Transport yourself to another era with Georgia's Ben Chapman and his brand of funk-blues southern country, in the delicious four-track EP ‘Downbeat', which is available on Spotify now in advance of the full ‘Downbeat' album arriving on 13th December 2024. Produced by Anderson East, the fourteen minutes of music is an eyes-closed, headphones on, worries-parked experience that I highly recommend.
Chapman shared a tease of this EP (and one of my favourite tracks) with ‘Temporary High', during his C2C performances in London, earlier this year, to huge, appreciative crowds; country fans understand the travel and home-based sacrifices that US artists make in crossing the pond, which is why we're so attentive and quiet when we hear a singer-songwriter who humbly oozes talent, as Chapman.
Referencing the music style, of an emphasis on the first beat in music (the opposite of upbeat), the opening title track ‘Downbeat' and lyrics in the other three songs, acknowledge that life can hit hard, but rather than life dragging you down, Chapman's caramel brulee (crisp, sweet) vocal register and sublime waltz of a melody offers comfort and a chance to disappear for a few minutes. This song sings the blues to your soul.
‘Almost Home' delivers a story about life on the road that immediately puts me in mind of Drake White's ‘Back To Free'. The rhythm of Chapman's downbeat is hypnotic and cathartic, his vocal control soothing and welcoming.
I first heard ‘Georgia Dreaming' last year, during my C2C playlist creation. Hearing the homesick story and songwriting skill behind ‘Georgia' from Chapman, in the Town Square, made me fall in love with that song a little bit more. Then he performed ‘Temporary High' , track 3 on the ‘Downbeat' EP and the lyrical delivery is just the perfect kind of toe-curling soul that hits square in the heart.
Final track, ‘Baby Don't Cry, It's Saturday Night doesn't skimp on the sound and perhaps has the most in terms of poetical lyrics, riffing on red, white and blue in his encouragement of drying eyes and putting on your best jeans: “don't got to let it go, just let it be” and “if things aren't looking up/you might as well get down”. Absofunkinglutely.
If you love the country-funk sound of Lukas Nelson and Brent Cobb you'll be right at home jamming with Ben Chapman. The songwriter has written for Nashville-based artists since he was a late teen before moving to the town as a 21 year old in 2019. Now performing with his own material, the future sounds good for this Georgia dreamer.
Track listing: 1. Downbeat 2. Almost Home 3. Temporary High 4. Baby Don't Cry, It's Saturday Night Record label: Hippie Shack Release date: 6th September 2024
