Chicago legend & Strictly Jaz Unit co-founder combines deep house, freeform jazz & soul, here in a jazz-infused, laid-back, hypnotic melange of house beat, synth chord riff, rippling arps, with a whisper of disco in the bassline and 80’s electro in the high, singing strings.
Coflo x sillygirlcarmen ‘Never Forget (That Feelin’)’; East Bay CA-based Coflo combines Hawaiian & Portugese roots with a global reach. A collaborative skipping house beat, pattering percussion & melodic jazz synth piano embrace sillygirlcarmen’s soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics… emotional storytelling, movement & connection.
Jon Dixon ‘Saturday At Northland’; Detroit’s modern jazz & techno fusionist, rooted in long study and prestigious performance of classical & jazz piano both in orchestral and electronic contexts, employs his keyboard virtuosity in a thrilling wave of melodic piano improvisation & complex lively percussion, combining sheer craft with spiritual heft.
Kevin Reynolds ‘I Got Music’; from an Irish/US Detroit family, producer/live artist Reynolds blends techno, jazz, soul, from influences as diverse as 90s underground techno, Kraftwerk & John Coltrane, and roles/performances in multiple prestigious venues & positions. Here, a stealthy beat & Kraftwerk-evoking robotic electro synth theme are joined by a dual vocal used as a riff, while clusters of piano chords flower into jazz motifs.
The release of ‘EASE’ heralds sillygirlcarmen’s May-June North American tour inc. Detroit’s iconic Movement Festival. Look out for solo releases from herself and more, as Sun & Sound Detroit gears up for a future filled with sun-shiny events and brand collaborations.
‘EASE’ VA EP drops on Friday April 17th on Sun & Sound Detroit. Get it HERE.
Tracklist:
A1 – Glenn Underground – Dive (Into The Deep)
A2 – Coflo x sillygirlcarmen – Never Forget (That Feelin’)
B1 – Jon Dixon – Saturday at Northland
B2 – Kevin Reynolds – I Got Music
Connect with sillygirlcarmen: Website / IG
