Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar are releasing A Beautiful Buzz on 22nd May via Gypsy Soul Records, a live album capturing the band as they crisscrossed Western Canada back in 2022, in support of their Love Is All Around record.
Occupying a rare space in modern roots blues where they’re deeply reverent of soul and gospel tradition while pushing those forms into something louder, sweatier, and fiercely alive, the band is noted as being “one of Canada’s most electrifying live acts.” Led by two-time JUNO Award nominee and seven-time Canadian Blues Award nominee for Female Vocalist of the Year, Samantha Martin, the new live album documents the raw power, soul, and communal energy within the band. Fans of Gypsy Soul Records’ growing roster will recognise that same spirit from labelmates Marcus Trummer and Miss Emily, both of whom have drawn from the same deep well of Canadian blues and soul.
And it’s a rather sizeable band standing on those Canuck stages. Samantha Martin (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Tafari Anthony and Sherie Marshall (background vocals), Curtis Chaffey (electric guitar), Ian McKeown (bass), Will Fisher (drums), Jeff Heisholt (keyboards), Emily Ferrell (trombone), Andrew Moljgun (saxophone), and Brian Walters (trumpet) are all present. Steve Marriner joins them as special guest vocalist and acoustic guitar on ‘The Shape I’m In’ and second electric guitar on ‘Them Changes’ and ‘Loving Cup’.
The full tracklisting for A Beautiful Buzz is ‘Love Is All Around’, ‘Don’t Have To Be’, ‘You’re The Love’, ‘Good Trouble’, ‘All Night Long’, ‘The Shape I’m In’, ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’, ‘My Crown’, ‘Loving You Is Easy’, ‘Band Intro’, ‘Pass Me By’, ‘Them Changes’, and ‘Loving Cup’.
A Beautiful Buzz is apparently not a polished live souvenir, but the sound of a band at peak intensity, feeding off the room and giving it everything back. It also came about via some extraordinary circumstances, as Samantha Martin herself explained.
“The Love Is All Around tour, initially set for January 2022, faced the trials of postponement until November 2022, marking the closing chapter of covid-era delays.” And that was not the only concern. “By the time the tour kicked off, I was six months pregnant with my son. I’ve never been one to be easily deterred. So, clad in a winter jacket that barely zipped, our 13-person touring party loaded into a sprinter and a rental car and embarked on a tour from the sub-zero temperatures of Saskatoon to the balmy West Coast of Canada.”
“Each show was a whirlwind of energy and emotion, but one stood out above the rest. Perhaps it was the excitement of the final show, or maybe it was the realization that my life was about to change in a big way. Whatever the reason, the atmosphere was electric, filled with a beautiful buzz that I wanted to share with you. This album captures the magic I felt, and is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of music amidst life’s transformations.”
CD and limited edition gatefold double vinyl editions are available from Gypsy Soul Records, with digital editions on all streaming platforms. You can read RAMzine’s review of Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar‘s The Reckless One for more on the band’s soulful sound.
Offering fans their first taste of the sweat-soaked, soul-driven performances on the album is new single ‘My Crown’, available now on all streaming platforms. You can also check out the live performance video below at RAMzine.
An emotional crush of an ode to self-empowerment, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar‘s new single ‘My Crown’ subtly moves through a number of changes charged with soul. Fans of soul-infused blues rock should also check out Connor Selby and Spencer Mackenzie for more in that vein.
