Cory Wong and Jon Batiste - Meditations (2020)

Funk guitarist Cory Wong and The Late Show bandleader/pianist Jon Batiste have released a collaborative album project entitled, Meditation, which arrived independently on Friday. The six-track EP came as a result of three nights of raw improvisation in the recording studio alongside fellow musicians Nate Smith and Sam Yahel, according to the album’s announcement.

Fans will remember Wong, Batiste, and Smith recently collaborated on tracks including “St. Paul” and “Home”, which were both included on Wong’s 2019 studio effort, Motivational Music for the Syncopated Soul.

Following the 10-minute “Meditation” to open the album, the music continues with shorter, relaxed recordings that offer a balance of calmness with engaging melodies in these stressful times.

“The album is called ‘Meditations’ because of the origin and intent of the music,” Wong said of the new release in a statement via press release. “Jon and I both have a pretty hectic schedule on a regular basis. Music is both our job, and our escape. The intention of making this album was to find ourselves in a healing place with the music. We’re not chasing radio play or a Billboard hit with this particular collection of music…we’re chasing that feeling of freedom and healing that comes from that place that gives us that deep connection on a human and spiritual level.”