Lilacs EP by Jimmy Kraft
Every track on the EP gets its name from a different plant, each with its own distinct symbolism and my unique interpretation based on personal experiences. I’m fascinated by the way that language absorbs components of a culture’s surroundings, and since most civilizations have been surrounded by plants for millennia, we've developed strong conceptual associations between them our uniquely human experiences. In this project, my love of linguistic devices has taken on a decidedly floral persona.
“Stonefruit” alternates between sultry/soulful and angsty/funky to depict a character that understands the draw of beauty but is fed up with being overlooked by suitors with unattainable standards. Two horn solos respectively parallel the speaker’s solemn struggle and the flash of his alluring opponents, and a lively chorus pleads with increasing intensity for a change of heart and a chance at love.
“Lilacs” is a letter from new love to a freshly broken heart, and it tells its poignant tale through lush orchestration and a patient but determined build throughout. This mildly soulful 6/8 ballad culminates in a resplendent bridge and an explosive piano solo, then brings us back to its mellow beginnings as we gaze forward into the prospect of love. “Lilacs” is the most metaphorically evocative tune on the EP, and it’s the most poignantly personal of the three—it was born from heartbreak, so it’s the moment on the project in which my soul is laid most bare. It also paints a very nuanced picture of love: it is something that can heal and hurt (often simultaneously), and though it’s longed for, it’s not always something we’re ready for. The vulnerability of this tune and the depth of its portrayal of love have earned it its role as the title track.
“Sweet Pea” is bursting with vital familial love, and its vibrant samba-esque energy is a celebration of the beauty and power of love in all forms. The boisterous horn arrangements, virtuosic saxophone solo, and downright raucous finale all contribute to this veritable palooza of love and its ability to lift us up against all odds.
Tracklist
| 1. | Stonefruit | 5:49 |
| 2. | Lilacs | 6:01 |
| 3. | Sweet Pea | 4:18 |
Credits
All vocals: Jimmy Kraft
Piano: Javier Santiago
Bass: Giulio Xavier Cetto
Drums: Michael Mitchell
Alto sax: John Palowitch
Tenor sax: Andrew Dixon
Trumpet: Dan Herrera
Trombone: Rob Ewing
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jeff Kolhede at 25th St. Studios
License
All rights reserved.Recommendations
Jimmy Kraft synthesizes a wealth of musical influences into the sweetest intersection of harmonic intricacy, rhythmic intrigue, buttery vocals, and poignant lyricism. His credentials in jazz and composition have merged with his love of neosoul, Impressionism, chamber music, and poetry to create a sound that is uniquely his. Jimmy lives, performs, and teaches in San Francisco and the SF Bay Area.