Cantinuum, a new music project 
conceived by Grammy-winning producer, writer and mixer Scott Jacoby (AKA SCOJAC), and collaborator Sarah Tamir, is celebrating the release of a new single—an extraordinary reimagining of the classic Cyndi Lauper hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Performed by the award-winning singer-songwriter Deva Mahal (daughter of Taj Mahal), the song is transformed into a rich ballad anchored by her vivid vocals and soulfully languid arrangement. Produced by Jacoby and Tamir, the song includes Paul “Papabear” Johnson on bass and Sherrod Barnes on guitar. Jacoby plays drums and Tamir and Jacoby are both on keyboards. Mahal’s sublime reinterpretation is the second in a series of recordings that began with Cantinuum’s reworking of “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” performed by The Roots’ Martin Luther McCoy.
Cantinuum—a name that brings together the Latin word for song, “cant,” with the timeless inference of “continuum”—is a labor of love for the two founders who shared a deep affection for the incomparable hit songs of the 80s and realized they could evocatively recontextualize their favorites utilizing the talents of acclaimed modern artists. Having produced and mixed hit-making artists such as John Legend, Janelle Monae, Coldplay, Vampire Weekend and many more for over a quarter of a century, Jacoby sought to revisit his roots as a recording artist. Meeting Tamir provided the catalyst for exploring pure creativity and unmitigated artistic freedom in this new project.
Notes Cantinuum: “Deva really brings out the deeper meaning behind Lauper’s lively signature track with her effortless, soulful vocals. The song, already a joyous anthem for girls of every age exuding humor and fun and one that defined that era in a profound cultural way, becomes transformed by Cantinuum into a moving ballad, one that also shines a light on the underlying darker themes of pain and adversity. Deva’s version embodies a similar concept of “girl power”—that women have choices to be independent and free of conformity—and embraces a quieter sense of joy that will leave a unique and poignant impression.”
Adds Mahal: “I took my time with figuring out what record I wanted to interpret for this project and out of so many that I live for, there was no other choice. Cindy Lauper is the artist, songwriter and producer that most people wish they could be. It’s a great honour to sing her music and to create with my friend, Scott Jacoby! He’s brilliant and I love working with him.”
Link to purchase/stream: https://ffm.to/cantinuum-devamahal
ABOUT CANTINUUM
Cantinuum is the brainchild of GRAMMY Award-winning writer, producer, mixer, Scott Jacoby (AKA SCOJAC) and his creative collaborator Sarah Tamir. A blend of the word “continuum” – something that keeps on going, changing slowly over time – and the Latin root “cant,” which signifies song, Cantinuum transcends time and identity by selecting iconic songs of the 1980’s and transforming them into modern masterpieces. In recontextualizing classic hits with fresh production choices and unexpected, acclaimed featured artists, Cantinuum expands upon the DNA of these beloved songs to create something at once timeless and altogether new. Powered by Tamir’s inspired musical sensibilities and Jacoby’s arrangement expertise, Cantinuum breathes new life into the hits of yesteryear – captivating new audiences while honoring the legacy of the originals.
Cantinuum emerges from the idea that a song lives forever, changing through time. Jacoby and Tamir both grew up in the 80’s and heard these iconic, era-defining songs, and decades later despite their very “peppy” arrangements and productions, heard through to the lyrics, which in many cases are deep, dark, profound, insightful. They wanted to present these melodies and lyrics in a new context wherein the listener could appreciate these almost hidden meanings.
ABOUT DEVA MAHAL
A rare combination of masterful songwriting and breathtaking vocal talent, Deva Mahal was born with blues in her blood. Beginning from her upbringing in Kaua’i, Hawaii to discovering her voice in New Zealand, it’s there where she solidified her vision of becoming an artist. Deva’s star continued to rise in New York City where in 2018, she released her aptly named debut album, Run Deep, followed by a series of singles released in 2019 by Motéma Music and a couple of acclaimed independent releases through Mahal Clan Productions.
During this time Deva toured domestically and throughout the world, gracing the stages of the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Bonnaroo, Later with Jools Holland, the Civic Theatre, TSB Arena, Womad NZ, Splore, Big Day Out, the Montreal Jazz Festival, SXSW Festival (named the “#1 Best New Band at SXSW 2018”), Byron Bay Blues Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival along with many other esteemed events and venues.
Text Box: 2025She has distinguished herself as a songwriter and producer by being a multi-year finalist for the APRA Silver Scroll, and the 2019 A2IM Indie Awards; contributing two compositions and featuring as a vocalist on the Grammy award winning album “The Wild Card” by legendary recording artist and actress, Ledisi as well as providing her original composition and performance to television and films like ‘American Hustle’ and ‘The Experimenter’ as well as opening the 2021 Biden/Harris inauguration and 2021 rally for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Most recently, Mahal has just contributed music to the new documentary Louder: The Sound of Change (Selena Gomez/ Stacey Abrahms).
Mahal has had the pleasure of collaborating with a number of musicians; Son Little, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Meshell N’Degeocello, Ledisi, Jaleel Bunton of TV on the Radio, Binky Griptite of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Kris Bowers, Keb Mo, Kojey Radical (Don’t Look Down), and has performed on stage alongside such international legends as Etta James, Björk, Ceelo Green, Angelique Kidjo, Mavis Staples, Patti Smith, , Bilal and The Roots. Mahal has performed live on TV Quotidien, Later… with Jools Holland, and recently an extra special guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Deva has spent the last few years in Aotearoa to delve deeper into her craft as a composer as well as cultivating her skills as a producer, alongside Christchurch born, Chris Wethey. Mahal’s most recent release Future Classic: Vol 1 – Classic passionately channeled into her music the staggering heartbreak of the current racial violence and political injustices of her country of origin, the eternal endeavor to search for true love and self-worth, and her emboldened sense of the sensuality, softness and power as a Black woman. Mahal has just finished recording her next album.
