Last Updated on May 10, 2024
Multi-instrumentalist Brian J. Gitkin’s recent solo efforts as simply Gitkin are just the latest in an already accomplished career. Ahead of his LA debut at Gold Diggers alongside Nick Pagan on May 9, the Brooklyn vocalist/guitarist has dropped a cover of “Don’t You Want Me Baby (Cumbia),” his first single in an eventful 2024 that will see the release of his yet to be titled upcoming album.
Apart from the three full-length albums he’s dropped so far, with another on the way in the fall, he was the frontman of funk band Pimps of Joytime and earned a Grammy nomination for his work with Cedric Burnside. But what distinguishes Gitkin now compared to his time as a producer and vocalist is his decision to let guitars drive many of his songs forward.
On “Don’t You Want Me Baby (Cumbia),” Gitkin’s diverse influences are on full display in a unique display of intersectionality between genres that are so different that they sound as though they were meant for one another.
From listening to “Don’t You Want Me Baby (Cumbia)” alone, it’s apparent how often Gitkin takes inspiration from sounds around the world, whether it be cumbia, Saharan Tuareg, or good old psych-rock. As for this single, he reinterprets The Human League’s new wave classic as a cumbia slow jam meant to be played while the sun’s shining.
Although new wave and cumbia rarely crossover with one another, Gitkin does so in a tasteful manner as he throws out synth beds for percussion. The resulting cover is so odd it works, carrying over the familiar melodies of the original without forgetting what makes cumbia such an infectious genre of music.
BEST CONCERTS IN LOS ANGELES THIS MONTH
His days as a singer might be behind him, but that doesn’t seem to bother Gitkin in the slightest. Nowadays, he’s more concerned with creating atmospheres out of his instrumentation than writing a song with a traditional structure, a testament to his progression over the years. As a producer, he flourishes in the constantly revolving environment heard on each of his albums, all of which are unified by his passion for guitar playing.
“It’s been liberating to let my guitar do the talking,” said Gitkin. “With Gitkin I get to bring in my love for African, Middle Eastern, and South American music and mix it with my native musicality that sits in blues and funk.”
Words: David Sosa
“Don’t You Want Me Baby (Cumbia)” by Gitkin is out on streaming services. For more on his upcoming album and live shows, including his LA debut at Gold Diggers on May 9, follow him on Instagram and his website.
