We Like It Here [Remixed, Remastered & Reimagined]

by Snarky Puppy

Overview

Snarky Puppy's ninth album, 2014's We Like It Here, marked a turning point for the genre-bending fusion outfit. A year prior, they had taken home their first Grammy, sharing the award for Best R&B Performance with singer Lalah Hathaway for their collaborative song "Something" off Family Dinner, Vol. 1. Although they would not return to that song's soulful elan, We Like It Here nonetheless showcased the group's burgeoning sophistication. Recorded live in front of a studio audience at Kytopia Studios, Utrecht, Netherlands, the album finds bassist/bandleader Michael League shepherding the sonically expansive horn-, synth-, and strings-augmented ensemble through some of its most ambitious and thoughtfully arranged compositions to that point. There's a growing passion for global traditions, as in the opening "Shofukan," with its potent evocation of Tuareg and Malian Saharan rock sounds. Similarly, on "Jambone" they blend the slick contemporary jazz horn harmonies with a kinetic Afro-beat groove. They also explore their classical leanings as on "Kite," where they frame daring post-bop improvisation against a moonlit, Baroque-sounding chamber string quartet. We also get the tidal wave jazz-rock tumult of "What About Me?" and "Outlier," both of which underscore the band's long-gestating Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report inclinations. They close in epic fashion with keyboardist Cory Henry's "Lingus," his chunky organ and synth riffs pushing the band into a masterfully controlled frenzy. [2025's We Like It Here (Remixed + Remastered + Reimagined) features a more robust sounding mix of the original tracks as well as a second disc of alternate takes.] ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	08/01/2025
Label:	Ground Up
UPC:	0199350639166

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Snarky Puppy   Primary Artist
Shaun Martin   Moog Synthesizer,Keyboards
Jay Jennings   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Chris Bullock   Flute,Sax (Tenor),Clarinet (Bass)
Bob Reynolds   Sax (Tenor)
Larnell Lewis   Drums
Cory Henry   Organ,Keyboards
Chris McQueen   Guitar (Electric)
Justin Stanton   Trumpet,Keyboards,Fender Rhodes
Mark Lettieri   Guitar (Electric)
Mike Maher   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Bill Laurance   Piano,Keyboards,Fender Rhodes
Bob Lanzetti   Guitar (Electric)
Michael League   Conductor,Moog Bass,Bass (Electric)
Nate Werth   Percussion
Yannick Hiwat   Violin
Steven Brezet   Percussion
Angela Coles   Conductor
Julio Pimental   Percussion
Susanne Rosmolen   Cello
Mara Tieles   Viola
Tessel Hersbach   Violin

Technical Credits

Roy Van Rosendaal   Assistant Engineer
Simon C.F. Yu   Filmmaker
Mike Harrison   Monitors,Assistant Engineer
Eric Hartman   Mixing,Engineer
Michael League   Producer,Liner Notes
Colin Benders   Assistant Engineer
Andy Laviolette   Filmmaker,Photography Director
Emilia Canas Mendes   Artwork
Nathan Forsbach   Mixing Assistant
Scott Hull   Mastering