Tedi “Son of Pearl” Robinson joins Musicians Reveal with Joe Kelley to discuss his new single Just Call My Name, a soulful track that defines his mellow funkism sound. He reflects on the pandemic’s influence on his creativity, the universal themes of love and connection in his music, and his collaborations with Flight Boy and D. Trent Kelly. Robinson also opens up about his socially conscious track Killer on the Payroll and his vision for the future of funk and soul.

📘 What You’ll Hear in This Episode

– The inspiration and emotional depth of Just Call My Name

– How the pandemic fueled Robinson’s creativity

– Defining and elevating mellow funkism

– Collaborating with Flight Boy & D. Trent Kelly

– Reflections on Killer on the Payroll and music as protest

– The role of authenticity and community in independent music

– Robinson’s outlook on the future of funk and soul

⏱️ Chapters

00:20 – Introduction to Tedi “Son of Pearl” Robinson

06:55 – Defining Mellow Funkism

11:45 – The Inspiration Behind Just Call My Name

18:20 – Creating Music During the Pandemic

25:10 – Collaborating with Flight Boy & D. Trent Kelly

32:05 – Themes of Love, Longing & Human Connection

39:00 – Music as Protest: Killer on the Payroll

46:15 – Building Community in Independent Music

51:50 – Vision for the Future of Funk & Soul

56:40 – Closing Reflections

📝 Key Takeaways

– Tedi “Son of Pearl” Robinson’s new single Just Call My Name blends funk and soul to capture themes of love, longing, and connection.

– The pandemic served as a creative catalyst, inspiring Robinson’s most prolific and reflective period.

– He defines mellow funkism as a genre that merges chill grooves with emotional depth, aiming to resonate widely.

– Collaborations with producers Flight Boy and D. Trent Kelly added richness and direction to his sound.

– Robinson addresses social issues through his protest track Killer on the Payroll, showing his commitment to music with meaning.

– He stresses the importance of authenticity, collaboration, and community within the independent music scene.

– Looking ahead, Robinson envisions mellow funkism growing into a powerful movement for healing and connection in a post-pandemic world.