Singer-Songwriter Steve Baskin Announces Soulful 'Mind Your Step' Album
Above: album cover art for ‘Mind Your Step’
NASHVILLE, TN (February 6, 2020) – Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Steve Baskin has announced his new album, Mind Your Step, is set for a Friday, April 3 release. The 10-track album is a soulful Americana offering that draws from the traditions of R&B, rock and country. “Mind Your Step,” the album’s lead single and title track, is out today via all DSPs. Recently, the song premiered with Glide Magazine who raved: “Shining brightly with infectious Stax-style grooves and horns, the song is a soulful anthem that feels real and direct. Baskin’s vocal balance of Americana rocker and soul singer is a perfect fit for this R&B laced tune bursting with organ, a powerful beat, and a hard-hitting chorus.”
Recorded by GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Mark Neill in South Georgia at Soil of the South Studio, Mind Your Step was approached with the mindset of stripping away the technology and getting back to the basics in the studio; real musicians and real instruments all recorded to real tape.
“That shit was real” is what Baskin wants the audience to take away from the Mind Your Step. “Mark brought a couple of massively important things to the project,” says Baskin. “First, he is the master of that 60s and 70s vibe. He has a unique process powered by a set of 1960s tools and equipment that produces a very unique sound. Second, Mark didn’t let any of us off the hook without delivering the right performance. He wasn’t after a perfect performance, but it had to be right before we moved on.”
Pre-production lasted five months as the songs were fine-tuned and rehearsed before taking one step into the studio. The preparation turned into about 11 or 12 very long, tough days in the studio over a few weeks. “It was about as hard as I’ve ever worked on a record,” admits Baskin.
The magic lies in the grooves of humanistic timing, feeling, vibe and eye contact from across the studio. . . and when that magic reveals itself, it’s the take that makes you shout out loud, “that shit was real!” In this overly processed and manipulated world that is infused with technology, it can be refreshing to hear an album full of experience, warmth and personality. “The lesson for me from Mind Your Step,” concludes Baskin, “was that I knew that whatever was going to wind up on tape was going to be what we played and sang live.” As Steve Baskin continues his musical expedition, fans can expect these gems from Mind Your Step to work themselves heavily into the set list.
Track listing for Mind Your Step:
“Afraid Today”
“Big Wedding, Small Divorce”
“Mind Your Step”
“Glass Of Wine”
“Pick Up The Pieces”
“Cutting Room Floor”
“Dances By Moonlight”
“Sentimental Lady”
“Dinner With Lou”
“Time For Bed”
Above: Steve Baskin