MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) To Release "In The Rain Shadow"

Following the release of “Places” in 2017 and “Interconnected” in 2020, composer/guitarist Mark Vickness announces the release of “In The Rain Shadow” with a newly expanded group, MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) comprising two time Grammy winning violinist, Mads Tolling, Matt Renzi on oboe/English horn and saxophone, cellist Joseph Hebert, Dan Feiszli on upright and electric bass and a percussion section featuring tabla virtuoso, Ty Burhoe and Grammy winning percussionist, MB Gordy in addition to Mark’s acoustic and electric guitars.

Says Mark, “Most of the music on ‘In The Rain Shadow’ takes its inspiration from moving to the high desert (California’s Owens Valley) in late 2020. We live literally in the rain shadow, which is a meteorological term meaning on the sheltered side of a mountain range where there is less precipitation because of the wind patterns. Most of the titles on this recording are taken from geological or meteorological features we experience daily. Composed throughout the years of the pandemic, the compositions on this album are, in some sense, a musical response to the isolation we all experienced as a result of the pandemic. They are also intended to reflect a new appreciation for the opportunity to absorb the wonders of living in the rain shadow. It is humbling, awesome, peaceful, thrilling, tranquil and beautiful.”

Featuring:
Mads Tolling, violin; Matt Renzi, oboe/English horn/sax; Joseph Hebert, cello; Dan Feiszli, bass; Ty Burhoe, tabla; MB Gordy, percussion; Mark Vickness, guitar

Says Mark, “This is my dream ensemble. Each musician is an accomplished soloist adept at many different types of music. They all bring an astounding breadth and depth of musical understanding and experience. There is almost no style of music we cannot draw from. From a classical trio to a jazz quartet, from funk to raga style improvisation, from interwoven counterpoint to rock power chords, from a fast Irish 12/8 romp to an ambient textural tapestry and more – these virtuoso players bring an infectious energy that is palpable on every track.”

Track list:
1. High Desert
2. The Gorge
3. Alluvial Fans
4. Stillness (for Will)
5. Roadrunner
6. Rupak (for Ty)
7. Cloud Shadows
8. On the Cliffs of Mohr
9. In The Rain Shadow

RELEASE DATE: May 15, 2023

“In The Rain Shadow” – Album Credits:
All compositions by Mark Vickness. Co-produced by Mark Vickness and Dan Feiszli. “In The Rain Shadow” was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, CA. It was mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering in Portland, ME. Video by Maximum Flavor Media, San Francisco, CA. Album cover painting by Brian Judd. CD design by Sara Glaser.

“Setting the tone with intricately plucked guitar, and layered violin and oboe, as the composition expands with cello, bass and rippling tabla, we are totally hypnotized by Alluvial Fans. The brainchild of composer Mark Vickness, who also plays guitar on the dimensional track, Alluvial Fans is a transcendental piece that fuses cultures, rhythms and soundscapes from all over the planet. The composition amps up a third of the way through, generating a playful energy juxtaposed to the more immersive start. We love the return of the tabla as it ripples through the song bridging the production and adding cerebral dimensionality. There is an epic bass solo riff from Dan Feiszli two-thirds of the way through the track that truly has us in awe. We can definitely see the composition as the score to a great cinematic movie, and have been exploring the imaginative mind of Mark Vickness further by listening to his album, ‘Interconnected.’” - Karlismyunckle.com

“The fingerstylist makes the most of this opportunity to showcase the limitless sounds and textures that can be achieved primarily with his custom Michael Greenfield steel-string guitars.” - Pat Moran, Acoustic Guitar (on Places)

“’Vickness’ acoustic compositions allow him to use his wonderful technique to convey atmospheric, emotional music that immediately draws attention. His stunning harmonics, perfect chord changes and ability to use the guitar as a percussion instrument are an amazing blend.” - Vintage Guitar Magazine

“Mark Vickness has created something so special and timely. It’s such a hopeful album, packed with artistry and stirring, deeply personal pieces. “Interconnected” is not only the title of the album but the driving force it seems, the purpose and the reason. What better way to perform songs full of power and whimsy, melancholy and heart than with a real sense of togetherness. I love this album! A breath of desperately needed grace and sweetness . . . with a perfect balance of skill and passion . . . glorious harmony of guitar, cello, viola, bass and tabla. Brilliant!” - Samantha Simmonds-Romceros – NoHoArtsDistrict.com.

“In The Rain Shadow” is scheduled for release in May, 2023. The group is looking forward to touring in support of the new album release.

To purchase:
“In The Rain Shadow” will be available on Spotify, Apple Music and all streaming platforms. CDs will be available at www.cdbaby.com.

For more information:
Website: MARKVICKNESS.COM
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vickness
YouTube: youtube.com/@markvickness3641

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

No AI was used in the composition, recording or production of this music.

PARDON THE INTERRUPTION Exudes Raw Energy and Pure Joy on Their New Sophomore Album HOT N’ FRESH!

San Francisco, CA – Roaring out of the fog-shrouded hills of Sonoma and drowning out the chatter, prog-pop troubadours PARDON THE INTERRUPTION (aka PTI) are taking their place and asserting their voice in the storied musical conversation of the San Francisco Bay Area. Available worldwide April 14, 2023, PTI’s sophomore release HOT N’ FRESH finds the band in full stride with nine original tracks mining every corner of the indie-pop-funk spectrum, always with a self-effacing smile and a nod to the progressive rock of the ’80s and ’90s that is the quartet’s uniting influence.

With a powerful energy and a unique sound, PARDON THE INTERRUPTION is a 4-piece fusion outfit that creates original music pulling from genres including rock, roots, funk, soul, ska, reggae, and more. One foot is planted firmly in the past, paying homage to some of the most singular and iconic artists of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. The other is stepping boldly forward, producing original material that is at once nostalgically familiar while also entirely modern and unique. But the nuanced complexity of their music never overshadows the raw energy and pure joy that characterize PTI’s live performances, perpetually keeping audiences glued to the dance floor and ready for more. It’s undeniable fun. It will make you dance. It’s like a perfect pepperoni pizza. It’s HOT N’ FRESH!

Band leader, lead singer, and guitarist David Noble has assembled three of the finest, most versatile session musicians in Northern California, and as PARDON THE INTERRUPTION they have fostered a cohesion that transcends music. PTI’s love for each other and for their craft is visceral. You can feel it. Engineer/co-producer Sean Beresford captured that same energy in the sessions that laid the foundation for the HOT N’ FRESH album, recorded live with minimal overdubs at Calliope West in San Rafael, CA.

David Noble is a San Francisco native who has made stops in Denver and L.A. and is himself among the top echelon of Bay Area guitar-slingers when not fronting PTI with groups like Wreckless Strangers and Poor Man’s Whiskey. As a child of the ‘80s, Noble’s writing successfully synthesizes his love for pop legends like David Bowie, Talking Heads, and The Police with groundbreaking Bay Area art rock/ska artists like Mr. Bungle and Fishbone — deeply personal and deceptively intricate songs sugar-coated with accessible and catchy hooks.

Bassist Rob Fordyce (Peer Pressure, The Ring, Big Brother and the Holding Company) is a force of nature. Yes, he brings the funk, but that descriptor is far too narrow. Fordyce’s propulsive groove and unstoppable enthusiasm are the engine of PTI, the heart and the soul that power the machine, and his explosive chops rival the best the Bay Area has to offer.

Drummer Rob Hooper (aka The Other Rob) may be the most in-demand Americana drummer in Northern California, bringing his gravitas, experience, and rock-solid beats that were honed and hard-earned over decades in Austin, TX, where he worked with Jimmy Dale Gilmore, The Resentments, Carolyn Wonderland, and countless others.

Jamison Smeltz (D8FeX, mRthKon, Ten Ton Chicken) is George’s brother. (Just kidding!) He’s the wild card — the joker — playing an eclectic array of instruments with jaw-dropping proficiency. Smeltz melds the art-pop sensibilities of Bowie and Prince with his shameless love for progressive rock icons like Yes who first inspired him to take up…the saxophone? Yup, that’s Jamison!

With each show PARDON THE INTERRUPTION is demanding the attention of fans of funk, pop, ska, jam, prog, and just plain rock n’ roll. Their new album captures a band at the peak of their skills and creativity, poised to break into major venues and festivals nationwide. Best to catch them while they’re HOT N’ FRESH!

To order or stream HOT N’ FRESH please visit: https://lnk.to/HotNFresh

To order or stream the new HOT N’ FRESH single “Cindy Will Prevail” please visit: https://lnk.to/CindyWillPrevail

For more information about PARDON THE INTERRUPTION please visit: www.ptimusic.com

For press and interview inquiries please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR: (828) 350-8158 or glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For digital marketing please contact Jerome Forney of Independent Distribution Collective: jerome@independentdistro.com

CIRCUS MIND Busts Out a Hot and Funky Voting Rights Anthem with Their New Single “VOTE”!

New York, NY – CIRCUS MIND is a New York-based rock outfit and the brainchild of singer/songwriter and keyboardist Mark Rechler. Fresh off the heels of their recently released Bioluminate EP and their full-length album Joy Machine (2021), CIRCUS MIND busts out a hot and funky voting rights anthem with their new single “VOTE”! Set for release October 7, 2022, the track is equal parts Sly Stone, P-Funk, Staple Singers, and Schoolhouse Rock. Featured guests include Mat Godfrey and Matty Fox (members of The Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band that Rechler played in for three years), along with Nth Power dynamo Nikki Cassarino and his wife Erin Cassarino adding to the powerful vocals found on the song.

Rechler will use the track to raise money for the voting rights organization HeadCount through a fundraiser that will last for ten days upon the “VOTE” single’s October 7 release. His previous fundraiser raised $10K for The New Orlean Musicians Clinic and he has supported other charities close to his heart.

“I had no intention of writing a song about voting,” said Rechler, “but the muses had different plans. The song literally got written in about two hours, lyrics and music. I stopped a few times to ask myself, ‘Am I writing a voting song right now?’ but I figured I would just let it come out, since the music was so good, and I could always rewrite the lyrics. But it seemed just the right amount of fun, funky, cool, and relevant, that I knew it was gonna work.”

CIRCUS MIND is a camouflaged cephalopod that can change colors, moods, and styles in an instant, swimming from jazzy groove rock to funky reggae roots with ease. The band is about to celebrate its 20th year and recently unveiled their fourth release Bioluminate on June 17, 2022. Bioluminate continues to capture the CIRCUS MIND spirit as they weave through past, present, and funky future.

The first Bioluminate single “Baby Come Back Down” (featuring NoLa guitarist Marc Paradis of Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes) has a funky driving Caribbean backbeat mixed with rock and soul vibes and delicious synthesizer work. Opening track and second official single “West End Road” feels like you’re in the gospel tent at Jazzfest while mixin’ in some swampy rock reminiscent of Little Feat, Taj Mahal and The Radiators. Special guest Nels Cline of Wilco shines on the standout track “Miss Fortune” a slower paced beauty, while special guests Matty Fox and Matt Godfrey from the Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band bring the album full circle on the final track “Vampire Blues.” Longtime bassist Chris Crosby, who passed during the recording of the album, appears on four of the tracks.

Their previous release Joy Machine featured Big Sam, Marc Ribot, Ivan Neville, Walter Wolfman Washington, Scott Metzger, and more. An eclectic collection of ’70s rock and funk with modern takes on N’awlins swamp rock mixed with Beatles pop, the first Joy Machine single “Are You Ready?” featured guest guitar phenom Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, and its music video was well received by critics and fans alike.

Earlier their release “Silver Flower” was voted one of the Best Indie Albums of 2006 by Newsday and put a modern take on influences such as Traffic, Steely Dan, Little Feat, and Mott the Hoople while mixing in NoLa vibe influences like Dr. John, The Meters and The Neville Brothers. The CIRCUS MIND single “Jazzfest Time” was released as an ode to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. CIRCUS MIND has opened for national acts (Toots & The Maytals, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators) and had many notable guests sit in on their recordings and live performances (Soulive, Rebirth Brass Band, Cyril Neville).

CIRCUS MIND’s members are diverse in their influences and playing styles. Lead vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist Mark Rechler performs with multiple projects and has played, toured, and recorded with members of The Meters, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators, Soulive, The Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Ivan Neville, and more. Spending five years in New Orleans studying music, art, & architecture helped influence his style and direction, and he always keeps his listeners salivating and wanting more.

Guitarist Jaime Scott has toured the world as a guitarist and engineer, with renowned ensemble John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards. In doing so he followed the lineage of the legendary and influential Lounge Lizard’s guitarists who came before him. “Baby Come Back Down” also features late and long-time CIRCUS MIND bassist Chris Crosby, who had studied with Oteil Burbridge of The Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Co.

The band’s rhythm section features drummer Dan Roth, a driving force of funky world influences and percussionist Steve Finkelstein, who has worked recorded and performed with pop icons from Ray Charles as well as jam band giants including members of the Dead, Allman’s, and Neville’s, and Tower of Power. Steve is also a founding member of the Funk Filharmonik.

New Member Saxophonist Michael Amendola holds a BA in Arranging from The Berklee College of Music. Credits include touring, film scores, jingles, and Broadway shows. Michael was a member of The Tony Trischka Band for 7 years, producing 2 recordings on Rounder Records and as a leader, released the jazz recording "Big Sunflower" on CDC Records. Also joining the party is Leandro Da Silva, a multi-faceted bassist from São Paulo, Brazil who brings elements of Samba and Funk that can be heard in his diverse playing style.

To purchase or stream “VOTE” please visit: https://lnk.to/VOTECircusMind

Watch the official “VOTE” lyric video premiering October 7 on the CIRCUS MIND website: www.circusmindband.com

For Press and Interview inquiries please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR: (828) 350-8158 or glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Digital Marketing please contact Jerome Forney of Independent Distribution Collective: jerome@independentdistro.com

Back From a Journey Through Interstellar Space & Beyond UNCLE ROYS SPACESHIP will Release a NEW SINGLE “THE ALIEN BOOGIE DUB SHUFFLE”

Available on SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 throughout Earthly on-line music stores & streaming music services!

Written by, with all instruments performed by, cosmic guitarist & songwriter, UNCLE ROY aka ROY LEONARD HERMAN with ARTIE INTELLIGENCE on drums

Mars, The Milky Way - Returning from a voyage through the cosmos and finally back in the Milky Way, UNCLE ROYS SPACESHIP, who is, UNCLE ROY aka ROY LEONARD HERMAN, will be releasing a NEW SINGLE to the universe! On, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, “THE ALIEN BOOGIE DUB SHUFFLE,” a crispy, pulsating, uptempo, melodic, boogie rock funky instrumental, that has a nice hint of reggae, will be released throughout the world! This very catchy tune will make you move, groove and give you five minutes of happy feet and happy ears!

With an already, cool range of high energy, sonic, electric guitar stylings found within the five, crafty instrumental compositions, on UNCLE ROYS SPACESHIP’s first release, only a couple of light years ago, the Ep, “HOW DO WE GET TO EARTH,” UNCLE ROY adds another style of playing and composition to this new single, “THE ALIEN BOOGIE DUB SHUFFLE.” With sweet sounding harmony guitars, carrying the melody, surrounded by a tight, pumping rhythm section, funky rhythm guitars and keyboards that groove throughout, there is a really nice blend of rock, funk and boogie, with a tasteful thread of reggae, that fuses into a nice playlist addition, airwave friendly, good feeling instrumental. Those musical styles shine together and give “THE ALIEN BOOGIE DUB SHUFFLE” a solid, good cheer, good vibe and great party feeling!

The new single can be pre-saved at SPOTIFY prior to the release date by going to this link: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/uncleroysspaceship/the-alien-boogie-dub-shuffle

Here’s what UNCLE ROY has to say about the origin of, “THE ALIEN BOOGIE DUB SHUFFLE.”: “Hello, Third Rockers from the Sun! I’d love to tell you about this tune, ‘The Alien Boogie Dub Shuffle!’ While cruising through the galaxy on my way to see some friends, I needed to hear some flying music filled with groove. I needed some sound waves to fill the airwaves. I was feeling funky and rocky at the same time! So, I put on some of those amazing sounds created by a few of the legends of Earth’s phenomenal musical legacy. Sly and the Family Stone, Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters, The Police, Queen, Edgar Winter and some live Bob Marley, to name a few. All this cool, musical inspiration from one planet! I have the rock, the funk, the funky jazz fusion and the reggae going on through the spaceship’s sound system for light years! These players and their music, became the influences that put me in the mood to create an instrumental tune with an infectious, bouncy, tightly thumping, tasty bass and drums rhythm section. Over that smooth groove, I was inspired to put a couple of sweet harmonious guitars to carry the melody. To make it all flow with an energetic, upbeat vibe, I added a funky, peppy and crispy, rhythmic keyboard and some funky rhythm guitars. By the time I arrived at my friend’s little oasis on a small, yet to be charted exoplanet, the tune was recorded and finished in the spaceship’s studio and ready for a launch date!”

UNCLE ROY aka ROY LEONARD HERMAN, comes from Brooklyn, New York, an ancient place upon an outer tentacle of stars, within the Milky Way. Music, arts and sciences are a part of the culture and history of Brooklyn. The music culture is large and diversified. Uncle Roy was surrounded by all types of musical players.

The guitar was his musical vehicle of choice. In a quick story he tells, Uncle says: I was sitting in my friend's living room with a few other budding musicians. We were playing the J.Geils Band’s gear!! Yes! The J.Geils Band’s gear! We had a friend who was a roadie for the band and he treated us to an amazing, inspiring moment! Uncle Roy says he was playing a black Les Paul, while his buddy was playing the custom pink bass the bass player in the J. Geil’s Band played. A friend turns around to Uncle Roy, who was all of 18 at the time, and says, “Six months ago you played like Stephen Stills! Now you sound like John McLaughlin!”

“I was getting into progressive rock and jazz fusion for a few years already at that time,” says Uncle Roy. “For the record, no one plays like John McLaughlin! But, it was one heck of a compliment for a young player to hear! John McLaughlin, Robert Fripp, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Allan Holdsworth and John Goodsall for example, were creating new and exciting electric guitar music and broadening the technical playing mechanics of playing the guitar. Each of them are great guitarists who have influenced a world of guitar players! And, they were all in my record collection to learn from every day!”

Musical influences of all kinds were becoming a part of Uncle Roy’s playing styles from the beginning. One day his spaceship left Brooklyn, New York and landed in southern California. He continued his musical education at the Dick Grove School of Music, Santa Monica College and UCLA extension, while performing and recording in southern California.

UNCLE ROY has released two EPs in 2019: The progressive instrumental EP, UNCLE ROYS SPACESHIPS’ “HOW DO WE GET TO EARTH?” and, an alternative rock/vocal EP called “SAVE THE UNIVERSE” by UNCLE ROY AND THE BAND FROM ANOTHER PLANET. Both are available on-line and as a CD. With musical comparisons written within the press reviews about those EP’s, comparing the sounds to David Bowie and Cheap Trick to King Crimson and Frank Zappa, UNCLE ROY’S ALIEN MUSIC certainly touches upon a universe of the cool genres of rock music that generations of Earthlings have loved!

Check out these album reviews:
http://www.jpsmusicblog.com/2019,
http://midwestrecord.com/MWR1571.html, http://annecarlini.com/ex_cd.php?id=2749,
http://annecarlini.com/ex_cd.php?id=2750, http://www.musicstreetjournal.com/index_cdreviews_display.c…

In the near future, as a few cycles of the moon pass by, UNCLE ROYS SPACESHIP will be releasing more new music to the universe. So, watch the skies and stay tuned into your favorite places in the galaxy to hear music each day.

Visit UNCLE ROYS ALIEN MUSIC website at: www.uncleroysalienmusic.com

Go to UNCLE ROYS ALIEN MUSIC HOME PAGE on FACEBOOK and become a fan!

Press inquiries:
GLASS ONYON PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Here is a link to UNCLE ROYS SPACESHIP artist page at SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dg8eRYtGOQjVr2VPaHuOm

The links below will be active on September 30, 2022:
“THE ALIEN BOOGIE DUB SHUFFLE” track at SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6m4QPCFuP4gPOzBJAM8oOO

The links to the track and artist at Apple:
https://music.apple.com/album/1643089929?i=1643089931
https://music.apple.com/artist/1472815673

Funk Icon BOOTSY COLLINS, Guitar Master RONNIE EARL & Others Form A Supernatural Alliance With Soul Legend BEN E. KING On New Recordings!

Los Angeles, CA – Ben E. King’s influence as both a songwriter and performer is undeniable. Beginning with his tenure in the legendary vocal band The Drifters, where he sang lead on such classics as “There Goes My Baby,” “This Magic Moment” and “Save The Last Dance,” and on through his solo career highlighted by timeless treasures such as “Stand By Me” and “Spanish Harlem,” King crafted a singing style, soulful and smooth, that continues to echo today.

Recently a group of friends and admirers have lent their talents on a set of recut versions of King's most beloved hits, creating a cross-temporal collaboration like no other! King's voice sounds as good as ever on this collection which features funky bass icon Bootsy Collins breathing new life into “Supernatural Thing, Part 1” while up-and-coming R&B artist Bette Smith joins blues guitar phenom Ronnie Earl on a rousing version of "Stand By Me!" Bringing some Latin flavor to the mix, flamenco guitarist Rafael Riqueni steps in for an inspired take on the classic “Spanish Harlem.” All of this and more can be found on Supernatural Soul, which is available now on all formats including both CD and vinyl!

Order the CD & vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=ben+e+king+supernatural+soul&post_type=product
Stream/download the digital: https://orcd.co/a8a2l51

Track List:
1. Stand By Me feat. Bette Smith & Ronnie Earl
2. Supernatural Thing, Part I feat. Bootsy Collins
3. Spanish Harlem feat. Rafael Riqueni
4. Don't Play That Song (You Lied)
5. Amor
6. Do It In The Name Of Love
7. I Had A Love
8. Seven Letters
9. Stand By Me
10. Supernatural Thing, Part I feat. Bootsy Collins (Instrumental)
11. Drifters Medley: This Magic Moment / Dance With Me / There Goes My Baby / Save The Last Dance For Me

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com
Facebook @Cleopatrarecords
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CIRCUS MIND Showcase Their ’70s Rock, Funk, and Jazz Grooves on the New Single “BABY COME BACK DOWN” From Their Upcoming BIOLUMINATE

New York, NY – CIRCUS MIND is a New York-based rock outfit and the brainchild of singer/songwriter and keyboardist Mark Rechler. The band is about to celebrate its 20th year and will soon unveil their fourth release BIOLUMINATE, an eclectic collection of ’70s rock and funk with modern takes on N’awlins swamp rock mixed with Beatles pop. The first BIOLUMINATE single “BABY COME BACK DOWN” (featuring guitarist Marc Paradis of Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes) will be released online March 18, 2022. The single has a funky driving Caribbean backbeat mixed with rock and soul vibes amped up and synthesized through the CIRCUS MIND rainbow love machine.

CIRCUS MIND is a camouflaged Cephalopod that can change colors, moods and styles in an instant, swimming from jazzy groove rock to funky reggae roots with ease. Their last release JOY MACHINE featured Nels Cline, Marc Ribot, Ivan Neville, Walter Wolfman Washington, Scott Metzger, and more. The first JOY MACHINE single “Are You Ready?” featured guest guitar phenom Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, and its music video was well received by critics and fans alike.

Their earlier release “Silver Flower” was voted one of the Best Indie Albums of 2006 by Newsday and put a modern take on influences such as Traffic, Steely Dan, Little Feat, and Mott the Hoople while mixing in NoLa vibe influences like Dr. John, The Meters and The Neville Brothers. The CIRCUS MIND single “Jazzfest Time” was released as an ode to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. CIRCUS MIND is quite versatile and has opened for national acts (Toots & The Maytals, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators) and had many notable guests sit in on their recordings and live performances (Soulive, Rebirth Brass Band, Cyril Neville).

CIRCUS MIND’s members are diverse in their influences and playing styles. Lead vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist Mark Rechler performs with multiple projects and has played, toured, and recorded with members of The Meters, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators, Soulive, The Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Ivan Neville, and more. Spending five years in New Orleans studying music, art, & architecture helped influence his style and direction, and he always keeps his listeners salivating and wanting more.

Guitarist Jaime Scott has toured the world as a guitarist and engineer, with renowned ensemble John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards. In doing so he followed the lineage of the legendary and influential Lounge Lizard’s guitarists who came before him. “Baby Come Back Down” also features late and long-time CIRCUS MIND bassist Chris Crosby, who had studied with Oteil Burbridge of The Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Co.

The band’s rhythm section features drummer Dan Roth, a driving force of funky world influences and percussionist Steve Finkelstein, who has worked recorded and performed with pop icons from Ray Charles as well as jam band giants including members of the Dead, Allman’s, and Neville’s, and Tower of Power. Steve is also a founding member of the Funk Filharmonik.

New Member Saxophonist Michael Amendola holds a BA in Arranging from The Berklee College of Music. Credits include touring, film scores, jingles, and Broadway shows. Michael was a member of The Tony Trischka Band for 7 years, producing 2 recordings on Rounder Records and as a leader, released the jazz recording "Big Sunflower" on CDC Records. Also joining the party is Leandro Da Silva, a multi-faceted bassist from São Paulo, Brazil who brings elements of Samba and Funk that can be heard in his diverse playing style.

The CIRCUS MIND single “BABY COME BACK DOWN” will be released online March 18, 2022.

To purchase or stream please visit: https://smarturl.it/BabyComeBackDown

For more information including tour dates or booking inquiries please visit: www.circusmindband.com

For Press and Interview inquiries please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR: (828) 350-8158 or glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Digital Marketing please contact Jerome Forney of Independent Distribution Collective: jerome@independentdistro.com

Newly Inducted Rock Hall Member TODD RUNDGREN Releases Neo-Funk Collaboration With THE ROOTS!

Los Angeles, CA - In early 2011, as Todd Rundgren was promoting an upcoming tour, he stopped by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon for live performances of two songs from his classic 1972 album Something/Anything, “I Saw The Light” and “Couldn’t I Just Tell You.” Backing Rundgren for both songs was Fallon’s long running house band, hip hop auteurs The Roots. The appearance marked the beginning of a furtive cross-cultural, cross-generational collaborative relationship born of mutual respect and admiration that would be repeated again in 2017 when Rundgren sat in with The Roots on a taping of the Fallon show. Now, these two musical giants reunite on a studio recording, a track that will appear on Rundgren’s upcoming Space Force album coming next year. The new single, “Godiva Girl,” is a delectable slice of neo-funk sweetness with a stellar, soulful groove, decorated with warm keyboards and smooth as silk background vocals. It’s the kind of rich musical confection that fans of both Rundgren and The Roots knew these two could cook up together, and it’s so been worth the wait.

Stream/download the single: https://orcd.co/todd_rundgren_the_roots_godiva_girl

Check out the lyric video: 

Watch for the new Rundgren studio album Space Force, which features more collaborations from the likes of Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Sparks, hip hop artist Narcy and others, coming in 2022!

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com
Facebook @Cleopatrarecords
https://www.facebook.com/CleopatraRecords/
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CIRCUS MIND Showcase Their ’70s Rock, Funk, and Jazz Grooves on the New Single “ARE YOU READY?” From Their Upcoming Album JOY MACHINE

New York, NY – CIRCUS MIND is a New York-based rock outfit and the brainchild of ringleader Mark Rechler. The band is entering their twentieth year and are soon to release their third album JOY MACHINE, a delightful mashup of the retro sounds of ’70s rock and funk with N’awlins swamp rock mixed with late-Beatles pop. The first JOY MACHINE single “ARE YOU READY?” features guest guitar phenom Brandon “Taz” Niederauer and will release online February 26 ahead of an official video release and Fat Friday Virtual Event on March 5, 2021. “ARE YOU READY?” is a funky rock throwback that has roots in P-Funk, Sly Stone, and other ’70s rock and soul vibes, all flavors that CIRCUS MIND wears on its sleeve as a badge of honor, from the writing to the production. The JOY MACHINE album will release on May 21, 2021, and also features Walter Wolfman Washington, Scott Metzger, Ivan Neville, Big Sam, Marc Ribot, and more special guests.

CIRCUS MIND has many faces, and the band is able to daringly swing from jazzy grooves to reggae roots then shoot out of a canon into rock without missing a beat. Their last release “Silver Flower” was voted Best Indie Album of 2006 by Newsday and put a modern take on influences such as Traffic, Steely Dan, Little Feat, and Mott the Hoople while mixing in NoLa vibe influences like Dr. John, The Meters and The Neville Brothers. The last CIRCUS MIND single “Jazzfest Time” was released one year ago as an ode to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. CIRCUS MIND is quite versatile and has opened for national acts (Toots & The Maytals, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators) and had many notable guests sit in on their recordings and live performances (Soulive, Rebirth Brass Band, Cyril Neville).

CIRCUS MIND’s members are diverse in their influences as well as their playing. Lead vocalist, songwriter, keyboardist, and bandleader Mark Rechler plays in multiple bands (such as Falling Water), and has played, toured, and recorded with members of The Meters, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators, Soulive, The Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Ivan Neville, and more. Spending five years in New Orleans studying music and architecture helped influence his style and direction, and he always keeps his focus on the hook to keep his listeners salivating and wanting more.

Bassist Chris Crosby has a serious case of spider-fingers and can solo as beautifully as any guitarist. A funkster from a family of highly respected musicians, Chris has also studied with Oteil Burbridge of The Allman Brothers Band and The Dead. Currently, he has also been busy playing in his brother’s Jason Crosby Band and New York rock quartet Feverseed. Guitarist David Berg is rooted in jazz, reggae, and bluegrass. He has toured with Dark Star Orchestra and has played multiple shows with Garth Hudson (The Band). Dave’s fluid rock style keeps CIRCUS MIND in a constant snake-like flow.

Drummer Dan Roth has been banging on things since he was a tyke, and he can’t seem to stop. He’s addicted to crosswords, motor coordination, and avocados. With over 30 album credits to his name, percussionist Steve Finkelstein has worked with pop icons from Ray Charles and Mariah Carey as well as jam band giants including members of the Dead, Allman’s, and Neville’s, and Tower of Power. Steve is also an original member and current member of the Funk Filharmonik.

The CIRCUS MIND single “ARE YOU READY?” will release online February 26, ahead of an official video release and Fat Friday Virtual Event on March 5, and the JOY MACHINE album release on May 21, 2021.

To purchase or stream the new single “ARE YOU READY?” please visit: https://smarturl.it/CMAreYouReady

For more information including tour dates or booking inquiries please visit: https://www.facebook.com/CircusMindMusic/

For Press and Interview inquiries please contact Billy James of Glass Onyon PR: (828) 350-8158 or glassonyonpr@gmail.com

For Digital Marketing please contact Jerome Forney of Independent Distribution Collective: jerome@independentdistro.com

Guitarist and NBC’s “This is Us” Composer, Eric Byak, Creates His Latest Single Live at the Pageant of the Masters

Celebrated guitarist, Eric Byak, created his latest single “Laguna Breeze” live in front of the art crowd in Laguna Beach, California at the world famous “Pageant of the Masters”. The single is seasoned with Grammy Award Winning percussionist MB Gordy. Nathan East and Ricky Lawson are also featured guest artists on the Byak’s forthcoming album.

Eric’s guitar work has been described as seductive, sensuous, exotic, intertwining classic jazz, breezy funk and Brazilian rhythms. Celebrated in the Los Angeles music scene, Eric’s work on the hit TV show “This is Us” has been hailed as “inspiringly beautiful” (Paul Andersen, Glendale News Press) and “gorgeous...with grace [and] a bit of grittiness” (LA Jazz Scene, Myna Daniels) “Laguna Breeze” was released Sept. 18, 2020 and distributed on UAMG/Sony to all media platforms. The live studio video will be available in November 2020.

To purchase Eric Byak’s “Laguna Breeze” single: https://orcd.co/lagunabreeze?fbclid

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/quantumenergyfeaturingericbyak
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMwGeO0r_vs

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Avant-Garde Jazz Duo MRS. FUN Release New Album TRUTH

“Their musicality and stage presence remind me of the glory days of vaudeville. Kim and Connie are kind of like the Bert Lahr and Al Jolson of modern music.” - Victor De Lorenzo, Violent Femmes

MRS. FUN plays nu jazz. Complex, sophisticated and adventurous, their music is a unique blend of off-center jazz, ultra-funk, spoken word rap, and their own brand of neo-cabaret. Intelligent lyrics, stellar musicianship, and a dynamic stage presence are hallmarks of their music. The MRS. FUN sound is derived from Connie Grauer's funky bass-driven keyboard playing, combined with Kim Zick's skillful in-the-pocket drumming.

“Their music is a blend of my favorite things. Especially cool jazz. They also remind me of beatniks. I'm from Berkeley and I know my beatniks!” - Martha Davis, Motels

“Grauer is a piano player with few equals whose drive and energy spills across the stage and into the audience like nitrous oxide. She's got a left hand that doesn't quit, the mark of any great pianist, and a right hand with limitless boundaries.” Zick holds court as a “heart-stopping drummer” whose “grooves get so far out, most people need a map to get back.” Voted Best Contemporary Jazz Group by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry(WAMI) three consecutive years, Grauer and Zick have also received WAMI awards for Best Instrumentalist: keyboards and drums. Grauer has also received awards for Best Female Vocalist and Best Stage Entertainer.

Improvisation is the driving force of MRS. FUN. The duo's very first gig was all improvisation. Some of the improvisations became songs. 30 years and five recordings later, they wrote the music for TRUTH and held strong to their original mission statement. In every recording, they include one or two cover pieces, usually a Thelonious Monk song. On TRUTH, “Soulful Strut” and “Light My Fire” were selected being a great fit to their original material. All of the instrumental tracks were recorded live. The only overdubs were vocals.



Here's what the press has said about MRS. FUN:

“Their virtuosity seems earmarked for legendary status.” - Break Magazine (Charlotte)

“MRS. FUN  stomps the jazz terra, doing exactly what Miles Davis had done throughout his whole career: breaking through old boundaries, re-establishing new ones, and then breaking through even those; so that the music can no longer be pigeonholed solely under the label of jazz.” - Shepherd Express

“Multi-keyboardist Connie Grauer and drum basher Kim Zick can play big-beat rock one moment, salute Sun Ra or Thelonious Monk the next, then launch into a groove tune that sounds like a computer getting funky. You gotta respect that.” - Tom Surowicz, Twin City Reader

“Drummer Kim Zick and keyboardist/vocalist Connie Grauer work intuitively from a jazz base, spinning out funky but thorny rhythms and memorable but subtle melodies from disparate threads of rock, pop, tango and the most venturesome explorations of avant-garde '60s jazz.” - Dave Luhrssen, Shepherd Express

“Connie Grauer is one of the most creative, adventurous and energetic musicians in Milwaukee's music scene.” - Visions (Milwaukee)

“Zick, propulsively polyrhythmic and invariably on time, is simply one of most talented percussionist on the scene.” - Michael Point, Austin American-Statesman

“A virtuoso duo displaying amazing energy and range, MRS.FUN wraps sharp humor and wigged-out joy around an aggressive, crunchy acid jazz center.” - JazzTimes

“MRS. FUN are post-modernist bop, the perfect lounge entertainment for the Cabaret Kerouac…Both Connie Grauer and Kim Zick are impressive players, with not just the ability, but also the agility and vision to take their music into the greenest pastures out in left field. Fun indeed.” - The Austin Chronicle

“Moe Tucker, drummer for the Velvet Underground named MRS.FUN one of her top ten bands in 1994.” - Guardian, San Francisco

“Their quirky output is equal parts chaos and tunefulness. Hanging out in left field where they do, there's a thin line between pretension and art. Thankfully, they manage to always stay on the right side of the line.” - Creative Loafing (Charlotte) 

Up coming gigs & recordings:
MRS. FUN will be headlining Summerfest 2020 on the Klements stage. They will also be performing in several concert series in the Midwest beginning May 2020 along with other jazz performances throughout the Midwest.

Soon to be released on the MRS. FUN record label FunTime Records:
Carnival of Souls by Outer Limits Duo: drum & sax improvisation recording; Kim Zick: drums, Juli Wood: saxophones, Produced by: Connie Grauer

In closing the band has this to impart, “Our goal in writing music for MRS. FUN is to continue writing eclectic ear bending pieces for the listener to be engaged in the complexities of each piece. That goal was most definitely achieved on TRUTH.”

To purchase: MRS. FUN/TRUTH is available through Spotify and most digital sites.

For more information:
www.mrsfun.com
https://www.facebook.com/MRS-FUN-468335266600579/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Sly Stone's Earliest Recordings and Ultra-Rare Singles "Sly Before The Family Stone"

With the Viscaynes - rare early doo-wop and gospel recordings

Sly Stone's earliest recordings and ultra-rare singles “Sly Before The Family Stone” is now available! Featuring rare early doo-wop and gospel recordings with the Viscaynes. The album is released on CD and Limited Edition of 200 blue vinyl on 180 gram audiophile quality pressing!

Sly and the Family Stone was an American band from San Francisco. Active from 1966 to 1983, it was pivotal in the development of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic music. It's core line-up was led by singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone, and included Stone's brother and singer/guitarist Freddie Stone, sister and singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Greg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham. It was the first major American rock group to have a racially integrated, male and female lineup.

Track Listings
  1. Honest
  2. In the Still of the Night
  3. Searchin'
  4. Don't Say I Didn't Warn You
  5. Ain't That Lovin' You Babe
  6. Swim
  7. Every Dog Has His Day
  8. Suki Suki Part One
  9. Suki Suki Part Two
  10. Seventh Sun
  11. Nerves
  12. I Can't Turn You Loose
  13. Take My Advice
  14. Watermelon Man
  15. I Ain't Got Nobody
  16. If You Were Blue
  17. Rock Dirge
  18. Hi Love
  19. Life of Fortune and Fame

To Order:
US - https://www.amazon.com/Sly-Before-Family-Stone/dp/B07SZBJZLC/ref=sr_1_1
Europe - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sly-Before-Family-Stone/dp/B07SZBJZLC/ref=pd_ybh_a_1

Limited Edition of 200 Blue vinyl on 180 gram audiophile quality pressing:
https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/227079/sly-stone-sly-before-the-family-stone

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Henry Rollins/David Bowie Guitarist Chris Haskett To Release New Instrumental EP "Insufficient Necessities" on November 15th

Chris Haskett is a Grammy-nominated American guitar player mainly known for his time in the Rollins Band in the 1980s and 90s. After eight albums, Chris is releasing an instrumental EP of original tunes, “Insufficient Necessities,” primarily featuring his European band (Mike Baker of DC go-go band Rare Essence does bass duties on the opening song “Going Back”) on November 15, 2019. The emphasis is decidedly on funk with nods to Chris's hometown go-go scene as well as New Orleans second-line grooves.

As on his other releases, Chris looks to strike a fragile balance of technique, tonal color and letting “interesting accidents” find their way in to the music. He wears his influences on his sleeve, and echoes of Beck, Ribot and Richard Thompson all peek through at various points. As he says himself, “I think I like things to teeter between being fluidly funky and a little fractured too.I'm hard to categorize because I straddle a kind of venn diagram/middle ground where hard rock meets downtown avant garde (with a little bit of 'Dark Star' sprinkled on top).”

The recordings are a mix of both studio and concert multi-track recordings re-edited and overdubbed, sometimes in the studio and sometimes in the concert venue. The four originals on this EP are part of a much larger batch of recordings. The rest, an eclectic collection of covers, are due for release in 2020.



Most of Chris's early life was spent in Washington DC though, by chance, he was living in the UK just as punk was breaking in 1977. The rule-breaking freedom offered by punk had a profound influence on him and remained with him on his return to the US in 1978. His first band, the Enzymes, synthesized diverse influences from both the early punk/no-wave scene as well as the avant-garde and free jazz musics of the time. This overlap of influences reluctance to be pigeonholed has been a constant throughout his career.

Moving back to England in 1980 brought him into collaborations with the Birthday Party's Rowland S. Howard and for Public Image bassist Jah Wobble. It was also during this time that he reestablished contact with old DC friend Henry Rollins who was then singing in Black Flag. When Black Flag broke up in 1986, Rollins immediately suggested they do a project together. The result was the genesis of the Rollins Band. Over the following ten years, the band became known for uniquely powerful, uncompromising hard rock that spanned and yet stood apart from both the grunge and metal scenes of the era. After ten albums, a Grammy nomination and nearly a thousand concerts across the globe, the band members decided to part ways in 1997.

Even in the midst of the Rollins Band's punishing schedule Chris found time for instrumental side projects. In 1995 he released “Language,” a mix of angular acoustic guitar pieces and musique concrête that also featured duets with Rowland S Howard. 1997's “Non-Fiction” was a collaboration with Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers drummer Brandon Finley. This electric guitar album incorporated DC's signature go-go beats alongside a clear influence of both Zappa and Sonny Sharrock. The subsequent releases, “Not Part of the Solution” (2002), “The Return of the Geary Act” (2004), “Maybe Definitely” (2012), “Gravity:Left/Right” (2013), “The Courage Born of Conflicting Terrors” (2014) and last year's “Comprovisations in Linear B,” all defy easy categorization but share a distinctive musical sensibility: funky, angular, lyrical and unpredictable.

In 1999 Chris was hired by David Bowie who said he was looking forward to Chris's “nose bleedingly hostile” guitar to complement Reeves Gabrels for an upcoming tour. The planned tour got sidelined but Chris can be heard alongside Reeves on Bowie's “Hours” album.

Aside from numerous concerts fronting his own bands in the US, Europe and Australia, some of Chris's other touring and performance credits include Steven Brown (Tuxedomoon), The Cassandra Complex, Elliott Sharp, Reeves Gabrels, Pigface, Chris D (Divine Horsemen), Utah Saints, and Foetus.. More recently he has been invited as onstage to perform with Helmet as well as MC50.

Chris divides his time between the US, Europe and Australia and is currently working on a percussion-heavy psychedelic live band.

“I first heard Chris Haskett with the Rollins Band, surely one of the most powerful of late 80s bands, and was instantly struck by the intelligence driving the molten guitar tone. What a pleasure to come to know his wide-ranging solo works, spanning the gamut from fun and impressively detailed electric workouts to truly thought-provoking and meditative acoustic compositions. Chris makes guitar music anyone can feel good about obsessing over.” - Mike Keneally

“Chris Haskett !!!!! Love the mans work all the way from Henry Rollins to the present.” - DeWayne Blackbyrd McKnight

“Chris is a gifted musician and guitarist who should be followed as the music he is involved with is real and engaging.” – Paul Reed Smith

“He’s always seemed to effortlessly cross genres with an authenticity and honesty that few are able to match, even in one genre. From punk to jazz, experimental to funk, he brilliantly manages to weave everything together on his albums. He’s like the perfect marriage of Snakefinger and Jeff Beck and a little Ornette Coleman.” - Rich Fortus 

To purchase:
https://chrishaskett.bandcamp.com/
also available iTunes, Amazon etc.

For more information:
https://chrishaskett.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Chris-Haskett-170955906298411/?eid=ARAV-yPcX0vDe8yooqan8hqN-naUOuURxzhorNIcGV16tVbfRLmlvqhiSWh8Pi0rKEnXMFsm3Hgad9si

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

New Group RUFFYUNZ Featuring Guest Artists Pat Travers & T.C. Tolliver To Release Debut Album

Featuring Pat Travers and members of The Plasmatics and Cactus!

RUFFYUNZ is a partnership between Randy Pratt (Cactus/The Lizards), Emmy winning engineer JZ Barrell, and singer Ed Terry and a collection of drum and guitar masters. Guest artists include guitar legend Pat Travers and drummer T.C. Tolliver from The Plasmatics. The songs are mainly about sex, animalistic sex, with a couple of “Dark Dread” numbers thrown in for bad measure.

“Funky, Heavy & Tight” is RUFFYUNZ credo!

Bassist Randy Pratt on bass, pedals and riffs and is best known for his work with The Lizards & Cactus. Singer Ed Terry has sung live with Stevie Wonder, Sister Sledge, John Oates, Sissy Houston, Slash and recorded with John Lennon, Keith Richards, Talking Heads, Simply Red, Little Steven, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, David Lee Roth, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner! JZ Barrell handles recording, engineering, mixing and arranging…he earns his writing credits. Jesse Berlin is the band's “go-to-first guitarist” usually and helps set a bedrock with embellishments.

The band's concept is to use “known” drummers and guitarists as guests on their records. Once the guest guitarist has done his or her thing, Jesse trades solos with them…and he really throws down the gauntlet, as he SHREDS!!

Says Randy, “The songs are written bass/drums first, creating a lot of grooves and BIG RIFFS. From decades of reading Bass Player magazine, it seems most song writing bassists don’t write on bass…so I hope that gives us a bit of a unique vibe….plus my ever growing collection of uncommon effect pedals, not intended for bass, influence the way I play and the stuff I come up with. After the sessions, my partner JZ Barrell arranges the music into more  defined song form. Usually, Ed Terry writes his vocals and lyrics, quickly, and records them at his home studio. Amazingly, it seems like we go with his first takes 90% of the time! Also, he writes most of his vocals to bass and drums, which is 'different', too, isn’t it? Josh and I produce the records. Then guitar is added to make the compositions come alive, searching for that sweet spot where James Brown and Black Sabbath collide.”

RUFFYUNZ next record is in the works now with and exciting new cast of guest players!

Listen to RUFFYUNZ new album:
To purchase: genius@optonline.net

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

New Group RUFFYUNZ Featuring Guest Artists Pat Travers & T.C. Tolliver To Release Debut Album

Featuring Pat Travers and members of The Plasmatics and Cactus!

RUFFYUNZ is a partnership between Randy Pratt (Cactus/The Lizards), Emmy winning engineer JZ Barrell, and singer Ed Terry and a collection of drum and guitar masters. Guest artists include guitar legend Pat Travers and drummer T.C. Tolliver from The Plasmatics. The songs are mainly about sex, animalistic sex, with a couple of “Dark Dread” numbers thrown in for bad measure.

“Funky, Heavy & Tight” is RUFFYUNZ credo!

Bassist Randy Pratt on bass, pedals and riffs and is best known for his work with The Lizards & Cactus. Singer Ed Terry has sung live with Stevie Wonder, Sister Sledge, John Oates, Sissy Houston, Slash and recorded with John Lennon, Keith Richards, Talking Heads, Simply Red, Little Steven, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, David Lee Roth, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner! JZ Barrell handles recording, engineering, mixing and arranging…he earns his writing credits. Jesse Berlin is the band's “go-to-first guitarist” usually and helps set a bedrock with embellishments.

The band's concept is to use “known” drummers and guitarists as guests on their records. Once the guest guitarist has done his or her thing, Jesse trades solos with them…and he really throws down the gauntlet, as he SHREDS!!

Says Randy, “The songs are written bass/drums first, creating a lot of grooves and BIG RIFFS. From decades of reading Bass Player magazine, it seems most song writing bassists don’t write on bass…so I hope that gives us a bit of a unique vibe….plus my ever growing collection of uncommon effect pedals, not intended for bass, influence the way I play and the stuff I come up with. After the sessions, my partner JZ Barrell arranges the music into more  defined song form. Usually, Ed Terry writes his vocals and lyrics, quickly, and records them at his home studio. Amazingly, it seems like we go with his first takes 90% of the time! Also, he writes most of his vocals to bass and drums, which is 'different', too, isn’t it? Josh and I produce the records. Then guitar is added to make the compositions come alive, searching for that sweet spot where James Brown and Black Sabbath collide.”

RUFFYUNZ next record is in the works now with and exciting new cast of guest players!

Listen to RUFFYUNZ new album:
To purchase: genius@optonline.net

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

The Commodores Tour The US In Celebration of Their 50th Anniversary!

MOTOWN LEGENDS & ICONS FOR OVER 50 YEARS! 

70 MILLION ALBUMS SOLD!

7 #1 HITS!

Los Angeles - One of the greatest Motown and R&B / funk artists of all time, The Commodores will be touring the US in celebration of their 50th Anniversary! The Commodores' Walter “Clyde” Orange, James Dean “JD” Nicholas and William “WAK” King have influenced both artists young and old and in all genres with their classic songs. The Commodores brand is bigger than ever as they continue to blaze trails all over the world.

Two Alabama cities recently honored the music legacy of the Commodores! Tuskegee declared Friday March 29, 2019 to be Commodores Day, and Montgomery declared the band members to be honorary residents, receiving keys to the city! A celebration was held at the Commodore Museum, the site of the Commodores' former rehearsal and recording studio in Tuskegee. The Commodores was originally formed by a group of college students at Tuskegee Institute just over 50 years ago.



In 1968 the group was formed while all the members were in college at Tuskeegee Institute. After being discovered by Berry Gordy, the Commodores went on to sell over 60 million records for Motown. With hits like “Machine Gun” and “Sail On,” the Commodores became proven artists. For five decades, the Commodores have remained a force in the music industry. The Commodores aren't just any group. They have staying power. Just like their hit song “Brick House,” the Commodores have created a foundation that just won't budge.

Don't miss your chance to feature one of the most successful vocal groups of all time in 2018 and beyond as The Commodores continue to thrill audiences with their Greatest Hits Tour – Live!

Tour Dates:

JUN 01 - Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, CA
JUN 14 - San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo, CA
JUN 22 - Hon-Dah Resort Casino, Pinetop, AZ
JUL 12 - IP Casino Resort Spa, Biloxi, MS
JUL 13 - Margaritaville Resort Casino, Bossier City, LA
JUL 16 - Village Green, Elk Grove Village, IL
JUL 17 - Fraze Pavilion, Kettering, OH
AUG 10 - Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, West Allis, WI
AUG 18 - Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
AUG 25 - Embarcadero Marina Park South, San Diego, CA
AUG 30 - Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center, Salem, OR
SEP 07 - Madera District Fair, Madera, CA
OCT 11 - The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Washington, PA
FEB 10 - Ultimate Disco Cruise, Miami, FL (with KC and the Sunshine Band, The Jacksons, Pointer Sisters and more…)

ACCOLADES & ACHIEVEMENTS

75 Million Albums Sold Worldwide
7 - #1 singles
5 - #1 Albums
20 - Top 10 Singles
15 - Top 10 Albums
1985 Grammy Award - “Nightshift”
1987 Antwerp Diamond Microphone Award
Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees
The 58th AutoZone Liberty Bowl Outstanding Achievement Award (2016)
2018 Casino Entertainment Awards “Musical Artist of the Year”

The Commodores official website: http://www.commodoreslive.com/

MANAGEMENT
21st Century Artists, Inc.
(212) 254-5500
jovan@21stca.com

BOOKING
Seth Shomes / United Talent Agency
(310) 273-6700
seth.shomes@unitedtalent.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

French Bassist Shob To Release Second Album "Karma Obscur" In April 2018

Talented French bass player Shob, who has collaborated with many artists (Roger Biwandu (Zawinul Syndicate), Patrick Rondat (G3), PapaGuyo (Sly & Family Stone), Patrick Bebey, Charles X, Eths...), will be releasing his second album “Karma Obscur” in Spring 2018! His critically acclaimed debut “Pragmatism” (2015) received over 500,000 hits on youtube, more than 600 physical copies sold, 10,000 downloads sold!

Shob's new album “Karma Obscur” is a progressive rock/funk album with a really tight and meticulous production. Sixteen guests have participated in the recording, all amazing musicians. The album is described as “Dark Funk,” which was really Shob's state of mind when it was written. Throughout the record, you will encounter crazy beatbox parts (Beasty), amazing soul vocalist (Laurène P Magnani), insane metal guitar solos (Pierre Danel/Kadinja), body-builded drum parts (Morgan Berthet), African percussion and grooves (Ludo Lesage)….Always cleverly mixed.

In support of his forthcoming album, Shob is preparing to tour Europe in April 2018 covering 7 countries: France, Germany, Holland, Slovaquia, Italy, Austria, Norway. His band features Morgan Berthet (Myrath, Eths, Klone, Kadinja) on drums, Denis Cornardeau on guitar and Tony Lavaud (Charles X, Santa Machete) on keyboards.

Shob's music is described as intense progressive rock/funk played live by amazing musicians, and has been compared to Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Oz Noy, and Larry Graham. He has played more than 1000 shows over the past 6 years, and his solo project allowed him to open for great Jazz artists such as Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin, and Gary Novak. He played some of the greatest places such as: Hell Fest open air (Mainstage France), Graspop fest (Bel), Wacken Fest (Ger), Ziget fest (Hung), Madrid electric fest, Elysée Montmartre (Paris), ST Emilion Jazz festival, Moscow, Rio, Sao Polo, Santiago Chile, Barcelone, St Barth, and Europe.

One thing defines Shob's shows: GROOVE. Audience must be prepared to burn the dance floor out on this crazy fusion funky sound. This said, technical virtuosity lovers won't be disappointed. Shob's quartet are some of the greatest musicians in their category. Also, there's a large part of improvisation during the ensemble's shows, in which each musician can express himself, and interact with the audience…which makes every show UNIQUE.

Shob “Karma Obscur” Tour 2018
02.04.2018 FR-Marseilles, venue TBA
05.04.2018 AT-Frauental, Bluegarage
06.04.2018 SK-Bratislava, Museum
07.04.2018 AT-Vienna, Reigen
08.04.2018 AT-Linz, SMARAGD CC     TBC
09.04.2018 DE-Passau, Cafe Museum
10.04.2018 DE-Fürth, Kofferfabrik
12.04.2018 DE-Karlsruhe, KOHI
14.04.2018 NL-Tilburg, Paradox
16.04.2018 DE-Celle, Herzog-Ernst
17.04.2018 DE-Göttingen, Nörgelbuff
19.04.2018 DE-Unna, Kühlschiff
20.04.2018 DE-Nordhausen, Cyriaci-Kapelle
21.04.2018 DE-Rodgau, Maximal Kulturinitiative Rodgau
22.04.2018 NL-Zoetermeer, Boerderij (afternoon show)
24.04.2018 FR-Nancy, MAI France

Shob also has been teaching master classes since 2010 with his amazing musician and friend Morgan Berthet (drums for Myrath, Klone, Eths, Kadinja...) He's also known for his tutorial bass video on youtube and bandcamp. Shob is sponsored by Sandberg basses, Aguilar Amplification.



“Best fusion album of the year” - Planet Waves / 2014

“Not only for bass players, those who look for groove and various musical colours will be pleased.” - Pavillon 666

“This kind of album is timeless and in 50 years from now, we still can play it, it won´t get old at all” - Metal is the Law / Webzine

Watch Shob's new video: 

To purchase Shob's “Karma Obscur”: 
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/karma-obscur/id1228600280 ;
Bandcamp: https://shob.bandcamp.com/ ;

Videos:
Shob's youtube channel has more than 500 000 hits and 2500 followers: www.youtube.com/user/shobkubiack
Shob “Karma Obscur”:

Shon “Green Elephant”:

Audio/Video sample “Sacerdoce”:

Audio/Video sample “Enclosures”: 

For more information: www.shob.fr

MAXIMUM Booking
netMusicZone Records
Phone:  0049-(0)-8324-933-851
Fax:  0049-(0)-8324-933-829
E-Mail:  info@MAXIMUMBooking.com
www.MAXIMUMBooking.com ;

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

French Bassist Shob To Release Second Album "Karma Obscur" In April 2018

Talented French bass player Shob, who has collaborated with many artists (Roger Biwandu (Zawinul Syndicate), Patrick Rondat (G3), PapaGuyo (Sly & Family Stone), Patrick Bebey, Charles X, Eths...), will be releasing his second album “Karma Obscur” in Spring 2018! His critically acclaimed debut “Pragmatism” (2015) received over 500,000 hits on youtube, more than 600 physical copies sold, 10,000 downloads sold!

Shob's new album “Karma Obscur” is a progressive rock/funk album with a really tight and meticulous production. Sixteen guests have participated in the recording, all amazing musicians. The album is described as “Dark Funk,” which was really Shob's state of mind when it was written. Throughout the record, you will encounter crazy beatbox parts (Beasty), amazing soul vocalist (Laurène P Magnani), insane metal guitar solos (Pierre Danel/Kadinja), body-builded drum parts (Morgan Berthet), African percussion and grooves (Ludo Lesage)….Always cleverly mixed.

In support of his forthcoming album, Shob is preparing to tour Europe in April 2018 covering 7 countries: France, Germany, Holland, Slovaquia, Italy, Austria, Norway. His band features Morgan Berthet (Myrath, Eths, Klone, Kadinja) on drums, Denis Cornardeau on guitar and Tony Lavaud (Charles X, Santa Machete) on keyboards.

Shob's music is described as intense progressive rock/funk played live by amazing musicians, and has been compared to Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Oz Noy, and Larry Graham. He has played more than 1000 shows over the past 6 years, and his solo project allowed him to open for great Jazz artists such as Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin, and Gary Novak. He played some of the greatest places such as: Hell Fest open air (Mainstage France), Graspop fest (Bel), Wacken Fest (Ger), Ziget fest (Hung), Madrid electric fest, Elysée Montmartre (Paris), ST Emilion Jazz festival, Moscow, Rio, Sao Polo, Santiago Chile, Barcelone, St Barth, and Europe.

One thing defines Shob's shows: GROOVE. Audience must be prepared to burn the dance floor out on this crazy fusion funky sound. This said, technical virtuosity lovers won't be disappointed. Shob's quartet are some of the greatest musicians in their category. Also, there's a large part of improvisation during the ensemble's shows, in which each musician can express himself, and interact with the audience…which makes every show UNIQUE.

Shob “Karma Obscur” Tour 2018
02.04.2018 FR-Marseilles, venue TBA
05.04.2018 AT-Frauental, Bluegarage
06.04.2018 SK-Bratislava, Museum
07.04.2018 AT-Vienna, Reigen
08.04.2018 AT-Linz, SMARAGD CC     TBC
09.04.2018 DE-Passau, Cafe Museum
10.04.2018 DE-Fürth, Kofferfabrik
12.04.2018 DE-Karlsruhe, KOHI
14.04.2018 NL-Tilburg, Paradox
16.04.2018 DE-Celle, Herzog-Ernst
17.04.2018 DE-Göttingen, Nörgelbuff
19.04.2018 DE-Unna, Kühlschiff
20.04.2018 DE-Nordhausen, Cyriaci-Kapelle
21.04.2018 DE-Rodgau, Maximal Kulturinitiative Rodgau
22.04.2018 NL-Zoetermeer, Boerderij (afternoon show)
24.04.2018 FR-Nancy, MAI France

Shob also has been teaching master classes since 2010 with his amazing musician and friend Morgan Berthet (drums for Myrath, Klone, Eths, Kadinja...) He's also known for his tutorial bass video on youtube and bandcamp. Shob is sponsored by Sandberg basses, Aguilar Amplification.



“Best fusion album of the year” - Planet Waves / 2014

“Not only for bass players, those who look for groove and various musical colours will be pleased.” - Pavillon 666

“This kind of album is timeless and in 50 years from now, we still can play it, it won´t get old at all” - Metal is the Law / Webzine

Watch Shob's new video: 

To purchase Shob's “Karma Obscur”: 
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/karma-obscur/id1228600280 ;
Bandcamp: https://shob.bandcamp.com/ ;

Videos:
Shob's youtube channel has more than 500 000 hits and 2500 followers: www.youtube.com/user/shobkubiack
Shob “Karma Obscur”:

Shon “Green Elephant”:

Audio/Video sample “Sacerdoce”:

Audio/Video sample “Enclosures”: 

For more information: www.shob.fr

MAXIMUM Booking
netMusicZone Records
Phone:  0049-(0)-8324-933-851
Fax:  0049-(0)-8324-933-829
E-Mail:  info@MAXIMUMBooking.com
www.MAXIMUMBooking.com ;

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com