NYC-based rock-punk-funk fusion outfit Dope Sagittarius has announced that they will release their 'Sacred Places' album on 12" vinyl this spring via their own imprint Buddhabug Records.
Dope Sagittarius also presents the new video for 'Define Love', an alt pop jazz piece involving a host of achieved musicians. Filmed at Studio 111 Brooklyn, the video was produced by LaRonda Davis for Primordial Punk and directed by James Muscarella.
Dope Sagittarius is the brainchild of New Yorker Luqman Brown, whose mother is a folk-singer-turned-teacher and father a well-known playwright. The independent spirit of art in his blood got amped up early upon seeing Funkadelic at the Apollo. By high school, he had joined his third band -- punk-funk outfit FunkFace, who first opened for 24-7 Spyz and soon Fishbone, slowly rising to prominence through hundreds of shows and three studio releases.
"Define Love' is a really special song for me and the first real love song I’ve written. I had Micah Gaugh (The Veldt, Burnt Sugar, The Arkestra Chamber) playing sax, jazz luminary Marc Cary (who’s played with Dizzy Gillespie and Meshell Ndegeocello) on piano, the incomparable Corey Glover (Living Colour) on backup vocals and finally, the Master himself, Ronny Drayton (who’s played with everybody from the Persuaders and The Chambers Brothers to Defunkt, Nona Hendryx, and 24-7 Spyz) on guitar. Unfortunately Ronny passed away in 2020. He inspired me by teaching me to be a better guitar player and just because of how great and good he was. The video for this song is dedicated to him. (R.I.P.)," says Luqman Brown.
While the 'Sacred Places' album was originally set to release in 2017, Luqman suffered a stroke. Everything screeched to a halt while he learned to speak and walk again, followed by heart surgery in 2019. After two years of continual recovery, he’s back and ready to present this album, as if he's never missed a beat.
This collection of tracks presents a rich tapestry of funky grooves, thoughtful synths and rocking vocals, featuring contributions by such achieved artists as Ronny Drayton, Corey Glover, Mike Ladd, Marc Cary, Roy Radics, Mazz Swift and Micah Gaugh.
"Being able to properly put this record out into the world means that I didn’t give up in the face of death. This album was supposed to be released in 2017, but I had a stroke as a result of severe complications with my heart. In 2019, I underwent heart surgery to place an LVAD in my heart to keep it pumping. The result of these health complications left me weak and without the breath to perform," says Luqman Brown.
"At the time, I thought that myself and this album would never make it out into the world—as proud as I am of it. Nevertheless, I slowly came back and now the world will get to hear what it’s like living in NYC everyday—hard times, staying alive, and taking the time to have a good brunch along the way."
'Define Love' is out now across digital stores such as Apple Music and streaming platforms at Spotify. The 'Sacred Places' LP will be released on vinyl on May 14, and can already be pre-ordered via Bandcamp and also from Buddhabug Records.
CREDITS
Performed by Dope Sagittarius
Written by Luqman Brown and Brian Gosher
Produced by Brian Gosher
Recorded in Harlem, New York and North Brunswick, New Jersey, except 'LaRonda'
Mixing and Mastering by Brian Gosher.
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