Ahead of the premiere of his upcoming season Cory and The Wongnotes, electric guitar maestro Cory Wong has announced a new album Power plant, and dropped the lead single of the same name, for which he recruited fellow funk fanatic Mark Lettieri.

It’s a Wong track, so naturally it’s got everything you’d expect from Vulfpeck’s guitarist: an abundance of outrageous right-hand funk beats, backed by irresistible horn twists and infectious percussion, plus a flow dangerously catchy vocals.

Lettieri – opting for a Bruno Bacci Leonardo baritone guitar, rather than his signature PRS Fiore guitar – is also on hand to ensure the funk-o-meter soars off the charts, and flanks Wong for a series of low-ends. inducing a stinking face rhythm work.

What’s a little unexpected, however, is Wong’s decision to decorate Power plant‘s interlude with a two-handed tapping sequence that welcomes an eccentric melodic line – it’s a core playing technique, after all, that’s rarely associated with the rugged rhythm man.

Despite his tendency to favor funk beats, Wong – who is an equally adept soloist – throws formalities out the window and does light licking work while striking a perfect, track-appropriate power position.

Power plant will be on Wong’s upcoming album of the same name, which arrives April 29. It will coincide with the second season of The Wongnotes, following a variety show/record release pattern that was established in the first run of episodes.

The show, which premieres tomorrow (April 12), will stream on Wong’s YouTube channel and arrive in weekly installments every Tuesday. According to a previous announcement, this is one of Wong’s most high-profile collaborative efforts to date.

Nate Smith, Victor Wooten, Sierra Hull, Béla Fleck and Chromeo, as well as Big Wild, Billy Strings, Lindsay Ell and Joey Dosik are in the hot seat.

Of the upcoming episodes, Wong commented, “This season of Cory and The Wongnotes is exciting for me because I got to invite some of my musical heroes onto the show and even write music with them.

“This season’s guests are incredible musicians,” he continued. “Each with an interesting and unique journey with how they got to where they are. I was able to dive deep with them both musically and personally with extended interviews and live in-room recordings together.

“Each episode has its own theme and I got to explore how those themes relate to everyday life as a musician. The sketch comedy plays into each theme and how my mind sees the world through the lens of the musician.

The second season of The Wongnotes has already been previewed by The Great British Bass Off – a must-see bass guitar comedy sketch that parodies the British Channel 4 program The Great British Bake Off.

To see the first episode of The Wongnotes season two, keep an eye on Cory Wong’s YouTube channel (opens in a new tab).