SMOKING SOUNDS…Music to Smoke to Vol. 3

Artist: The Rugged Nuggets

Album: Odds & Ends

Hoping to not pigeon-hole Smoking Sounds, but here I come with another selection of an instrumental album. I tend to gravitate more towards beat driven music that provides a backdrop to a conversation, inner reflection or just to vibe out to… Which brings me to my choice of The Rugged Nuggets! A standout side project that emerged in LA, concocted from the eclectic mix of successful soul, funk, afro, and soul-jazz bands

What sets The Rugged Nuggets apart from other instrumental groups I’ve suggested is that they are a little more upbeat at times but always remain chill…Their music strikes a unique balance: it’s both uplifting and calming, a perfect harmony of vibrant energy and laid back vibes. Each track unfolds with a sense of a familiar funk and nostalgia, yet still with a fresh appeal that keeps your pulse going.

Their tracks’ tempos vary but they always set the tone with breezy, daytime atmospheres. Picture cruising down the street with the music vibrating through your speakers or chillin’ on a beach with a surfy, laid-back sound that feels like a gentle breeze on a warm afternoon. The vibes stem from surf-rock heavy reverbs and sharp electric tones that blend magically with drippy, mellow melodies. The dreamy guitar licks ripple through the air, intersecting with floating horn lines that lift your troubles and let your mind drift away like clouds on a clear day.

The percussions are a metronome of a groove. The drums are sharp and endearing, with punchy kicks and perfectly timed hi-hats that keep your head bobbin’. With drum beats that keep you invested in the sound and save you from getting washed away in the airy current.