Today, the professional musician has a new dream-come-true project. It’s an album that takes a tough but thoughtful look at our world, and features the soulful vocals of Corey Glover, the lead singer of one of Burcaw’s favorite bands, Living Colour.
Four on the Floor, which has an R&B/funk feel and was born during the pandemic, was inspired by a life-changing experience for Burcaw — becoming a first-time dad. “My daughter was born at the end of February 2020, three weeks before the world shut down,” he says. “Here I am, sitting with my wife and this little being, not knowing what to do, and also seeing what’s happening in the world around us.
“There was so much heartache, so many deaths. As the months progressed, we saw what happened with George Floyd, read about the uptick in domestic abuse, and felt all these political issues coming to a head.”
Burcaw began thinking about the world in which his daughter would grow up. He grew anxious to spark conversations about subjects from racism and immigration to gay rights, as a way to foster change. Reaching out to music friends such as Glover and Jaeme McDonald, a music teacher from West Hartford, he told them, “Let’s do something, get this off our chest,” and they “would have these sessions and just throw ideas at each other.
“Over the course of a few months, we had some great lyrics and music. Everything was done virtually.”
Burcaw had worked with Glover before, having met years ago through Burcaw’s Hartford County neighbor, Living Colour bassist Doug Wimbish. “It was an honor and a thrill, writing and recording with Corey. You have to understand, Living Colour is hands down one of my favorite bands of all time,” Burcaw says of the Grammy-winning rock group. “The band shaped my musicianship and my desire to become an ardent activist when it comes to social, political and economic reform.”
“Zig Zag,” the first single on the album, deals with people “zigzagging the conversation” that needs to be had about racism. “It’s from the Black perspective, how Black communities are treated and mistreated.”
Burcaw says he especially admires Glover’s “ability to take a stanza and come up with a strong vocal melody right on the spot with very little guidance.” Plus, his “vocal control is astounding.”
Another song, “House Arrest,” tackles domestic abuse. Burcaw recalls reading in The New York Times about people stuck with abusive partners during the pandemic; it moved him, and was another impetus to get this EP out. “The project is important because it’s sending a message through music. We’re not talking about love songs or cutesy my-heart-aches-for-you-baby pop ballads.
“This comes from a place of healing through the power of music, so I’m hoping people latch onto that and know how serious we are about spreading the word. At the end of the day, it’s about peace and sending that message of love.”
Burcaw, whose friends call him “Bearclaw,” is a bandleader and educator who has run Bearclaw’s Academy of Music in New Milford for more than seven years. He’s planning a concert with Glover at Burcaw’s music school on April 14 to fundraise for underprivileged kids who need instruments and can’t afford lessons. A portion of album sales will be donated to the Save the Music Foundation, which has a similar mission.
Glover’s positive energy will make it extra special. “He’s willing to try anything by jumping into the fire head first, and he always has a smile or smirk when he’s jumping into that fire,” Burcaw says.
For Burcaw, the experience is proof that taking chances pays off. “I think that as a creative person you have to follow your heart, and you have to be tenacious. That’s what I’m doing, because you really can make your dreams come true. Take me, for instance, never did I ever imagine in a million years I’d be working with Corey Glover, and here I am.
“I never thought I’d play with Black 47 [either]. So it’s just funny how the universe works. And I really feel like putting out that positive energy and belief that you can do something is going to result in it coming back.”
Four on the Floor drops Dec. 8. You can hear it at bearclawsacademyofmusic.com and on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora.