PJ Morton made something special with his new song, “Smoke And Mirrors.” So, the video for this extremely funky tune places the Grammy winner and his hot band inside a garage where gearheads have wrenches in hand and their heads under the hoods of their own hot creations.
“Smoke And Mirror” is a cut that captures the sound of New Orleans funk with its percussion, electric organ, pulsating bass line and brass punctuating the air. Vocally and lyrically Morton slides into a preacher mode as he lets a trickster or con artist know that he’s on to his game.
This conscious banger is the lead single on Morton’s upcoming Cape Town to Cairo album, which is due to drop on June 14. That title captures the broad swath of the African continent – from the Nile to the Cape of Good Hope. The percussion from the congas, the infectiously funky bass line and those tight and (yes) percussive horns recall the great music that comes from the Motherland. “Smoke and Mirrors” also nods toward artists such as Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire that have been deeply influenced African culture and music.
Lyrically and thematically, Morton is speaking truth to power, which is something that’s deeply rooted in the Black musical tradition. Morton once again shows that he has a special gift for making music that makes you groove while compelling you to think. Check out “Smoke and Mirrors” here.
By Howard Dukes
PJ Morton – “Smoke and Mirrors”
