Yellow Couch Music, led by drummer and producer Layton Weedeman, has released the new single Locust Walk, featuring spoken word artist H. Alonzo Jennings and saxophonist Lars Haake. The track opens with a soulful sax melody that pairs effortlessly with Jennings’ spoken word introduction. A syncopated bass line and steady drum beat drive the piece forward, while the saxophone’s improvisations echo the jazz greats that influenced its creation. The track is a tribute to Sun Ra, blending jazz, funk, and hip-hop to form a dynamic soundscape that honors the avant-garde spirit of the legendary musician.
Locust Walk emerged from what began as a playful experiment in Weedeman’s studio. Inspired by a video of Sun Ra’s acolyte Marshall Allen, Weedeman reached out to Jennings, his former middle school art teacher, who responded with a poem capturing the visionary philosophy of Sun Ra. Jennings’ spoken word performance, laden with references to jazz icons like Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington, is interwoven with cosmic imagery, evoking Sun Ra’s futuristic mythos. The result is a powerful narrative that bridges the past, present, and future, much like the music of Sun Ra himself.
Weedeman, who co-founded the bluesy-psychedelic alt-rock band Courtesy Tier, is known for his innovative approach to music production. With Locust Walk, he continues to push boundaries by blending genres and collaborating with artists from diverse musical backgrounds. Yellow Couch Music’s collective ethos shines through in this track, capturing the essence of Sun Ra’s forward-thinking approach to music while simultaneously celebrating the rich continuum of jazz, rock, and hip-hop. This new single offers a glimpse into Weedeman’s forthcoming album, Tidings in the Rough, promising more eclectic and genre-defying tracks to come.