Ben Basile Blends Ska and Soulful Storytelling on Solo Debut Benergy

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

Ben Basile is no stranger to holding down the low end. As the longtime bassist for ska-punk veterans Big D and the Kids Table, he’s spent over a decade energizing audiences across the globe with his signature groove and rhythmic finesse. But now, Basile is stepping into the spotlight with Benergy—his debut solo album arriving May 2nd via Sleep Walk Sounds.

Named after a spur-of-the-moment comment from one of his bass students—“Benergy?” in response to Basile’s high-octane playing style—the title encapsulates the spirit of the record: grounded in rhythm, bursting with heart, and elevated by joyful momentum.

“This record has been a long time coming,” says Basile, who composed, arranged, and played bass across all of Benergy’s tracks. “It’s the first time I’ve really stepped out as a solo artist and bandleader. Every song tells a little story from my life.”

That storytelling begins with “Mountain Road,” a bouncy, organ-rich track inspired by the very street he lives on in New York’s Hudson Valley. “I drove that road a dozen times while moving into my new place, and it felt like the rhythm of the drive just embedded itself into the song,” he says.

The album's third single, “Cacao Knibb,” pays tribute to two of Basile’s great loves: ska music and dark chocolate. The clever title nods to cacao nibs and legendary Skatalites drummer Lloyd Knibb, whose style helped define ska’s earliest sounds. Featuring co-producer Jon Degen on saxophone and a playful piano solo from longtime friend Sean Morrison, the track fuses Latin rhythms with classic ska grooves—showcasing Basile’s deep knowledge of the genre and his knack for musical fusion.

But while Benergy leans heavily into ska and jazz, it's far from a genre exercise. Tracks like “74 Leonard Street” honor Basile’s formative years frequenting the Knitting Factory in Manhattan, while others—like “Dub 215”—emerged from spontaneous writing sessions, named simply after the date the track was born.

“I love that even without lyrics, instrumental music can tell a story,” says Basile. “The bass might not be front and center on every track, but it’s the foundation. From there, I wrote the melodies, the horn parts, everything that builds upward.”

A graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a degree in jazz studies, Basile’s musical education is as robust as his resume. He’s toured on six continents, played with legendary acts like Pilfers and the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, and founded the Poughkeepsie Jazz Project, providing an ongoing jam session for regional talent. When not on tour, he’s teaching the next generation of players or gigging with local favorites like In The Pocket and the Eric Puente Jazz Quartet.

Benergy was recorded at various studios across the East Coast and mastered by Tom Rosato of Zena Mastering, with each track reflecting a different corner of Basile’s musical world. From dub to jazz to bossa nova-inflected ska, the album is a sonic roadmap through his influences—and a tribute to the community that shaped him.

“This album is a summer spinner,” Basile says. “Something you can throw on while driving with the windows down or cooking in the kitchen. It’s rooted in groove, but it's meant to make you feel good.”

To celebrate the release of Benergy, Basile will embark on a short run of shows this June, including dates in Newark, Boston, Westfield, and his hometown of Poughkeepsie. The tour marks the first time he’ll perform a full night of his own music as a headlining artist.

Benergy drops May 2nd on Sleep Walk Sounds. Stream the single “Cacao Knibb” now and pre-order the full album on vinyl at sleepwalksounds.limitedrun.com. For tour dates and more, visit benbasile.com.

Listen to the full interview with Ben Basile on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience.