Canadian band Son of James harnesses a fusion of musical influence to highlight the rise in discriminatory attacks against Asian-Canadians during the Covid-19 pandemic, with his heart-stopping new single, āMama Never Told Me.ā
Dripping with heart and soul, āMama Never Told Meā is a sonically smooth experience filled with soulful guitar playing and stellar saxophone work. Rich embellishments reveal themselves in the form of brilliant piano playing and soaring vocal performances. āMama Never Told Meā tells a relatable tale about the most important woman in our life with all of the rhythmic complexity that Son of James is known for.
āMama Never Told Meā finds its origin when Son of James founder Shon Wong noticed the alarming increase in Asian hate crimes as the pandemic raged on. āThe vigilante in me prayed that an attack on an Asian woman would happen right in front of me so I could exact vengeance for that woman right then and there.ā
As if the world had stopped for that moment, the sudden realization of his motherās own experience came flooding into view. āKnowing what my mom and many other immigrant Asian mothers sacrificed and endured to make a life in a foreign country. It made me think of all things my mom never told me about her struggle until my father passed when I was 20.ā
Fast forward to the month before Motherās Day, and all of the elements seemed to fall into place for a musical tribute worthy of all mothers. The lyrics practically poured out through the tears and onto the page.
āWhen the time has come
I will carry you
When youāre all alone
I will comfort you
For the rest of your days
Donāt you ever be afraid
I owe it all to you.ā
With the pandemic affecting the rest of the world, the recording process for āMama Never Told Meā had to be re-strategized. A talented group of musicians brought the recording to life from the get-go, including guitarist/bassist/pianist Adam Richards, accomplished cellist Michelle Kwan, and percussionist Jason Overy. Jonathan Reichertās slick guitar fills, and Eric Tsangās hypnotic saxophone work hits you right as Jackie Nguyen breaks your heart with her enchanting vocal work. These elements are brought together to create a rhythmic synthesis between art and life previously inexperienced by audiences.
Son of James founder Shon Wong was bitten by the artistic bug from a young age through his grandfatherās career as a professional Chinese opera actor. Wongās early life was spent practicing martial arts and physically training himself to deal with the bullies that plagued him. When faced with the tragic loss of his father, James Wong, Shon found solace and comfort in music. While in China, his drum and guitar lessons would be the catalyst to managing grief and reclaiming his life. A long and winding road littered with more tragedy would lead Shon Wong to form Son of James and proudly represent his heritage through a combination of Asian instrumentation and rock nā roll, developing his signature Chynatruckerfunk sound in the process.
