Ari Joshua ignites the groove on new single 'Scared of Eric'

When four of the Pacific Northwest’s most audacious improvisers converge, the result is nothing short of electrifying. 'Scared of Eric', the latest single from Ari Joshua and Music Factory Records, is a psychedelic boogaloo-funk tour de force, and a vibrant tribute to saxophone legend Skerik that manages to honour tradition while propelling it into uncharted territory. Featuring Skerik on sax, guitarist Ari Joshua, keyboardist Delvon Lamarr, and drummer Grant Schroff, the track is a masterclass in interplay, groove, and unrestrained creativity.

The piece opens with a cinematic creep, each note cautiously threading into a taut, suspenseful tension that keeps us on edge before the groove unfurls. Lamarr’s simmering organ lines provide a smoky undercurrent, while Joshua’s guitar cuts across with angular, sinuous phrases, weaving between controlled chaos and melodic clarity. Schroff’s drumming is simultaneously grounded and daring, holding the pocket tight while encouraging exploration. And then there’s Skerik: fierce, mercurial, unmistakable, his saxophone blazes with a fire that elevates the composition into something transcendent. The track breathes like a living, evolving organism, each musician attuned to the others with a telepathic sense of timing and space.

Beyond the musicianship, 'Scared of Eric' is a heartfelt homage. Joshua’s reflections on first encountering Skerik as a teenager, combined with the ensemble’s chemistry, infuse the performance with genuine reverence and joy. Recorded live at Studio Soli with Mell Dettmer and polished by Jason Gray and Doug Krebs, the production maintains the energy of a live jam while ensuring every detail glimmers.

It’s no surprise this project has attracted Grammy consideration in multiple categories, including Best Jazz Performance, Best Instrumental Composition, and Ari Joshua for Producer of the Year. 'Scared of Eric' is a manifesto of adventurous, communal music-making, offering a dazzling collision of funk, jazz, and the pure thrill of improvisation.