“Colors” by Black Pumas, continuing at  #1 on the Alt chart, echoes the moving, street-feel rhythm of Marvin Gaye’s now classic 1971 “Inner City Blues”–both songs use urban life as a backdrop–“Colors,” however, has a more positive point of view…..it’s a delicious and elegant soulful flow delivered with polish.

Gaye’s song was long: 5:31, and so is “Colors”–the official version, below, is 4:24, but there’s a longer, live version that clocks in at 6:47, with over 15 million YouTube views.

Coincidence:  Black Puma’s home town is Austin, TX, home of next month’s South by Southwest,  the annual mega music meet-up for attendees, fans, artists, and bands.  Last year, Black Pumas won “Best New Band” trophy at the Austin Music Awards and was nominated for “Best New Artist” at last month Grammys.

Formed in 2018, Black Pumas are guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada and singer Eric Burton.  Wikipedia defines their genre as: psychedelic, soul, R&B.

Quesada has deep roots in Latin funk; Burton is a singer/songwriter originally from Los Angeles.

They’ve guested on Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show,” Jimmy Kimmel’s show, and Ellen DeGeneres’s show.

Their debut self-named album got rave reviews across the board from music mags and critics.

They are currently on a sold-out European tour.