Details

Excellent Traveler is Mercereaus version of a solo guitar album following the release of his critically acclaimed records Joy Techniques and SUNDAYS. As penned in the album notes by Carlos Nio, this exquisite album of spontaneous solo composition, nuanced improvisation, and exploratory world creation features living legends Laraaji, Luis Prez Ixoneztli, Idris Ackamoor, Andr 3000, and frequent collaborators Carlos Nio and Surya Botofasina. Mercereaus (3 years young) daughter Juniper is also on the album. Kamasi Washington, Shabaka Hutchings, Cavana Lee, V.C.R, Anaiah Rasheed Muhammad, Dwight Trible, Andres Renteria, and Aaron Shaw all intersect in Mercereau's psychedelic quests and adventures as well.

"I feel like I, and we, contain the vastness of all infinite potential, and in that potential, my imagination and feelings about it go beyond words, and it's all in the music!" Mercereau continues, "My greatest inspirations in life and music come from feeling a sense of infinite possibility, because I do believe thats what is available in Life on Planet Earth and Beyond. I focus on opening myself up to this freedom as much as I can, and its something I maintain awareness of and cultivate in all aspects of my life and creativity. Freedom is very important, I offer it to myself and to others around me. I feel very alive and tuned in when experiencing, hearing, seeing and doing things that remind me that anything can happen.

Known for his writing and production credits on records by household names such as Jay-Z, John Legend, and Leon Bridges, Nate Mercereau is currently buzzing for his contributions to Andr 3000s album, New Blue Sun. At the vanguard of electroacoustic compositions, he seized the opportunity of recording duets with the Golden Gate Bridge in 2021 after reading an article on San Francisco residents complaining about the landmarks eerie humsee NPR piece here.

Produced, Mixed, Edited, and Arranged by Nate Mercereau

SAMPLED GUESTS (in order of appearance)

Luis Prez Ixoneztli

Carlos Nio

Andr 3000

Surya Botofasina

Laraaji

Idris Ackamoor

Shabaka Hutchings

Kamasi Washington

Cavana Lee

V.C.R

Anaiah Rasheed Muhammad

Aaron Shaw

Andres Renteria

Dwight Trible