Originally cut by the Swedish Jazz/funk band Beat Funktion, Uppsala-born singer Maiah Lay creates her soulful version of the track Green Man.
The title track from the bands 2016 album, Green Man captured the intense and raw sense of disillusionment and the frustrations of patiently waiting – underlined by afro-funk vibes, sweet harmonies and groovy horns.
Maiah Lay, who debuted in the spring of 2020 with the singles I’m Fallin’, Like Water and Wading, reimagines the single. Cover versions within the ‘soul from Scandinavia’ world are rare, and it is something I strongly support.
Produced by Daniel Lantz (Beat Funktion), the songs’ initial instrumentation remains the foundation as Maiah Lay wraps her version with a softer soul vibe, smoothening the tones and mellowing the ambience. Interjecting with equally calming verses is hip-hop star Henry Bowers (formerly known as King Henry), and pens a Hulk reference I know we all were thinking about.
Together they present another dimension – a ‘newer-old school’.
If there wasn’t such a thing, there is now!
Top photo by Palli Kristmundsson