#LabelWeek: Charles Pasi - Sometimes Awake

Charles Pasi is one of those talented multi-instrumentalist artists who deserve more attention. Sometimes Awake is his third album and it's been out since October 27th on Believe Recordings. We were lucky enough to discover an acoustic version of some tracks during a private showcase - see here.

Sometimes Awake blends jazzy songs with blues-influenced ones, funky upbeat pop tracks and piano ballads.

The album opens on a jazzy ballad entitled “A Man I Know” driven by a piano and sustained by string chords. The lyrics evoke a catharsis about growing older, doing mistakes and making amends. It is followed by “No Company”, an upbeat song where harmonica merges with good bass lines and Charles Pasi’s crooner voice to produce a groovy track.

“Too Many Friends” opens on whistling that will instantly set you in a good mood. The song is about one-night stands, and relationship between a girl and a boy.

The rhythm paces down for another piano/bass ballad on “Fading Picture”. The song goes crescendo so it’s really an upbeat ballad, dealing with nostalgia and fading love.

“Little Love” seems to echo “Too Many Friends”. It opens on harmonica and funky bass lines. It’s pop-y, dancy and terribly positive!

“Mama Song” is a very sensualsong; it is made to make people dance and get closer on the dance floor. Once the lovers get familiar, it’s time to make room for “Song for Etta”, a lovely ballad.

“Lazy Lady” has some reggae influences in the instrumental, showing that Charles Pasi has a wide interest in music… And that is music is perhaps as interesting. “End of the World” evokes the universe of Stevie Wonder, an artist who has been played a lot during Charles Pasi’s life and whom he fancies to collaborate with.

“A Sleeping Scene” is a cinematic ballad that follows the every-day life of a Michigan girl.

The album closes on “Nonna”, the only instrumental track of the LP – safe from the beginning voice sample. It is build up around harmonica, Charles Pasi’s favorite instruments among the different ones he can play. It’s a nice closing track that can as well be used as a lullaby.

 Charles Pasi will be presenting Sometimes Awake on tour.