The Canadian multi-instrumentalist FrankySelector grew up in Florida, where he was exposed to many different kinds of music. Starting at the age of five, he began on piano, and by his teens was active in bands, which would cement his interest in stage and live music. The ’90s had him playing in Skyjuice, who made quite a name for themselves with their fusion formula. With his current release, he extends even further into unclassifiable areas.
“She’s So Carefree” starts the listen with much rhythm and plenty of grooves, as soulful backing vocals, trumpet, sax and flute complement the lush and stylish opener. From here, “Ice Breaker” brings congas and several types of guitars to a dreamy, soothing delivery of jazz, R&B, and soft rock ideas.
Approaching the middle, “One Afternoon In June” uses drum programming, MiniMoog, and electric bass with much precision in the brief, buzzing, laidback climate, while “Wait For Me” offers a vocally strong presence where musically a lively dance club energy unfolds.
Moving towards the end, “Before I See You Again” displays an agile and uniquely textured album highlight that even gets a little spacey, too, and “Montezuma’s Blessing” exits the listen with some of the most firm drumming and some minor prog-rock nods in a highly exploratory and ultimately atypical version of pop.
Never Better brings FrankySelector’s many influences and vast experience to a very FM dial friendly listen that uses both analog equipment and modern technology in its upbeat and summery disposition. He takes some help on brass and winds, but plays the bulk of the instruments and sings, and it’s quite an adventure of worldly, contemporary, and animated sounds that are always unpredictable and aglow in a vision that illuminates his enormous talent.
