With one foot steeped in tradition and one foot towards the future, ‘All Through The Night’ stands as a hauntingly lush and melodic first effort by the musical collaboration known as U.S. Elevator.  Composed of folk royalty, Sarah Lee & Johnny and the beat geniuses known as The Rondo Brothers, U.S. Elevator has created a new ‘beat-folk’ sound by taking the rich musical history of folk and injecting an essence of beat-electronic compositions.

The initial track off of the EP, Valentine, which incidentally releases on February 14, can only be heard as something ‘unexpected and exceptional.’  The folk sensibilities, the airy presence, and lush vocal rrangements that Sarah Lee and Johnny lend to the track play off of the drum machine influences of the Rondo Brothers to produce a cover that breathes fresh air into the track originally made famous by Cyndi Lauper.  Upon my first few listens to the track, there was almost a trance like comparison to some of Esthero’s earlier outings — with a much more uplifting mood.

The two forces joining together to form U.S. Elevator have rich stories in their own regard.  The folk side of the collaboration has a distinctive pedigree in Sarah Lee and Johnny, the former being a member of the Guthrie musical family.  The Rondo Brothers, in their own right have been paving a constant pattern of success with past collaborations with Dan The Automator, Galactic, and Foster the People.

If the preliminary effort by the SF based collaboration is any indication, the future of their beat-folk sound looks bright.

Take a listen to our exclusive premiere here.

For more information on U.S. Elevator check the link: http://NinthStreetOpus.com/

Stay tuned for more news and exclusive releases from U.S. Elevator.

Words: Phil Nacionales

Special Thanks: U.S. Elevator, Ninth Street Opus, & Sideways Media.