Friday 18 December 2015

Brandon Williams All You Need to Know

Detroit bred Brandon Williams’ life has always included music in some capacity. First as a listener, then as a musician, and ultimately, as a producer. He is a musical architect that is quickly making his name and stake as a front-runner in the music industry with the release of his 2014 debut album entitled XII featuring Robert Glasper, Jean Baylor (formerly of Zhane’), Frank McComb, Nicholas Payton, Choklate, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and more.

On the music scene since he was 12, his career is quite impressive. A direct protégé of Grammy and Billboard super producer Michael J. Powell (Anita Baker), he is a powerhouse of musical knowledge and abilities, receiving request to perform, engineer, MD, arrange and produce around the clock. Known as one of the premiere drummers on Detroit’s live music scene, he is also known for being one of the “go-to music guys” in general because of his talent to play numerous instruments and his versatile repertoire. In 2009, he collaborated with Vickie Winans on “How I Got Over”. The album earned him 9 Stellar Awards nominations (winning one), a Grammy Award nomination, and a NAACP Image Award. As a producer he has lent his hand to such artists as; Pharoahe Monch, Bobby Creekwater, Jadakiss, Jazmine Sullivan, Lin Rountree, Jay Electronica, Jeymes Samuels, and Ryan Leslie. His production work was also featured in the 2011 AT&T “Swag/FLY ERRR” TV commercial and in the 2015 “Honda Fit” TV commercial featuring ?uestlove of the Roots.

At 34 years old, he is a taste and hit-maker with an undeniable track record. As an artist, he has performed with, opened for, and toured alongside some of the industry's finest including; Talib Kweli, Morris Day and The Time, Kevin Toney, Kim Burrell, Jose James, PJ Morton (Maroon 5), Mike Phillips, Derrick Hodge, The Isley Brothers, Johnny O'Neal, George Duke, The Last Poets, Musiq Soulchild, Geno Young, Jaguar Wright, Gene Dunlap, Regina Belle, Millie Scott,  Sy Smith, Zo!, Joe Sample, Norman Brown, Wyclef Jean of The Fugees, Raheem DeVaughn, Carmen Rodgers, Martha Reeves and Jonathan Butler just to name a few. Performing with national tours, and with his own bands, he’s graced the stages of Detroit's premier venues, and he’s also had national exposure at hot spots such as the legendary Bitter End in NYC, the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, and the House of Blues in Dallas. As a producer, Brandon has worked in studios across the world from New York, to The Caribbean and even South Africa. Because of his plethora of abilities, he has acquired the respect of many legendary artists that he now calls friends including; the late  artists George Duke and James 'J. Dilla' Yancey,  along with Denaun Porter, George Clinton, Lalah Hathaway, Eric Roberson, Karriem Riggins and a host of others. He’s also recorded with the legendary Stevie Wonder.

Now with XII gaining international acclaim charting #1 on the UK Soul Chart (Feb 2015), along with recent distribution in Japan and Taiwan, you can bet your paycheck that he is much more than your average musician and he will continue to move full steam ahead.

In his own words- "I want people to know I'm a 'real' producer... not just a beatmaker. I'm striving to be among the people that bring good music back to the world. Real good, feel good, life-altering, soul healing music is what I'm about."
ACCOLADES


*Grammy Award Nomination - Vickie Winans' "How I Got Over" (2009)
*Stellar Award Winner -  Vickie Winans' "How I Got Over" (2010)
*Featured in the "Who's Who in Black Detroit" (2010)
*NAACP Image Award Nomination - Vickie Winans' "How I Got Over" (2010)
*Top 5 Winner - Lalah Hathaway Remix Contest for "My Everything" (2012)
*Detroit Black Music Award Winner - Entertainer of The Year (2012)
*Best Local Band - HOUR Detroit Magazine (2013)
*Detroit Black Music Award Winner - Drummer of The Year (2013)
*Best Of 2013 - Detroit Sounds Like This (2013)
*Detroit's Best Producer Award Nomination -WGPR 107.5 FM (2013)
*Outstanding Jazz Recording Nomination - Detroit Music Awards (2014)
QUOTES
"B. Williams is one of the best musical minds working in the country today. A drummer of tremedous power and sensitivity, Williams is better known in the R&B genre as a producer and conceptualizer of sound. Not yet 35, Williams has the ability to make his bandmates sound good everytime out."

~Skip Norris
~Notes from a Jazz Warrior, Thoughts on Jazz and American Culture


“B. Williams is a chameleon of music, able to fluently play any genre as it's second nature to him."
~LaDarrel Johnson



Track Listings for The Boogie Wonderland Show 17th December 2015

Below is the track listing for the Boogie Wonderland show dated 17th December 2015. A link to the show can be found here:




The Boogie Wonderland Show -17/12/2015 Playlist
Hour 1: 8 to 9pm
Artist
Song
The Ronettes
 Sleigh Ride
McKoy 
 This One's For You (Merry Christmas) (Album Version)
Michael McDonald
 Celebrate the Season
Myron Butler & Levi
 Give Love On Christmas
SWV
 Give Love on Christmas Day
The Crystals
  Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
The Emotions
 Black Christmas
Toni Braxton
 It's The Most Wonderful Time Of T
All 4 One
 Christmas To Me
BeBe & CeCe Winans
 Silver Bells
Boyz II Men
  Let It Snow
Deborah Ledon
 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Donny Hathaway
 This Christmas
Cool Milkon feat Jeniqua
 What Christmas Means To Me (Album Version)
Hour 2: 9 to 10pm
Artist
Song
Brandon Williams
 Whered You Come from (feat Choklate & Phil Denny)
Brandon Williams Interview
 Part 1
Barndon Williams
 Spend My Life (feat Don Blackman & Geno Young)
Brandon Williams Interview
 Part 2
Brandon Williams
 Everything (feat Matt Cusson)
Brandon Williams Interview
 Part 3
Brandon Williams
 Heaven (feat Quamon Fowler & Bernard Wright)
Brandon Williams Interview
 Part 4
Brandon Williams
 Leave Love Be (feat Alex Isley & Moonchild)
Brandon Williams Interview
 Part 5
Brandon Williams
 Now I Know (feat Jesse Boykins Iii, Robert Glasper & Damon Wa
Hour 3: 10 to 11pm
Artist
Song
Chris Potter
 O Come All Ye Faithful (Instrumental)
Dave Bruebeck
Farewell Jingle Bells
Dave Koz
 I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
David Benoit
 My Little Drum
Dr. Dave
We Wish You A Merry Xmas
Freddie Ravel
 Call of the Bells
Glenn Miller Orchestra
 Sleigh Ride
Harry James & His Orchestra
 White Christmas
John Pizzarelli
 Silver Bells
Kenny G
 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Master)
Nathan Woodward Angels
 We Have Heard On High
Oscar Peterson
 Jingle Bells
The Gene Harris Quartet
 I'll Be Home For Christmas
Vince Guaraldi Trio
 Christmas Time Is Here
Benny Goodman
 Jingle Bells
Bill Evans
  Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Live)
Charlie Byrd
 White Christmas (Instrumental)

Friday 11 December 2015

Cymande All You Need to Know

Described as “spiritual… versatile…smooth, sweet and very different”, no-one has yet to sum up the unique sound of Cymande in one simple word or phrase. Nyah-Rock, Afro-Rock, even Calypso Rock have been used to categorise their music, but Cymande is just simply Cymande. Formed over 40 years ago by Steve Scipio and Patrick Patterson, the band was made up of nine self-taught Caribbean born, London based musician/singers: Steve Scipio (Bass, vocals) Sam Kelly (Drums) Pablo Gonsales (Percussion, vocals) Joey Dee, Ray King & Jimmy Lindsay (Vocals) Patrick Patterson (Guitar, vocals) Mike Rose (Sax, flute, percussion) Derek Gibbs (Alto sax) Peter Serreo & Desmond Atwell(tenor saxes) Joey Dee replaced Ray King for the recording of the three albums, with the exception of the song titled Getting It Back. Jimmy Lindsay joined the band for the recording of the latter half of the third album ‘Promised Heights’ in place of Joey Dee. Desmond Atwell joined the band for the recording of the second and third albums in place of Peter Serreo. Cymande’s longevity and success has been achieved by its totally original style and exclusively self-penned songs, welding together the diverse strands of reggae and Rastafarian rhythms with funk, soul, R&B, jazz, rock, African music and West Indian folk the band grew up with. The Music of Cymande conveys a true spirit of togetherness reflected in the band’s emblem which incorporates a dove symbolizing peace and love. In 1971 the group met John Schroeder, Cymande’s longstanding producer, in a basement club in London’s Soho, where he had gone to audition another act. The rapport was immediate, Schroeder recollecting “an atmosphere of electric excitement”, and together they became totally immersed, hour after hour from rehearsal rooms to recording studio, honing their distinctive style. At the 1972 MIDIM Music Industry Fair in Cannes, Schroeder introduced Marvin Schlacter, President of Chess/Janus Records to two of Cymande’s recordings. This led to a request by Chess/Janus Records for enough material to fill and album, and so, the self-entitled album “Cymande” was born, becoming the fastest selling record on the Chess/Janus Record Label. “The Message” backed by “Zion 1” was the first single to be released, and its success triggered a whirlwind of events, with Bob Schwald appointed as Cymande’s U.S. Manager. With solid airplay and a very complimentary U.S. Music Press, the band soon achieved the rare distinction of listings in all three of the key U.S. national Charts – Jazz, R&B and Pop. Easy to listen to, easy to dance to, yet full of emotion and meaning, Cymande’s music arrived Stateside with some considerable force An invitation to tour with Al Green followed quickly, leading to frantic rehearsals, jangled nerves, and for a band who were used to playing before crowds of up to 300 people, suddenly they were performing at giant venues across the U.S. The Tour was a huge success, and demand grew for more material. Cymande returned to London and went straight back into the studio when the Tour ended to start work on their second album, entitled Second Time Round. Consolidating the success and acceptance of the band in America, a second U.S. Tour followed, this time headlined by Cymande themselves, the ultimate compliment. Cymande went on to tour with Jerry Butler, Patti LaBelle, Billy Preston, Ramsey Lewis, Edwin Starr, Albert King, KC and The Sunshine Band, Kool and the Gang and the Latin ensemble, Mandrill. They made history by becoming the first British based band to perform at the world renowned Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York. While on Tour with their follow-up single to “The Message”, entitled “Bra” moving up the charts, the idea of recording a third album was conceived. Cymande recorded their 3rd album in Chicago at the Chess/Janus Studios, where artists such as Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones had previously recorded. But while the band embraced the opportunity and enjoyed the sights and sounds of Chicago, the frantic pace of their meteoric rise in the U.S. finally caught up with them. Musically, the magic remained, yet, the tell-tale signs of tiredness, tetchiness and being away from home for long periods of time began to show. The 3rd album, Promised Heights was released in 1974, through Contempo Records in England, where hindsight has shown that their music arrived in the U.K. long before it’s time. In 1975 Cymande stopped performing. Cymande’s legacy stands strong, with a large cult following both in the U.K. and the U.S.A.. They are one of the most sampled black British bands of all time. The music of Cymande heavily influenced the Rare Groove/Deep House scene of the 1980’s and sampling by Hip Hop, House and R&B music artists including De La Soul, Wi-Tang Clan, The Fugees, MC Solaar to name only a few, continues today. ‘Bra’ was included in the music soundtrack for Spike Lee’s motion picture “Crooklyn” and ‘Dove’, another Cymande classic, featured prominently in Lee’s “25th hour”. Steve and Patrick have continued to write music throughout the interim period, and in 2010 they called the original core band members, their producer and sound engineer back together to explain their new vision. In 2011, reunited and with just as much enthusiasm as the first time, they began rehearsals and are now ready to release their 4th Album some 40 years after the release of their 3rd album. Not only is it a supremely fine album that captures the sound and essence of the band as it did when their music first burst onto the scene, it also fulfils the promise of this reinvention in 2014. The core band members of Cymande from 2014 are: Patrick Patterson (Guitar, vocals) Steve Scipio (Bass, vocals) Sam Kelly (Drums) Mike Rose (Sax, flute, percussion) Pablo Gonsales (Percussion, vocals) Derek Gibb (Sax)

Website Address: http://www.cymandeofficial.com/

Track Listings for The Boogie Wonderland Show 10th December 2015

Below is the track listing for the Boogie Wonderland show dated 10th December 2015. A link to the show can be found here:



The Boogie Wonderland Show -10/12/2015 Playlist
Hour 1: 8 to 9pm
Artist
Song
Sly and The Family Stone
 Everyday People
Sly and The Family Stone
 Dance to the Music
Sly and The Family Stone
 Family Affair (single version)
Sly and The Family Stone
 Sing A Simple Song
Keiko Matsui
 Stingo
Ocean Fanfare
 Lotus
Christian McBride Trio
Fried Pies (Live At the Village Vanguard Jazzweek No1)
Colin Trusedell
 All In Bloom
Oscar Williams & Band Of Life
 I am Healed
Tweet
 Won't Hurt Me
The Hagggis Horns
 Digging In The Dirt
Hour 2: 9 to 10pm
Artist
Song
Cymande
 Everybody Turn Rasta
Cymande
 Gods Highway
Cymande Interview
 Part 1
Cymande
 No Weeping
Cymande Interview
 Part 2
Cymande
 A Moment for Reflection
Cymande
 All or Nothing
Cymande Interview
 Part 3
Cymande
 Crazy Game
Cymande Interview
 Part 4
Cymande
 Sea of Tears
Cymande
 Do It (This Time With feeling)
Hour 3: 10 to 11pm
Artist
Song
DNote
 Garden of Earthly Delights [X Press 2 Supavox]
Jestofunk; Jocelyn Brown
 Special Love [Jazz N Groove Club Mix)
Kenny O, Bobien
 Rise Above the Storm
Monday Michiru
 Sunshine After the Rain
Roy Ayers; Scott Groves
 Expansions [12']
The Believers
 Who Dares to Believe in Me  [Original Mix]
Black Science Orchestra
 Philadelphia [12']
Atmosphere
 Dancing in Outer Space [Lunar Mix, Pt 2]