New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Bhi Bhiman will release his new album Rhythm & Reason May 19 via Thirty Tigers. Hailed by Robert Christgau for NPR All Things Considered as a "penetrating melodist, accomplished guitarist and striking singer," Bhiman uses his own upbringing as the son of immigrants as a central theme for the album's 10 original songs. With production by Sam Kassirer (Lake Street Dive, Josh Ritter), Bhiman deploys bold language and sonic sparks - from richly arranged strings and woodwinds to a literal gunshot - on Rhythm & Reason, all anchored by his most powerful instrument, his unmistakeable tenor hailed as "full-bodied and brawny but delicate" by the New York Times.
Bhiman balances the subversive with the sensitive on Rhythm & Reason, drawing inspiration in equal measure from Richard Pryor and Curtis Mayfield for their keen observations, their biting commentary and their humanity. Opener "Moving to Brussels" sets the tone for the album in the form of an immigrant's Dear John letter to his former dictator; "Waterboarded in Love" details an interrogation by a jealous love; and "Up In Arms" recounts
Black Panther Huey Newton's fall from prominence.
Rhythm & Reason follows 2012's Bhiman, which TIME called "joyous sensory overload" and Paste praised as a "spirited, multi-cultural stylistic stew." Bhiman performed on "Later... with Jools Holland" and Wits with fan and friend Keegan-Michael Key (of "Key & Peele"). Following tours with Soundgarden's
Chris Cornell and Rosanne Cash, Bhiman was asked by Rhiannon Giddens to join her tour starting March 31 - see dates below.
Rhythm & Reason Track List:
1. Moving to Brussels
2. There Goes The Neighborhood
3.
Bread and Butter
4. Bennie Please
5. Up in Arms
6. Death Song
7. The
Color Pink
8. Waterboarded (In Love)
9. The Fool
10. Closer to Thee
Bhi Bhiman US Tour Dates:
3/31 - Lexington, KY - Lexington Opera House*
4/1 - Charlotte, NC - McGlohon Theatre*
4/2 - Durham, NC - Carolina Theater*
4/3 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre*
4/7 - Rocky Mount, VA - Harvester Performance Center*
4/8 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater*
4/9 - New York, NY - The Town Hall*
4/10 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts*
4/12 - Washington, DC - Lincoln Theatre*
4/14 - Norfolk, CT -
Infinity Hall*
4/17 - Port Washington, NY - Landmark on Main Street*
4/18 - Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre*
4/21 - Albany, NY - The Egg*
4/23 - Chicago, IL - The Vic Theatre*
4/24 - Grand Rapids, MI - St. Cecilia
Music Center*
4/26 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom*
4/27 - Madison, WI - Capitol Theatre*
4/28 - Minneapolis, MN - Pantages Theatre*
4/29 - Lawrence, KS -
Liberty Hall*
5/1 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theatre*
5/9 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre*
5/19 - Portland, OR -
Aladdin Theater*
5/20 - Seattle, WA - Meany Theater @ University of Washington*
* with Rhiannon Giddens
Bhi Bhiman On The Web:
https://www.bhibhiman.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bhibhiman
https://twitter.com/bhibhiman
