Tuxedo is a collaboration between soul singer/songwriter Mayer Hawthorne and Seattle-based hip-hop producer Jake One (Drake, The Weeknd, J Cole, De La Soul). Influenced by the classic disco-funk of '70s and early-'80s acts like Chic, Shalamar, and Zapp, these guys are right up my alley.
I love classic R&B and soul/funk music. While listening to a Marvin Gaye Pandora station in 2010 a song came on that sounded like it was from the 60s R&B scene. I remember thinking that I had not heard the song before, which was surprising because there weren't that many songs recorded and released back then, so surely if it was a 40 year old banger I would have heard it by now.
When I looked at the song it was by an artist named Mayer Hawthorne. Upon further review I found out the song I was listening to had only been released a couple years prior (2008)! I became an instant fan and still am to this day.
Fast forward a few years to 2015 and the first release from the new band, Tuxedo.
Uhhh, yes please!
Just listen to one of the singles from that first record.
That keyboard though 😍😍😍😍😍...
https://youtu.be/A6Jban-5gew?si=8PfyRTzoYnEX7Vxj
Here is another up-beat joint from the first record.
https://youtu.be/Q-gcfQhR_9c?si=btPpCnOJy1CrNNhf
Tuxedo II
In 2017 we were blessed with Tuxedo's second release, Tuxedo II.
Check out the opening cut, "Fux With The Tux", complete with a cameo appearance by Snoop Dogg!
https://youtu.be/S2B56DhQXLw?si=5biLO_VZ4OBQKNCV
Tuxedo III
Two years after that the band released Tuxedo III.
Lost of featured artists on this one and every song is a throwback to those classic funk vibes, so here's the whole album if you want to check it out.
Here's a slow jam from Tuxedo III, classic! https://youtu.be/aoI-1MoAnvg?si=9B9-Jc6wdftoLd_t
Tuxedo IV
The guys went 5 years before releasing Tuxedo IV in 2024.
I just found this album the other day and have not really listened to it much, but I'll have it on repeat today. Gotta get ready for the show Tuesday night 😎
Here's the first single from Tuxedo IV, "Back 4 More". https://youtu.be/Q4WZ0Ac3rOw?si=gQqyD691x2rFXXqk
Second track is good as well. https://youtu.be/hkefS8WO3LE?si=l65b_re6s6UW0Qiv Smooooooth af!
I cannot wait for this show.
