A beautiful goodbye – Mike Little’s posthumous ‘Keys To The Universe’ release

Last week, we mourned the sudden passing of Mike Little, a loss that shook both the Canadian Americana country blues community and music fans worldwide. Only days before that tragic news, we completed a feature with Mike where he spoke about his new album, his high school days, and his deep love for his wife, Candace.

Canadian alt-country collective The Hello Darlins co-founder and Hammond B3 organ supremo MIKE LITTLE feels the funk on debut solo album ‘Keys To The Universe,’ with a little help from Matt Andersen and a special group of friends.

For more than three decades Little has forcing keyboards to the fore, performing on over thirty Top 40 hits and collecting a cupboard full of CCMA Keyboard Player of the Year awards along the way.

And now a debut solo album, eleven tracks recorded with several of his closest collaborators featuring a selection of both new and old-school funk jams. Drummer Adam Dowling, bassist Mike Lent and guitarist Murray Pulver, plus old friends including guitarist Russell Broom (Jann Arden) and bassist Chris Byrne (The Road Hammers) all playing their part on today’s release.

The seven instrumentals include The Meters’ classic ‘Cissy Stru’’ and Jimmy Smith’s ‘Chicken Shack,’ with four songs featuring guest vocals from Matt Andersen, Cory Tetford, Jack Semple, and all of The Hello Darlins – and Little’s partner in life and music, Candace Lacina, front and centre on the album’s first single, ‘Good Thing Going On.’

“Candace and I have spent years building music together both on and off the stage,” said Little. “Our relationship is woven into the album because she was my biggest supporter and the one who encouraged me to make it. Having The Hello Darlins on the song feels less like a guest spot and more like part of the record’s vibe. We also already had the song written, and it was a good fit.”

Little also acknowledges Keys To The Universe acts as a tribute to the musicians who guided his early musical journey, including Louise Rose who performed with Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, and Quebec-born Robbie King whose career began in the ‘60s with Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers, running straight through into the ‘90s with appearances on several Bryan Adams albums.

“I started touring with blues bands right out of high school,” he added. “I lived at the King Eddy in Calgary and played the blues jams for rent money, along with teaching music. I bought my first Hammond B3 and Leslie speaker from Brian Brown, who owned Western Keyboards in Calgary. It’s the very same organ I still play every day. That instrument opened the door to countless musical experiences and opportunities that helped shape the course of my life. I love B3, and it is more than just a keyboard to me. I believe it was my destiny to play this instrument, be in bands, and teach. Music has been my best friend.”

Further details HERE