Mighty Medicine hosts CD release party Saturday

For its self-titled sophomore CD, the duo Mighty Medicine — featuring singer DeShaun Sparkle Snead and guitarist Larry Neuhardt — utilized a heavy dosage of local talent. 

“We know the gift that Lansing has musically: (It’s) just endless and invaluable,” Snead said.

“We just wanted to take advantage of that — the (building of) a wilder musical community — and we wanted to have that be reflected on our album.”

Double bassist Rodney Whitaker, the director of jazz studies at the Michigan State University College of Music, is heard on the album, as well as members of Snead’s family, who contributed background vocals.

“‘Mighty Medicine’ is definitely a different quality of work than our first album (2009’s ‘Bloom’), and we’ve been working on it for a year and a half," Neuhardt said.

“It took time, it definitely took time,” Snead agreed. “We were gigging and writing songs and going into the studio and recording.”

The CD release party takes place at Saturday at the Creole Gallery and features performances by vocalist Rockelle Whitaker, the folk reggae band Billiards Music; Peter, Paul and Cat; solo guitarist Elden Kelly and jazz singer Anissa Risper.

Mighty Medicine