Oakland’s Jaz Clemente makes esoteric electro-funk, combining influences of synth-pop, South American beats, 70s disco and more. Surviving the Golden Age is excited to premiere his new EP, Sacalacalaca.
The titular track features lush synths and smooth r&b vocals. The song sounds like MGMT doing an afrobeat remix of Toro Y Moi. While that may sound esoteric, it doesn’t quite compare to “Do you even dream?” The disco track seems to be Kool & the Gang influenced but it is in 7/8 time and mixes in some bossanova influences. It’s sunny and beautiful while according to Clemente, lyrically preaching “self-love, self-reliance, and self-validation.”
The Sacalacalaca EP is a bold statement from an artist who seems to know exactly who he is and what kind of music he wants to make. The music is fun and light but Jaz Clemente flexes serious musical chops. It will be exciting to see what comes next for him.
