Here's a track that Jeff and Terry had started and sent to me before release to see what might happen.  It's a rare Smoking Trout one off, although I suspect one day our friends on the bus will be talking about this one.  I was able to add some wacky playground guitar that gets crazier as things assimilate.  I think 

Synth, Mix, Beats, Production: Tea R Sea @tea_are_sea
Lyrics, Vocals : Stonerjazz @user-911083679
Guitar: TexMex Shaman

Lyrics by STONERJAZZ

Always get a little sentimental
in the middle of the conversation
when i think about all the options offered
during the assimalation

when the level of concern
and the nature of the consternation
for the mundane and the useless
made it difficult to accept or advocate the privilege
and the worship of the lucky landing of the crooked Cowboys

Though sentimental in its nature
its making meditations incomplete
and decisions Faulty
just distractions while we fiddle in the middle of another Crisis
in the simulation
and the monkeys say "Good good Real good yum yum yum yum
now we're gonna get some Yeah"

Assimilation (The Smoking Trout: TRC, STONERJAZZ & TexMex Shaman)

Cast of Chracters:

Sean Smith /|||||| Orange Paperbacks -- @the-orange-paperbacks — acoustic guitar and composition

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –-  four string fretted bass and organ

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – electric guitar

TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production

This song began when Sean, who is a superb writer of catchy pop songs, was inspired by the classic surfer movie, The Endless Summer. He wrote it on his acoustic guitar with a mind to sharing it with Eclectic Collective. He first shared it with Ken, who promptly provided driving drums and invited the rest of us to play on it, too. Josh hopped on first, adding his bass and completing the rhythm section.

  About this time, Tez got involved, laying down the Ventures-esque melodic electric guitar you hear throughout. Right after Tez did his thing, Stephen came along soon after and completed the lead part with his fuzzy, adventurous guitar. 

  At this point, it still felt very stringy, so Josh decided to lay down the organ part you hear in there, too. Once it was cooked, we tapped Stephen to do his expert brand of production, mix, and mastering to get it ready to serve. 

  This is the second time Ken and Josh have collaborated with Sean, the first being almost two years ago on a song called Diamond Marigold. When Sean approached Ken with a second song, not only Ken was thrilled, but Josh and the rest of the gang were, too. Sean has a lot of great, catchy, accessible music on his page that is all worth putting in your ears.
  We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Favorite Pair of Sandals - (Eclectic Collective with Sean Smith)

Cast of characters:

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Taylor T5z acoustic guitar, Tom Anderson Custom T electric guitar, Gibson Earl Scruggs banjo, Eastwood MandoCaster, mix, mastering, production, and composition

J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums 

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Fender Precision four string bass, played with a plectrum 

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – harmonica, jaw harp, timpani, hambone percussion, and production editing  
   
This song began with Stephen, who recorded it on his acoustic guitar and bass to a programmed drum track a few months ago. We were all thrilled to work on it, even though it sat in BandLab as a project for almost a month before Stephen separated the tracks, thus allowing us to trickle in our parts. JJ was first to jump on it, because he could before the tracks were separated, as his part is completely his idea. He added the organ that really set up the entire sound of both dominant sections of the song. 

  Ken was first up to the project once the tracks were replaceable, making the wild, driving beat his own. Inspired by both JPJ and Michael Ivins, Josh laid down his bass line, trying to match Ken's energy. Last, but not least, Mark jumped in with the rumbling timpani. He also added the flavorful harmonica, and unique jaw harp you hear throughout, as well. Finally, Mark added the hambone percussion at the end of the song, too, which we all consider a treat.

Stephen wasn't done with it, though, and still had some magic to sprinkle. He went in and added the howling electric guitar you hear prominently in the second main section. Also, he added the tempting intro with his acoustic guitar and electric mandolin that looks like a Telecaster guitar. 

  Once it was in the bag, we thought it appropriate for our master mixer Stephen to put it to bed, which he did in his always expert manner. Mark did help with the production, though, as he's very good with editing and spotting mistakes that need to be corrected.

  This is a gift from Stephen to all of us, and you, too. It to
ok a lot of teamwork to make the dream work, as always for Eclectic Collective. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Country Ham - (Eclectic Collective)

Cast of characters:
Jonathan Beckenstein — @jonathan_beckenstein — acoustic guitar, composition

Cgmaness – @user-419254289-15129531 – Chris – bass, vocals, and lyrics

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums, percussion, and vocal harmonies

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Roland FP-10 piano and Collings mandolin

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson custom T slide guitar, production, mix, and mastering

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – harmonica, edited fiddle samples, and jaw harp

This song began when Jonathan wrote it on his acoustic guitar several months ago with the intention of developing it into a larger song. When Josh approached him about doing a collaboration, Jonathan thought this one would fit the bill. I should say at this point how much we all admire Jonathan and enjoy his music. On the unlikely chance you aren't already familiar with his music, I suggest you go hop on his page and check it out. 

  All that to explain the level of excitement that ran through Eclectic Collective when Josh shared the project with the group. Chris was first to jump on it, coming up with his intricate bass line even before Ken added his moving drums, although they went back and forth a couple of times to create the rhythm section. Josh jumped on right after that part was complete, adding his mandolin and piano to the mix. Steven was next up, adding his howling slide throughout. Last, but certainly not least, Mark came up with the driving harmonica and twangy jaw harp, and the raspy fiddle, adding them all to complete the instruments. 

  At this point, we had a pretty good instrumental song on our hands. However, Chris decided to give it the extra kick by adding the vocals, the lyrics for which he wrote himself. Our multitalented drummer, Ken, added the vocal harmonies shortly after, too.

  Now that it was in the bag, we needed some production for it. So, we turned to Stephen, who mixed and mastered it in his always expert fashion. 

  This song is a real treat for everyone in the band, as I mentioned earlie. We are all very grateful to Jonathan for sharing this song with us, and had a wonderful time helping bring it to life. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by cgmaness:
 Come on now let's break a leg,
We've got it made in the shade.
One more day, go out and play.
I guarantee we've got it made.
Oh, we've got it made.
Happy to be with my friends today.
Fill up your drink whatever it may take.
I guarantee we've got it made.
~Gibberish~
Don't need a reason,
Or wait for the seasons to change.
That's what I claim.
Go out on this limb with me,
And realize, we've got it made.
We got it made in the shade.
Can't you see we got it made?
Oh, we've got it made.
Happy to be with my friends today.
Fill up your drink whatever it may take.
Can you believe that we've got it made?
Come on now let's shake a leg.
We've got it made in the shade.
Don't need a reason,
Or wait for the seasons to change.
That's what I claim.
Go out on this limb with me,
And realize, we've got it made.


We've Got it Made - (Eclectic Collective w/ Jonathan Beckenstein)

Terry sent this one over and it got a little experimental.  He had the melodies and beats already written so I added some accent parts to it.  Sounds almost industrial at times and ends with a haunting melodic line that kinda brings things back.

Smash And Grab -w/ Tea R Sea (A Texas Tea Production)

Cast of characters:

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–piano, drums, and composition

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four string bass, mandolin, and synth

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – symphonic VST instruments including flute and horns, vocal effects, and bells

This song began on the last day of the cold January of this year, when Ken sat down at his piano and recorded an improvisational jam. This is the first song Eclectic Collective has done where Ken started it with a piano, so we were all very excited to work on it.

Josh was the first one to add a part, adding his fretless bass guitar, and going back and forth with Ken, while he added the drums to match the groove up right. Josh also added the mandolin after the guitars were laid down, as well as the descending synth blasts you hear throughout. Before all that, though, Stephen recorded the first half of the thrilling guitar you hear in there. After Stephen had his part down, Tez came along and finished the guitar work in the second part. Last, but certainly not least, Mark added the amazing symphonic elements, specifically the horns and flute you hear in there. He also added the cold January wind, represented by his breath and some tinkling bells.

Once it was all wrapped up, we asked Stephen to put a bow on it with his expert production, which he came through with, as always.

As mentioned, this is an extraordinary offering from EC, starring Ken not only on drums, but on the keys, as well. It felt like we were jamming all together in the same room, and hope it comes across that way. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

January Epiphany - (Eclectic Collective)


Cast of characters:

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, mix, production, and composition

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – synthesizer, claps, shakers, vocals, and lyrics

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul electric guitar

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Fender Precision four string bass

This song started as a guitar composition Tez came up with while on holiday recently. He wrote it with Eclectic Collective in mind, inspired by ZZ Top, and shared it with the rest of us as soon as he was able to return home and record it. 

  Stephen was first to the trough with this one, adding his thrilling guitar fills and solo. Being from Texas, too, he's no stranger to Billy Gibbons. Mark came next with some synth, and later added some claps and shaker. Ken put his rocking drums in after Mark, laying the groundwork for the groove. Josh completed the rhythm section with his bass soon after, though. Mark decided early on that he was going to add some vocals to this, and Stephen had to adjust his part to suit them. We're all really happy with not only Mark's lyrics, but especially his vocal performance, as well. Eclectic Collective now has a go to member of the band who know's what he's doing with his voice. 

  Once it was in the can, Tez decided to mix it, as it was his song to begin with. He did his always expert job with the task, too. 
  This is an example of Eclectic Collective getting down and dirty for a rocker that has the flavor of all of us firing on all cylinders. Special attention to both Tez and Mark for their inspiring generosity and hard work in conceptualizing this one, too. We all hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by mistermark:

I got the top down, driving around
Burnin’ down the road, no prisoners
Everybody knows that I’m on the run  
I’m gettin’ outta here do or die 
Black Jack paddy whack listen to me 
ain’t giving no dog no bone
What’s mine is mine and what’s thine is thine
But if you want me just pick up the phone 
If you need my number I’m # 1
Mama raised me alone ‘cause I’m a son of a gun
Now I’m paying my dues but I’m almost done
So if you want a piece of me
Come and get me
Come and get me
Well, hey baby baby now what you say
You hitch a ride with me I’ll take you all the way 
she said hey there baby just step on the gas 
I got places to go I wanna get there fast
Well somewhere at around mile 103
I heard a rattling sound I had to check and see
We stopped right there on the side of the road 
Then what happened next it made my mind explode
The girl started laughing as she locked the door 
She put the pedal to the metal couldn’t push it no more 
Way off in the distance half a mile away 
My baby called out to me as I heard her say…
Come and get me
Come and get me
My feet got draggin’ in the desert sand
But as she waved goodbye something fell from her hand
I picked up the paper it was plain to see 
My baby wrote down her number and she left it for me
I been ‘buked & scorned I been thrown some shade 
I wanted revenge cause I gotsta get paid
I called her up but I just got the machine 
And wattaya think that the message said…

Come and get me


Come and Get Me - (Eclectic Collective)

Cast of Characters:

Joe Stroffolino-- @joseph-stroffolino -- Taylor 114ce acoustic guitar, main vocals, harmony vocals, lyrics, composition

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums and percussion

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –- four string Fender Precision Bass, and Roland organ

TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson Custom T electric guitar, mix, mastering, and production

  
This song began when Joe, feeling a bit nostalgic, wrote the lyrics and composed it on his acoustic guitar. He recorded it and sang it with expert harmonies, then decided to share it with Eclectic Collective. We were all very excited to get work on our second song with Joe, as we all admire his songwriting.

  First up was Tez this time, oddly enough. He was able to identify all the fill spots and light up the solo without the rest of us even adding anything yet. Next came Ken, who usually goes first, adding his steady grooving drums and tasty percussion. Once the drums were down, Josh completed the rhythm section by adding his fretted bass. He also worked out an organ part to give the whole sound a bit of thickness. Also adding some thickness and texture, Stephen added a clean electric rhythm part, as well. 

  Once we had it in can we asked Stephen to mix and produce it for us, which he did in his always expert fashion. 

  This, as mentioned, is Eclectic Collective's second song with Joe, and we all enjoyed bringing it to life with him. He's a wonderful collaborator and an all around good dude. Do yourself a favor and go check out his page, which is rich in great songs. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.

Original lyrics by Joe Stroffolino:

If you find yourself in trouble and you think you've lost your way. 
Here's hoping that you find a path to a better day.
I sure hope that you're happy.  I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
I hope you find all the answers to all those questions vexing you.
I hope you can find a way not to bite off more than you can chew.
I sure hope that you're happy.  I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
You spread your wings and you flew so far away from me.
I hope that you're enjoying your new reality
All those places that you said that you wanted to see.
I hope they're as good as you expected them to be.
I want you to know that you hold a special place in my heart.
I think about you often even though we are apart.
They say that when you love somebody sometimes you gotta be willing to let them go.
You gotta let them spread their wings and fly wherever the wind decides to blow. 
I sure hope that you're happy.  I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
I hope that you're happy. I hope that you're doing well.  I sure hope that you're doing swell.You spread your wings and you flew so far away from me.
I hope that you're enjoying your new reality

Hope That You Are Happy - (Eclectic Collective with Joe Stroffolino)

Cast of characters:

The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — VST orchestration, vocals, lyrics, and composition

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums, percussion

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – Warwick fretless four-string bass, Fender Precion four-string fretted bass, and Roland Phantom synthesizer

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– Tom Anderson Custom T model electric guitar

Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark – VST string arrangement

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, mix, and production

 This song began as a musical letter written, composed, and sung by Carl to Eclectic Collective. Carl and Josh had been sniffing around each other's pages, admiring each other's work and collaborators. So Carl reached out with this friendly, uplifting song, as a gift to the band. 
  Ken was first in line, adding his awesome, driving drums to give us a heartbeat to build upon. Josh came along next and completed the rhythm section with his trusty four-string fretless bass. Stephen was next up to bat, adding his dynamic raspy guitar, which almost sounds like an electrified fiddle. Next up, Mark followed with his trippy synth and powerful strings to add to Carl's original composition. 

  We had it pretty much done sounding, but wanted to spice it up a bit, so we came up with the idea for a coda. Josh added his bass and synth for it, and Tez came up with the thrilling guitar part of it, as well. Tez also added the thrilling guitar intro, too. 
  Once it was in the can, we asked Tez to mix and produce it for us, which he did in his always expert fashion.

  This is the first song EC has done with Carl, but we know it won't be the last. We all admire him for his creativity, proficiency, and prolificacy. His page is worth a stroll, too, as it contains a lot of gems.

  We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark: 

Hey Collective Seeds,

Let's work things out across that water
There's a cable under sea,
We can send all sorts of...
Music/Words/Sounds - It's insane!
Look Lads,
That's life in the fastlane!

So it's ones and zeros
Mine and yours and theres
We are all heroes...

Watching the fire,
From a distance we're warm
But not from their mire,
From this musical charm.
It's a bonfire,
An inferno.
Earth got plenty to turn off...

So we can sing to love
And we can play for more dove.
Let's combine our powers. Collective!
A Paddy/Yankee toasted sandwich

Tex festival streak
Psyched for more free
K2 to peak
Mistermark chimes ' found life fought
Give, You Entheogenic Psychonaught
Collective lands
Psyched for more free

Dear Collective - (Eclectic Collective and The Beautiful Dark)

Cast of Characters:

Steve's Planet -- @steve-vervaet — acoustic guitar, vocals, lyrics, and composition

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – Fender Stratocaster electric guitar

Mistrermark -- @user-432503709 — Mark — organ 

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –- four string fretless Warwick bass and Roland electric piano

TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– mix, 
mastering, and production

This song began with Steve, who wrote it on his guitar and sang 
it, before sharing it with Eclectic Collective about half year ago, 
back in the fall. Always grateful to Steve for sharing his amazing music with us, we kept it alive even though it had stalled out on us for whatever reason. 

  We had a decent skeleton from our original go at it, but decided to scrap it, and start fresh. Ken, being the one who actually revived it, added his solid drums first, providing for a groovy foundation. Tez came next, surprisingly, adding his hooky guitar fills throughout. Mark hopped on shortly after, adding the organ you hear coming in around the 2:00 mark. Josh took his turn after that, even though it was only a couple of days between, by adding his fretless bass to complete the rhythm section. He also, in the same recording session, added the electric piano you hear throughout. 
  
Once it was in the can, we asked Stephen to mix it for us, in his 
always professional manner. 
  
We all love working on Steve's songs, and admire him as a 
musician, singer, and songwriter. This makes almost a half dozen songs on which the EC has collaborated with Steve, and we're sure to add many more. We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Original lyrics by Steve's Planet:

Tracks by TexMex Shaman