When guitarist Ari Joshua joins forces with drummer Russ Lawton and keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, expect sparks to fly. The electrifying trio—dubbed RAaR—unleashes a powerful, soul-soaked reimagining of Jimi Hendrix’s legendary “Voodoo Chile,” available March 14 via Music Factory Records. With deep roots in improvisation and psychedelic rock, their version is both a fiery homage and a bold reinvention.
The track channels the raw spirit of Hendrix, but this is no mere cover. Joshua’s searing guitar leads, Lawton’s pocket-perfect grooves, and Paczkowski’s swirling Hammond organ lines collide in a one-take performance that captures the essence of a live jam. The result: a timeless trip through blues, soul, and cosmic improvisation.
“You don’t just cover Hendrix—you summon his spirit,” says Joshua. “This was one take. No pre-meditation. Just raw, 1960s electricity through our own lens.”
The RAaR Sound: Where Experience Meets Exploration
Lawton and Paczkowski—longtime members of the Trey Anastasio Band—bring decades of touring and recording experience. Joshua, a fearless genre-defying guitarist, blends jazz, rock, and psychedelic sounds with deep emotional resonance. Together, they make “Voodoo Chile” feel like a lost treasure from the golden era of psych-rock.
A Legacy of Exploratory Releases
“Voodoo Chile” is the latest in a string of imaginative RAaR tracks, including:
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“Star Lord” – A cosmic journey of raw jam energy.
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“Father Time” – Locked-in groove, deep and hypnotic.
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“Rae of Light” – A moving organ-driven tribute.
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“For Ray” – Highlighting Paczkowski’s soulful touch.
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“Audio Bicycle Day” – Psychedelic textures in full bloom.
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“The Bernie Meme” – A funky, playful genre mashup.
Other standout releases from Music Factory Records include “Star Light Mountain,” “Kambo Wambo,” “Burlington Coat Factory,” “Waltz of 1000 Stars,” and “The Saga of Milly and Fee.”
Ari Joshua is a boundary-pushing guitarist with an ever-growing catalog of adventurous music. Through collaborations with Robert Glasper, Skerik, Delvon Lamarr, and members of the Trey Anastasio Band, he’s carved out a unique space in modern fusion. As the founder of Music Factory Records and the Music Factory School, he continues to inspire through both performance and education.
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