Accompanied here by tenor sax virtuoso Joe Lovano, The Scene offers something for everyone – from up-tempo urban jazz pieces to smooth, easy ballads – presented with the effortless style and grace that fans have come to expect from Stryker and Slagle. From the opening “Skee” to the concluding “Strikology,” all musicians are on the same wonderful page, exemplifying the kind of simple beauty that only contemporary jazz can accomplish. Certain to appeal to all types of listeners, The Scene is easy on the ears and soothing to the mind, infused with a level of musical joy that one rarely hears in modern music. Clearly, The Stryker/Slagle Band has succeeded in creating a whimsical ode to jazz’s unsung heroes.

A native Nebraskan, Dave Stryker has been a part of the New York City jazz scene for more than two decades, where he developed his legendary guitar-playing skills. Saxophonist Steve Slagle was born in Los Angeles but moved to New York in 1977, having already debuted his knack for the saxophone while playing with the Stevie Wonder Band. The Scene is their fourth release together as The Stryker/Slagle Band.

Visit Dave Stryker’s and Steve Slagle’s websites for more information, pictures, updates, and sound samples.

Company: Jim Eigo
Contact: Jazz Promo Services
Address: 269 S. Route 94, Warwick, NY 10990
Tel: 845-986-1677
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Bishop is in the higher echelon of performers in the genre now and he tells you why with all the guests that comes on board to help him deliver twelve smoldering tracks of blues-rock.
This is a predominately studio album with a few select live cuts. Warren Haynes, an amazing player from The Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule, stands alongside Bishop and they peel off some amazing slide guitar work. Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds) sings and plays harp as well making the lead off track “The Blues Rolls On” unforgettable. “Struttin’ My Stuff” is equally tantalizing as Allman Bros. band mate Derek Trucks delivers the goods with Haynes again coming in and adding his licks. Now if that wasn’t enough to get your heart pumpin’ then the king of the court B.B. King and his longtime love Lucille step on stage for a short interview conducted by Bishop then the duo launch into “Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket,” a classic blues song that everyone seems to enjoy playing and it never gets old.

Some may say what you get is predictable on a star studded affair such as this however I beg to differ, what you can count on is great music from a lineup anyone would give their right arm to play with. This is an indication of Bishop’s ascendancy to blues royalty. Lord knows the man deserves it; he has been pumping out quality blues and entertaining folks for several decades now.

I especially liked Bishop’s solo flight on “Oklahoma.” He lets you all know he does not need any of the stellar all-star blues support to sound great and like an individual artist. The lyrics are simple and down home with the blues and his guitar playing is scorching hot, yep Elvin still knows how to bend those strings to his liking. His voice is still darn good too.”Send You Back To Georgia” is another barnburner with one of my all time favorites Mr. Bad To The Bone, George Thorogood, another old timer that has paid his dues and can still rock down the house. In addition, you cannot forget to mention the man with the harp James Cotton, there are not too many better than this guy anywhere in the world today. James teams up with Elvin, John Nemeth and veteran blues mama Angela Strehli. The combination proves to be just what the doctor ordered – blues by the truckload and everyone that joins the party is a star.

Now these are just some highlights from a recording that comes filled with them from top to bottom. If you love the blues this is a necessary possession to claim yourself as a true blues fan, so don’t y’ all miss it now!

Artist: Elvin Bishop
Title: The Blues Rolls On
Genre: Blues-Rock
Label: Delta Groove
Website
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Tracks:
01. The Blues Rolls On (feat. Warren Haynes & Kim Wilson)
02. Night Time is the Right Time (feat. John Nemeth & Angela Strehli)
03. Yonder’s Wall (feat. Ronnie Baker Brooks & Tommy Castro)
04. Struttin’ My Stuff (feat. Derek Trucks & Warren Haynes)
05. Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket (feat. B.B. King)
06. Who’s the Fool (feat. John Nemeth & Kid Andersen)
07. Black Gal (feat. R.C. Carrier & Andre Thierry)
08. Oklahoma
09. Come On in This House (feat. Homemade Jamz Band)
10. I Found Out (feat. John Nemeth, James Cotton & Angela Strehli)
11. Send You Back to Georgia (feat. George Thorogood)
12. Honest I Do (feat. John Nemeth)

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

An intersection of original dub styles and urban electronica, the album is produced and co-written by “dub maestro” Gaudi with an emphasis on live sound manipulations and high-end engineering.

With Ashtech’s fat basslines laying down deep, dub-wise grooves and Gaudi’s solid production trademark imprinted throughout, this roots laden album includes also 4 tracks featuring the inimitable vocal stylings by Cheshire Cat from the legendary production outfit Leftfield.

This beautiful album draws its name from the title track which tells the story of the ‘walkin’ target’ – the sad real story of a mother who lost her child and did not have the time to say goodbye. This track, in the finest roots-reggae tradition, speaks to the oppressed, suffering and defenseless people of the world, the victims of a system that makes ‘everyone a walkin’ target’.

Jackson, Michigan – Drawing on his love of mythology and natural history, Rob Astor turned his musical direction backward into the past to create his newest musical masterpiece XENOPHOBIA. He wasn’t content to simply rest after the success of 2005’s MARSTROPOLIS. Shortly after recording the futuristic double disc collection, another musical story began germinating.

Expanding his horizons to the limits of creativity, Rob Astor took on the daunting task of composing Classical Orchestration. “I wanted to construct a Semi-Symphonic album very much in the spirit of David Arkenstone’s ATLANTIS. After visiting dreams on QUADRANGULAR OSCILLATIONS and taking a trip to the future with MARSTROPOLIS, this time I wanted to focus on mythology. I had a story idea I wanted to put to music. I set out to compose a movie soundtrack.”

XENOPHOBIA is a soundtrack, in every sense of the word. Ten months went into the album’s creation. “I heard a lot of music in my head I needed to bring into this world. Classical arrangements are much trickier to compose. This project became more than just a labor of love. XENOPHOBIA was an experience of intimacy with music I have never felt before.”

Growth as an artist is very important to Rob Astor. The differences between the music heard on XENOPHOBIA and MARSTROPOLIS underscores his willingness to continue exploring and developing musical ideas. “The majority of big label musicians don’t get a chance to develop as artists. There’s no opportunity for improvement.”

Although Rob Astor’s development is vastly improved, there’s a feel of familiarity to his newest music. XENOPHOBIA opens with the beautifully dreamy “Tropic Of Antarctica”. Gorgeous 12-String Guitar lends the feel of floating over a pristine glacier as a deep backbeat reminds listeners of Rob’s video game-like style captured on MARSTROPOLIS. In the next instant, Rob Astor places himself up against the likes of John Williams with dazzling Neo-Classical arrangements. His orchestrations often weave complimentary atmospheric keyboard layers through their tapestries, breathing fresh life into a genre most musicians fail to appreciate.

However, branching out into orchestra music isn’t the only new territory Rob Astor indulges in and perfects with a signature sound of his own. Fusing Electronica, Neo-Classical, and Progressive Rock has yielded one of the finest tracks Rob has ever recorded in “Forest Of The Black Moon”. Rob says the incredibly poetic Stevie Nicks inspired the title. Fans are treated to two alternate versions of this track included as bonus material.

XENOPHOBIA also harkens back to Rob Astor’s previous albums where Techno Electronica and New Age dominated his work. The evidence for up-beat dance music is best showcased in “Biohazard” and “Kutulu”. They retain Rob’s semblance as an electronic identity. “If there was a nightclub scene in the story of XENOPHOBIA, ‘Kutulu’ would be playing in the background.”

Much like Rob Astor’s electronic efforts, up-beat music can also be found in his Classical compositions. The track “Zero Hour” really moves, lending a sense of hurry and urgency. New Age takes center stage on several tracks, adding a degree of darkness to XENOPHOBIA’s story. From the chilling “The Poison In The Apple” to the spacey “Neptune Rising”, Rob Astor remains true to his roots.

A modern day Renaissance man, Rob Astor crafted a medieval sounding track in “Atana Potnia”, using instruments such as wind dulcimers, concert harps, flutes, and tribal percussion to synthesize the feeling of a young maiden strolling through a green forest. XENOPHOBIA’s haunting title track opens on a very low note, blending Far Eastern vocal lines and cellos, giving the word xenophobia what Rob calls “a musical definition”.

XENOPHOBIA is packed with historical and mythological titles, cementing Rob Astor’s musical fairy tale to things sometimes easily recognized and those far less familiar. A slew names and phrases breathes new life. Musical meanings transpose from obscure to familiar. The Latin phrase “Quod Erat Demonstrandum”, meaning “as was shown”, closes the album’s story with a feeling of watching the credits scroll across a movie screen. “Omphalos” to the ancient Greeks was the “center of the world”. On XENOPHOBIA, it is the center of an ancient and mythical civilization. “In La’kesh” in Mayan means, “I am your other self”. How this track fits into the framework of XENOPHOBIA is where Rob takes liberties as a master story teller.

Mythical figures play prominent roles in XENOPHOBIA. “Kronos” and “Ouranos” were ancient Greek Gods, often violent, while “Enyo” was the Goddess of Destruction. “Yucatan Cataclysm” is historically connected to this title. Enyo was the name of the asteroid that struck the Yucatan Peninsula sixty-five million years ago, bringing an end to the age of the dinosaurs.

Using alternate spellings or older names for some of the characters in his play, Rob Astor defines them as his own. Mentioned in a set of ancient linear tablets found at Knossos, “Atana Potnia” later evolved into the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Athena. “Kutulu” is a nod to the many fictional influences Rob Astor attributes his creativity to. This title is an alternate spelling of an H. P. Lovecraft character based in part on the Biblical Leviathan, the Babylonian Pazuzu, and the Sumerian Tiamat.

Packed with a myriad of styles and influences, Rob Astor’s XENOPHOBIA melds the sounds of artists like Tangerine Dream, Spencer Nilsen, Cusco, James Horner, David Arkenstone, Ken Davis, John Williams, Biosphere, Liquid Mind, Wendy Carlos, Zach Davids, Vangelis, Norm Orenstein, and Spyro Gyra. The end result is a sound that defines Rob Astor as a musician. Quality and sophistication is what you come to expect. Rob Astor’s music is something you can listen to over and over again, and continue to find something new to explore. Just like in any good movie.

Rob Astor’s new double disc set XENOPHOBIA is now available at CDBaby.com, Mindawn.com, SoundClick.com, and TuneFlow.com. Look for it soon at Apple’s iTunes, Rhapsody, AOL’s Music Net, and Yahoo! Music, to name just a few digital outlets. Visit Rob Astor on the Internet at:

http://www.myspace.com/soloartistrobastor

Also available:
SHINE A LITTLE LIGHT CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
MARSTROPOLIS
QUADRANGULAR OSCILLATIONS

February 2007 Edition

Latham’s New CD “Sophomore” Breaking Ground In Post-Retro

The new Latham CD, “Sophomore” is off to a bang with an impressive review from Music Connection Magazine that dubs the songs both “vintage Aerosmith” and “vintage Bruce Springsteen.” Latham also pulled in “Rock Artist of the Year” honors from the Los Angeles Music Awards, along with a nomination for “Best Rock Record” and an honorable mention for singer/guitarist/songwriter Mark Latham as “Best Rock Vocalist.”

Two years in the making, “Sophomore” is a collection of 11 tracks that pioneer the art of post-retro rock and roll. Selected from a menu of 50, the disc is an eclectic mix of rock, pop, ballads and jam that explores relationships with women, god, death, the working masses, adolescence and the city of angels.

“Sophomore delivers songs you’ve never heard before but you’ve known for your whole lives. Strong lyrics, massive hooks and beats to move those feets. High energy rock and roll with a punch. Now that’s a tasty beverage.

Source:

New Album: “Floatovations – The Realm Of Levitation” Out Now

Auckland, New Zealand, February 3rd, 2007 – Perhaps the perfection of a relaxation/meditation CD is one that leaves you with very little to say at all; one that stills the mind so completely and smoothes over every rough spot in your psyche so thoroughly that you are cast into the role of receiver alone.

JO BLANKENBURG’s album, FLOATOVATIONS, is the aural equivalent of drifting on the open ocean (a Caribbean one for certain) with only the lulling sounds of nature to fill your head, replacing the hum and buzz of the outside world. With a watery, liquid theme, this album easily surpasses most relaxation CDs in focusing in on lush and full atmospheres, somewhat akin to a film soundtrack but using simple textures and structures with natural ebb and flow.

As a whole, the album narrows in on the quality of levitation and buoyancy, and much like the title, floats the soul along on a sound journey of soft keyboards, strings, ocean waves and birds, joined by guitar, pan flutes, didgeridoo and several other colors along the way.

For those seeking deep rest, meditation, general relaxation or just a way to decompress on the way home from work, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more appropriate selection of compositions.

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Indie Label Debuts With Star-filled Double-Album

The newly founded Soul Renaissance Records releases their debut CD ­ “A Soulful Tale of Two Cities.” This first project is an unprecedented showcase for the R&B sound and talent made famous in the 1960s and 70s by musicians in Detroit and Philadelphia. “A Soulful Tale of Two Cities” is available online at cdbaby.com, amazon.com and at other select retailers worldwide. Distribution is being handled through Super D, an independent distributor.

The first singles, “Love Train” and “Got To Give It Up” have been available for purchase and download on soulfultale.com. The new single, “When The World Is At Peace”, was released on January 15th, to coincide with Martin Luther King Day in the U.S. exclusively on My Space: myspace.com/soulfultale.

“A Soulful Tale of Two Cities” brings together artists and musicians from Detroit and Philadelphia, two of America’s most legendary and prolific music Meccas, and features the two distinctive sounds of Motown and Philly Soul.

Motown’s Funk Brothers and surviving members of their Philadelphia counterpart, MFSB, lead the all-star ine-up. Headlining artists featured on the album include such legends as George Clinton, Kathy Sledge, Major Harris, Freda Payne, Lamont Dozier, Bobby Taylor, Barbara Mason, Bunny Sigler, Jean Carne, Jimmy Ellis, Kim Weston and Ali “Ollie” Woodson.

“A Soulful Tale of Two Cities” is the brainchild of executive producer Phil Hurtt, who is also president and CEO of Philadelphia-based Soul Renaissance Records. Hurtt, an award-winning songwriter, producer, and arranger, began his career in the 1950s as a performer and soon became one of the most sought-after vocalists in the industry. Hurtt was also an integral part of a group of highly regarded writers, producers, musicians and singers whose work is currently acknowledged by many in the music industry as “The Sound of Philadelphia.” In addition to releasing two albums of his own, Hurtt wrote and produced for some of the time’s top artists including The O’Jays, Sister Sledge, and many more. In recent years his music and voice have been sampled by hip-hop and R&B artists including Jay-Z, LL Cool J, and DMX.

With the combination of Hurtt’s experience and leadership, an extraordinary team of producers, arrangers, and writers, and an impressive assortment of legendary musicians, “A Soulful Tale of Two Cities” promises to be a truly remarkable album. In Hurtt’s words, “these artists are masters; they already have a fan base, they already have a following, they already have the knowledge, the know how, the experience, to do whatever they need to do musically… these are the people that can do it, and have done it, these are the ones you hear every day and don’t always remember who they are. But you can’t forget the way they sound.”

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The Vernon Neilly Signature Guitar Giveaway Presented By Tagima Guitars And Seymour Duncan

Independent label CEO and recording artist Vernon Neilly is proud to announce the Vernon Neilly Signature Guitar Giveaway, presented by Tagima Guitars and Seymour Duncan. Launched in late 2006, the giveaway will offer the opportunity for entrants to win a Tagima Signature VN1 Vernon Neilly Guitar, Set of Seymour Duncan Pickups, G-Fire CD and Vernon Neilly Live In Brasil DVD. The deadline for the giveaway is March 30, 2007. For more information or to enter, visit Guitar Global http://www.guitarglobal.com/content/contest.asp

Vernon Neilly is an award winning guitarist/producer who is also a world touring performer. He is also the CEO/President of his own internationally distributed label Boosweet Records, and Guitar Global, a company that exports high quality guitars and basses internationally. Vernon has also participated in 2 major blockbuster films by Warner Bros and Universal Pictures, and has done a cameo appearance in the UPN TV Comedy “One On One.” Vernon is endorsed and sponsored by some of the worlds leading musical equipment and musical software manufacturers such as Seymour Duncan, Tagima Guitars, Giannini Strings & Guitars, Morely, Digitech Electronics, Cakewalk, Sony Media Products, Levys Bags and Straps, Nady, Xotic Effects and Jim Dunlop who supplies his signature guitar picks.

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Kobo Town Makes Ranks Among The Best Of 2006 According To Blogcritics, CBC Radio One And The Live Music Report

Toronto-based calypso act Kobo Town’s debut album Independence was named by Blogcritics as the best International album of the last year. CBC Radio One’s “Fresh Air” and “Big City Small World” radio shows also chose the record among their Top 10 lists for 2006. Finally, The Live Music Report had this to say about the record after placing it on their Top 10 list of outstanding 2006 discoveries:

“It is daunting to attempt to describe a CD created by a poet with the eloquence of Trinidadian-born Drew Gonsalves. His “St. James” would fit nicely in an anthology of Caribbean and Caribbean-born poets that would also include the works of Linton Kwesi Johnson. Some heavy material, but there is levity too ‹ and rhythm! Lots of sounds to savour.”

Kobo Town produced and self-released Independence in November. Drawing heavily upon the sounds of traditional calypso, roots reggae and dub poetry, the album is a collection of stories which offer a running commentary on a wide variety of social and political themes including domestic violence, homelessness, globalization, the war on Iraq, and the various frustrations and betrayals of the post-colonial era.

Named after an historic community in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, where calypso was born, Kobo Town strives to recover the social conscience, satirical storytelling and strong acoustic/organic rhythms that characterized Trinidadian music in the past. But while the group’s singer-songwriter Drew Gonsalves expresses a wish to “celebrate the musical and artistic traditions formed over the long years of our turbulent history”, the tales that fill the album could be told anywhere.

Independence was co-produced by Lyndon Livingstone (David Rudder, Andre Tanker, Mighty Scrunter) and Drew Gonsalves at the Razorshop in Maraval, Trinidad. Independence will be available for download through CD Baby, iTunes, Music Discovery Network, Calabash Music and select online retailers.

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Tiger Tiger Celebrates The Native American Rock Movement

Inspired by the nature of the Florida Everglades, their American Indian culture and Chief Buffalo Tiger (their father) of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, the Tiger Tiger Band career highlights include initial recordings at Woodstock (later released in Germany on Sony’s ZYX label).

Based in Miami, Florida, national recording artists Tiger Tiger have headlined and graced the stages for numerous festivals and concerts over the years. They were featured in the First Miami Pop Festival along with Jimi Hendrix, Procol Harum and Led Zeppelin. In fact, the actual jacket that Lee Tiger wore on stage at the first Miami Pop Festival in May 1968 has recently been put on permanent display in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The jacket was designed and created by Stephen Tiger. At The Seminole Tribes Big Rock Pow Wow they performed with Chicago, Edgar & Johnnie Winter. These accomplished and respected musicians were requested by Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley to be their backing band.

Tiger Tiger’s last commercially released album, Southern Exposure, received a Grammy nomination. Their self-produced music video Lay Your Burden Down took second place for Best Music Video at the 2000 American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco. The Tigers have recently completed their most exciting Native American cultural CD, Peace From The Everglades, Dedicated to the Survival of the Miccosukee & Seminole People of Florida. This CD received two NAMMY nominations in 2005, for Best Pop/Rock Recording and Song/Single of the Year for Heya. In 2006 Tiger Tiger received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NAMMY (Native American Music Awards) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. This would be Stephen’s final appearance.

Tiger Tiger recently finished recording Native to this Country. The album was released end of 2006. Future plans include touring and promotional opportunities in support of the new CD.

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Down With Disease Through Download For The Cure

Can music save lives? The music industry has been no stranger to using music for charitable causes. Rocking for Darfur, Music for Bangladesh, Tibetan Freedom Concerts… all aimed to create awareness and revenue for interesting global causes.

The industry has united once again but for something a little closer to home. Even more exciting, it gives hope to not only those afflicted by disease, but hope to musicians looking to break through into the industry sphere so difficult to get in front of.

The exciting new music “contest” and charity program, Download For The Cure®, combines the ability for the independent music artist to both get heard and have their music serve a bigger purpose.

Partnered with the most recognizable name in the fight against cancer, the American Cancer Society, Download For The Cure will offer a national music search to select a 12 to 15 song virtual album exclusively available through iTunes. All download proceeds from that virtual album will be directly donated to the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.

The best part, music artists who apply will have the opportunity to be heard by an industry panel hand selected for their different functions within the music industry. The panel consists of representatives from major labels, managers, attorneys etc.

Director of Marketing for Virgin records, Nikki Hirsch, is one of the 8 industry panelists. Download for the Cure® is an exciting program for Ms. Hirsch not only for the chance to help those affected by cancer but to have a great way to find new music. When asked what makes a great artist “great” Nikki explains, “Artistic integrity is the most important criteria for me, and that means staying true to your sound and style without compromising it to fit a trend. And on a superficial level, I like music I can rock out or shake my tush to.”

The American Cancer Society is more than excited to have the opportunity to unite music makers and music lovers in an effort to fight cancer. “I have no doubt that this program will find success and provide us with a link (pardon the pun) to a new audience… we couldn’t ask for much more than that – a chance to spread hope, an opportunity to make a difference,” says Mark Drill, Regional Income Development Director of the American Cancer Society’s regional headquarters in Philadelphia.

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InterMixx.com To Sponsor Millennium Music Conference In February 2007

InterMixx.com, the parent company that presents the Independent Music Conference (IMC’07), the online independent music store IndieGate.com and InterMixx, Independent Music Magazine, will be a key sponsor and partner in the 11th annual Millennium Music Conference taking place at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, February 15th – 18th.

Apparently the founder of the MMC greatly appreciated the emphasis on education at IMC06 where he had generously contributed some of his time as a Panelist and Mentor. After the IMC he publicly commented…

Message dated 9/7/06 from John Harris of the MMC:

“You guys had more going on at the IMC than I could fathom… what a great resource for independent musicians.”

“John Harris is an industry icon and it’s been my great privilege to be involved with his event since its very inception eleven years ago. It just keeps getting better each year and John’s confidence in my ability to create a quality educational and networking environment at MMC means a great deal to me,” comments President and Founder of the Independent Music Conference, Noel Ramos.

“In recent years, our online store IndieGate.com became a major sponsor of the MMC. John also chose us as his preferred web hosting company and asked me to contribute my artistic skills by designing and maintaining the MMC web site. He’s also given me the privilege of designing and producing his ID badges, the MMC Conference Directory (as a special edition of our magazine), the MMC Goodie Bags and many of his ads which appear in publications all over the country.”

This latest expansion of the cross-promotion between these two organizations further solidifies their powerful cooperative bond. “It’s exactly this kind of community and unity building that I believe in so strongly, and I couldn’t be more proud or pleased to get the job!” summarized Ramos.

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Provided by the MusicDish Network. Copyright © MusicDish LLC 2007 – Republished with Permission