Soulful artist and producer Diane Durrett has shared her rallying cheer during a difficult time in American history. “Make America Groove” is a horn-loaded soul cut that showcases both Durrett’s dynamic vocals and, what has to be, one of the tightest bands in the south. The track’s inspiration is rooted in Durrett’s work as a board member of the Recording Academy, best known for the GRAMMYs, where she has been a force in their work to secure music creator’s rights. As part of this work, Atlanta native Durrett was involved in a nationwide day of community action which had her meeting with her local Representative, Hank Johnson. During this meeting there came a point when the attendees were discussing the hope and inspiration that music can offer. As they discussed the unifying power of music, Rep. Johnson started a point that hung in the air unfinished. “We’ve got to… we’ve got to…” Durrett’s reply? “Make America Groove!”
Durrett explains how her phrase was still with her by the time she returned home. “It really made me reflect on my musical career and how it’s brought me together with people from so many diverse backgrounds and at so many different stages of life” She continues, “‘Make America Groove’, then, is a celebration of the power of music to unify people from all walks of life.”
“Make America Groove” is the third single release from Durrett in 2020 and follows the feel-good funky, “Blue Water”, and sassy blues strut “Good News”. These songs are from her upcoming Diane Durrett & Soul Suga’ album entitled, Sweeter Love Grows set for release in early 2021. Soul Suga is Durrett’s long-time backing band and features Melissa Junebug on drums, Yoel B’nai Yehuda on keys, Fuji Fujimoto, and Gregg Shapiro on bass. On “Make America Groove”, Soul Suga is joined by the powerful Good Times Horns, featuring Mike Burton on sax and Melvin Jones on trumpet, as well as Ian Schumacher on guitar and Peggy Still Johnson on backing vocals. Mixing was handled by legendary engineer Thom ‘T.K. Kidd’ (Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band).
