Emanuel Casablanca

First Listen: Emanuel Casablanca says "It's Getting Strange"

(December 30, 2018) Brooklyn, New York is likely not the first place that comes to mind when looking for an artist who can play a mean blues guitar. However, that is where Emanuel Casablanca hails from, and he can definitely play him some blues. Casablanca is a much in demand guitarist, and his licks can be heard on works by Alicia Keys, Rufus Wainwright, John Legend and Eric Roberson. Casablanca’s musical foundation comes his family, and particularly his mother, who was a classical and gospel pianist and vocalist. So, it is not surprising that he received an intense education in music that included training in both the violin and piano. Nor should it be too surprising that an artist who received such varied training should be able to add the blues licks to his song “It’s Getting Strange,” which is the title track from his upcoming Ropeadope Records EP.

“It’s Getting Strange” is a relationship song that addresses those times when perhaps things are not going the way we want them to go. Or as the guitarist with the buttery tenor vocal puts it, "This song defines a complicated relationship. This song is for everybody who gets that gut feeling that somethings not right." Check it out here. - Soul Tracks

Guitarist and songwriter Emanuel Casablanca stands out from the crowd; In a world of followers he takes his own path, guided by his specific passion and unfettered by cultural definition. As a young man he witnessed the old Brooklyn, when venues where all around and you earned your chops in a Williamsburg venue. He grew up listening to Biggie, Lil Kim, and The Lost Boys at a time and place where you could see them hanging out in the neighborhood. His mother was a music teacher and she kept him playing and on a classical and gospel path. He left the music path for the basketball court, but returned to music during college and picked up the forbidden instruments (drums and guitar) and began his personal music journey. He credits Angus Young as his motivation to pick up the guitar, and titans Albert King, Rory Gallagher, Buddy Guy, and Freddie King as important influences that led him to his sound.

Emanuel Casablanca writes songs; he aspires to write and record them as they were made in the classic times in history, yet keep them relevant to today. His new record, It’s Getting Strange, is a tight collection that hearkens back to a time when artists sought to directly convey their feelings in an effort to connect with the listener. The themes are therefore familiar; love and loss, peace and hope. The style can best described as old school rhythm and blues, with a heavy emphasis on blues. His voice is transcendent, and his guitar licks are deliberate and never overwrought. The record is a refreshing change of pace from the frantic sounds of today. It’s Getting Strange hits on May 17, preorder and a taste coming this Friday. - Ropeadope