Living Colour

When Living Colour toured earlier this year performing their debut album Vivid for the almost 30 year anniversary, a lot of folks were ecstatic, thinking one of their favorite bands were back together again.

Problem is, they hadn’t broken up. I mean they did for a few years in the '90s, but they’ve been touring and making music together since their reformation in 2000. Admittedly, their studio output has bands like Metallica saying “Jesus, those guys take a long time between albums”, but here we are - eight long years after The criminally underrated Chair In The Doorway, with the group’s latest effort, Shade.

For those familiar with Living Color’s output over the years, Shade is everything you would expect from the band. Tight-as-fuck grooves set forth by bassist Doug Wimbish and drummer Will Calhoun. Soulful truth from vocalist Corey Glover. And bringing it all together with his controlled chaos is guitarist Vernon Reid.

His style has changed somewhat over the years but very much for the better. Much more nuanced. Check out tracks like Inner City Blues to know what i mean. Just don’t mistake “nuanced” for mellow, because there’s not a single track on this album that isn’t going to make you want to shake your ass.

8.0 / 10 — Kevin Fitzpatrick