NEW SINGLE FROM LATE CALGARY MUSICIAN MARVIN “THE FLY” KEE’S COLLECTIVE, FLYTRAP
Mo Gravy Records is today sharing the first single from late Calgary musician Marvin “The Fly” Kee’s album with his collective, Flytrap, set for release later this year.
As a bass and guitar player in a long list of Calgary bands spanning a myriad of genres, from soul to flamenco and funk to punk, Kee was a notable figure in Alberta’s music scene since he started performing with the legendary High Rollers in the late 1980s. He passed away in March of 2023.
Before Kee’s passing, he was recording a new collaborative album under the Flytrap moniker. The brainchild of Kee, Flytrap’s Weapon of Mass Creation LP features a cast of different characters from across Calgary’s funk, soul, and jazz scenes, including soulful vocalists Yolanda Sargeant (Sargeant X Comrade), Amy Lee Owens, Sammy Jean, and Chenelle Roberts, producer Evgeniy aka Comrade, trumpet and keyboard player Ravi Poliah, saxophonist Scott Morin, and others. Composed by Kee, the album’s lead single, “Can U Dig It?”, is an instrumental track infused with the cinematic energy and soul that he adored. With Kee’s sly guitar, bass, and keyboard riffs on display, it’s a truly lethal elixir of groove.
“Marvin loved movies – exploitation films, samurai films, any wonky ‘70s-era film with a funky soundtrack. You can hear that influence all over this instrumental track,” said Scott Morin, a friend of Kee’s who was associate producer and saxophonist on the album. “‘Can U Dig It?’ has the sort of dirty, soulful funk vibe that you might hear in a Blaxploitation film during the driving scene where the PI is trailing the suspect. I would describe the Flytrap project as like the Broken Social Scene of funk groups. It has had a rotating roster of musicians and collaborators, all from the funk, soul, and jazz scenes, with Marvin at the helm. Most of the tracks on the Flytrap album will have vocalists, but we wanted the first single to be this instrumental track as it really spoke to Marvin and his artistic statement. We all knew when he got sick, and it put more of the onus on us to help see his vision through. We wanted to create a legacy piece for him and are now working with the blessing of his family to make sure this album is completed with the care and love that Marvin would have given it.”
Mo Gravy records head and album producer Evgeniy aka Comrade added,
“We are honoured and excited to be able to release Marvin’s music to the world. It’s not a task to be taken lightly. We are working very hard to make sure that the music is completed and presented in a way that reflects the true Flytrap funk style and aesthetic that he worked so hard to achieve. Marvin’s creative and inventive spirit is still very much present in this city through the many contributions he made to the music scene, the countless lives he touched, and the people he inspired.”
The first single from the Weapon of Mass Creation LP arrives ahead of a mini-music festival in Kee’s honour, Snow Melter Presents: Flyfest – A Musical Tribute to Marvin “The Fly” Kee, presented by Music Mile, Mo Gravy Records, and the Inglewood Business Improvement Area. The musical event on April 27 will bring together many of Kee’s musical collaborators and friends to perform live in his honour, including Sargeant X Comrade, La Mosca, Deicha & The VuDudes, and The Ex-Boyfriends. The day will begin with an unveiling of a mural by artist Alex Kwong, which captures the vibrant venues of Calgary’s Music Mile and an unforgettable denizen who played them, Marvin Kee.
Review
“Can U Dig It?” is a lively instrumental single blending funk, soul, and jazz effortlessly. It hooks listeners from the get-go with its groovy vibe and catchy melodies.
Throughout the track, the musicians demonstrate their exceptional skill and tight chemistry. They effortlessly navigate complex rhythms and melodic improvisations, keeping the energy high and the listeners engaged.
Overall, “Can U Dig It?” is not only a celebration of various genres, it also showcases the timeless appeal of these genres. It showcases the musicians’ talent and underscores the continued popularity of these musical styles.