The Static Dive reimagined "Purple Haze"

The Static Dive returned, boldly covering Jimi Hendrix's iconic "Purple Haze" and beckoning us into a lively new soundscape. The single of their latest LP, "Blue Light After Party," will be out on 29th May. It already provides a bold departure from the Latin-jazz positions of the acclaimed Blue Light Sessions, Vol 1 & 2, and it's a bold step toward new, genre-bending territories with a Pan-American story of its own, which is as adventurous as it is infectious.

The Static Dive's hallmark sound is that of Bob Smith, the multi-instrumentalist composer at the center of this project. Renowned for his dense arrangements and plush soundscapes, Smith imbues Hendrix's psychedelic rock classic with a smooth jazz-inflected psychedelia that's equal parts clean and just the right amount dirty. The result is a deeply textured, genre-warping homage that never feels derivative, only reverent and refreshingly new. What's striking about this edition is that it doesn't just cover Hendrix's work but interprets it, allowing you to reconsider every riff and melody through a kaleidoscope of smooth jazz underpinnings and psychedelic filigree. It's an homage that respects the essence of the original yet is also sure of itself.

"Blue Light After Party" is a concept album that takes you to the intimate post-show house party of the fictitious Blue Light band. At this veritable afterparty, songs flow with as much frequency as the stories and energy exchanged between adoring fans and musicians. "Purple Haze" is an ideal entryway into the world at large, and the riff sets the pace here with its sweeping, immersive sound and masterful music making. The Static Dive's Blue Light Sessions EPs have struck a chord internationally, and this new single will further the band's international expansion. Whether you're a lifelong Hendrix fan or new to discovering the perfection of "Purple Haze," Bob Smith's reimagined arrangement offers a compelling listening experience that is rich, inviting, and refreshingly inventive.

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