The Fifth Shade (Lab 2011)

Introducing the artwork for Lab 2011! (click the image for a larger version)

Ain’t it hip? This incredible bit of artistry is by our very own Dustin Mollick (UNT student and baritone sax for the 2010-2011 One O’Clock Lab Band) Whereas last year we had a world-wide search for great cover art (and FOUND it via the super talented Mr Kutz from the U.K.), this year we had to look no further than our own back yard. Dustin is featured on Lab 2011 in both musical and cover art capacities and he excels in both areas.

So, dig the ultra-hip retro nature of this cover! I love the blue shades…in fact, that is where the enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous..yes even arcane name of this article (The Fifth Shade) comes from. Here is a post from Dustin’s Facebook to elucidate: “I wanted to use exactly four shades of blue for the entire cover, but Steve’s Santa hair & beard required a fifth shade.”

Santa hair and beard?! Well…I suppose so. In fact, in Dustin’s rendition I look like the caption could read: “Santa goes clubbing”…but I digress…Not only did Dustin’s post render the title of my next One O’Clock chart, but it points out some of what he was up to. The cover is in shades of blue and has a hip retro jazz vibe to it. Reminiscent of Blue Note Records a bit, while also hinting at a “Charlie’s Angel’s 1970s kind of vibe.  Not that I’d like to see any of these guys on a remake of Charlie’s Angels..at least not in the lead roles…but there is a healthy does of wah-wah guitar-laden 1970’s funkiness on this project as well as the usual compelling and exciting One O’Clock fare. So, I think Dustin’s cover art nails it.

We are on the verge of finishing the final mix and Prince Bulla-The Deluxe is nearing the stage of mastering the project. Also, we are deep in the throes of finishing studio videos for ALL of the tracks along with a montage to promote our Grammy chances yet again. I believe this is the strongest project that I have been associated with (remember, I will say that each year…nothing personal Lab 2010 crew) and that you will all enjoy it tremendously. Here is the track listing:

1. Modus Operandy: composed Michael Brecker, arranged: Kevin Swaim

2. Duplicity: composed and arranged by Colin Campbell

3. Perseverance: composed and arranged by Rich DeRosa

4. Doublethink: composed and arranged by Sean Nelson

5. Hip Pickles: composed and arranged by Lou “Blue Lou” Marini

6. Nail in the Coffin: composed and arranged by Kevin Swaim

7. Special Interests: composed and arranged by Neil Slater

8. Yesterdays: composed Jerome Kern, arranged Bill Holman

9. The Last Theme Song: composed and arranged by Steve Wiest

I think you will enjoy the music muchly and once again, the cover art is just as hip!