Martha High -Tribute to My Soul Sisters
Record Kicks
2017 release. The funky diva Martha High has been an integral part of James Brown's life and career for more than 30 years: she was his backing vocalist, hairdresser, payroll master and his always loyal and reliable confidant. The idea for this album was hatched back in 2014, whilst she was visiting the producer DJ Pari, head honcho of the Soulpower organization and tight collaborator of the soul legends Marva Whitney, The Impressions, Lyn Collins and many more. They reminisced about tours with her fellow James Brown show veterans and Martha decided that she wanted to record a tribute to JB's female vocalists. Following DJ Pari's advice, she flew to Tokyo to partner with one of the hottest name of the new funk renaissance: Osaka Monaurail. The Japanese premiere funk orchestra has hitting stages around the world for more than two decades, and it is considered to be one of the world's leading groups in the genre. Martha could not have chosen a better band for her last LP: the band replicated the sound and feel of James Brown's music with unmatched dedication, authenticity and respect; their shading is at times almost hair raising, putting the spotlight solely on Martha and her mission. This legendary collaboration has given new life to 13 soulful hits, interpreted as only a real Soul Sister can do.
2017 release. The funky diva Martha High has been an integral part of James Brown's life and career for more than 30 years: she was his backing vocalist, hairdresser, payroll master and his always loyal and reliable confidant. The idea for this album was hatched back in 2014, whilst she was visiting the producer DJ Pari, head honcho of the Soulpower organization and tight collaborator of the soul legends Marva Whitney, The Impressions, Lyn Collins and many more. They reminisced about tours with her fellow James Brown show veterans and Martha decided that she wanted to record a tribute to JB's female vocalists. Following DJ Pari's advice, she flew to Tokyo to partner with one of the hottest name of the new funk renaissance: Osaka Monaurail. The Japanese premiere funk orchestra has hitting stages around the world for more than two decades, and it is considered to be one of the world's leading groups in the genre. Martha could not have chosen a better band for her last LP: the band replicated the sound and feel of James Brown's music with unmatched dedication, authenticity and respect; their shading is at times almost hair raising, putting the spotlight solely on Martha and her mission. This legendary collaboration has given new life to 13 soulful hits, interpreted as only a real Soul Sister can do.
Performed by Martha High with Osaka Monaurail
The Du-Rites - Greasy Listening
The Du-Rites are an NYC-based instrumental funk combo of J-Zone (drums, organ, bass guitar + turntables) and Pablo Martin(guitar, bass guitar, synth, Fender Rhodes). Debut album drops late fall 2016. The Du-Rites are here to put a neckbone in your kale salad!
released September 19, 2017
Less than a year after their out-of-nowhere debut LP, J-Zone and Pablo Martin (aka The Du-Rites) return with their sophomore effort, Greasy Listening. The positive response to their 2016 self-titled offering inspired the NYC funk duo to become winter-spring studio rats and churn out 13 new tracks that both pick up where the initial offering left off and explore some uncharted territory. J-Zone (drums, organ, percussion, turntables) continues to deliver funky rhythms and chunky drum sounds, while Pablo (guitar, bass, synthesizer, electric piano) returns with plenty greasy guitar moves and addictive melodies. But where Greasy Listening differs from its predecessor is in its composition and theme.
Where their almost entirely instrumental debut often built upon jams and vamps, the tunes on Greasy Listening are composed and arranged with more attention to detail, feature some vocal narrations and rely less on soloing. Undermanned as a duo, the J-Zone and Pablo realize they would they need to tighten up the areas beyond their main instruments (drums and guitar, respectively) to prevent rehashing their debut. These limitations birthed raw (but charming) organ solos, electric piano riffs, greasy bass solos and commentary, all of which were almost absent on the first LP. This go round is also an opportunity to be tongue-in-cheek about being forced to multi-track everything as a two-man band. Greasy Listening is a “live” concert staged at a fictitious hole-in-the-wall chitlin circuit venue fittingly dubbed: The Collard Green Lounge.
The aforementioned limitations have aided The Du-Rites in creating their own sound, which nods to both Pablo’s tenure as guitarist in new wave band, Tom Tom Club, and J-Zone’s former path as a hip-hop producer/artist, but somehow remains its own entity.
Where their almost entirely instrumental debut often built upon jams and vamps, the tunes on Greasy Listening are composed and arranged with more attention to detail, feature some vocal narrations and rely less on soloing. Undermanned as a duo, the J-Zone and Pablo realize they would they need to tighten up the areas beyond their main instruments (drums and guitar, respectively) to prevent rehashing their debut. These limitations birthed raw (but charming) organ solos, electric piano riffs, greasy bass solos and commentary, all of which were almost absent on the first LP. This go round is also an opportunity to be tongue-in-cheek about being forced to multi-track everything as a two-man band. Greasy Listening is a “live” concert staged at a fictitious hole-in-the-wall chitlin circuit venue fittingly dubbed: The Collard Green Lounge.
The aforementioned limitations have aided The Du-Rites in creating their own sound, which nods to both Pablo’s tenure as guitarist in new wave band, Tom Tom Club, and J-Zone’s former path as a hip-hop producer/artist, but somehow remains its own entity.
released September 19, 2017
