Mike Van Eyes’ Soul-Blues Rock Statement “Ain’t That Loving You, Baby”
Mike Van Eyes’ Ain’t That Loving You, Baby, out February 11, 2026, marks a new chapter for one of Vancouver’s most enduring underground musical voices. The album blends brass-driven soul, late-night rock grit, and expansive arrangements that feel equally at home in smoky clubs or festival stages. Arranged by saxophonist Bill Runge and engineered by Juno-winning producer Erik P.H. Nielsen at Mushroom and Afterlife Studios, the record emphasizes warmth, space, and punch, creating a sound that is both intentional and immersive.
Van Eyes has long been a quiet yet influential presence in Vancouver’s music scene, performing on festival and club stages while contributing his saxophone, arrangements, and musical insight to countless artists and projects. Ain’t That Loving You, Baby captures this spirit, offering a collaborative, singularly expressive work that reflects decades of craft. The album showcases Van Eyes’ subtlety and artistry, delivering music that feels earned, deeply rooted in the local scene, and unmistakably his own.
The Mike Van Eyes Big Band, forged in the late ’80s on festival bills and the Commodore Ballroom stage, brings decades of Canadian rock, R&B, and jazz experience to Ain’t That Loving You, Baby. The album captures the band’s tight, live-room interplay, with arrangements that swing broadly yet land with precision and confidence. Featuring Juno-linked collaborators like guitarist Tim Porter, saxophonist Jerry Cook, and drummer Chris Nordquist, the record emphasizes capturing the moment where the music locks in naturally, allowing the songs to breathe and shine.
The album feels like a work crafted by seasoned storytellers, honed through performances at historic venues and major festivals, including the Vancouver Du Maurier and Fort Langley Jazz Festivals. Horns, piano, vibraphone, guitars, and drums combine to create a wide, immersive sound that reflects the band’s shared fluency and instinctive chemistry. Van Eyes’ philosophy—to let the music carry itself while staying out of the way of a take that feels true—gives the record an authenticity and vitality that both honors the band’s history and delivers an immediate, live energy to listeners.
Make sure you check out ‘Ain’t That Loving You, Baby’ on Spotify below!
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Who am I? Just some guy who decided to start writing on the Internet years ago and now operates his own brand and site. Owner/Operator of Modern Neon Media, I make all kinds of niche content to suit my interests at the time. DIY Enthusiast, Brewmaster extraordinaire, and avid freak for geek culture. Follow on my socials for a more “on” version of me.
