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Graham Nash Tribute w/ Prince Billy, Fleet Fox, Benson

February 10th, 2010 | No Comments

GRASSROOTS RECORDS AND (((folkYEAH!))) ANNOUNCE

BE YOURSELF: A TRIBUTE TO GRAHAM NASH’S SONGS FOR BEGINNERS TO BE RELEASED MAY 25

ROBIN PECKNOLD, BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY, VETIVER, JOHNATHAN RICE

BRENDAN BENSON AND MORE CONTRIBUTE COVERS OF THE NASH CLASSICS

Legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash‘s emotionally charged solo debut Songs For Beginners was first released in 1971 and came on the heels of a temporary split with his CSN band mates, David Crosby and Stephen Stills, and a permanent break with his then-love, Joni Mitchell. The album was a hit, climbing to #15 on the Billboard chart and introducing the now-classic songs “Military Madness,” “Simple Man,” “Used To Be A King,” and the Top 40 single “Chicago.” Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Graham Nash first rose to stardom with British Invasion hit-makers The Hollies. He went on to co-found the rock super groups Crosby, Stills & Nash and CSM&Y and remains active with both configurations. Throughout it all, Nash has pursued an acclaimed solo career, beginning with the 1971 gem Songs for Beginners. The songs from this classic have stood the almighty test of time and have been covered by a long list of music makers across the globe.

Now, flash forward to 2010, Nile Nash & Britt Govea of (((folkYEAH!))) presents have assembled an all star lineup of contemporary music leaders such as Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Robin Pecknold (of Fleet Foxes), Brendan Benson (of The Raconteurs), Vetiver, Alela Diane, Sleepy Sun, Mariee Sioux & Greg Weeks (from Espers), Port O Brien with The Papercuts, The Moore Brothers and Graham’s own daughter, Nile Nash. All of these contemporary artists have come together to honor and celebrate Graham’s first solo LP, Songs For Beginners. The artists put a unique spin on each song, making it his or her own while also honoring the timeless vibe of the original recordings. Some stay true to the arrangements that Graham and his Bay Area musician pals laid down in 1970, while others go for a completely fresh reinterpretation. Each track is sure to delight and introduce these already epic and timeless songs to a new generation of music lovers. This tribute LP, titled Be Yourself: A Tribute To Graham Nash’s Songs For Beginners, will be released via Grass Roots Records in Spring 2010.

All of the songs on this inspired collection were recorded between May and October of 2009. A few selections from Graham’s classic second solo release Wild Tales have also been recorded; Johnathan Rice handles “On The Line,” Tyson Vogel (of Two Gallants) takes “Hey You (Looking At The Moon)” to another place, and Jonathan Wilson (of Chris Robinson’s Wooden Family, Jenny Lewis, Elvis Costello) featuring an all star Laurel Canyon lineup recreates the now-classic Wild Tales jam “And So It Goes (Music Gets You High).”

In order to maintain the righteous tone of the original record and to also continue Graham’s lifelong commitment to educating our next generation, Graham, Nile, the artists, and Grass Roots Records are donating a portion of the proceeds from the record to Wavy Gravy’s Camp Winnarainbow. Through the use of music, acrobatics, games and production this circus and performing arts camp in the Mendocino woods of northern California teaches children and adults tools for building self-esteem, community, conflict resolution, communication and plain old merriment.

Be Yourself: A Tribute To Graham Nash’s Songs For Beginners will be released on May 25. A limited number 1000 editions of 180 gram vinyl will be pressed and will include a bonus 7 inch of the additional material. This will be available only through the Grassroots Records website, grassrootsrecordco.com. Pre-orders begin February 15 and will be fulfilled on a first come, first serve basis.

Full Track Listing:

PORT O BRIEN/PAPERCUTS: MILITARY MADNESS

BRENDAN BENSON: BETTER DAYS

NILE NASH: WOUNDED BIRD

VETIVER: USED TO BE A KING

ROBIN PECKNOLD (of Fleet Foxes): BE YOURSELF

BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY: SIMPLE MAN (HOMBRE SENCILLO)

MOORE BROTHERS: MAN IN THE MIRROR

ALELA DIANE: THERE’S ONLY ONE

MARIEE SIOUX (w GREG WEEKS of ESPERS): SLEEP SONG

SLEEPY SUN: CHICAGO

VARIOUS/NILE NASH: WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD (REPRISE)

BONUS CUTS/EP:

Tyson Vogel (of Two Gallants): Hey You (Looking At The Moon)

Johnathan Rice: On The Line

Jonathan Wilson + special guests: And So It Goes (Music Gets You High)

Bart Davenport: Better Days

Citay: Military Madness

Gift Of Gab Readies New LP

September 3rd, 2009 | No Comments

Blackalicious Frontman Gift of Gab Conquers The Final Frontier

With the Release of Escape 2 Mars

Gift Of Gab

Gift of Gab, best known as the adept MC of Blackalicious, knew that after waiting over five years for a solo follow-up release he would have to really deliver. His new album, Escape 2 Mars, signifies the next groundbreaking voyage in the career of an MC who is nothing short of iconic. Escape 2 Mars will be released October 27 on CD, vinyl and worldwide digital download.

Production on Escape was placed mainly in the hands of the Bay Area’s talented DNAEBEATS, with a few tracks also helmed by Hednodic, from Gab’s most recent project The Mighty Underdogs and Crown City Rockers. Del tha Funky Homosapien and Brother Ali, another two undeniably iconic MCs, are featured on “Dreamin,” one of the record’s stand out cuts. Gab also recruited some of the talent from the Quannum Collective he helped pioneer, including Joyo Velarde, Lateef The Truthspeaker, and Honeycut‘s vocalist Bart Davenport.

Escape 2 Mars Track Listing:
1) E2MTRO
2) El Gifto Magnifico
3) Lightyears
4) Dreamin’ feat Del The Funky Homosapien & Brother Ali
5) In Las Vegas
6) Escape 2 Mars
7) Electric Waterfalls
8) Richman, Poorman
9) Someofthepeople
10) Spotlight
11) Rhyme Travel
12) *Dreamin’ (Aqua Sawtooth Remix)
*Bonus for vinyl LP only

Known for one of live hip-hop’s most engaging shows and a mind-blowing delivery, Gift of Gab will tour the country heavily in support of Escape 2 Mars this fall and into winter and spring. More dates to be announced shortly.

Current Gift of Gab Tour Dates
09/02/09 Wed One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA

09/03/09 Thu Aces Lounge Austin, TX

09/04/09 Fri Alabama Music Box Mobile, AL

09/05/09 Sat McDonald Theatre Eugene, OR

09/05/09 Sat Eugene Celebration Festival Eugene, OR

09/11/09 Fri Deerfields Horse Shoe, NC

The Phenomenal Handclap Band:Self-Titled

July 22nd, 2009 | No Comments

By: Aryeh Carni

The Phenomenal Handclap Band, fronted by DJs turned producers Daniel “The Witch Doctor” Collas and Sean “The Medicine Man” Marquand, is a Brooklyn-based collective with almost too much talent. Their self-titled debut album (released June 23 on Friendly Fire Records) features myriad talented and diverse musicians and vocalists, each boasting unique musical backgrounds.

Collas and Marquand’s wide spectrum of musical influences garnered from their deejaying days is on visible display, as the album creates a fresh new sound transcending definitive genre. The album’s essence, however, is a throwback to the psychedelic disco era of the seventies that incorporates progressive electronic sounds and techniques of the digital age.

The opening track, “The Journey to Serra De Estrela,” begins with a sweeping synth and a light psychedelic sound reminiscent of Steve Winwood’s early seventies ensemble Traffic. Moments later, Luke O’Malley‘s deep, soulful guitar appears, conjuring a sound similar to The Mars Volta. Drummer Patrick Wood and bassist Nick Movshon turn up the heat as the pace quickens and the fun begins. Caught somewhere between the Bee Gees, Cream and Lotus, a hybrid sound emerges, paying homage to a form often lost in contemporary music. Quick disco-inspired guitar licks come and go, perfectly complimenting a tight, funky rhythm section as the multitalented Collas switches between a multitude of synthesizers and keyboards to bring new life to an outdated sound.

While the opening track is fully instrumental, the rest of the album features a new lead singer on each track, barring Bart Davenport who sings lead twice. The next three tracks, “All the Above,” “Testimony” and “Give it a Rest,” each provide a different flare of funk with unique vocalists constantly providing a refreshing sound.

The next two tracks “You’ll Disappear” and the catchy single “15 to 20,” feature two talented female vocalists, Carol C and Lady Tigra, who continue the excitement and surprise for the listener. Despite displaying impeccable song structure and quite possibly being the best song on the album, “You’ll Disappear” uncovers PHB’s greatest weakness. As the track builds its layers beautifully, it slowly deconstructs, culminating with a series of masterfully crafted drum fills leaving only a synchronized drum and bass behind. As O’Malley’s blood-pumping guitar swell boosts the energy, another perfect drum fill ties together the remainder of the song, reintroducing the rest of the instruments. However, just as you think he’ll explode, O’Malley’s sweet-sounding guitar actually disappears, leaving the listener frustrated and disappointed, despite the foreshadowing hinted in the song’s title. Moments later O’Malley can be heard flexing his golden strings as the song begins to fade out, giving the listener a taste of what could have been, only furthering the anguish. Less than a minute away from perfection, a juggernaut of a song sadly ends on a low note.

The second half of the album goes on to display Collas and Marquands’ versatility, starting with the indie-rock jam “Dim The Lights.” In comes the funky “I Been Born Again,” featuring Collas on the organ and clavinet layered over the Santana-sounding O’Malley. Next up is “The Martyr” featuring Collas singing lead, playing like a fun mix of Cream and My Morning Jacket, followed by the Jefferson Airplane-esque “Tears,” which features shimmering flutes and worldly congas. Concluding the album is the soul-infused ballad “Baby,” displaying the first sounds of brass, while “The Circle is Broken,” a nine-minute, organ-heavy conclusion, ties together the innumerable sounds exhibited on the album.

Despite some clear holes, The Phenomenal Handclap Band has put together a unique album with tight song structure perpetuated by the diverse talent collected by the producers. The synergized songs and multitude of contemporary electronica sounds is transparent evidence that the producers are former DJs, an advantageous flare bringing a novel sound to an ever-changing musical landscape.

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