ERIC KRASNO

If you peruse the artists signed to the Mascot Label Group, it reads like a list of the sharpest guitar players around: from Vai to Robben Ford, the level of musicianship is incredible. But one artist on the roster seemed a little more intriguing. Los Angeles resident Eric Krasno is one of those interesting musicians who is happy to sit on a tasteful, minimal groove all through one song only to burn like a latter-day Wes Montgomery on the next. Blending elements of Herbie Hancock and Curtis Mayfield in his writing with chops worthy of Grant Green, Krasno really is a subtle gem of a musician.

Krasno’s broad-based approach may come from his background as a producer – and he has produced some of the biggest names in music, from rapper 50 Cent to Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi to soul legend Aaron Neville. And it also may be why his own records are studies in warm, understated funk with great-sounding arrangements. A veteran of the bands Lettuce and Soulive, he’s now an established solo artist whose in-the-pocket new album, , walks in the footsteps of The Meters and Shuggie Otis. Intrigued, we swung by