Red Parker

With a combo of deep laden bass and a raspy croon ready to make you funk while driving on a sunny afternoon, Red Handed sees Red Parker putting together a collection of music that’s impossible not to groove to. Growing up in Greenwood, Mississippi, Parker grew up listening to an elderly neighbor play tasteful soul and jazz records out into the sleepy central Mississippi streets. The music made an immediate impression on the young Parker. The talented musician is inspired by slightly left-of-center influences such as his elderly vinyl-collecting neighbor, Otis Redding, Robert Johnson, and Sly Stone as he created his debut EP Red Handed in Los Angeles. “The vibe in the studio was ignorance and soulfulness,” Parker says. “Everything I love about music making. The combination is what birthed the album Red Handed.” Ignorance and soulfulness. Two things we can all use in doses and that’s exactly what Parker provides in this nine-track full length. Whether it’s the funky bassline in “2’s and 3’s”, the slippery electric guitar riffs in “I Got That ... [ more ] With a combo of deep laden bass and a raspy croon ready to make you funk while driving on a sunny afternoon, Red Handed sees Red Parker putting together a collection of music that’s impossible not to groove to.

Growing up in Greenwood, Mississippi, Parker grew up listening to an elderly neighbor play tasteful soul and jazz records out into the sleepy central Mississippi streets. The music made an immediate impression on the young Parker. The talented musician is inspired by slightly left-of-center influences such as his elderly vinyl-collecting neighbor, Otis Redding, Robert Johnson, and Sly Stone as he created his debut EP Red Handed in Los Angeles.

“The vibe in the studio was ignorance and soulfulness,” Parker says. “Everything I love about music making. The combination is what birthed the album Red Handed.”

Ignorance and soulfulness. Two things we can all use in doses and that’s exactly what Parker provides in this nine-track full length.

Whether it’s the funky bassline in “2’s and 3’s”, the slippery electric guitar riffs in “I Got That Heat”, or the sultry horns on “We Got Ya”–there are special production elements layered into every song. Standout tracks such as “Take A Picture” and “Look At Everyone Talking” will force many clap-a-longs. Attentive listeners will hear a bevy of unique songs and instruments that are often overlooked in contemporary music.

However, it’s Parker’s unique voice that shines over it all. With clever wordplay and sing-a-long lyrics on every track, Red Handed is the perfect accompaniment to a private dance party in a southern country-side estate. Parker’s vocal range and blend of essentially rapping and all-out singing keeps each verse, chorus, and hook extra fresh.

Despite Parker’s innate swagger and braggadocious lyrical content, the artist remains humble and understands the transportive and escapism qualities of his music.

“I just want the music to impact the people. For the duration of the album I’d like to see people take a break by not caring about anything. Everybody is a hypocrite, why care and run yourself down when you can check out and have fun with some good music?” Parker ponders to himself.

“Everything else is a blessing,” He concludes. “Money, power and prestige plays second fiddle to getting people out them devil blues.” [ less ]