Background: ‘Se fosse per me’, is the new single by Italian ambient electronica artist Elisa Luu, taken from her forthcoming second album Un giorno sospeso (out 1st June).
Blossoming into life like a field of neon flowers, ‘Se fosse per me’ is all eyes-wide and life-affirming. It imbues its wistful tones with light through buoyant beats and skittering horns, leading into a reflective textured coda. Elisa Luu’s trademark blend of digital manipulation with analogue warmth, chiming tones with immersive drones, is on virtuoso display, whetting the appetite for her upcoming second album Un Giorno Sospeso.
Though digitally crafted, Elisa Luu’s music is warm, inviting and uniquely human, betraying a vulnerability and sensitivity that is rarely found in the male-dominated sphere of electronica. With its sighing, lilting qualities, Elisa Luu’s music reawakens a sense of childlike wonder and adventure with every sprawling and sparkling track. This alchemical touch is in full bloom on long-awaited second album Un Giorno Sospeso, which takes the glorious blueprint of debut Chromatic Sigh and accentuates the highlights and shadows, making for a deliciously disorientating trip.
2012Candy Ponders Wisely: Warm flowing music, slowly building into a journey which twists and turns, ambient at it's best.
Web: MySpace. Listen: ‘Se fosse per me’. (mp3).
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Background: Proving herself a musical gem once again, singer/songwriter Sunday Lane released her new full-length album 'From Where You Are' on April 10th. After the success of her first EP, Bring Me Sunshine, Sunday is creating a nation-wide buzz and a huge following across an eclectic audience and is ready to wow her fans for a second time.
The doll-faced singer is a breath of fresh air from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Classically trained on the piano, Sunday injects a fountain of soul and depth to her music that most pop artists her age aren't capable of. At only 22, Sunday writes lyrics that are heavy with wisdom and is able to connect with an audience of all ages and life stories. Sunday's easy-going charisma paired with her soothing vocals landed her a gig at the famed Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2011, a spot on Music Connection's Hot 100 Unsigned Artists List and two featured songs on the season premiere of the CW Network show "One Tree Hill." Sunday also released an intimate music video for her song "Reckless One" which was not only featured on the CW show, but is the EP's single.
Along with Zach Annett, Sunday Lane produced her second release, From Where You Are. Annett also did the mixing for this album, as well as producing and drumming on 2010's Bring Me Sunshine. The multi-talented singer needs no musical decorations or distractions on this record; her lyrics speak volumes touching on central subjects such as social issues, love and growing up. The lead single from the album, "A Little Too Young," gives insight to Sunday's own recognition of her emotional maturity, singing "I'm afraid of what I see when I look at me." She uses melodious guitar chords and heartfelt piano harmonies to give a feel-good vibe to the song. She also teamed up with fellow songwriter, Hannah Crockett for two tracks on the album, "Waltzing with Fire" and "Let Me Go."
2012Candy Ponders Wisely: Second time we have featured Sunday on Beehive Candy and in our opinion deservedly so, her latest album is full of really strong songs, well worth checking out!
Web: Official. Listen: Waltzing With Fire. (player below).
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Background:A Genuine Freakshow are a 7 piece band from the UK, often compared to bands like Mew, Jonsi, and The National. Oftentimes is their debut album, and has already gained the band a lot of attention in their native UK.
A Genuine Freakshow are seven individuals brought together in the Reading, Berkshire, England area from a desire to blend their love of the experimental with the melody and traditional songwriting prowess of the likes of band favorites Elbow, Mew and The National. The seven-piece have found their sweet spot, creating music that is intricate but unafraid of big melodies, as witnessed throughout the album Oftentimes and in particular on lead track, I Can Feel His Heartbeats and forthcoming single Hopscotch Machine Gun Madness. The journey there was not easy however, eighteen months ago the band scrapped version one of the album unhappy with the finished product and started it again, enlisting band collaborator and unofficial eighth member Jordan Fish as producer and re-recording at his studio in Newbury, Berkshire.
2012Candy Ponders Wisely: Indie pop or rock with a little more to it, the opening to the featured track has a touch of Radiohead to it in our mind, good song.
Web: OK! Good Label. Listen: I Can Feel His Heartbeats. (player below).
================================================== Background: The reggae music on the Nazarenes new album, Meditation , was born in the African-derived culture of Jamaica's downtown black communities. The producer, Laurent 'Tippy I' Alfred is from the nearby island of St Croix in the US Virgin Islands where social consciousness - in the form of Rastafarian spiritual belief - is still a guiding factor in music making. The artists, born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to a family that worked for Emperor Haile Selassie - he who Rastas believe is a divine figure - offer an almost miraculous confirmation to reggae fans of the special bond between Africa and the diaspora.
The Nazarenes, made up of brothers Noah and Medhane Tewolde, now live in Sweden and their new record,Meditation, set to drop April 24th, not only reflects the journey of reggae - from Jamaica, to the Caribbean, to the world - but also invokes organic, contemporary connections between Jamaica, Africa and people everywhere. Meditation is not simply a reggae album, nor is it a tribute to a Caribbean sense of spirituality. Meditation is a testament to the distinct and enduring capacity of reggae as a building block for communication in a multi-cultural world.
Meditation crosses cultural, musical and national borders so successfully because its creators do too. Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to parents of Eritrean descent who later settled in Sweden, the Tewolde brothers originally followed separate musical paths. Noah had signed with Virgin Records in the 1990s while Medhane was touring Europe with Culture Knox and other reggae acts. In 1996, and based on a mutual respect for pop melodies as well as careful and considered songwriting in the traditional roots reggae style, Noah and Medhane formed the Nazarenes. The group first established themselves independently on their self-produced debut album, Orit (2001), and later broke out with their Heartbeat/Rounder release, Songs Of Life (2004) before teaming up with I Grade Records for the first time on the single "Everlasting" which was included on the acclaimed compilation album, Joyful Noise (2009). On Meditation, their first full-length album since Rock Firm (2008), the Nazarenes return to their world music roots in the making of an album that truly confirms roots reggae as a vehicle for collective understanding and an artistic work that ultimately speaks to cultural unity rather than conflict.
2012Candy Ponders Wisely: Fans of Roots Reggae and well thought out melodies will love Nazarenes, this is high quality and a joy to listen too.
Web:Official. Listen: Politrickcians. (player below).
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Background:Lexie Roth is the daughter of guitarist Arlen Roth and his late wife, Deborah. She has been playing music since she was about 8 years old, and has become quite an accomplished guitarist, even though she started out on bass guitar. She played in several bands in her developing years on both bass and guitar, and was always the featured vocalist. She has appeared on her father’s album Toolin’ Around Woodstock with Levon Helm on drums, and sings Vaya Con Dios on the upcoming release of the Les Paul Tribute Album alongside of Keith Richards, Jose Feliciano, Steve Miller, Slash and many other greats. Lexie's song, "Call You My Hon", from her most recent album, is also featured in the new Karen Black film, "Maria, my Love."
“Lexie doesn’t hammer you over the head with blues mama excesses; she sucks you in with restraint and understatement.”
Dan Forte, Vintage Guitar Magazine
“Ultimately, its finest asset is Ms. Roth's voice, a rich, melodic force that promises a bright future for this emerging artist."
Julian Wise, Martha’s Vineyard Times
"In 2005, Lexie, then 18, recorded her first solo album, One Long Blink, co-produced with her father, featuring her haunting voice and his transcendent guitar playing."
Carey Baker, Conqueroo
2012Candy Ponders Wisely: I just love this song, the vocals and guitar complement each other perfectly and yes she does indeed naturally draw you into the song.
Web: Bandcamp. Listen: Stay Or Go. (mp3).
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Background:Pale Man Made take touches of the best 80s and 90s music, add a caustic commentary on working life, relationship problems, animals, politics and snooker players and engulf the whole thing in a melodic whirlwind of boy-girl fuzz. Think the best Scottish pop (The Pastels, The Shop Assistants, Orange Juice) blended with the angst and ferocity of The Wedding Present, all clouded by a gentler take on the heady fuzz of My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
‘Oh, My Treasured Things’ Pale Man Made’s debut album was described by NME as 'a thing to treasure', was voted Album of the Week by Huw Stephens and received excellent reviews and international airplay.
‘In Your Bed’ is the second UK taster from the forthcoming album Red Box Secrets which will be released on 14th May. The first taster ‘B-Line’, received excellent airplay including numerous plays from 6 music and BBC London.
2012Candy Ponders Wisely: OK we need at least one song that oozes a little raw energy, as this does, the vocals and harmonies standout above the musical energy and we are hooked!
Web: Odd Box Records. Listen: In Your Bed. (mp3).
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Background: New Orleans based, indie band Youth Sounds is set to record their new single off their 3rd EP, Favors. The new single "Burn Out" will be released in both English and Spanish ('Sin Ti') and both versions are available on iTunes. In order to finish the remainder of the album, the group needs the help of their dedicated fans. The band has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds for their new album, Favors and is asking their fans to be a part of it.
The first single off the album, "Burn Out" was recorded at Festival Recording Studios (Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Michelle Williams) just outside of New Orleans. Rick Naiser engineered and produced the single, along with Youth Sounds' Federico Mejia as co-producer. The band made the decision to record a Spanish version of the song, "Sin Ti" to show their heritage.
Youth Sounds is a five-piece band made up of the Mejia siblings (Federico- bass, Erika- vocals, and Nicolas- drums), Federico's wife (Taryn Mejia- keyboard) and a close friend (Adrian Frye- guitar). The ambient, dream pop, indie sound comes from an innovative group that understands who they are and what they have to offer. Youth Sounds has been featured as an iHeartRadio "Artist to Watch" as well as been listed by Music Connection Magazine, as one of the "Hot 100 Unsigned Bands."
With the success of their August 2010 release of The Bit Parts and the February 2011 release of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Youth Sounds has been welcomed into the indie community with overwhelmingly positive reviews. Check out their newest single "Burn Out"/"Sin Ti" and be part of making the new album by pledging to their Kickstarter campaign.
2012Candy Ponders Wisely: This was a nice surprise, some really fine dream pop, both musicians and the classy vocals give this song an edge.
Web: Facebook. Listen: Burn Out. (mp3).
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This is Sandy Denny and The Happy Blunderers live at the Lincoln Folk Festival (England) back on the 24th July 1971. She's backed by the self named Happy Blunderers, consisting of Fairport members Richard Thompson, Dave Pegg and Jerry Conway. Richard plays guitar throughout and sings backing vocals on the third song (Crash On The Levee - a Dylan song).
The first solo album by Sandy Denny 'The North Star Grassman and the Ravens' was also released in 1971 and is distinguished by its elusive lyrics and unexpected harmonies. Highlights included Late November, inspired by a dream and the death of Fairport band member Martin Lamble, and Next Time Around a cryptogram about Jackson C. Frank, one of her many portraits in song. Both songs were included in this short set.
Also on the bill at the festival were The Byrds, Dion, Tim Hardin, the Incredible String Band, Ralph McTell, Pentangle, Tom Paxton, Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick & Martin Carthy, James Taylor, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee.
Source: Audience.
Sound Quality: Listenable (a bit like AM radio at night), mp3@265kbps.
Genre: Folk, folk rock.
Set: Full Set.
Set List:
01 Late November
02 The North Star Grassman And The Ravens
03 Crash On The Levee (Down In The Flood)
04 Blackwaterside
05 The Optimist
06 Next Time Around
07 Crazy Lady Blues
08 John The Gun
Line Up:
Sandy Denny: Vocals, Guitar
Richard Thompson: Guitar
Dave Pegg: Bass
Gerry Conway: Drums
Background:Lila Rose has always stood out from the crowd - In substance, style and appearance she has never been average. Born with “ultra sound sensitivity”, Lila’s experience of the world around her has been quite out of the ordinary, and very much sonically based. Lila is both blessed and afflicted with sounds that most people cannot hear; while this is a gift when it comes to making music, it can also lead to great personal discomfort at times.
Last fall, Lila released her debut, full-length album, HeartMachine, which she co-produced with David Earl (AKA LogicNinja.) Shaping up to be a masterpiece of sound, song craft and technology, HeartMachine bends the genres of Electronica, Indie pop, trip-hop and alternative rock around an emotional core, finding a critical musical mass that is explosive in its intensity and brilliant in its light. Lila writes from the well of her experiences, building on the pain of human existence to create songs that speak to the human heart. Out of each shadow she culls light, uplifting, inspiring, and offering hope in lieu of even the greatest challenges of the heart, soul and mind.
The singer/songwriter now makes her home in Berkeley, a perfect backdrop for her quirky and unusual style. While Lila writes within the boundaries of classic pop song structure, her songs could be called anything but traditional. Lila’s voice is difficult to describe, but imagine a triangle formed by the smoky alto of Fiona Apple, the gritty edge of Ani Difranco and the pure tone of Adele and put Lila right in the middle. You simply have to hear her voice to believe it, and she sings with such intensity it’s breathtaking. On stage, Lila is a tour de force; you can’t help but get caught up in her pop star mystique. Away from the stage she exudes a grace and humility that’s stunning. Lila isn’t simply enchanting; she engages those around her on a personal level that is unusual in a society built on thirty second attention spans. Lila is honest, accessible and full of an integrity that is not expected in popular culture. If you were to sit next to her on a bus you’d never dream she was a pop star; but you might think you’d just met the sweetest person in the world.
Lila isn’t content with simply breaking new ground. While putting the finishing touches on what is becoming a kick ass work of art, she’s already planning her next solo project: a stripped-down acoustic work that displays the heart and soul of her stirring songwriting style. An emo-tronica EP with collaborator Eric Denniston is also in the works, due to be released under the name SoHeart in the winter of 2012. For Lila, the music never stops; it is a way of understanding the world around her. She transforms her experiences into song, and transcends the darkness that so long kept her at bay.
Lila Rose radiates ebullience on stage. There is a beauty to her that is neither physical nor effable; a glow that emanates from deep within. It shines through her music like a beacon for all who have been lost, yet retain hope and faith enough to see. With a voice that rings out of the darkness like the first probing beam of dawn, Lila makes an indelible impression.
What 2012Candy Say's: Atmospheric and captivating music that might draw comparisons from Bjork to Bat For Lashes. Lila has enough of her own creative styles and ideas, this is one talented individual.
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Casting Shadows. (mp3).
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Background: Barsuk Records is excited to debut "Fever", the new single off the upcoming Maps & Atlases full-length Beware & Be Grateful, out April 17th. "Fever" premiered via SPIN, who said the track "[allows] Davison's rounded, distinctive bray to float triumphantly over a direct, breezy concoction that feels indeed like a fever passing." The band has also curated their own blend of Intelligentsia coffee, the Chicago based roaster, available exclusively with the pre-order for the album at Barsuk.com.
Maps & Atlases will embark on a headlining tour this spring in support of the sophomore LP. The tour kicks off in their hometown, with a May 11th show at the Metro in Chicago, and wraps up on June 19th at Amsterdam Hall in St. Paul. Earlier this month, the band headed on a brief tour, which included a successful run at SXSW.
The album - which follows the Chicago-based band's acclaimed 2010 debut, Perch Patchwork - was recorded last year in a series of week-long sessions at Omaha's ARC Studios with producer Jason Cupp (Nurses, Good Old War) once again behind the board.
Since their formation in 2004, Maps & Atlases have captured the indie imagination with their extraordinarily artful amalgamation of poly rhythmic beats, elaborate melodies, and post-rock ingenuity. The band toured hard from the get-go, honing their kinetic time signatures and inventive energy through countless live shows as both headliner and alongside such artists as Broken Bells, Frightened Rabbit, Circa Survive, Cults, and RX Bandits.
What 2012Candy Say's: The distinctive vocals and the intricate music, helps Maps & Atlases standout in the crowded indie market place. This song suggests the new album will be well worth checking out.
Web: Label HERE. Listen: Fever. (mp3).
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Background:kayln rock comes from Hudson, New York, a small town just north of New York City. She grew up in the house her grandfather was raised in. She recalls, “When I was young, my Dad would play Buddy Holly songs for me on his guitar. I would dance on top of his feet as he held my hands listening to The Police.” She went to SUNY Purchase, planning to write for the screen and stage. It was while attending a film making course in Maine in the summer of 2008 that she picked up her friend’s guitar and the songs began to pour out of her. “I think it was a creative domino effect of sorts. If I hadn’t decided to branch out and study film that summer, I don’t think I would have found the confidence to express myself through songwriting.”
Since that summer, rock has become an avid note taker and perhaps even a journal fanatic, spending hours in bookstores searching for the right one to begin her new chain of ideas. For the songs that couldn’t find their way to binded pages, there is a paper mache bowl on her desk that her little brother made. A place for the ambitious pieces of scrap paper to live in. “Sometimes I write with my guitar, if it’s nearby, sometimes I don’t. I’ll sing a melody into my voicemail or onto my laptop. A lot of ideas come to me when I’m driving in my car or washing dishes. Both of which can result in soapy pages or chicken scratch from the steering wheel. Since I started writing, I write everyday in some way. Writing helps keep me grounded and in touch with my feelings and myself. If I don’t write, I feel funny, but not in a funny way.”
What 2012Candy Say's: Another artist in this round up whose superb and distinct vocals are supported by some excellent music, enjoy - we most definitely are!
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Toledo Song. (mp3).
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Background: Riverhood is the first release from Holobody, the sibling duo of Felix Green and Sea Oleena, two talented artists in their own right who’ve together crafted a masterpiece from elements of gospel, hip-hop, and electronically-propelled folk. Album opener “Unfold” is a sentimental soliloquy, and its seamless juxtaposition first into the playfully rapped “Hurricane Season” and then into the instrumental "Stomp Coda" sets the tone for the genre-hopping on the rest of Riverhood.
Brother and sister trade vocal duties throughout the album. "Riverbed" is a beautiful hymn of death and rebirth with a chorus washed in reverb. Sounds seem to merge and collapse, until the listener paddles into the void and disappears. Other highlights are the hypnotically spiraling “Prelude” and the psychedelic closer “Acid Rain” with each song taking the album in a new and usually unexpected direction. Perhaps the most striking moment is the duo’s take on the traditional hymn “Down to the River and Pray,” which begins with reverent beauty before taking a sideways turn into percussive celebration and ambient experimentation. All of these pieces are drawn together on Riverhood into a whole that is lush, vibrant, and extraordinarily inviting.
What 2012Candy Say's: Loads of different styles, musical takes and directions make this album a great listen and picking a song to feature a tough choice, we settled for 'Way The World Goes Round' as this features both artists on vocal duties.
Web: Tumblr HERE. Listen: Way The World Goes Round (player below).
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Background: New York City is filled with hundreds of bands, but it takes true talent for a group to stand out amongst the rest. Meet LETTERIST, the infectious trio hailing from the streets of Brooklyn, New York. Just debuting their first single titled, “100mph,” Letterist will quickly draw you in with their catchy brand of indie-meets -electro pop-sound. Be prepared to make this track one of your favorite songs of the year....already. Singer Pamela Bell’s voice echoes throughout the track, making it both haunting and gorgeous. Echoing guitars and heavy beats fill every inch of space with perfection, carrying the song to new heights. Blending a bit of dancefloor nostalgia, this is one piece that will make your jaw drop.
Forming in 2006, during a chance meeting on a night that can only be referred to as “a drunken underwear Twister-themed party,” Rammy Yogendra (Guitar, Synth, Piano), met Pamela Bell (Vocals), and Alex McCown (Drums) and the three hit it off immediately. Coming together from Minnesota, Missouri and Florida respectively, the trio found a common ground in New York City, which they have been calling home for several years. Playing at countless area venues and late-night rooftop gatherings, Letterist gained notoriety from their performances at the now-infamous Bang On!NYC Parties.
Letterist is the perfect blend of electro-synthpop and dance rock. Influenced by classic artists such as Royksopp, Daft Punk, New Order, Fleetwood Mac, and Kylie Minogue, while evoking the sounds of modern luminaries like Metric and Lykke Li, the group will make you un-expect the expected. “I want to be able to reinvent based on my musical growth, and my gut and my ability,” says Pam. For Letterist this means an endless quest to write the perfect soundtrack to the best 80’s John Hughes film never made..
This spring sees the release of Letterist’s sophomore album, Solace and Gold, which was recorded with Tim Monkiewicz (Golden Pony), mixed by Abe Seiferth (DFA Records) and mastered by Jamal Ruhe at West West Side Music.
What 2012Candy Say's: With songs this good it can only be a matter of time before Letterist are getting noticed in a big way. If you are going to do 'pop come dance music' then these people have set the standards high, very high indeed.
Web: Facebook HERE. Listen: 100MPH. (mp3).
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Background: If you’ve been paying attention to the NYC music scene (and you should be!), you know that Brooklyn-based Australian transplants WAZU have been generating heaps of buzz as of late. “Murder 1,” the synth-heavy, post apocalyptic first single from their three song WAZU EP (Anti-Language Recordings) is getting rave reviews.
The track is a glorious, vicious little tease of what’s to come from this male-female duo that appear to have swallowed some of the same sexy electronic pills as The xx, but have regurgitated them in a much more elaborate and foreboding fashion. “Happy Endings,” the second track off the EP produced by the legendary Kevin McMahon (Titus Andronicus, Real Estate, Swans, The Walkmen), is a cynical sing-along that resonates with the lyrics, “take a look at me / I’m living proof / Happy endings don’t have room for two.” Never has heartbreak sounded so enticing and danceable.
In their first week of playing together as WAZU, the duo performed seven shows in six nights at the Top 10 “Best of the Fest” Festival at Toronto Indie Week 2010. “We showed up planning to play three shows, but [we] kept winning!” Shortly after, the band performed as part of the CMJ Festival at Lower East Side staple The Living Room, the Neon Reverb Music Festival in Las Vegas, and the Dropout Party at Don Hill’s in NYC. In the past few months WAZU made the Top 3 of the Deli Magazine’s Year End Best of NYC poll for emerging artists in 2011 and the EP has earned the band glowing reviews and promising mentions in In-d Scene UK, Some Kind of Awesome, and Alfitude, to name a few.
What 2012Candy Say's: Wall of sound Synth and anthemic vocals, no wonder the buzz, if this type of music was filling the Top 40 airwaves, pop radio would be worth listening to again.
Web: MySpace HERE. Listen: Happy Endings. (mp3).
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Background: Despite Distance: Actress Irène Jacob and Guitarist Francis Jacob Craft Welcoming, Worldly Pop on Je Sais Nager and live at Joe’s Pub, May 2012
The acclaimed actress and the nomad jazz composer sat down by the sea, and began to write songs.
They had known each other for decades; as siblings and life-long friends, Irène and Francis Jacob had shared games, Paris apartments, and an intense engagement with jazz, film, and philosophy. But one day, in the music room where their grandmother used to practice, they began making music together.
Together, they capture gentle, bittersweet sounds, tales, and joys on Je Sais Nager (I Know How to Swim; Sunnyside Records; U.S. release: May 8, 2012), in songs that blend the musical intuitions of globally minded guitarist and composer Francis and the soft-spoken storytelling skills of international art-house star Irène (The Double Life of Veronique, Red).
The duo and their multinational band (including Senegalese bassist Mamadou Ba and Afro-Peruvian legend Pichio) will perform at Joe’s Pub in New York City on May 3, 2012.
With Brazilian and Senegalese beats, steel and water drums, and a certain French flair for pensive and playful pop, the Jacobs chronicle their own connection despite distance. Journeying into thoughtful inner worlds (“Au Fond de Toi”) or fantastic landscapes (“Sumatra”), Je Sais Nager reveals the fruitful cross-pollination of a trained actor’s ear for language and a skilled musician’s feel for expression and emotion.
“Irène is a wonderful singer, but primarily an actress. Her approach was based on the lyrics, on what the song was saying,” explains Francis. “Working with her opened a new door for me as an arranger; I had to get the music to paint the words.”
What 2012Candy Say's: Superb music and sensual vocals arranged to standards that are outstanding, I do not speak French, but songs like this are universal and I can whistle along to it anyway!
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Sumatra (player below).
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Background: Portland, Oregon-based duo Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks are celebrating the release of their debut full-length, Take The Air (Waterbug Records), by setting out on a national spring tour to promote the album.
Jenn Rawling, ace songstress and vintage American folk and old-time country singer, joins masterful string player & harmony singer Basho Parks in a partnership of formidable musical talent and palpable sympathy. Their music marries musical and lyrical imagery, with repetitive figures that subtly shift accent and meaning like sunlight gleaming from a stream. The result is an emotionally rich recording which unfolds more gifts with each listen. There's a flowing kindness at the heart of this music; more than a nod to our barn-raising ancestors; and a formal mastery of the song form whereby the inevitable continues to amaze. Recorded and produced with Skyler Norwood (Blind Pilot, Horse Feathers) at Miracle Lake Studios, the duo pared down a fistful of songs to the ten that comprise Take The Air. This album will get in your head and heart, and you won't mind a bit. Using both stripped down and lush instrumentation,Take The Air reels the listener in with its delicate subtlety and glowing warmth. This is superb artistry and the effect is profound.
Rawling & Parks were joined in studio by a slew of local talent for Take The Air, including William Joersz (Ezza Rose), Mub Fractal (Brownish Black), Matt Berger (Laura Gibson, Portland Cello Project), Skyler Norwood (Point Juncture Washington), Joel Ricci (Lucky Brown, March Fourth Marching Band), and Brendan Phillips (Fast Rattler).
What 2012Candy Say's: This is a beautiful song that sees vocals and strings complement each other, if you like the song, the album is a must have, simple as that!
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Gather It. (mp3).
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Background: Anna Ternheim and V2 Records / Cooperative Music proudly announce the release of The Night Visitor, out June 5th 2012. The Swedish born performer's latest work was recorded in Nashville and produced by her good friend and fellow musician Matt Sweeney (Chavez, Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Matt Sweeney) along with Dave Ferguson, Johnny Cash's longtime engineer (best known for his work on Cash's final "American" albums).
With the release of her most previous album Leaving on a Mayday, Ternheim won considerable critical and commercial success in her native land, taking home the Swedish Grammys for "Best New Artist" and "Album of the Year." But in 2010 she sought out a change of scene and left the familiar confines of Stockholm for New York City. It was there that she would reach out to her friend Matt Sweeney to play him the new songs she'd been writing. Stunned by their haunting beauty, Sweeney presented an idea he had harbored for some time; the two of them taking their business to Nashville. And so in early 2011 it was there that they began work on The Night Visitor.
Along with Sweeney and Ferguson-who in addition to producing contributes vocals on Pat McLaughlin's "The Longer The Waiting (The Sweeter The Kiss)"-numerous other Nashville legends contributed their talents to the recording including "Cowboy" Jack Clement, Kenny Malone, Ronnie McCoury and Tim O'Brien. Will Oldham also dropped by to contribute backing vocals and assist in producing a few songs including the stunning "Walking Aimlessly."
The result is an album already being praised in Sweden for its vivid imagery and the masterful melding of the three somewhat disparate worlds of Stockholm, New York, and Nashville.
What 2012Candy Say's: With the folks involved in this, you would only accept top quality and you get it. Fantastic vocals and arrangements this is a wonderful song, I genuinely cant wait for the album.
Web: Official HERE. Listen: The Longer The Waiting. (mp3).
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This is Peter Gabriel performing live with a sizable studio audience at Maison De La Radio, Paris, back on the 24th October 2002. This performance was in support of his then 7th solo studio album 'Up' which had been released the preceding month and half the songs performed at this gig were from that album, including a stunning performance of 'Darkness' (a song about overcoming fears) which is the opening song both on the album and at this performance.
Peter talks to the audience in French and the station announcer adds commentary occasionally, however this seems to add to the whole show giving it a very personal feel and a reference in time.
In the Spring of 1995, Gabriel began work on the album. Its name was Up from the start, though at one point it was considered to be called I/O. Gabriel began saying the album was near completion somewhere around 1998 but did not release it until September 2002. In the months preceding the album's release, video clips of Gabriel talking about the songs as well as short demos of each song were released at the coming of every full moon on Peter Gabriel's official website.
Source: FM Broadcast.
Sound Quality: Very good stereo mp3@220kbps.
Genre: Progressive rock, art rock, experimental rock, pop rock, world music.
Set: Full set.
Set List:
1. Darkness 07:44
2. Red Rain 06:47
3. Growing Up 08:23
4 Mercy Street 06:49
5 My Head Sounds Like That 07:11
6 The Barry Williams Show 07:41
7 More Than This 06:06
8 Band Introductions 04:12
9 Sledgehammer 06:40
10 In Your Eyes (with Youssoun'n dour)11:16 11 Bonus - Youssou'n Dour live fiesta del sud, Marseille, France) 04:55
Background:John Seeger was definitely born a musician. Learning, practicing and mastering guitar was as much an everyday occupation to him as speaking Japanese and Spanish fluently, obtaining his black belt in karate, creating and building his successful NYC-based construction company, raising his 19 year old daughter and tending to his home and family. It may have seemed at times, even to John, that music was just another one of his passions and thirsts. Except that this one was impossible to quench.
John sets the bar high in every aspect of his life, music is no exception. Over 15 songs on his roster to date, all written over the past year, John’s songs are like paintings, a depiction of life’s tales in each one. The mixture of his musical style is as diverse as the man. Sometimes bluesy with a hint of funk, sometimes pop or folk rock, always about a love lost or soon to be found, relationships and friends, but mainly about a man’s journey to find and keep his heart’s desire. Not as easy as it sounds…The range of John’s technical guitar qualities knows no boundaries: classical, Spanish, electric, acoustic, blues. You name it, John plays it.
Inspired by a multitude of other bands since his teens, of course, by infinitely talented musicians over the years, indeed, by his own journey and love of the art of music, John Seeger has come to realize that it had to be done. He had to let it go, let it happen and see where it will take him. Just as obvious as ink on a blank piece of paper, John’s songwriting has been crafted into the pieces of life, which define him.
His live performances in NYC have recently given him proof (that he has been striving for) that there is an ever-growing receptive audience out there, loving his music. Just as much as he is loving his and his band,Wa2C’s, performances. A new chapter in his life begins.
The Candy Opinion: Concise, rhythmic, and delivered with passion, this is a good example of John Seeger. Solid vocals duel with his phenomenally good guitar playing.
Web: OfficialHERE. Listen: She's Gonna Be Mine. (mp3).
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Background: Listening to the sounds of singer-songwriter Markeisha Ensley is like indulging in a rich, flourless chocolate cake while drinking a well-aged, red wine. She combines piano- playing flair with smooth soul, her mellifluous voice soaring over unforgettable melodies. Originally from Aurora, Colorado, she is the winner of the 2011 Abe Olman Scholarship Award for Excellence in Songwriting from the Songwriters Hall of Fame/Songwriters Guild of America, with previous recipients including John Legend. A cross between Alicia Keys and Anita Baker, Markeisha strikes an uplifting groove and graces the stage with a powerful, undeniable presence.
Markeisha mixes a unique blend of Motown doo-wop harmonies, pop melodies and gospel singing on her new EP, Talk to Me, a sultry selection of up-tempos and ballads on love. Smooth and sexy, the 5 songs were written by the singer as reflection on her recent travels to France and the Caribbean. “It was my first time traveling abroad and I was so affected and inspired by the French culture, people, and of course, the food,” she laughs. Recorded with her band in New York at Flux Studios (Mick Jagger, Jennifer Lopez, Babyface), the EP is produced by up-and-coming producer, David Amber, and was released on Valentine’s Day, 2012.
As a child, Markeisha began her love affair with music when singing in her hometown Baptist church choir. While gospel music laid the foundation, she was also heavily influenced by her parents’ record collection with Aretha, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Carole King and Linda Ronstadt on heavy rotation. Markeisha studied piano and began writing poetry while in high school, but it was the many nights spent writing songs in the school’s practice rooms while attending New York University that sent Markeisha down the road to singer-songwriter land. “I developed my own sanctuary and no matter what was going on in my life, I could sit behind a piano and sing and know everything was alright."
Since releasing her debut album, Ready, in 2006, Markeisha has received numerous awards and honors. Two songs from that cd, “The Strangest Thing” and “Loving You”, received an Honorable Mention in the Billboard World Songwriting Contest. Markeisha was also recognized by BMI/Songwriters Association of Washington, where she was asked to perform at the Smithsonian Museum alongside legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier (“Stop! In the Name of Love”). She has toured throughout the country, appeared on “Showtime at the Apollo”, and recently completed a residency performing in St. Barth’s.
Now based in NYC, Markeisha is also a proud member of LIFEBeat’s Hearts and Voices Program, bringing the healing power of music to people living with HIV/AIDS. She is currently planning her 2012 summer US tour.
The Candy Opinion: If you are going to sing over a backing track that could have been performed for The Supreme's circa 1966 then you had better be extremely talented. Markeisha makes light work of it, with feisty powerful vocals that add to the soundtrack, go check her out some more!
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Still Yours. (mp3).
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Background: Berlin-based duo It's A Musical has released the first single and title track from its sophomore LP, For Years And Years, slated for an April 10th release with Morr Music. Comprised of Ella Blixt aka Bobby Blumm and Robert Kretzschmar, the duo wrote the new batch of songs together and recruited Norman Nitzsche (The Whitest Boy Alive) to help with the mixing stage. Their two voices are heard in unison as they uniquely layer the vocals both in verse and chorus throughout the album and in the 'For Years and Years' single.
Following the band's The Music Makes Me Sick debut LP, the tracks on the latest output have a certain DIY feel to them, a vibe that makes the listener forget that both Blixt and Kretzschmar are actually trained multi-instrumentalists (Kretzschmar also plays drums for Masha Qrella, and Blixt recently worked with Peaches). The song "Cleverness" is built from vibraphone sounds, organs, and drum rolls (just like in "Fish Song"), and "One Million People" is a catchy piano pop gem that owes as much to Carole King as it does to labelmate Masha Qrella. Furthermore, both members of It's A Musical help organize special rock camps for young teenage girls, all about keeping the original Riot-Grrrl vibe alive.
The Candy Opinion: Reminds me a little of St Etienne, however with quite differing vocal harmonies. Whatever the comparisons this is a really good song that stands on it's own merit.
Web: Official HERE. Listen: For Years and Years. (mp3).
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Background: After five years as a band, encompassing five EPs and two albums, Kent-based six-piece Tom Williams & the Boat might appear fully-formed but, with the release of their second album, Teenage Blood, they’re only just beginning to reveal their true colours.
Tom Williams & the Boat have created an album that embraces both their roots and cements a new chapter in the band’s history. The independent release (Teenage Blood is a co-release between Moshi Moshi and Wire Boat), interaction with fans and Tom’s intuitive storytelling reflect what’s come to be expected of the band, but in a new-found love of classic pop structures and dark, heartbreaking narrative styles, there’s something entirely different about the album’s approach. Tom, when talking about those who inspire him says that he’s stayed ‘respectful of great songwriting, but [wants] to make something just as good’, and it’s that confidence which permeates Teenage Blood. Tom Williams & the Boat aren’t just a band who want to emulate their heroes any more – they want to match them without undermining their own history or the independence of thought and spirit they cherish, and with Teenage Blood, they might have done just that.
The Candy Opinion: Kent, England - wind the clock back forty plus years and you had the 'Canterbury sound'. This most definitely is not that, it's powerful, immediate and hopefully will travel well across the Atlantic for the USA to enjoy!
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Teenage Blood. (player only).
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Background: Fronted by Joel Piedt, and featuring Rob Polischuck, Malee Bringardner, Patrick Chin, Erich von Hinken, and Landon Lee, Florida-based dream-pop/folk outfit Carrousel deliver nine beautifully crafted, symphonic dream-pop/folk songs on their debut, 27 rue de mi'chelle, set for release May 1, 2012.
Piedt graduated college in May 2009, statistically the worst year to graduate in fifty years, and packed his bags, turning down a lucrative job offer, as he set out for Tallahassee, Florida to meet up with a friend to make a record. The result is 27 rue de mi'chelle, an album that plays out like a musical novella, telling the story of self-loathing, regret, loss, sorrow, and ultimately acceptance.
The story behind the record isn't new; Piedt was heartbroken, having lost his love, Michelle, the protagonist of what would become the album. But, even though the story isn't new, Carrousel takes a daunting approach to it, twisting and turning it into their own.
Recorded over many late-nights, what was meant to be a four-month project became a two and a half year saga, with each passing month finding a new world unfolding, each song becoming it's own grand scheme within a larger story, it's own space within the world. Piedt's idea to piecemeal the songs together was heavily inspired by Brian Wilson's Pet Sounds and the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" single.
"We were inspired by Brian Wilson's modular recording, so we attempted to piecemeal parts of songs together to give the album a certain feel," Piedt elaborates. "As if the music were traveling through various times and places, different scenes. Different parts of songs were recorded sometimes months apart, and it's really fascinating to hear what that does to the feel of the music."
He pauses for a moment and then continues, "Honestly, we probably couldn't do it over exactly like we did even if we tried--but it worked. We pulled it off, and I absolutely love it - I love how it sounds, I love how it feels, and I love how it presents these songs." Another inspiration for the album is Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast, where he describes his time spent with expatriates at 27 rue de Fleurus. "I found it all very beautiful and inspiring, a personal renaissance of sorts," Piedt says. "Conveniently enough, the name Michelle was French. So 27 rue de mi'chelle was born."
Taking in as much Romantic era as he could, Piedt submerged himself in Hector Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique," falling in love with the idea of impressionistic music; to him music that evoked strong images and feelings by way of recurring melodic themes. Taking the Romantic's lead, he wanted his album, 27 rue de mi'chelle, to tell an emotionally evocative story, unfolding one note at a time.
Referencing the jagged, piecemeal, and sewn-together quality of "Good Vibrations," Piedt set out to make a record that was professional but not polished, well-thought but never calculated, and improvised but not sloppy. They spent hours finding the perfect sounds, but never at the cost of the emotion of the song. They wanted each song to feel inspired, never strangled, as so often happens throughout a strenuous recording process.
The outcome is something Piedt describes as "perfect imperfection." Now that the record is done and will soon be released, Piedt is happy to share the record with fans and soon-to-be fans alike. Piedt is now ready for his next challenge: pulling the songs off live for audiences across the U.S. The travels to 27 rue de mi'chelle were by no means easy, but they were cathartic, to say the least. And with new roads ahead of Carrousel, the catharsis will most certainly reach new heights.
The Candy Opinion: This is a lovely song. Somehow everything stands out, the vocals, the instruments, all mixed with a delicate touch that simply lifts your spirits.
Web: Reverb Nation HERE. Listen: "14". (mp3).
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Background: Electrifying indie-rock group Hell&Lula is ready to take the West Coast by storm with their upcoming gigs as part of the Adrenaline Rush Tour starting April 4th in Flagstaff, Arizona and extending until late April. The four-piece fireball will share the stage with Fort Worth rock band, Sonar Lights. The bands will be hitting major cities such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland.
Although their music has the cohesiveness of a seasoned band, Hell&Lula was only formed two years ago. Programmer/writer/guitarist, Devon Culiner, and vocalist, MAK, met in 2009 during their collaboration on the song "Set The World on Fire," the first single off their debut EP Catch Up!!! Catch Up!!! They later teamed up with band mates Alex Vega (drums) and Russell Henson (bass/synths) to release Catch Up!!! Catch Up!!! and are currently finishing their second EP, Fermi's Paradox. Laced with catchy pop choruses, conceptual lyrics and captivating electro-dance beats, the band's music is proving to be a catapult for their budding buzz and popularity. Hell&Lula have toured the Southwestern U.S. twice, showcased at SXSW 2011, and played shows with the likes of well-known acts such as Friendly Fires, Foster the People, and Matt & Kim. Currently signed to MTV's HYPE Music, the band's catalog has been featured on several hit shows such as MTV's Jersey Shore, Real World and VH1's iHeartRadio Festival.
As if Hell&Lula's rock-star appeal was not enough to impress, they are also advocates of the Earth on a mission to reduce their carbon footprint. The environmental activists have recently converted their "Cool Bus" (the school bus they tour /live in) from running on diesel fuel to waste vegetable oil (WVO), thanks to recent contributions from fans as part of their Pledge Music Campaign. Restaurants along the West Coast will be donating their used veggie oil to Hell&Lula to support the cause. The band will also be selling whistles for Falling Whistles, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the war in the Congo. In addition to these efforts, the quartet is also reducing through their Recycled Merchandise Program, in which fans can purchase one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly items.
With an unforgiving energy and passion for their music, society and the environment, Hell&Lula are destined to win over dance floors and living rooms everywhere.
April 4 - Hotel Monte Vista - Flagstaff, AZ
April 6 - Jumping Turtle - San Marcos, CA
April 7 - Cheetah's - Hollywood, CA
April 8 - Hemlock Tavern - San Francisco, CA
April 9 - Little Red Lion - Eureka, CA
April 10 - Ash Street Saloon - Portland, OR
April 11 - Glow Club - Bellingham, WA
April 12 - Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
April 14 - John's Alley - Moscow, ID
The Candy Opinion: Environmentally friendly band that knows how to party and dance, whats that all about? You can care about the planet and still enjoy yourself ??? Outrageous - this must be stopped!
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Set The World On Fire. (player only).
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Background:Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real earned themselves a stellar 2011 with gigs nearly every night, spots on such mega-events as Farm Aid, Bridge School, and Stagecoach, national TV airtime on Letterman, Leno, and Kimmel, and rave reviews for two simple reasons: Great songs and even better live shows.
Now, they’ve found a way to bring that performance experience to their second full-length release, Wasted, both lyrically and musically. “Neil Young suggested that we record the album live in the studio in analog, which is something we didn’t do on the last record,” explains Lukas Nelson, who penned all of the tracks and produced the record with his band – Anthony LoGerfo (Drums), Tato Melgar (Percussion) and Corey McCormick (Bass) – and Jim “Moose” Brown. “It really added a lot of magnetism, energy, and that live feel, and a lot of warmth to it. I feel like this record sounds more like what you get when you see us perform.”
“This record was all about capturing a moment, and there are some special full moon moments that I think we captured on tape,” adds Nelson. The moments in particular that are captured on this record was the time on tour over the summer months during which Nelson wrote the album’s 14 songs in the back of the band’s tour bus.
“Wasted is a snapshot of this last summer on tour when I wrote most of this music,” he says. “It was the summer of debauchery. I was socializing a little too much and not really being true to myself. So the whole record was a snapshot of me making one of the many mistakes I’ll likely make throughout my life. There were a lot of pressures on the road and there are a lot of people who view touring as just one big party. I started staying out until 4 in the morning. It was like summer camp. It took a toll on me. I soon realized I wasn’t really being myself and I had a big wake-up call and it’s during that time that I wrote this record.”
But, Nelson is quick to add that Wasted is not just about a summer out of control; it’s about the idea of wasting your time, your life, your creativity, and reminding yourself to stay true to your values and ideals, and for Nelson and his band that’s always been about family, positivity, and spreading love and happiness to others. “There are a lot of definitions for the word wasted; it’s not a one dimensional record. It’s meant to be listened to and internalized. There is a lot of sentiments about missing loved ones and being on the road, and even some political and military hints in there,” he says of the lyrical matter.
Adds drummer Anthony LeGorfo: “It’s really a road record. We did 18 weeks straight on tour in the summer and that can kind of waste anyone. I think it’s also great to listen to while you’re driving down the road. And because Lukas wrote it at one time, I think this record is more cohesive than the last one. By being on the road together so long, we really improved as a band and got tighter and you hear that on this record. These songs are really jammy and fun to play live.”
“We have a lot of new instruments on there that we haven’t really used before, like the Wurlitzer, the Hammond B3 organ, Dobro, and lap steel guitar… That was Moose’s influence,” says Nelson. “Moose plays on all tracks and Cowboy Eddie Long (steel guitar) on most of them. We really extended the family beyond our core four on this record”. Along with Moose, Cowboy and the rest of the core that includes Percussionist Tato Melgar and Bassist Corey McCormick , the band also brought in Lukas’ sister Amy on two songs “Wasn’t That Great?” and “Can You Hear Me Love You?”
That said, at the core of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and Wasted is what their fans know and love best. Rock n Roll that speaks from the heart . “First and foremost we’re just people in a rock n roll band and this is a rock n roll record indicative of that,” adds LoGerfo.
The Candy Opinion: The son of a famous come legendary father, just gets on with it. Along side him are a superb band, great music, and real excitement. And with Neil Young as a 'mentor' I can't wait to see how this show unfolds over time.
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Wasted. (mp3).
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Background: Brandon McHose is one of those rare exceptions. Brandon McHose is a guitar wizard who coincidentally, is an exceptional singer/songwriter.
Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Brandon was introduced to the guitar by his Father, a once aspiring guitarist himself. Having access to the rich history of his Dad’s record collection, Brandon was exposed to legendary recording artists of all kinds, ranging from the Beatles, to the Stones, to The Who. This was a kid with outstanding skills in all that he chose to pursue including Track & Field, which culminated in a full scholarship to Drake University. It was at this point in his life that he came upon the realization that his true love and passion lied in music, and after conferring with his folks, left Drake. The family sought professional advice by taking up a meeting with the Assistant Chair of the Guitar Department at the famed and respected Berklee School of Music in Boston. Brandon auditioned for the professor whose professional opinion was, essentially, that the level of his skills and talents were far beyond that of a typical student and recommended that the best road for him to take, was to not spend four years in college, but rather to immediately embark upon a career in music. Brandon took the advice and chose the city of Austin, Texas as the ideal environment in which to hone his craft. During this time, Brandon built quite a name and following for himself playing the regional club circuit while recording two CDs.
After five years in Austin it became apparent that a move to a major market would provide the next calculated step in pursuit of a performing/recording career and Brandon chose to relocate to the vibrant city of Chicago. It is here that he can now continue to evolve as a guitarist, songwriter and recording artist engaging the services of some of the city’s finest studios, producers, engineers and musicians.
Brandon McHose is a bit of an anomaly, equally adept in finger-picking an acoustic guitar or in spanning the breadth and array of music in playing blistering rock, blues or jazz infused guitar, and/or everything in between. His songwriting style continues to evolve – combining sophisticated chords with perfectly placed bursts of brilliance on the guitar intertwined with undeniable vocal hooks. Brandon McHose, with all this talent will, in relatively short order, attain prominence and notoriety in Chicago and throughout the mid-west from fellow guitarists, fans, radio and record labels alike ultimately ‘making it’ on the national stage.
The Candy Opinion: Tend to agree that outstanding guitarists that are also at their best singing don't come along that often. Brandon also makes it all seem so easy which has put him firmly on our radar.
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Just Say When. (mp3).
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Background: Drive down a barely noticed dirt road, in the shadow of Mt. Tamalpais or deep in the hills of gold rush country. Turn right at Granada, left when you hit Havana, and you’ll find there’s a party going on. There’s a bike-powered sound system, a friendly mosh pit, blasts of bright brass, skanking bass, flamenco flourishes, and a big slice of madness that’s simultaneously the musical cure for alienation and loss.
At the center is San Francisco’s LoCura, a band that crafts upbeat anthems and chronicles the round-trip travels of Latin and American sounds. Movement between continents informs the lush variety of LoCura’s tunes on Semilla Caminante (release: April 17, 2012), inspired by ida y vuelta, the notion in flamenco of musical forms that have traveled to the New World and returned transformed. “We mix everything from funk to son cubano into our own songs, to show how diverse our communities have become and to show the common roots these different styles have,” smiles LoCura singer Katalina Miletich. “Semilla Caminante, the idea of ‘traveling seed,’ is a reminder of this movement, this interchange, and of the creative resistance that continues to transform our lives and is tangible in our musical expressions.”
LoCura’s jubilant sound of resistance and restored connections will be traveling up the West Coast this spring, as the group embarks on its first major tour of the region. Cities include San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Sacramento.
April 18th- Santa Barbara @ Red's Bar
April 19th- San Diego @ the Kava Lounge w/ Quetzal Guerrero
April 20th- LA @ the Mint w/ Very Be Careful
April 21st- Fresno @ Audie's Olympic
April 22nd- Santa Cruz @ Moes Alley w/ Los Pinguos
April 27th- Oakland @ The New Parish w/ Bang Data
April 28th- Sebastopol @ Aubergine w/ Bang Data
The Candy Opinion: Biggest challenge having listened to the album, was what track to feature, so I chose Squatter's Song because it highlights a good number of facets from a band that has so much going on at any given time. Like this and you will love the rest!
Web: Official HERE. Listen: Squatter's Song. (player only).
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Background: The reggae music on the Nazarenes new album, Meditation , was born in the African-derived culture of Jamaica's downtown black communities. The producer, Laurent 'Tippy I' Alfred is from the nearby island of St Croix in the US Virgin Islands where social consciousness - in the form of Rastafarian spiritual belief - is still a guiding factor in music making. The artists, born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to a family that worked for Emperor Haile Selassie - he who Rastas believe is a divine figure - offer an almost miraculous confirmation to reggae fans of the special bond between Africa and the diaspora.
