Exclusive Premiere: Jaimoe's Jasssz Band's 'Melissa'

Jaimoe's Jasssz Band

Carl Vernlund

Click to listen to Jaimoe's Jasssz Band's 'Melissa'

Jai Johanny Johanson – known as "Jaimoe" and a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band – releases his debut studio album with Jaimoe's Jasssz Band on December 20th. Jaimoe says Renaissance Man shows an evolution from the r&b and soul-rock sounds that the band is known for in their live sets.

Random Notes

"This album is completely different from our two previous live albums. The band has evolved in different ways. From bebop with no vocals, to vocals and now three horns," Jaimoe says. "This is our first studio album. It's real simple. Everyone can enjoy it." Not shying away from his Allman roots, Jaimoe has included a soulful cover of "Melissa," which is available to stream.

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Song Stories

“1999”

Prince | 1982

“I don’t consider myself a great poet,” Prince told Rolling Stone. “I just know I’m here to say what’s on my mind.” In the case of the apocalyptic party anthem “1999,” he was worried about then-president Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies. The song’s melody is based on a riff borrowed from the Mamas and Papas’ “Monday, Monday,” and Prince originally envisioned the first verse with three-part harmony but later split the vocals between himself and members of the Revolution. Because Warner Bros., with whom Prince was locked in a contractual battle, owned the original’s masters, Prince rerecorded the song and appropriately released that version in 1999.

More Song Stories entries »

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