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Theo Parrish
Traffic Jams
Sound Signature - Cat No: SS102
- updated:2025-08-29
The first single from 〈Sound Signature〉 since 2023's "Free Myself" (which functioned as something of an album sampler), with a Lovely Edits release in between: "Traffic Jams." Following the lineage of "Weirdo" and "In Motion," it pursues African rhythmic influences and intricate, inventive odd-meter steps — Theo Parrish at his very best in recent years. The opening track, "Positive Mental Attitude Solves All," is dedicated to Amp Fiddler, the great Detroit forebear and comrade who passed away last year.
"Traffic Jams are really coagulation and inflammation in the body.
Mental stresses are Traffic Jams.
Moments where there is no flow are all due to Traffic Jams.
Within the Mind Fear and Doubt are Traffic Jams."
The first song of the EP, " Positive Mental Attitude Solves All,"is a tribute to the eternal elder and stalwart, Amp Fiddler.
"Hey, we got that P.M.A.!"
- Bad Brains in "Attitude"
The information sheet carries Theo's own words, making clear that this refers to the body and mind rather than to social conditions:
"Traffic Jams are truly coagulation and inflammation within the body. Mental stress is a Traffic Jam. Every moment of stagnation is the fault of Traffic Jams. Fear and doubt in the heart are Traffic Jams."
The phrase "Positive Mental Attitude" in the Side-1 title "Positive Mental Attitude Solves All" is noted as a quotation from "Attitude," the classic by BAD BRAINS, the Rastafari-influenced pioneers of US hardcore punk. The B-side is the title track, "Traffic Jams." At 9:18 and just over 11 minutes, these are deep dance journeys reaching for greater heights with a spirit that refuses to settle for existing styles and a thoroughly physical dance groove. Guidance for turbulent times. Recommended. (Saito)