The Highlands Project is a new collaborative recording project from Sky Canyon, Robert M Powell, and friends. Regular readers of The Static Dive will remember Sky Canyon from his jazzy Feb 2024 jam “Subtle Approach“. That track introduced a multi-talented percussionist, producer, and author with over fifty years in music.
Robert takes vocal, guitar, and bass duties in The Highlands Project while Sky Canyon mans the drums, percussion, B3 organ , and backing vocals. The duo assembles veteran virtuoso friends to round out the roster. For their latest release the duo recruited Bob Rebholz on sax and Tracy Blackman on backing vocals.
“Congo Square” is the brand new single from The Highlands Project, released worldwide via all major streaming services on October 17, 2024. A funky tumbao groove opens the track as the band slides into the mix with a laid back and swampy jazz vibe. The singer steps to the mic with a steamy tale of the titular party spot as the sax trades riffs with a smoking blues guitar and syncopated percussion paints the periphery. Originally composed by Zydeco guitarist Sonny Landreth, the song has been covered by many artists including New Orleans’ great Neville Brothers.
Check out “Congo Square” below. You can also hear the song on both the Deep Dive : Pop & Rock playlist and Deep Dive : Jazz & Classical, or listen on your favorite streaming service. The single’s cover art is an original painting titled Wave to the Rhythm by Bernard Stanley Hoyes. Follow the links below to connect with Sky Canyon and The Highlands Project.