# Oakland Indie Soul Collective SEAL PARTY Present ‘Kaleka’ Single From Their Debut Album ‘MMXXII’

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/oakland-indie-soul-collective-seal-party-present-kaleka-single-from-their-debut-album-mmxxii/
- Published: 2022-08-23T12:00:00-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

**Oakland indie soul collective SEAL PARTY present ‘Kaleka’ single from their debut
album ‘MMXXII’**

_“A dynamic duo where their soul music talents can shine when given the opportunity
to create for themselves. Their style can be compared to greats of the genre, such
as Sly and the Family Stone, Dexys Midnight Runners, and The Isley Brothers” _~ **
Vents Magazine **

_“Fun improvised sense of music collectivism… Soulful, optimistic and uplifting,
Seal Party’s music packs a powerful mix of rock, soul and R&B, created and performed
with taste, along with a good sense of groove”_ ~ **Amplify Music Magazine**

_“The uplifting lyrics combined with the sweet harmonies are smooth and calming…
a three-minute escape from stressful realities to reflect on life’s silver linings
and appreciate every minute despite ups and downs” _~ **Music-News.com**

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/YLeBwg08bMum2erKY8GnjpYU4y49F543fN9qK2BWG-
M%3D/PromoAccessory_044922.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

Never ones to rest, Bay Area art-rock outfit [**Seal Party**](https://linktr.ee/sealparty)
offer a fine soul-infused sonic offering called [**‘Kaleka’**](https://youtu.be/y_1fDmhv0mg),
a stunning piano-based composition that brings together the best elements of David
Bowie and Joe Cocker and the latest taster from their debut album [**‘MMXXII’**](https://sealparty.bandcamp.com/album/mmxxii).
Much of the footage from the accompanying video is from the band’s recent midwestern
tour. Though they are based in San Francisco, the band has midwestern roots.

“We feel recharged every time we get back to see our friends in the Midwest. We’re
hoping to tour there often. McGrew and I wish Seal Party could tour all the time.
Someday, hopefully, For the fans of 20th century classical music… the bass in the
chorus plays through a 12-tone row: A# B E D# G G# C# D A C F F#. It’s my first 
experiment in twelve-tone serialism, and likely my last. Schoenberg is rolling over
in his grave,” says frontman **Kevin Seal.**

“One of my earliest memories was of John Lennon’s murder and Yoko Ono saying, at
the time, that she didn’t want the murderer to become famous — that his name should
be forgotten, and we shouldn’t reward him with notoriety. Sadly, that did not come
to pass. However, that was part of my inspiration in writing a song about a much
beloved guy named Satwant Singh Kaleka. Kaleka died a hero’s death, trying to save
his fellow Sikh temple worshipers in 2012. I don’t remember the name of the guy 
who shot Kaleka, and I don’t want to. I do, however, wish that Mr. Kaleka had left
behind some fiction for us to enjoy.”

Seal Party - "Kaleka" (Official Music Video)

[⌊Seal Party - &quot;Kaleka&quot; (Official Music Video)⌉⌊Seal Party - &quot;Kaleka&
quot; (Official Music Video)⌉
Watch this video on YouTube

As a songwriting-production duo, **Chris McGrew** (drums/production) and **Kevin
Seal** (keyboards/vocals)** **formed **Seal Party** after many years of helping 
other artists realize their visions. On their debut record, these studio veterans
let their own voices come to the fore, revealing and beauty, both rock and groove.
Epic melodies soar over tasty chords to tell their stories.

Habitually session musicians, quarantine culture finally gave McGrew and Seal access
to an empty recording studio — namely Studio C of Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco(
AKA [**Wally’s HydeOut**](https://www.wallyshydeout.com/)), in the room of the former**
Wally Heider Studios**, where artists ranging from the Dead Kennedys to the Grateful
Dead to Herbie Hancock recorded some of their most legendary sides.

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/My3KuacUarGXi7lOmSchHr_mk90Gk_o_jCtNKvZSQ90%
3D/PromoAccessory_909836.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**Photo by Ryan Hickey**

‘MMXXII’ is a meaningful and timeless collection, filled with improvisation. Evoking‘
70s soul, rock and R&B while maintaining a raw and exploratory approach, this eclectic
work meshes unusual songwriting and musicianship that is at once playful and rebellious.
Eclectic and beautiful, this album is continuous, expansive, engrossing. Stretching
across genre boundaries, jazz luminaries and punk stalwarts join together to create
a series of unique songs.

Recorded by **Liam Wesley Craddock** and Chris McGrew, the ‘MMXXII’ album was mixed
by McGrew and [**Jaimeson Durr**](http://www.jaimesondurr.com/)** (Sammy Hagar, 
Joe Satriani, Hope Sandoval). **Earlier, Seal Party released the single** **[**‘Maison’**](https://youtu.be/a3MC7bs_eSI),
featuring R&B organ wizard** **[**Chris Rob**](https://www.facebook.com/ChrisRobsviciouskeys)**(
Kanye West, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Anita Baker, Talib Kweli)**.  

This record involves world-class horn players, violinists, organists and vocalists.
An all-star cast of 22 collaborators includes music royalty like **Isaiah Sharkey(
D’Angelo, John Mayer, Patti LaBelle) **and** Keyon Harrold (D’Angelo, Maxwell)**,
punk icon **Larry Boothroyd (Jello Biafra, Victims Family)**, bassist **Uriah Duffy(
Whitesnake, Fantastic Negrito), Ben Misterka (Collectivity)**, saxophonist **Kenneth
Whalum (Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake)**, trumpeter **Rich Armstrong (Spoon,
Boz Scaggs, Thomas Dolby)**, guitarist **Jonnie Axtell (Psychefunkapus, Dee Snider,
Tone Loc) **and saxophonist** Daniel Casares (Atta Kid, Jazz Mafia, the New Mastersounds)**.

‘MMXXII” album is out now, available everywhere digitally, including [**Spotify**](https://open.spotify.com/artist/04Sef0worVfEXd44ZC6IPj)**,**
[**Apple Music**](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/seal-party/1581340269),and **
[Bandcamp](https://sealparty.bandcamp.com/)**. The digital version will be released
via **New Age Distribution **and the CD released by [**X Racer Productions**](https://sealparty.bandcamp.com/album/mmxxii).

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/scSDmCuGi0SbwXPNax4QXH4VHxB6fZFzOedmc97tOXI%
3D/PromoAccessory_216943.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**CREDITS**
Chris McGrew – drums, percussionLiam Wesley Craddock – bass, guitarJon
Axtell – synthSonny Climes – guitarChris Rob – organEvan Kahn – celloKevin Seal –
vocals, pianoWritten & produced by Chris McGrew & Kevin SealRecorded by Liam Wesley
Craddock & Chris McGrew at Wally’s HydeOut in Hyde Street Studios, San FranciscoMixed
by Jaimeson Durr & Chris McGrewMastered by Justin Weis‘MMXXII’ album cover artwork
by Tony Calzaretta‘Kaleka’ single cover artwork by Serena Di Pinto’s‘Kaleka’ video
co-directed by Ben Torres and JezrelArtist photos by Shealin Ritter and Maryzelle
Ungo

**FOR FANS OF:** 
Jon Batiste, Allen Stone, Mayer Hawthorne, St. Vincent, Joe Cocker,
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Long John Baldry

**Keep up with Seal Party**
[Website](https://linktr.ee/sealparty) | [Bandcamp](https://sealparty.bandcamp.com/)
| [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/sealparty6) |[ Twitter](https://twitter.com/sealparty6)
| [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/sealparty6) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiTGKqeSjce9UsZL26fbhgw)
| [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/seal-party/1581340269) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/04Sef0worVfEXd44ZC6IPj)

**Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR**
[Website ](http://www.shamelesspromotionpr.com/)
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