It’s great listening to a collective of technically proficient musicians developing their artistic statement, and seeing this develop as you review single after single. Psycho Gab got together only in 2023, and are about to release their debut EP Crazy Talk. I’ve reviewed a couple of the pre-release singles that are on it, and now I get to tell you about the EP’s promo single Masterpiece.

These guys know how to hit the genres they are aiming at. On a technique level that’s testament to professionalism and an understanding of a certain groove. What I mean is you can try to hit jazz but without the spiraling extrapolation you’re in soul territory (as featured by the brass section in The Commitments, of course), or add too much bottom end you could be straying into R & B. Psycho Gab has, with Masterpiece, found a really interesting – and successful – balance between jazz and R & B.

The fabulously named Rosetta Stone on vocals (if that’s just a stage name I will send her the links to get it legally changed) has a soprano with a timbre simply made to sing jazz. With an easy on the ears melody and a slow to medium tempo, she takes us effortlessly to that Speakeasy in the mind’s eye, the gangsters and their molls crowded around the tables in the smoky darkness as she catwalks the stage, every last one of them eating out of her hand.

The guys have put together a choice balance of keys and guitars, and have indeed managed to span the no-man’s-land between jazz and R & B. To my ears anyway. Also the meaning to the lyrics resonates with me on the absolute highest level. Rosetta explains in the EPK:  “Falling in love with your best friend is so inconvenient and risky and off-script, but happens so naturally it’s pretty much impossible to avoid.” 

My wife and I were buddies for around three years before we first got together. Calling it risky and inconvenient is an oddly accurate take, as the initial reaction is “do I commit to this, and risk losing a friend if it fails? Which one of us is out of the circle of friends if it does?” Fourteen years later, me and the missus are still together, two kids, two cats, and as in love today as we were on day one. If she’s reading this I guarantee she threw up in her mouth a little when she read that. I now provide a LOL. LOL!

Anyway, I digress. The band is touring too:

Pōneke – July 25 @ Rogue and Vagabond w/ Groove Council + Veg Trio – koha entry

Pōneke – July 26 @ Meow w/ Doma Cyno + Crumbly Jack – tickets @ Moshtix

Ōtautahi – July 27 @ Darkroom w/ Tay Renee + Chicks From Corea – tickets @ UTR

Produced by the band at their own studios, and ably assisted by the renowned Olly Harmer, Masterpiece is a great track to listen to while in attendance at a gig with like-minded lovers of these genre types. I have noticed you always tend to get rapt attention at these gigs. Nothing better for a muso! Also at a dinner gathering, or a commute, or any number of diverse activities, frankly.

Nice work Psycho Gab. Very well packaged release.