Celebrate the 3rd Annual Make Music New York Festival this Sunday, June 21st in Madison Square Park and Washington Square Park, with Freedom Love-Fest and ObliqSound! We volunteered to help celebrate the 3rd Annual Make Music New York festival; ‘the largest music event ever to grace Metro New York’ and host a line-up of great indie-artists in beautiful and tranquil Madison Square Park and the lively hub of the city, Washington Square Park. Won’t you join us?
8 Bands, 2 Parks, 1 Day of Free Live Music
Come down at the right time, and get free t-shirts and free MP3 giveaways, too!
Co-hosted by Freedom Love-Fest and ObliqSound, with Production Sponsors: The Professionals NYC and Lollipop Productions
MADISON SQUARE PARK
Location: Broadway and East 23rd Street, NYC
British/Nigerian bassist presents uplifting musical vision as composer and producer
NEW YORK - Speak, the title of bassist Michael Olatuja’s debut album, holds deep personal meaning for its creator, exemplifying in a single word the album’s underlying themes of hope, encouragement, inspiration and positivity. The album, which will be released on July 28 on Backdrop, ObliqSound’s sub-label focusing on modern electronic and groove-based music, tells the story of the British/Nigerian artist’s musical and personal journey. “The language of music is one that we all speak,” Olatuja explains. “It unites diverse cultures.”
The ten songs on Speak find Olatuja stepping out of his role as sideman and finally presenting his personal vision as producer and composer. With musical influences and guests from around the world, the album touches on each spot Olatuja has hit around the globe, including his childhood in London and Lagos, Nigeria, and his professional years in London and New York. Speak is clearly the album Olatuja has been working toward his entire career and points to a strong future.
Chances are you’ve already heard Olatuja’s extraordinarily creative musicianship. His work has enlivened the performances of Terence Blanchard, Patti Austin, Lisa Stansfield, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Gretchen Parlato and many others.
Olatuja, 28, began crafting the music that would become Speak as long ago as 2003. From the genesis of the project he knew what he wanted to accomplish. From there, the music took shape organically as the pieces fell into place, Olatuja calling upon a large cast of musicians to assist him in realizing the self-produced project, including several singers who alternate on lead vocals: Eska Mtungwazi, Andrew Roachford, Terri Walker, Onaje Jefferson, Michael’s wife Alicia Olatuja and the late neo-soul artist Lynden David Hall.
On Speak, Olatuja finds commonalities among the various genres that have shaped his artistry, beginning with the indigenous, traditional sounds that formed his roots during his youth in Nigeria. “I grew up in a church that sang Yoruba Christian songs and played Yoruba style music,” he recalls. “I honed my skills playing in many Yoruba music bands. So when it came to songwriting this influence came out naturally.”
At age 11, Olatuja picked up a bass guitar for the first time, and within five years, he was playing professionally, absorbing everything he heard along the way, including soul, jazz, R&B, gospel and more. Influences such as guitarist George Benson and jazz bassists John Patitucci and Richard Bona, who Olatuja calls his “teacher and mentor,” helped shape his musical world. Additional schooling in both the U.K. at Middlesex University and in the U.S. at Manhattan School of Music sharpened Olatuja’s chops and allowed him to mix it up with world-class artists who quickly came to appreciate his gifts.
His 2004 move to New York gave him the impetus he needed to put it all together. “As a writer, New York encouraged me to be original, because there are so many artists out there,” he says. “Jazz encouraged the freedom to improvise, soul encouraged me to do it from the heart, R&B encouraged an undeniable deep groove and world music encouraged me not to forget my roots. Gospel gives it all a sense of purpose; it inspires and uplifts.”
All of those musical characteristics are well represented and interwoven ingeniously on Speak. Olatuja incorporates such hallmarks of traditional African music as the talking drum and hand drums (conga and djembe), call-and-response vocals and the Yoruba language, while working comfortably with musical vocabularies more familiar to Western ears: neo-soul balladry, hip-hop, modern jazz and deep groove.
The opening track, “Ma Foya” (Yoruba for “don’t fear”), is built upon a propulsive West African hi-life rhythmic pattern and classic Philly soul vocals. It features a lead vocal by Lynden David Hall, who intones, “Don’t be afraid in times of trouble/it’s all in the way you rise above,” over a battery of grooving hand drums, massed background vocals and guitar. “Ma Foya” will be released later in 2009 as a single with remixes.
On the silky ballad “Unconditional,” Olatuja boldly plucks his bass strings in tandem with smooth guitar licks and evocative keyboard lines as wife Alicia (who co-wrote the song) pays tribute to the value of a lover who remains true and steadfast. “Yi Yipada,” Olatuja says, reminds us that “change is the only permanent thing in life.” One of the most exhilarating tracks on the album, “Yi Yipada” is highlighted by a deep, odd-metered bassline, intricate keyboard work and precision drumming all in tight interplay with Mtungwazi’s scatted vocal improvisation.
Lyrically, the music on Speak is also infused with Olatuja’s strong Christian roots. On the lightly funky “Hold On,” over a soulful organ, Hall sings Olatuja’s words: “If you’re one of those who think there’s nowhere left to fall, perhaps you should remember to get up and walk tall.” The ballad “Altar Call” speaks about someone who realizes that God is calling them to a better life, to have the freedom to choose what is right.
“Walk With Me,” a traditional gospel number—and the only tune on Speak not written or co-written by Olatuja—glides along on a ¾ syncopated bass ostinato, reminiscent of McCoy Tyner and Kenny Kirkland, and develops into a ¾ straight-ahead groove, leading to an exploratory, nuanced conversation between all the instrumentalists.
The nine-minute “Mama Ola,” which features saxophonist Jean Toussaint and pianist Jason Rebello, is a poetic jazz tribute to Olatuja’s late mother, Comfort Bola Olatuja, and hosts the most complex musical interaction on the album. “Le Jardin” (The Garden), with vocal by Onaje Jefferson, is pure R&B in the mode of classic Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway. The title track, infused with a hip-hop sensibility, features rapper TY inspiring the listener to “Speak! Speak up!”
Olatuja is already taking what he’s learned and helping other artists realize their own dreams. In addition to planning his own busy touring schedule, just this year, in fact, he co-produced ObliqSound artist Somi’s forthcoming album, which includes a track featuring the legendary Hugh Masekela.
Olatuja’s deep spirituality and unshaken belief in the power of the positive lies at the heart of every track on Speak. It makes perfect sense that Michael Olatuja titled the album what he did: Speak speaks volumes, and it speaks to everyone.
ObliqSound artist Gretchen Parlato is featured in Documentary Channel’s new 4-part series “Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense”. The series premieres Monday April 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Watch Gretchen in Mon, April 27th’s episode, at 9pm - “Icons Among Us - 12 Notes In Real Time”
Telecasts are Mondays at 9pm, on April 20 & 27, May 4 & 11.
Other familiar faces in the series include ObliqSound’s Gilfema leader and Blue Note recording artist Lionel Loueke, and recent ObliqSound guest artists Aaron Parks (on Parlato’s upcoming In A Dream), Anat Cohen (on Gilfema + 2), Jeff Ballard (on Persona), and Herbie Hancock (Lionel Loueke’s Virgin Forest).
Missed it? The full series will repeat and re-run many times. Check telecast times at IconsAmongUs.com
Documentary Channel is on Dish Network channel 197 & NYC TV channel 25. More info on the series at The Documentary Channel
ObliqSound is pleased to announce the signing of its newest artist, vocalist and songwriter Somi, whose label debut will release this fall. A finalist in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest for her single “Ingele” from her critically acclaimed album Red Soil In My Eyes (2007, Harmonia Mundi), Somi will perform at the 2009 SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas next week. She is the second female vocalist signed to seven-year-old independent label ObliqSound.
“Somi is an exciting addition to the ObliqSound family of artists, all of whom are joined by an incomparable musicianship, no matter their musical style or genre,” said Michele Locatelli, president and co-founder of ObliqSound. “Her album will be a highlight in a strong year for our vocal series.”
“I love how open-minded ObliqSound is towards music in particular and cultural identities as a whole,” said Somi. “I’m really looking forward to sharing my creative process and vision as we create the new album. I’m honored to have the opportunity.”
Born in Illinois to East African parents and having also lived in Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania, Somi is a true daughter of the New African world. Her first New York performance, as a featured vocalist in the African Globe Theater production of Drums Under the African Sky, led to collaborations with Amel Larrieux, Roy Hargrove, Lionel Loueke, Lonnie Plaxico, and Mos Def. She has also performed alongside Cassandra Wilson, Paul Simon, and John Legend. Emerging as a popular headliner, Somi has performed at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, B.B. King’s, and The Blue Note, Chicago’s famed South Shore Jazz Fest, and the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., among many other international venues.
Somi can currently be heard on the new Idan Raichel Project album Within My Walls, as featured vocalist on the track “Maisha,” a song which she co-wrote, and also on Joe Claussell’s new 12” Vinyl Remix of Somi’s Fela Kuti-inspired “African Lady,” the last single from Red Soil In My Eyes. In addition to her songwriting and soaring vocals, which have been compared favorably to Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba and Dianne Reeves, Somi’s talents also extend to theater. In April 2008, her multi-media theater piece, co-written with fellow vocalist and performer Chanda Rule, “Listening to Roots and Voicing Branches” debuted and sold out at The Apollo Theater. Her non-profit arts organization, New Africa Live, committed to producing multidisciplinary arts events that celebrate contemporary African cultural production, was recently chosen for sponsorship by the New York Foundation of the Arts. For more information about Somi, please see www.somimusic.com and www.myspace.com/somimusic.
About ObliqSound:
ObliqSound is an independent record label that provides a home for artists around the globe interested in creating music that crosses the boundaries of traditional music labeling. Dedicated to both an instrumental and vocal series, ObliqSound endeavors to create a body of timeless, genre-defying music. Recent releases include Ablaye Cissoko & Volker Goetze’s vocal/kora and trumpet duo album Sira, Lionel Loueke, Ferenc Nemeth, and Massimo Biolcati’s sophomore trio album Gilfema + 2 (featuring guests Anat Cohen and John Ellis), Grand Pianoramax’s 12” vinyl single of “The Hook” from the album The Biggest Piano In Town (featuring remixes by DJ Spinna and Rogall meets m.path.iq.) The label recently introduced several of its artists at label showcases at the 2008 Montreux Jazz Festival and in 2009 at MIDEM. For more about ObliqSound, please see www.obliqsound.com and www.myspace.com/obliqsound.
For the second year in a row, ObliqSound has received multiple nominations for the Independent Music Awards! Two ObliqSound albums were just named as finalists in the 8th Anual competition.
The 7th Annual IMAs saw Lionel Loueke’s solo album Virgin Forest nominated twice, for Best World Fusion Album and Best World Fusion Song (”Kponnon Kpete”), and Ferenc Nemeth’s Night Songs nominated for Best Jazz Album. Loueke’s song “Kponnon Kpete” enjoyed a win for Best World Fusion Song and has received wonderful promotion and acclaim as a result of the IMA Award.
Massimo Biolcati’s debut album as a leader, Persona, is a finalist for Best Jazz Album. The album features Biolcati, Jeff Ballard, Peter Rende and Lionel Loueke in quartet, with vocal guests Lizz Wright and Gretchen Parlato.
Grand Pianoramax’s second album, The Biggest Piano In Town, is a finalist for Best Album Art Photography. The album features Leo Tardin on keys, and Deantoni Parks and Adam Deitch on drums, with vocal guests Celena Glenn, Spleen, Mike Ladd and Invincible. The cover was photographed by Marcelo Krasilcic and art direction was by Andrea Ruggiero.
Winners will be announced in January 2009, but you can be a part of the process in 2008 by voting for Persona and The Biggest Piano In Town in the IMA’s Vox Populi contest. Tell your friends and vote for Persona and The Biggest Piano In Town today on www.independentmusicawards.com.
Want to celebrate with us more? Join our mailing list to receive a discount code for 25% off any order on ObliqSound.com. If you buy more than $20 of merchandise, you’ll also get a free ObliqSound t-shirt! Offer ends this Friday, December 5.
ObliqSound proudly presents…John Shannon’s Music Video debut! The video, for the song “Somewhere” is from the album American Mystic, and was directed by Carsten Fleck.
Join John on tour, starting tonight, Tuesday October 14, in New York at Canal Room’s excellent “Artists You Should Know” series, with Emily Zuzik and Joe Whyte also on the bill. (Show starts at 8, he’ll take the stage at 10 pm.)
Can’t make it to New York? John heads west for the rest of the week, opening for Velour Music vocalist Sonya Kitchell on tour in Colorado and Utah, and will then spend November touring with Hiromi across Europe and Japan.
Break out the champagne - or boxed wine (in the spirit of all the outdoor festival season)! Downbeat Magazine has just released the results of their 56th Annual Critics Poll, and some of our artists are on it. Congratulations to Gregoire Maret (#1 rising star, miscellaneous instrument), Gretchen Parlato (#4 rising star, female vocals), Gilfema’s own Lionel Loueke (#1 rising star, guitar), and Your Songs: The Music of Elton John quartet member Paul Motian (#3 , drums).
Other members of the ObliqSound family are also on the list, including past collaborators Herbie Hancock, Cyro Baptista, John Patitucci, Omer Avital, Lizz Wright, and Anat Cohen (appearing on Gilfema’s upcoming second album – news to follow!). Pick up your August edition of Downbeat to find out the full details.
ObliqSound is pleased to announce the signing of its newest artist, American vocalist Gretchen Parlato. Having appeared as a guest on three previous ObliqSound releases, the singer who Herbie Hancock describes as having a “deep, almost magical connection to the music” will release her debut ObliqSound album in 2009. The album will combine Parlato’s vocals in duo and ensemble, working with Lionel Loueke on guitar and vocals, Aaron Parks on piano and Fender Rhodes, Kendrick Scott on drums and Derrick Hodge on acoustic and electric bass. Parlato was just named one of the top rising star female vocalists in Downbeat Magazine’s 56th Annual Critics Poll, and is the first female vocalist signed to six-year-old independent label ObliqSound.
“Gretchen Parlato is one of the most distinctive vocalists in jazz today and is part of an incredible community of artists and friends that make up the ObliqSound family,” said Michele Locatelli, president and co-founder of ObliqSound. “She was outstanding on several tracks of Virgin Forest (including the Independent Music Award winning song “Kponnon Kpete,”) helped to make Andy Milne & Gregoire Maret’s rendition of “Moon River” instantly memorable on their album Scenarios, and just this spring, co-wrote the lyrics and sang as a guest on “Clouds” on Massimo Biolcati’s album Persona. I look forward to presenting this same inspiring and personal touch with her upcoming album.”
“I am thrilled to be working with ObliqSound,” added Parlato. “I respect the fact that they support and enhance their artists, without trying to place them within boundaries. Michele Locatelli has always been supportive of me and my musical vision, and I look forward to working together to create a beautiful album.”
Parlato was the first vocalist ever to be selected for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, chosen by none other than Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Terence Blanchard. She took first prize in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocals Competition in 2004. Since then, Parlato has toured internationally with her own band and as a guest for many others. Notable performances include La Villette in Paris with Wayne Shorter, the Hollywood Bowl with Oscar Castro-Neves, Gal Costa, Ivan Lins, and Dianne Reeves, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. Her recording credits include Terence Blanchard’s 2005 Grammy-nominated album Flow and most recently, Esperanza Spalding’s 2008 self-titled album. In addition to her upcoming US, European and Australian tours, she can be heard this fall on Kenny Barron’s upcoming release The Traveler. For more information about Gretchen Parlato, please see www.gretchenparlato.com and www.myspace.com/gretchenparlato
About ObliqSound:
ObliqSound is an independent record label that provides a home for artists around the globe interested in creating music that crosses the boundaries of traditional music labeling. Dedicated to both an instrumental and vocal series, ObliqSound endeavors to create a body of timeless, genre-defying music. Recent releases include John Shannon’s understated vocal and guitar album American Mystic, Grand Pianoramax’s piano/drums/spoken word project on The Biggest Piano In Town, and pianist Alon Yavnai’s multicultural Travel Notes. The label will present its first evening at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 12, 2008. For more about ObliqSound, please see www.obliqsound.com and www.myspace.com/obliqsound
