“The list of Allen’s influences is long and eclectic: flamenco, funk, R&B, classic rock, reggae, ’70s-era Santana, Hendrix, Clapton, Ben Harper, Bob Marley, and Buddy Guy. Put all of those in one place and you’ll never know what you’ll get—just how he likes it.” – Halifax Jazz Festival
Ten years in the making and composed while traveling the world, Tomi Allen’s debut album Abstract Echoes of the Mind and Soul will be released the full moon in August at The Seahorse Tavern. Complete with beach vibes, psychedelic soundscapes, screaming guitar solos, and warm, playful harmonies, there is something for everyone. The easy grooving opener ‘Shine On Me’ warms the air with a tropical pulse, then clouds roll in as ‘On The Shelf’ takes over and the boat starts to rock. In its wake the powerful but conflicted lullaby ‘Tangled Web’ emerges plucking heartstrings and cries for rest.
But Allen isn’t one to dwell in darkness. He lifts listeners back up with ‘A Ridiculous Dreamer’, a bumpin’ party track with funky hooks and fiery guitar work. Continuing the journey, Dinuk Wijeratne (2016 JUNO winner) takes an unexpected detour on ‘Tree of Dreams’ where dreams and reality clash. To close, Allen lets you know he has arrived and will be going again with ‘Beyond The Horizon’ a philosophical roots reggae jam with pensive lyrics, unhinged guitar, and a wanderer’s lust for more.
Composed of ten original songs and a Brazilian twist to a Beatles classic, Tomi Allen brings his dreams and adventures to life with band mates Dave Mendel (NYC), Vince Pettipas (Theo MacIntosh, Tristan Legg), Adam Hewey (Roxy & The Underground Soul Sound), and backing vocalists Samm Splash (Erin Costelo) and Leanne Hoffman (Cyndi Cain).
What: Album Launch / Vinyl Release Party for Tomi Allen’s Abstract Echoes of the Mind and Soul
Where: The Seahorse Tavern, Halifax, Nova Scotia
When: August 18, 2016, 8:30pm