Nile Groove Band – Why It Gotta Hurt So Bad?

Four years after forming a culturally diverse reggae, R&B and funk band, creating an up-and-coming leading Canadian indie band, recording and producing their original debut single “Without You” in 2014, and their original full-length debut album “Uncovered” in 2015, Nile Groove proves that it is a contagious groove machine on the music scene and on the airwaves.

Featured as “Artists to Watch” in the 2015 April-June edition of Boston-based Skope Magazine, featured on global satellite radios world-wide including Blast The Radio, Talk 2 Q Radio (USA), WIKI FM (USA), All Unsigned FM (USA), The Ed Tyll Show (USA), Starcom Radio Networks (USA), Jamsphere Radio (USA), Generation Zel! Radio (USA), KISS International 107.7 FM (USA), Bakus Radio (USA), 9Radio (UK), TEE Radio (Philippines), FnF FM (Norway), and featured in numerous interviews and live performances on local and international radio including CBC Radio, CHIN FM, CKCU FM, CHUO FM, and Power of Perception Music – Blog Talk Radio (USA), this accomplished 6-piece Ottawa-based band continue to groove their audiences with their energizing performances, their infectious original music, and their distinguished sound and style.

Influenced by legendary artists while making its own mark with their original music and fresh covers, Nile Groove is one of its kind fusing the genres of soul, jazz, ska, and pop with reggae, funk, and R&B while putting forth their impressive solid bass grooves, dynamic drums, alluring guitar and key melodies, arresting tenor sax lines, and phenomenal female vocals.

Bringing their unique grooves to special events and community events, private functions, and legendary nightlife live music venues including The Blacksheep Inn, Le Petit Chicago, The Rainbow Bistro, Zaphod Beeblebrox, The Mercury Lounge, Mavericks, Irene’s Pub, Live On Elgin, The Kinki Lounge, Bassline Station, The Brass Monkey; and performing in top regional festivals including the 2012 Ottawa African Festival, the 2013 Festival of Nations, the 2014 Canadian Tulip Festival, and also headlining the 2015 Warnockstock Music Festival and the 2016 East Feast Festival, Nile Groove is on the rise.

Following the 2017 release of their brand new single “Why It Gotta Hurt So Bad” lifted from their upcoming second studio album set to be released in spring 2017, this talented and versatile band continue to lay down its unique roots and quality vibes wherever it goes and shows no limits to what it can do.

Music Review

There’s a brilliant energy to this track that brings with it a fair amount of nostalgia. The soulful, jazz-infused R&B sound of the 90’s steps up for a moment, and yet on top of this you get a brand new voice to familiarise yourself with, and an undeniably fresh set of lyrics. There are a lot of lyrics in this track, the writer has added a touch of quickness and energy that actually works well in contrast with the laid back vibe of the instrumentation. There soon appears an emotional vulnerability about the song, the title suggests as much but it’s only when you really listen that you can pick up on this emotional energy that reinforces the truth; that it really does hurt, that there’s an honesty here, a real sense of experience, and this is something that many listeners will be able to relate to.

The hook repeats a notable amount of times towards the end of the track, and at first it might sound a little over done, but in respect of reflecting the emotion of the piece, it’s a crucial question, and the repetition again underlines that feeling and is something that relevant audiences will appreciate and understand. The artist’s leading voice has a great sound, it’s never not enjoyable to listen to, and the raw emotion and honesty is something that was occasionally painted over back in the day – R&B was often about the good vibes, not so much the difficulties of love. This alone is something to appreciate, and furthermore, rather than dwelling in the sadness entirely, the music is uplifting and smooth and loaded with positive energy. The combination of elements works well, and it’s great to hear something inspired by a certain genre, yet still true to the artistry of the writer and the performer.

By Rebecca Cullen

Rebecca is a Musician and writer from Manchester, UK, with an MA in Song Writing.