Latest Updates
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Global Noize Free Download and Live Video
"Dar'Abesque" available for free download:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/11338301fa1db2b7/
http://www.zshare.net/audio/11338301fa1db2b7/
Labels: download, global noize, video
Monday, May 05, 2008
Scion’s National Art Tour - INSTALLATION 4: It’s A Beautiful World -Concludes in Los Angeles with Show and Live Auction
Scion’s National Art Tour - INSTALLATION 4: It’s A Beautiful World -Concludes in Los Angeles with Show and Live Auction
Los Angeles - April 2008- Scion’s Installation 4, “It’s A Beautiful World,” will open in Los Angeles, the last of nine cities on the national tour, on May 10. The innovative Scion Installation Art Tour launched its fourth installment last July and features a diverse array of artists from around the world. The theme, “It’s a Beautiful World,” was interpreted by each artist, in one of four mediums— painting, photography, sculpture, and collage. The culmination of the tour is accompanied by a live auction where all of the artwork will be auctioned off to the public, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go toward art related charities. In previous years, the auctions have raised more than $110,000 for charity.
This year's artists include: Andrew Pommier, Andy Mueller, Angela Boatwright, Blaine Fontana, Blek LeRat, Books llll, Caia Koopman, Chris Yormick, Cody Hudson, Dalek, David Choe, Eye One, Francesco LoCastro, Freddi C, J. Shea, James Jean, Jeff Soto, Joshua Krause, Kelsey Brookes, Kenton Parker, Kofie, Mel Kadel, Michael Sieben, Mike Giant, Rammellzee, RETNA, R. Grimes, Ron English, Sam Flores, Sage Vaughn, Skwerm, Tim McCormick, Travis Millard, and The London Police.
The final tour stop and auction will be held in Los Angeles, at the Scion Installation L.A. space in the Culver City Arts District May 10 - June 1, 2008. Most all of the Installation 4 artists will attend the opening night of the show on May 10. The opening reception will take place from 8 pm – 10 pm at 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, Calif., 90232. There will be an artist and press reception from 6 pm – 8 pm. The exhibit will be on display for the annual Culver City Art Walk on May 31. The live auction will take place on June 1, at the Scion Installation L.A. Space, from 4 pm – 7 pm (auction begins promptly at 5 pm), as well as online and on phone lines. The gallery website is: www.scion.com/space. For information on bidding, visit: www.scion.com/installation. All the money raised from the auction will go directly to Art From Scrap, an organization encouraging creative expression in the arts and promoting a greater understanding of environmental issues: www.artfromscrap.org
Scion Installation 4 has visited the following cities around the country: Philadelphia; Austin; Chicago; New York; Seattle; Boston; and Minneapolis. Each tour stop kicked off with an
opening event for local art aficionados, press, and other urban tastemakers.
The tour also stopped in Miami for the prestigious Art Basel event. Six of this year's artists designed custom balloons, each eight-feet in diameter, which were flown over the grounds of the Raleigh Hotel. Also on display were the custom designed Scion art cars from Dalek, Sage
Vaughn, and Ron English. The custom balloons will also be on display at the final show in Los Angeles.
Launched in 2003, Scion Installation is a revolutionary art tour affirming Scion’s ongoing commitment to supporting independent artistic expression and featuring work from an unprecedented collective of contemporary artists. Previous participants have included: Andre from Paris, Gary Baseman, Mr Cartoon, Crash, Daim, Daze, Blaine Fontana, Sam Flores, Friendswithyou, Futura, Mike Giant, Justin Hampton, Krush, Mear One, Ricky Powell, Persue, Revok, Retna, Rostarr, Saber, Kenny Scharf, Seak, StayHigh 149, Wearesupervision, and more. The program is designed to give exposure to both established and emerging artists.
For four years the tour has evolved, and each year the medium with which the artists showcase their work changes. The first year featured Scion xB panels and xA sculptures, while the second year presented art on three foot by eight foot wood panels. Each artist’s unique style was introduced on three-foot long polyurethane Scion tC sculptures for the third tour.
For more information on the tour, the artists, the artwork and details from past tours please visit: http://www.scion.com/installation
May 10 - June 1, 2008
Los Angeles, CA
Scion Installation L.A.
www.scion.com/space
June 1
Final live auction
Online / Live at Scion Installation L.A. Space / Phone In
Check www.scion.com/installation for more details.
Labels: installation4, scion
Monday, April 28, 2008
Calvin Richardson Bio
THE SOUL PRINCE CALVIN RICHARDSON DELIVERS SEX, SOUL AND ROMANCE WITH SHANACHIE ENTERTAINMENT DEBUT WHEN LOVE COMES
You know you're in for something different the moment you hear "Sang No More," the catchy, provocative lead single from Calvin Richardson's new album, When Love Comes. Over a Fifties-style doo-wop ballad pulse, Calvin sings frankly about the hard choices a singer must make given the trade-offs between being an artist, a star, and an authentic human being. His choice? If fame and fortune means forgetting what's important—love and the core values of life—then he doesn't want to sing anymore, doesn't want to be "successful." The price would be too high. Spoken like a true soul man, which is what Calvin Richardson is—a contemporary, hip-hop generation version of a classic soul singer. Richardson, who grew up with K-Ci and Jo-Jo, sang alongside fellow soul crooners Angie Stone and Raphael Saddiq and appeared on numerous soundtracks including "Bringing Down the House" starring Queen Latifah and Steve Martin, demonstrates why he is one of the best singers to emerge in R&B in years on his new Shanachie recording When Love Comes to be released May 27, 2008. Affectionately known as ‘The New Prince of Soul', Calvin Richardson demonstrates that he is a worthy heir to the tradition of Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack and Marvin Gaye.
With When Love Comes Calvin had a vision of embracing the essence of classic soul. To achieve that vision, he wrote and produced all the tracks himself. "I wanted to highlight the vintage soul sound and reconnect with the Curtis Mayfield sound, the Betty Wright sound and put it into a contemporary context," Calvin explains. "I had done that before but this time I wanted to try to make it a more coherent statement than previously when different producers were bringing me tracks. A lot of the songs were inspired by samples, digging in the crates and listening to old music that put me in the mood to create this album. It helped me to take a sample and build off of that. When I hear that music it speaks to me in a way that just having some musicians sitting around trying ideas does not. It's sort of a road map back to the way things used to be. I took it to another level."
When Love Comes is notable for its wide-ranging lyrical themes. Tracks such as "Fire In The Attic," "Nobody's Gonna Love You" and "When Love Comes" are sure to become classic love anthems suitable to set the mood for any late-night rendezvous. Then there are the songs with a more subtle message, such as "Daddy To My Kids," in which Calvin sings of a man's simple desire for a strong, positive relationship with his children, or "She's Hurtin'," a sensitive portrait of a lonely woman looking for love in the midst of the party atmosphere of a club.
The songs highlighted on When Love Comes are personal to Calvin, who explains the story behind "Daddy To My Kids." "I'm really, really close with my kids but I'm not with any of the mothers…and it's tough sometimes when others are controlling the situation. The overall desire is just to be there without the restraints of the mother in the way. A lot of guys deal with that. A lot of guys could be great dads if the situation let them."
""She's Hurting" was inspired by a real situation. I was with a friend of mine and she had just gotten out of a relationship. We were talking and I recognized her pain. A lot of women when they break up become vulnerable and guys prey on that. I'm letting some guys know maybe that's not the best thing." At the same time, he's not afraid to celebrate a woman's sexuality on the booty bumping "Give It To Me," which is one of several tracks that reinforce Calvin's image as a "ladies man. "I don't have a problem with that. I'm not a one-dimensional guy. I'm somewhat of a ladies man. I like women. I love whatever they bring to the table and I can match whatever they bring to the table."
-OVER-
The variety of lyrical themes is matched by the variety of the grooves. The fresh conga-driven groove of "Give It To Me" is miles away from the intimate, acoustic textures of "Make Friends With Love" or the lush textures of "Fire In The Attic." Most impressive is the fact that Calvin wrote or co-wrote all the tunes. The centrality of finger-picked or strummed guitar, often acoustic, reflects the fact that Calvin plays the instrument, writes with it and can go into a radio station and accompany himself for an impromptu performance if need be. It's all held together by Calvin's impressive vocalizing—an ability that is all-too-rare these days. He can move from the guttural growls of a Bobby Womack to the joyous arpeggios of Sam Cooke. He can sing hard, sweet, rough or tender. He's not a copyist though; he has absorbed his influences and delivers an authentic rooted soul voice with a contemporary sensibility.
Calvin Richardson came by his soulful style honestly. Born in Monroe, North Carolina, the first of nine children, Calvin had a strong musical upbringing. His mother sang in the local gospel group, The Willing Wonders, and he sang with them as a youth. But he was able to listen to secular soul music and funk and was particularly inspired by Bobby Womack, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Donny Hathaway. Singing on the gospel circuit he met and became friends with Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey and Joel "Jo Jo" Hailey, who went on to form the hit-making group Jodeci in the early Nineties and later as K-Ci and JoJo scored numerous hits. Calvin was encouraged by their success to form the urban contemporary vocal group, Undacova, whose song "Love Slave" was included in the New Jersey Drive soundtrack in 1995. When Undacova folded, Calvin launched a solo career that resulted in his debut solo album Country Boy on Uptown/Universal Records in 1999. Despite strong material, including a great cover of Bobby Womack's "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much," the album failed to sell, despite notable guests such as Chico DeBarge, Monifah and K-Ci, possibly due to confusion occasioned by the album title. While Calvin was working on his follow-up, Angie Stone heard a demo of his song "More Than A Woman" and invited him to duet with her on a version of the song for her album Mahogany Soul. A second album for Universal was shelved before release but Calvin's second album release 2:35, named after the time one of his children was born, was released by Hollywood Records in 2003. The album went on to sell more than 250,000 copies and generated significant adult urban radio play. Though lumped in with the rising crop of new-soul singers, 2:35PM revealed Calvin as an authentic soul singer bringing a classic vocal style to a contemporary production sound. With When Love Comes, Calvin Richardson delivers at last an unfettered musical vision, a compelling statement of his true artistic identity.
"Working on this album before I got a new label deal was an opportunity to express myself, to let my voice be heard without hearing too many opinions about what the music was," Calvin says. "Sometimes it takes you a while to discover your voice and your soul. I had found my way before but sometimes it can be hard when there's a lot of people with opinions. So that was the great part for me this time around. I was able to just do me without any pressure."
www.myspace.com/calvinrichardson
You know you're in for something different the moment you hear "Sang No More," the catchy, provocative lead single from Calvin Richardson's new album, When Love Comes. Over a Fifties-style doo-wop ballad pulse, Calvin sings frankly about the hard choices a singer must make given the trade-offs between being an artist, a star, and an authentic human being. His choice? If fame and fortune means forgetting what's important—love and the core values of life—then he doesn't want to sing anymore, doesn't want to be "successful." The price would be too high. Spoken like a true soul man, which is what Calvin Richardson is—a contemporary, hip-hop generation version of a classic soul singer. Richardson, who grew up with K-Ci and Jo-Jo, sang alongside fellow soul crooners Angie Stone and Raphael Saddiq and appeared on numerous soundtracks including "Bringing Down the House" starring Queen Latifah and Steve Martin, demonstrates why he is one of the best singers to emerge in R&B in years on his new Shanachie recording When Love Comes to be released May 27, 2008. Affectionately known as ‘The New Prince of Soul', Calvin Richardson demonstrates that he is a worthy heir to the tradition of Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack and Marvin Gaye.With When Love Comes Calvin had a vision of embracing the essence of classic soul. To achieve that vision, he wrote and produced all the tracks himself. "I wanted to highlight the vintage soul sound and reconnect with the Curtis Mayfield sound, the Betty Wright sound and put it into a contemporary context," Calvin explains. "I had done that before but this time I wanted to try to make it a more coherent statement than previously when different producers were bringing me tracks. A lot of the songs were inspired by samples, digging in the crates and listening to old music that put me in the mood to create this album. It helped me to take a sample and build off of that. When I hear that music it speaks to me in a way that just having some musicians sitting around trying ideas does not. It's sort of a road map back to the way things used to be. I took it to another level."
When Love Comes is notable for its wide-ranging lyrical themes. Tracks such as "Fire In The Attic," "Nobody's Gonna Love You" and "When Love Comes" are sure to become classic love anthems suitable to set the mood for any late-night rendezvous. Then there are the songs with a more subtle message, such as "Daddy To My Kids," in which Calvin sings of a man's simple desire for a strong, positive relationship with his children, or "She's Hurtin'," a sensitive portrait of a lonely woman looking for love in the midst of the party atmosphere of a club.
The songs highlighted on When Love Comes are personal to Calvin, who explains the story behind "Daddy To My Kids." "I'm really, really close with my kids but I'm not with any of the mothers…and it's tough sometimes when others are controlling the situation. The overall desire is just to be there without the restraints of the mother in the way. A lot of guys deal with that. A lot of guys could be great dads if the situation let them."
""She's Hurting" was inspired by a real situation. I was with a friend of mine and she had just gotten out of a relationship. We were talking and I recognized her pain. A lot of women when they break up become vulnerable and guys prey on that. I'm letting some guys know maybe that's not the best thing." At the same time, he's not afraid to celebrate a woman's sexuality on the booty bumping "Give It To Me," which is one of several tracks that reinforce Calvin's image as a "ladies man. "I don't have a problem with that. I'm not a one-dimensional guy. I'm somewhat of a ladies man. I like women. I love whatever they bring to the table and I can match whatever they bring to the table."
-OVER-
The variety of lyrical themes is matched by the variety of the grooves. The fresh conga-driven groove of "Give It To Me" is miles away from the intimate, acoustic textures of "Make Friends With Love" or the lush textures of "Fire In The Attic." Most impressive is the fact that Calvin wrote or co-wrote all the tunes. The centrality of finger-picked or strummed guitar, often acoustic, reflects the fact that Calvin plays the instrument, writes with it and can go into a radio station and accompany himself for an impromptu performance if need be. It's all held together by Calvin's impressive vocalizing—an ability that is all-too-rare these days. He can move from the guttural growls of a Bobby Womack to the joyous arpeggios of Sam Cooke. He can sing hard, sweet, rough or tender. He's not a copyist though; he has absorbed his influences and delivers an authentic rooted soul voice with a contemporary sensibility.
Calvin Richardson came by his soulful style honestly. Born in Monroe, North Carolina, the first of nine children, Calvin had a strong musical upbringing. His mother sang in the local gospel group, The Willing Wonders, and he sang with them as a youth. But he was able to listen to secular soul music and funk and was particularly inspired by Bobby Womack, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Donny Hathaway. Singing on the gospel circuit he met and became friends with Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey and Joel "Jo Jo" Hailey, who went on to form the hit-making group Jodeci in the early Nineties and later as K-Ci and JoJo scored numerous hits. Calvin was encouraged by their success to form the urban contemporary vocal group, Undacova, whose song "Love Slave" was included in the New Jersey Drive soundtrack in 1995. When Undacova folded, Calvin launched a solo career that resulted in his debut solo album Country Boy on Uptown/Universal Records in 1999. Despite strong material, including a great cover of Bobby Womack's "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much," the album failed to sell, despite notable guests such as Chico DeBarge, Monifah and K-Ci, possibly due to confusion occasioned by the album title. While Calvin was working on his follow-up, Angie Stone heard a demo of his song "More Than A Woman" and invited him to duet with her on a version of the song for her album Mahogany Soul. A second album for Universal was shelved before release but Calvin's second album release 2:35, named after the time one of his children was born, was released by Hollywood Records in 2003. The album went on to sell more than 250,000 copies and generated significant adult urban radio play. Though lumped in with the rising crop of new-soul singers, 2:35PM revealed Calvin as an authentic soul singer bringing a classic vocal style to a contemporary production sound. With When Love Comes, Calvin Richardson delivers at last an unfettered musical vision, a compelling statement of his true artistic identity.
"Working on this album before I got a new label deal was an opportunity to express myself, to let my voice be heard without hearing too many opinions about what the music was," Calvin says. "Sometimes it takes you a while to discover your voice and your soul. I had found my way before but sometimes it can be hard when there's a lot of people with opinions. So that was the great part for me this time around. I was able to just do me without any pressure."
www.myspace.com/calvinrichardson
Labels: calvin richardson, press release, soul
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Calvin Richardson - Album Preview Widget
Simply click on Copy Me (visible when you rollover the widget with your mouse)to get the embed code for your blog/myspace/facebook etc.
This widget will be updated with new tracks in the coming weeks. If you have the widget posted on your site, it will automatically update with the new track - you don't have to do a thing!
This widget will be updated with new tracks in the coming weeks. If you have the widget posted on your site, it will automatically update with the new track - you don't have to do a thing!
Labels: calvin richardson, soul, widget
Thursday, April 17, 2008
DJ Logic & Jason Miles - Global Noize
audio streams:
A Jam For Joe: http://wms7.streamhoster.com/elemental/GlobalNoize/globalnoize_ajamforjoe.wma
Quero Dancar: http://wms7.streamhoster.com/elemental/GlobalNoize/globalnoize_querodancar.wma
Jason Miles & DJ Logic Join Forces to Obliterate Borders on New Shanachie CD Global Noize
All-Star CD Serves Up An Intoxicating Brew of Jazz, Electronica Funk and World Music Featuring Some of Music's Most Creative Players: Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin (Medeski, Marin & Wood) , Vernon Reid (Living Colour), John Popper (Blues Traveler) Cyro Baptista (Herbie Hancock), Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, Parliament Funk), Karl Denson (Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Lenny Kravtiz), Christian Scott & Others
The signs are everywhere: MTV launches a channel on the Arabian Television Network. African hip-hop groups mix the postures and style of American rappers with homegrown lyrical messages and M.I.A., a Sri Lankan refugee now living in Brooklyn, scores one of the year's most critically acclaimed albums--sound bites recorded around the world mixed in an electronica blender with hip hop beats. Multi-tasking cell phones, cheap lap tops, Kindle Ebooks, YouTube, internet radio, and of course the multifaceted internet itself, have engendered a cultural interchange of unprecedented scope and speed. Music, which resonates across every cultural barrier, leads the charge. The result is a grand "global noise," a spectacular sea of interchanging and mutating beats, sounds and melodies from all directions. It is precisely that reality that Jason Miles and DJ Logic set out to capture with their collaboration Global Noize. Keyboard extraordinaire Jason Miles, who has worked with everyone from Miles Davis and Luther Vandross to Ivan Lins, and Turntable guru DJ Logic, who has collaborated with diverse artists like Phish, Vernon Reid, ?uestlove and Don Byron, join forces on Global Noize to create a thrilling mix of free-wheeling tracks that take listeners on a wide-ranging journey through the minds of some of creative music's most innovative musicians such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin (Medeski, Marin & Wood) , Vernon Reid (Living Color), John Popper (Blues Traveler) Cyro Baptista (Herbie Hancock), Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, Parliament Funk), Karl Densen (Tiny Universe, Lenny Kravtiz).
"This is a special project as the world is a Global Noize and we need to come together in difficult times and great music has the power to do this," states Grammy Award-winning and Emmy nominated keyboardist, producer and composer Jason Miles. "The artists and musicians on the project represent a great diversity and this is what the world is really about. The beauty in this diversity is something that we all need to appreciate."
Global Noize is a project that has long been brewing in Jason Miles' mind but the idea was solidified when he got a call from friend his DJ Logic last year to join him for a performance at the Blue Note in NY. "On that day I had a horrible root canal and was mourning the loss of a close relative. I thought that this could be just the tonic I needed to pick myself up," recalls Miles. The night was exactly what Miles had hoped and from this experience he knew that he and Logic had a special connection. The duo later worked together in Morocco at The Casablanca Jazz Festival and had the opportunity to venture off to Marrakech. Miles shares, "We went through life-altering experiences. It was so new to us -- mysterious, crazy and another view of the world. We both knew we had to make this project happen. The picture on the CD over of the both of us with the camel in the desert says it all!"
Global Noize is an organic, free-spirited sonic brew of some of the best elements of jazz, funk, electronica and world fusion – it is music without borders.
Miles says, "We started with Cyro Baptista and Billy Martin jamming in the studio and built up the tracks from there. Logic and I pooled our musical resources and had some of the best cutting-edge artists play on the record." From the album's opening track, "A Jam 4 Joe" (dedicated to the late piano/keyboard wizard Joe Zawinul) to its concluding statements on "What I know," Global Noize takes listeners on a mind-bending, global adventure featuring all original compositions.
"A Jam 4 Joe" features Logic and Miles along with guitar wizard and founding member of Living Colour, guitarist Vernon Reid, musical chamelon and bass player Meshell Ndegeocello, percussion maestro Cyro Baptista and the stunning Indian vocal diva Falu. The groove is relentless and is supercharged with magnetic energy. Bernie Worrell joins the mix on "Spice Island' playing the clavinet and organ. Worrell, who is best known for his contributions to George Clinton's Parliament Funk and The Talking Heads, lays down a serious funk heavy groove that reverberates throughout the track. The slow-burning "The Souk" highlights Falu and Blues Traveler's John Popper on the Harmonica in a seductive dance with one another, along with percussionist Braheim. "We were lucky to get John Popper on a day off in NYC," adds Miles. "He just kills on the ‘Souk!'" "Quera Dancar/I Wanna Dance With You" is a cool breezy Bossa Nova that beckons you to move your hips and dance to the music's delight along with Brazilian bombshell and chanteause Vanessa Fallabella, celebrated Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo and season jazz bassists James Genus.
Global Noize, which DJ Logic describes as "a hip and eclectic musical journey crossing all boundaries," further delights with such tracks as "Dar'abesque" (named after the villa Miles and Logic inhabited in Marrakech) featuring trumpet icon Herb Albert. "When I got the track back from Herb Alpert," confides Jason Miles, "I knew that any musician who had imagination and a great musical voice would love to be a part of this. Herb just really brought the track to life. "Bollyhood" is an ear catching trip-hoppy track showcasing the haunting vocals of Falu and "Planetery Beat" joins multi-instrumentalist Karl Denson and guitarist Dean Brown together for a soul jazz romp with killer break-beats and groovin' horn riffs. "Having Karl Denson involved with this album made us happy because we knew there would be great playing, brilliant horn arrangements as well as fantastic compositions all at the same time." Christian Scott is showcased on "Exotic Thoughts," an ethereal meandering piece featuring the young hot trumpeter along with guitarist Carl Burnett and Tabla player Suphala while "Pool of Honey" is as sweet as its title with its uptempo swinging melody and feel good vibe featuring Burnett and Suphala once again along with Karl Denson on flute. "Christian Scott is one of the most exciting young artists on the scene," states Miles. "He really stepped up and showed what a young cat at the beginning of his career has got going on." "Spin Cycle," brings back a 70s funk flavor with its insatiable drum licks from Gene Lake and "What I Know" features spoken word artists Aline Racine.
Jason Miles concludes "When I hear music I love I want to be involved with it. It would be boring for me to stay in one place musically so I love to explore different music. I know Miles Davis felt that way and I'm just trying to keep the grooves hot, the melodies great and collaborate with the best artists I know. Hopefully Logic and I will be bringing Global Noize to the world and show people our musical vision."
Global Noize will make its live debut this Spring. Don't miss the opportunity to catch this unique experience in a City near you!
Street Date: April 29, 2008
www.myspace.com/globalnoizejazz
A Jam For Joe: http://wms7.streamhoster.com/elemental/GlobalNoize/globalnoize_ajamforjoe.wma
Quero Dancar: http://wms7.streamhoster.com/elemental/GlobalNoize/globalnoize_querodancar.wma
Jason Miles & DJ Logic Join Forces to Obliterate Borders on New Shanachie CD Global Noize
All-Star CD Serves Up An Intoxicating Brew of Jazz, Electronica Funk and World Music Featuring Some of Music's Most Creative Players: Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin (Medeski, Marin & Wood) , Vernon Reid (Living Colour), John Popper (Blues Traveler) Cyro Baptista (Herbie Hancock), Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, Parliament Funk), Karl Denson (Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Lenny Kravtiz), Christian Scott & Others
The signs are everywhere: MTV launches a channel on the Arabian Television Network. African hip-hop groups mix the postures and style of American rappers with homegrown lyrical messages and M.I.A., a Sri Lankan refugee now living in Brooklyn, scores one of the year's most critically acclaimed albums--sound bites recorded around the world mixed in an electronica blender with hip hop beats. Multi-tasking cell phones, cheap lap tops, Kindle Ebooks, YouTube, internet radio, and of course the multifaceted internet itself, have engendered a cultural interchange of unprecedented scope and speed. Music, which resonates across every cultural barrier, leads the charge. The result is a grand "global noise," a spectacular sea of interchanging and mutating beats, sounds and melodies from all directions. It is precisely that reality that Jason Miles and DJ Logic set out to capture with their collaboration Global Noize. Keyboard extraordinaire Jason Miles, who has worked with everyone from Miles Davis and Luther Vandross to Ivan Lins, and Turntable guru DJ Logic, who has collaborated with diverse artists like Phish, Vernon Reid, ?uestlove and Don Byron, join forces on Global Noize to create a thrilling mix of free-wheeling tracks that take listeners on a wide-ranging journey through the minds of some of creative music's most innovative musicians such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin (Medeski, Marin & Wood) , Vernon Reid (Living Color), John Popper (Blues Traveler) Cyro Baptista (Herbie Hancock), Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, Parliament Funk), Karl Densen (Tiny Universe, Lenny Kravtiz). "This is a special project as the world is a Global Noize and we need to come together in difficult times and great music has the power to do this," states Grammy Award-winning and Emmy nominated keyboardist, producer and composer Jason Miles. "The artists and musicians on the project represent a great diversity and this is what the world is really about. The beauty in this diversity is something that we all need to appreciate."
Global Noize is a project that has long been brewing in Jason Miles' mind but the idea was solidified when he got a call from friend his DJ Logic last year to join him for a performance at the Blue Note in NY. "On that day I had a horrible root canal and was mourning the loss of a close relative. I thought that this could be just the tonic I needed to pick myself up," recalls Miles. The night was exactly what Miles had hoped and from this experience he knew that he and Logic had a special connection. The duo later worked together in Morocco at The Casablanca Jazz Festival and had the opportunity to venture off to Marrakech. Miles shares, "We went through life-altering experiences. It was so new to us -- mysterious, crazy and another view of the world. We both knew we had to make this project happen. The picture on the CD over of the both of us with the camel in the desert says it all!"
Global Noize is an organic, free-spirited sonic brew of some of the best elements of jazz, funk, electronica and world fusion – it is music without borders.
Miles says, "We started with Cyro Baptista and Billy Martin jamming in the studio and built up the tracks from there. Logic and I pooled our musical resources and had some of the best cutting-edge artists play on the record." From the album's opening track, "A Jam 4 Joe" (dedicated to the late piano/keyboard wizard Joe Zawinul) to its concluding statements on "What I know," Global Noize takes listeners on a mind-bending, global adventure featuring all original compositions.
"A Jam 4 Joe" features Logic and Miles along with guitar wizard and founding member of Living Colour, guitarist Vernon Reid, musical chamelon and bass player Meshell Ndegeocello, percussion maestro Cyro Baptista and the stunning Indian vocal diva Falu. The groove is relentless and is supercharged with magnetic energy. Bernie Worrell joins the mix on "Spice Island' playing the clavinet and organ. Worrell, who is best known for his contributions to George Clinton's Parliament Funk and The Talking Heads, lays down a serious funk heavy groove that reverberates throughout the track. The slow-burning "The Souk" highlights Falu and Blues Traveler's John Popper on the Harmonica in a seductive dance with one another, along with percussionist Braheim. "We were lucky to get John Popper on a day off in NYC," adds Miles. "He just kills on the ‘Souk!'" "Quera Dancar/I Wanna Dance With You" is a cool breezy Bossa Nova that beckons you to move your hips and dance to the music's delight along with Brazilian bombshell and chanteause Vanessa Fallabella, celebrated Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo and season jazz bassists James Genus.
Global Noize, which DJ Logic describes as "a hip and eclectic musical journey crossing all boundaries," further delights with such tracks as "Dar'abesque" (named after the villa Miles and Logic inhabited in Marrakech) featuring trumpet icon Herb Albert. "When I got the track back from Herb Alpert," confides Jason Miles, "I knew that any musician who had imagination and a great musical voice would love to be a part of this. Herb just really brought the track to life. "Bollyhood" is an ear catching trip-hoppy track showcasing the haunting vocals of Falu and "Planetery Beat" joins multi-instrumentalist Karl Denson and guitarist Dean Brown together for a soul jazz romp with killer break-beats and groovin' horn riffs. "Having Karl Denson involved with this album made us happy because we knew there would be great playing, brilliant horn arrangements as well as fantastic compositions all at the same time." Christian Scott is showcased on "Exotic Thoughts," an ethereal meandering piece featuring the young hot trumpeter along with guitarist Carl Burnett and Tabla player Suphala while "Pool of Honey" is as sweet as its title with its uptempo swinging melody and feel good vibe featuring Burnett and Suphala once again along with Karl Denson on flute. "Christian Scott is one of the most exciting young artists on the scene," states Miles. "He really stepped up and showed what a young cat at the beginning of his career has got going on." "Spin Cycle," brings back a 70s funk flavor with its insatiable drum licks from Gene Lake and "What I Know" features spoken word artists Aline Racine.
Jason Miles concludes "When I hear music I love I want to be involved with it. It would be boring for me to stay in one place musically so I love to explore different music. I know Miles Davis felt that way and I'm just trying to keep the grooves hot, the melodies great and collaborate with the best artists I know. Hopefully Logic and I will be bringing Global Noize to the world and show people our musical vision."
Global Noize will make its live debut this Spring. Don't miss the opportunity to catch this unique experience in a City near you!
Street Date: April 29, 2008
www.myspace.com/globalnoizejazz
Labels: electronica, funk, global noize, jazz, press release, world music
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Strictly Social, April 30th Hosted By Lina
Nu-Soul Magazine and Soul Union Present another evening of Eclectic Soul Fusion!
Strictly Social
Wednesday April 30
The Last Wednesday Of Every Month
This month we present The Moodstar Recordings Special Edition
Hosted by Lina
myspace.com/linamusic
With performances from
D'Cheri
myspace.com/dcherimusic
Ki Johnson
myspace.com/kijohnson
The Berriz
myspace.com/theberriz
Resident DJs
Destroyer
Milky Wayne
& Myxzlplix
Vintage Artwork & Fashion from VIP Upscale Urban Apparel
myspace.com/vipstyle101
Come early for an exclusive listen to Swedish sensation Kissey Asplund's Plethora
myspace.com/kisseyasplund
Also come celebrate Nu-Soul founder Norman's 30th birthday!
Free with RSVP b4 10pm, $5 after
RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com
Shows begins at 10:30pm
Strictly Social
Wednesday April 30
Skinny's Lounge
4923 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-763-6581
9pm-2am
21+
myspace.com/lastrictlysocial
www.moodstarrecordings.com
Labels: lina, live, soul, strictly social
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Darfur Now Tour - Washington DC April 28th
Darfur Now Tour - Atlanta April 25th
Darfur Now Tour - Berkeley April 24th
Darfur Now College Tour
For Immediate Release
DARFUR NOW COLLEGE TOUR ANNOUNCES THE FIRST 9 CAMPUSES
STAND and the Genocide Intervention Network are proud to partner with Participant Media in the college tour of the acclaimed documentary, Darfur Now...
and performances by musical acts Cool Kids, Goapele, Zion 1, Janelle Monae, Anthony David, Wale, Asheru, DJ Drama and more.....
www.darfurnowtour.com
STAND and the Genocide Intervention Network are proud to partner with Participant Media in the college tour of the acclaimed documentary, Darfur Now...
and performances by musical acts Cool Kids, Goapele, Zion 1, Janelle Monae, Anthony David, Wale, Asheru, DJ Drama and more.....
www.darfurnowtour.com
Los Angeles, CA, March 28th, 2008 - STAND and Participant Media are proud to sponsor a nationwide tour of the critically acclaimed new documentary, Darfur Now, which will be available on DVD May 27th. Schools around the country, chosen for their outspoken efforts to fight genocide, will host a special screening of Darfur Now and a concert to raise awareness, funds, and send the message that NOW is the time to end genocide in Darfur. Across the country, tens of thousands of students have shown that they will not stand idly by in the face of genocide. From passing legislation to fundraising for relief and protection efforts in Darfur, they have declared that they are the anti-genocide generation. But we can do more...
TOUR DETAILS
Boulder, CO April 12, 2008
University of Colorado at Boulder
Boston April 13, 2008
Northeastern University
Berkeley April 24, 2008
University of California Berkeley
ft. Zion I, DJ Fuse, Goapele
Atlanta April 25, 2008
Emory University
ft. Janelle Monae, Anthony David, Novel, DJ Drama
St. Paul, MN April 27, 2008
William Mitchell College of Law
Minneapolis April 28, 2008
University of Minnesota Law School
Washington D.C. April 28, 2008
Georgetown University
ft. Wale, Asheru, DJ Yzo, Mastamind DJ
Chicago May 21, 2008
University of Chicago
Los Angeles May 29, 2008
University of California Los Angeles
STAND and the Genocide Intervention Network are proud to partner with Participant Media in the college tour of the acclaimed documentary, Darfur Now. With more than 700 chapters at schools around the globe, STAND is the fastest-growing student anti-genocide coalition in the world today. STAND chapters actively organize to prevent and stop genocide wherever and whenever it may occur. In partnership with the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net). STAND's long-term goal is to establish a permanent anti-genocide constituency that holds elected officials accountable for doing all that they can to prevent and end genocide.
Participant Media is the leading provider of entertainment that inspires and compels social change. It is a Los Angeles-based production company that focuses on socially relevant, commercially viable feature films and documentaries. Participant Media is headed by CEO Jim Berk and President Ricky Strauss and was founded in 2004 by philanthropist Jeff Skoll, who serves as Chairman. Their films include George Clooney's Good Night and Good Luck, Stephen Gaghan's Syriana, Niki Caro's North Country, Louise Hogarth's Angels in the Dust, Jonathan Demme's Jimmy Carter Man From the Plains, Ted Braun's Darfur Now, Marc Forster's The Kite Runner, Mike Nichol's Charlie Wilson's War and Davis Guggenheim's Academy Award-winning An Inconvenient Truth. Upcoming films for 2008 include Brett Morgen's Chicago 10, Tom McCarthy's The Visitor and Errol Morris' Standard Operating Procedure.
Darfur Now was released by Warner Independent Pictures. Written and directed by Ted Braun, the film explores the Darfur conflict through the first-hand experiences of Don Cheadle, Hejewa Adam, Pablo Recalde, Ahmed Mahmoud Abaker, Louis Moreno-Ocampo and Adam Sterling. The DVD will be out on May 27th, 2008.
The Marketing Division is producing the college tour. They are is a full service marketing agency with a dynamic team dedicated to the delivery of solutions individually tailored to the needs of each client. Its co-founders, Evan Cerasoli and Eddie Donaldson, not only have committed to providing exceptional work that shows impressive results, they also believe deeply in the organization they now run to deliver them.
For more information and ticketing details please visit:
www.darfurnowtour.com
darfurnowtour.imeem.com
Labels: darfur, press release
