Article by: Jessica Gorrell

The California Honeydrops’ 2015 release, A River’s Invitation, is nothing short of entertaining. With influences from blues to funk to jazz and more, A River’s Invitation is, well, inviting. It’s warm and playful, soulful and smooth, and can give voice to a whole spectrum of emotion. Lech Wierzynski’s velvety yet powerful vocals combined with Johnny Bones’ saxophone and Lorenzo Loera’s funky keys flesh out the bare-boned structure that percussionists Ben Malament and Beau Bradbury have built.

The opening title track “A River’s Invitation” is a borrowed and revamped Percy Mayfield tune that lights the spark of the rest of the album. While some tracks, like “Lead Me Home,” “On A Rainy Day,” and “Rockaway” follow the soft and slow tone that is set through this track, there are other songs that break away from the obvious jazz platform that the CA Honeydrops use.
“When It Was Wrong” and “Crazy Girls” introduce more grooving and unbelievably fun melodies that are nearly impossible to not dance to.  

While A River’s Invitation is a great listen for those in need of some soft ambiance, or even something to dance to, the album, as well as the band, serves more of a purpose than just a good time. “Long Way,” an upbeat, melodic tune, is a “call for progress” as Wierzynski says, speaking out on social and political issues, drawing its influence from the Black Lives Matter movement.

                                Photo Credit: Josh Miller

A River’s Invitation, eclectic and wildly entertaining, is most definitely a versatile soundtrack befitting of practically all life’s adventures. The California Honeydrops are also currently on tour, with dates and cities listed here on their website.

Track Listing:
1. A River’s Invitation         7. On A Rainy Day
2. When It Was Wrong       8. This Time
3. Brokedown                        9. Lead Me Home
4. Cry Baby Blues                 10. Rockaway
5. Jolie                                    11. Long Way
6. Crazy Girls