Shuffle Demons: Crazy Time

By Kerry Doole

Shuffle Demons - Crazy Time (Independent): For the final Track of the Day feature of a stranger than fiction year, what better choice than a number and video entitled Crazy Time?

The track takes us on an aptly named wild romp through the fake news and chaos that was 2020, though Demon Richard Underhill confesses to FYI that "I did write the song in 2019...and actually it's based off a riff I wrote when I was running for mayor against Rob Ford. It seems prescient though!"

Indeed. The title cut from the Shuffle Demons' well-received 2020 album ( just named one of JazzFM's top 25 of the year) it showcases the popular signatures of the veteran Toronto jazznik combo. Lusty yet melodic horns complement Underhill's beatnik spoken word-style social commentary, while the entertaining video was art directed by long time collaborator Kurt Swinghammer, directed and edited by GFP, and shot at GS209 studio.

The song was produced, mixed, edited and mastered by Jono Grant at Victory Drive Music and recorded by Jeremy Darby at Canterbury Music Company.

Joining Juno-winning saxman Underhill in the group are four ace local players - drummer Stich Wynston, bassist Mike Downes and saxophonists Kelly Jefferson and Matt Lagan. 

Crazy Time is the Shuffle Demons' ninth CD and their first studio album in seven years. It features 10 new original Shuffle Demons songs, 7 instrumental and 3 vocals that run the gamut of stylistic references from modern jazz to funk to blues. One of Canada’s hardest touring road bands, the Shuffle Demons recorded the album between tours of Central America, New Zealand/Australia and Canadian jazz festivals.

You can download or purchase CDs at theshuffledemons1.bandcamp.com/

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Management: Stich Wynston - stichness@gmail.com

Richard Underhill - rich@shuffledemons.com