Kevin Hearn & Cosmic Krewe: Hello Hello (One Planet)

By Kerry Doole

Kevin Hearn & Cosmic Krewe -Hello Hello (One Planet)  (Independent): Here's an intriguing musical collaboration, one partnering a Canadian Music Hall of Fame member (Barenaked Ladies stalwart Kevin Hearn) and two members of the famed Sun Ra Arkestra, Michael Ray & Laranah Phipps-Ray aka Cosmic Krewe.

They've combined their talents on an original song offered up in honour of World Unity Week (June 19- 26), and featuring greetings in varied languages, even an extra-terrestrial tongue.

In a press release, Hearn notes that “We decided to say hello in different languages — including some extra-terrestrial ones. I added the melodic chant, and a few layers of piano/keyboards to Michael’s chord sequence and Laranah’s singing. In this time when so many are feeling distanced, disconnected, and isolated, it felt fitting to reach out with musical salutations to all."

The tune itself functions as a warm embrace of all. Ray's muted trumpet has a spacey feel, Phipps-Ray's vocals are soulful, and Hearn's musical flourishes are typically on point.

The track marks a musical reunion of Hearn and Michael Ray, with Hearn recalling that “I met Michael after seeing him perform with the Sun Ra Arkestra in 2012. The event was celebrating the new home of Toronto’s Regent Park School of Music, and it was one of the most inspiring musical performances I have ever seen. I fell in love with Michael’s musicality, his voice, his trumpet playing, and his joyful exuberance as he led the hall in singing ‘We Travel the SpaceWays.

"We later collaborated on a project of mine, The SuperHero Suite, and Michael became a regular guest on Barenaked Ladies albums. The first time I met his wife, Laranah, who is also jazz royalty, the three of us had an impromptu jam session in the BNL dressing room backstage in Philadelphia."

A gifted singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Kevin Hearn remains best known for his work in BNL, but he has one of the most fascinating resumes in Canadian music. After a stint in Toronto weirdos Look People, he fronted the musically adventurous Thin Buckle on four albums, released solo records, and later worked as Lou Reed's musical director. He recently made a mark in the film world, exploring the subject of art forgery in the acclaimed doco There Are No Fakes, nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards last month. The original motion picture soundtrack he composed for There Are No Fakes was released on May 14.

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PR: Eric Alper