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Sonos: six voices sing as one; photo by Beth Herzaft
In the media circus surrounding the tragic, untimely death of Michael Jackson, any new music or merchandise relating to the superstar arrives with a suspicion of exploitation. But the Los Angeles vocal sextet Sonos are cleared from any such accusations with their re-imagining of the Jackson 5 hit "I Want You Back" as a trip-hop a capella groove.
The single, which will be released this coming Tuesday (July 14) exclusively through iTunes, was actually recorded months ago for inclusion on "Sunday Music 6 -- Motown," a Barnes and Noble exclusive celebration of the legendary Detroit label's 50th Anniversary. And you can stream the song for free here.
On the Motown collection, Sonos’ version of the Jackson 5 tune was featured alongside heavy hits from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Al Green and Stevie Wonder. A Sonos video for “I Want You Back,” with a very Brady influence, has been available for months, and hits for it have been increasing in the wake of Jackson’s passing. Coincidentally, this year marks the 40th Anniversary of the original song’s initial release.
Sonos co-arranger/co-producer and vocalist Chris Harrison explains that, while the song has been part of the group’s repertoire for some time, “It has taken on new meaning for us with the tragic loss of one of the greatest artists of our time. We hope it can serve as a modest tribute to Michael Jackson's extraordinary talent."
Though relative newcomers to the Los Angeles indie music scene,
Sonos has been gaining traction fast since the six friends –– in addition to Harrison, there’s Jessica Freedman, Paul Peglar, Katharine Hoye, Ben McLain and Rachel Bearer - emerged from the collegiate a cappella scene, a community of vocal-centric performers that’s said to number about 15,000 groups nationwide. The group became favorites on Los Angeles radio station KCRW after debuting at the city’s Hotel Café last December, and since then, has played a week of performances in London and performed with Neko Case on NPR's Mountain Stage.
The group’s intriguing repertoire choices – drawn as if from a hipster’s ipod playlist – combined with the graceful, non-saccharine sweetness of the voices – have an appeal far beyond the usual a cappella niche.
The debut Sonos album, SonoSings, will be coming out September 15 on Verve Records. The album’s full track listing (with original artists) is:
Re: Stacks (Bon Iver)
Everything In Its Right Place (Radiohead)
I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
Again and Again (The Bird and The Bee)
Oh What A World (Rufus Wainwright)
Little Bird (Depeche Mode)
Come Here Boy (Imogen Heap)
Bittersweet (Lewis Taylor)
White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes)
Joga (Bjork)
Gravity (featuring Sarah Bareilles, who originally performed the song)
For those who want an early taste of the group’s innovative arrangements and lush vocal style, iTunes has a 4-track EP, “Live @ KCRW” available now as well as a studio version of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place.” You can also hear sample tracks at the Sonos web site.
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