VARIOUS ARTISTS - Naive Melodies

Naive Melodies is a bold and visionary tribute to the music of Talking Heads, reinterpreted
through the lens of Black musical innovation. Curated by Drew McFadden - the creative
mind behind BBE's acclaimed Modern Love (David Bowie tribute album) - this new
collection dives deep into the Afro-diasporic rhythms and experimental soul roots that
helped shape Talking Heads' unmistakable New Wave sound. Inspired by artists like Fela
Kuti, Parliament, and Al Green - whose influences loomed large in the band's rhythmic DNA
- Naive Melodies shines a light on the Black music traditions that underpinned their artistry.
Far from a conventional tribute, Naive Melodies reframes the band's catalog through the
voices and visions of a new generation of genre-defying artists. These interpretations
illuminate the foundational grooves and sonic textures that fueled Talking Heads' rhythmforward
aesthetic, bringing them full circle with authenticity.
"With Naive Melodies, I wanted to spotlight the deep and often overlooked influence of
Black music on the sound of Talking Heads, drawing from the rhythmic foundations of Afrodiasporic
traditions, soul, gospel, Latin, and spiritual jazz. This project is a chance to
reimagine Talking Heads' legacy through the lens of the very innovations that helped shape
it, bringing those influences to the forefront through the voices of today's most forwardthinking
artists." - Drew McFadden
The album features a globally minded lineup, including Liv.e, Bilal, Rog , Miguel Atwood-
Ferguson, Aja Monet, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Theo Croker, Kenny Dope, Rosie Lowe,
Pachyman, W.I.T.C.H., and more - spanning Afrobeat, jazz, soul, funk, gospel, dub,
electronica, orchestral, and Latin styles. It reflects not only the boundary-pushing ethos of
Talking Heads, but also the influence of Black music as a cultural force that helped shape it.
This is not just a tribute album - it's a recontextualization. A cultural conversation. A
rhythmic reawakening.

Vinyl release of Various Artists - Naive Melodies. Released through BBE MUSIC and available on 2LP.