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Jason Miles & DJ Logic Join Forces to Obliterate Borders on New Shanachie CD Global Noize
All-Star CD Serves Up An Intoxicating Brew of Jazz, Electronica Funk and World Music Featuring Some of Music's Most Creative Players: Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin (Medeski, Marin & Wood) , Vernon Reid (Living Colour), John Popper (Blues Traveler) Cyro Baptista (Herbie Hancock), Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, Parliament Funk), Karl Denson (Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Lenny Kravtiz), Christian Scott & Others
The signs are everywhere: MTV launches a channel on the Arabian Television Network. African hip-hop groups mix the postures and style of American rappers with homegrown lyrical messages and M.I.A., a Sri Lankan refugee now living in Brooklyn, scores one of the year's most critically acclaimed albums--sound bites recorded around the world mixed in an electronica blender with hip hop beats. Multi-tasking cell phones, cheap lap tops, Kindle Ebooks, YouTube, internet radio, and of course the multifaceted internet itself, have engendered a cultural interchange of unprecedented scope and speed. Music, which resonates across every cultural barrier, leads the charge. The result is a grand "global noise," a spectacular sea of interchanging and mutating beats, sounds and melodies from all directions. It is precisely that reality that Jason Miles and DJ Logic set out to capture with their collaboration Global Noize. Keyboard extraordinaire Jason Miles, who has worked with everyone from Miles Davis and Luther Vandross to Ivan Lins, and Turntable guru DJ Logic, who has collaborated with diverse artists like Phish, Vernon Reid, ?uestlove and Don Byron, join forces on Global Noize to create a thrilling mix of free-wheeling tracks that take listeners on a wide-ranging journey through the minds of some of creative music's most innovative musicians such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin (Medeski, Marin & Wood) , Vernon Reid (Living Color), John Popper (Blues Traveler) Cyro Baptista (Herbie Hancock), Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, Parliament Funk), Karl Densen (Tiny Universe, Lenny Kravtiz).
"This is a special project as the world is a Global Noize and we need to come together in difficult times and great music has the power to do this," states Grammy Award-winning and Emmy nominated keyboardist, producer and composer Jason Miles. "The artists and musicians on the project represent a great diversity and this is what the world is really about. The beauty in this diversity is something that we all need to appreciate."
Global Noize is a project that has long been brewing in Jason Miles' mind but the idea was solidified when he got a call from friend his DJ Logic last year to join him for a performance at the Blue Note in NY. "On that day I had a horrible root canal and was mourning the loss of a close relative. I thought that this could be just the tonic I needed to pick myself up," recalls Miles. The night was exactly what Miles had hoped and from this experience he knew that he and Logic had a special connection. The duo later worked together in Morocco at The Casablanca Jazz Festival and had the opportunity to venture off to Marrakech. Miles shares, "We went through life-altering experiences. It was so new to us -- mysterious, crazy and another view of the world. We both knew we had to make this project happen. The picture on the CD over of the both of us with the camel in the desert says it all!"
Global Noize is an organic, free-spirited sonic brew of some of the best elements of jazz, funk, electronica and world fusion – it is music without borders.
Miles says, "We started with Cyro Baptista and Billy Martin jamming in the studio and built up the tracks from there. Logic and I pooled our musical resources and had some of the best cutting-edge artists play on the record." From the album's opening track, "A Jam 4 Joe" (dedicated to the late piano/keyboard wizard Joe Zawinul) to its concluding statements on "What I know," Global Noize takes listeners on a mind-bending, global adventure featuring all original compositions.
"A Jam 4 Joe" features Logic and Miles along with guitar wizard and founding member of Living Colour, guitarist Vernon Reid, musical chamelon and bass player Meshell Ndegeocello, percussion maestro Cyro Baptista and the stunning Indian vocal diva Falu. The groove is relentless and is supercharged with magnetic energy. Bernie Worrell joins the mix on "Spice Island' playing the clavinet and organ. Worrell, who is best known for his contributions to George Clinton's Parliament Funk and The Talking Heads, lays down a serious funk heavy groove that reverberates throughout the track. The slow-burning "The Souk" highlights Falu and Blues Traveler's John Popper on the Harmonica in a seductive dance with one another, along with percussionist Braheim. "We were lucky to get John Popper on a day off in NYC," adds Miles. "He just kills on the ‘Souk!'" "Quera Dancar/I Wanna Dance With You" is a cool breezy Bossa Nova that beckons you to move your hips and dance to the music's delight along with Brazilian bombshell and chanteause Vanessa Fallabella, celebrated Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo and season jazz bassists James Genus.
Global Noize, which DJ Logic describes as "a hip and eclectic musical journey crossing all boundaries," further delights with such tracks as "Dar'abesque" (named after the villa Miles and Logic inhabited in Marrakech) featuring trumpet icon Herb Albert. "When I got the track back from Herb Alpert," confides Jason Miles, "I knew that any musician who had imagination and a great musical voice would love to be a part of this. Herb just really brought the track to life. "Bollyhood" is an ear catching trip-hoppy track showcasing the haunting vocals of Falu and "Planetery Beat" joins multi-instrumentalist Karl Denson and guitarist Dean Brown together for a soul jazz romp with killer break-beats and groovin' horn riffs. "Having Karl Denson involved with this album made us happy because we knew there would be great playing, brilliant horn arrangements as well as fantastic compositions all at the same time." Christian Scott is showcased on "Exotic Thoughts," an ethereal meandering piece featuring the young hot trumpeter along with guitarist Carl Burnett and Tabla player Suphala while "Pool of Honey" is as sweet as its title with its uptempo swinging melody and feel good vibe featuring Burnett and Suphala once again along with Karl Denson on flute. "Christian Scott is one of the most exciting young artists on the scene," states Miles. "He really stepped up and showed what a young cat at the beginning of his career has got going on." "Spin Cycle," brings back a 70s funk flavor with its insatiable drum licks from Gene Lake and "What I Know" features spoken word artists Aline Racine.
Jason Miles concludes "When I hear music I love I want to be involved with it. It would be boring for me to stay in one place musically so I love to explore different music. I know Miles Davis felt that way and I'm just trying to keep the grooves hot, the melodies great and collaborate with the best artists I know. Hopefully Logic and I will be bringing Global Noize to the world and show people our musical vision."
Global Noize will make its live debut this Spring. Don't miss the opportunity to catch this unique experience in a City near you!
read more @ amazon »
On March 1st, 2008, Asher Neiman Gallery made its foray into the art world. While we are a fine art gallery, our definition of 'fine art' is expansive; that is, in addition to paintings and photography, we aim to house, purvey, and promote: hand-made jewelry, sculpture, music, and film. Our artist stable contains an ever-increasing variety of mediums and methodologies. Our gallery takes on a separate identity in the evenings. We host meetings, small corporate events, live music, budding artist showcases, as well as fundraisers for various charities. Asher Neiman Gallery is located in Red Bank, New Jersey, a unique and charming enclave just 5 miles from the Jersey shore and 45 miles from NYC. We're honored to inhabit 16 Monmouth Street, the former location of Art Forms Gallery, a beloved Red Bank landmark for 23 years. "I want to disseminate beauty and to stir the soul of any who are curious, to bring a fine aesthetic to peoples' homes and to fill the gallery walls with spectacular examples of creative spirit in a range of color and form." — Emily Asher Neiman, owner read more »
www.asherneimangallery.com
CP: What is your name?
AM: Great start. Officially it's Adamo Macri, that's if you get a hold of my birth certificate. Although my mother and some friends call me Damo. As a child, my mom would belt that out when she was annoyed with me. DAMO !....
CP: Where do you live and work?
AM: Montreal, Quebec, the land of Cirque du Soleil, Leonard Cohen, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Vito Rizzuto and many others.
CP: What is your creative process like?
AM: It's a segmented cycle which involves writing, drawing, sculpture and photographic work. In my mind there must be this metaphysical activity which mimics procreation. Meaning the subsequent phase is derived by the previous one. I use the term vector for the beginning, it symbolizes the dry seed or the "just about nothing" stage, which is how it actually begins for me. By vector I'm referring to a number, a word or text. The last phase or end result is something tangible. My method simulates the process of food preparation. The amalgamation of different elements to arrive at a specific feeling or flavor.
CP: What is your favorite medium?
AM: I don't have a favorite. They're tools in a methodical process. It always begins with writing a word or phrase down based on an idea. Then I begin sketching. Passed that point I think sculptural and objects have to be created. Finally, the 3D work needs to be recorded and documented by means of a camera. The camera literally becomes a weapon, the weapon used to eliminate sculpture. Going back to your question, I use more than one medium, as many artists do. I'm most comfortable with being described as a multimedia artist, if the term artist doesn't suffice.
CP: The sculptural work you create must die?
AM: Figuratively speaking. Yes, it begins with a seed and it ends up getting "shot". It's full circle. My concept with the tangible object, "sculpture" is what I refer to as a 3D Event, the practice of anti-sculpture. It's about perceiving sculpture as occurrence and not static presence. Ironically it ends up being sculptural because the final is an installation piece, but the sculptural aspects are trapped within. The photographic segment places all objects in the past tense. In an instant, sculpture has vanished and a new reality is created. The same thing happened to my grandmother and now we have to resort to our photo album to see her. For me the resonating image is of utmost importance.
CP: What is your current favorite subject?
AM: It's been the same for many years and probably forever. Human nature and condition, sexuality, contamination and cultural identity, minced and fused together. These are my set commandments. Currently, I've got my Antipasto project which will be ongoing due to its scope. This project's mandate involves creating a trajectory between two iconic works, Andy Warhol's Electric Chair and Da Vinci's Last Supper. Briefly, it requires celebrity participation, in which they're asked to disclose their final meal. One of the challenges is to generate an image based on what they consume and not their physical being. I'm excited about this approach to portraiture. Food as intimate subject matter. I'm overwhelmed by the response of the many artists who've contributed to date. Another project I'm developing is Silicon 1972.5 which documents the films created by both Federico Fellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini between 1969 and 1976. The objective here is a meditation into the collective subconscious, by channeling the films and their associative subject matter.
CP: Which artists have contributed to the Antipasto project and how many do you plan to involve?
AM: I refer to each reply received as an "order". I've received orders from John Baldessari, Karim Rashid, John Gilmore, H.R. Giger, Loretta Lux, Henry Rollins, Raine Maida, Fischerspooner, Floria Sigismondi, Edward Ruscha, Barry Gifford, Franko B, Herschell Gordon Lewis, David LaChapelle and many more. As far as the amount, I'd like a figure that symbolizes 100% split into two equal halves. Meaning, two large clusters. Each one representing and functioning as a cell. That's 2 cells of 50 which totals 100.
CP: How long does it take for you to finish a piece?
AM: Usually a long time. Painters have it easy that way, they need paint and a canvas, in little time they've got a finished piece. It doesn't happen that way for me. I've got project sketches from the mid eighties which would love to see the light of day. I guess funding would speed-up the cause. Actually I take back what I said - countless paintings took many years to complete.
CP: What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
AM: I'm not one who lives in the past. I can't and don't think that way. Everything I've done in my life has value, even the bad stuff. My answer is, what I'm working on at the moment. That excites me the most, you know... the next thing.
CP: Are there any contemporary artists that you love?
AM: Many - they're all great in my book, alive, buried or buried alive. It's a natural attraction, a kinship I suppose. Recently I was fascinated by Vanessa Beecroft's South Sudan project. I'm always eager to see Damien Hirst, Ron Mueck and Paul McCarthy's work. There are many.
CP: Can we buy your art anywhere?
AM: No, but you can contact my studio for information.
CP: Anything that people should know about that we don’t?
AM: Yes... lots, maybe too much. But I always say, don't spill your beans at once. Expose one at a time and make each as enticing as possible. Alright, I'll go out on a limb and say... I do love just about everything in nature except three things, which coincidentally rhyme - cats, bats and rats.
CP: What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
AM: That would be: Determine what you're about. Find the best medium and technique to communicate what that is. Remain focussed, honest and stick to your guns. This may sound typical but it's the only way.
CP: What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
AM: Getting frustrated with what you're involved with, only means that you've been doing something wrong. Either working long hours or the project wasn't managed properly. But figuring out what doesn't work is part of the process. It should be addressed, then rectified or deleted. At times I struggle to find the missing link. It's frustrating, you're caught up in the moment, things aren't fitting properly. I believe it's time for a break. Leaving that environment works. Reinitialize... things will follow better later.
CP: How do you describe your work to those who are unfamiliar with it?
AM: I don't or as little as possible. I'd say that it's abstract. I'll talk about general subject matter and advise them to investigate other works which would help with what they're inquiring about. An artist shouldn't dictate his work. It's damaging to those who have a completely different perception. That goes against everything I'm about, which is variables, individualism and ambiguity. The title of the piece isn't ancillary, it's the best indicator of which direction to go. I believe that the art ornaments the title and not the other way around. There are many variables which would work as imagery but only one title.
CP: What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
AM: Life experience mainly, tagged with my education in fine art, history and graphic design. You can have all the training you want from whichever reputable institution, but art comes from somewhere incomprehensible, from a very early stage in life.
CP: Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
AM: Yes, styrofoam. It's solid yet weightless, it's dry but can become organic, seems innocent but it's toxic, can be beautiful but escentially fake, is somewhat dumb and yet I can go on forever about it. Actually I'm very close to completing a new project called Endocrine Disruptor, where styrofoam takes the lead role.
CP: Who are your influences?
AM: Other than family, friends and environment, a handful of artists have inevitably inspired me. The prominent ones would be Salvador Dali, David Lynch, Federico Fellini, Andy Warhol, Peter Greenaway, David Bowie and Alejandro Jodorowsky.
CP: What inspires you to create?
AM: Everything and nothing. It just happens. I don't have a handle on it. It's taxing at times, many artists feel this way, it's very close to being possessed. I've always joked about reincarnation and that if it exists, I'd want to come back as a "normal boy" and have the need to play golf.
CP: Your contacts
AM: Adamo Macri Studio: 514-937-9786 or info@adamomacri.com. I'd like to end with this. "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. His eyes are closed." Albert Einstein.
Links and References:
www.adamomacri.com
www.adamomacri.blogspot.com
cparentela.livejournal.com/9677.html
From: Kirk Leslee. Date: August 26, 2008
Interesting concepts.
Skewer came to life in 2005, hailing from Barreiro (Portugal). Part of the first line-up were Valério (Guitars/Vocals/Drums) and Telmo (Bass/Back Vocals). This line-up recorded a Demo in 2006, with a sound resembling the 90's Alternative Rock. This Demo was entitled "I Need Something Stronger", was recorded in Febraurary 2006 and was self-released in 500 copies. Most of these songs were composed by Valério between 1994-1999. In the same year, the band toured nationally, with 25 concerts to promote the Skewer name and the new release "I Need Something Stronger". In June 2006, João Galrito joins the band as the bass player. In May 2007, the band begins the recording of a new EP, baptized "Whatever", with 6 searing Rock tunes. The line-up for this EP was: João Galrito (Drums), Valério (Guitars/Vocals) and the new bassist, Ernani Carlos. With a lot of shows in Portugal, Skewer then focused on releasing "Whatever" and composing songs for the debut album. A videoclip for the single "Stayed" gains shape. This first single gets a lot of airplay in international radios: Ultra Dark Radio (Bonn, Germany), La Gross Radio (Paris, France) and over 20 other radios across USA such as Caya Radio (Colorado), Undiscovered (New York), Spider Radio (Oklahoma). The single got a lot of attention in Portugal in various radio stations too such as: Sinfonias de Aço (Rádio Barcelos 91.9 FM), Santos da Casa (Rádio Universitária de Coimbra), Catedral do Rock (Popular FM 90.9), Ratio (Eco FM 104.8), Culto do Império (Lousã FM 95.3), XFM, Radar (Lisboa) and Rádio Douro. The Portuguese press then began to notice Skewer, and they add to their resume interviews with some newspapers, magazines and blogs such as: Rostos, Jornal do Barreiro, Correio da Manhã, Webbarreiro, AGaragem.com, Santos da Casa, Margem Sul, ATrompa, Loud and Underworld. Brazilian magazines Rock Press, Rock Brigade and Mundo Rock also wrote about Skewer. Skewer releases "Whatever" in August 2007 as an author's edition (with digital distribution by the American CD Baby). In November, a contract is signed with the French Online Label Believe (http://www.believe.fr) to officialize in Januray 2008 the online release of the "Whatever" EP, with the support of Virgin, who added Believe to their catalog). "Whatever" could also be found in Vodafone (UK) and Fnac Online (France), among other big online music platforms. June 3, 2008 marks the releasing of the band's first videoclip, "Stayed", exclusively on MySpace Portugal's front page, 7th July the video premiers on TV along with the first TV appearance and interview in the popular youth-oriented show "Curto Circuito", on Sic Radical TV station. 31th July It is scheduled to air in MTV Portugal's "Headbanger's Ball". 27th August it is also scheduled to air in MTV Brasil's "MTV LAB NOW” and soon in MTV Adria and UK. read more @ amazon »
Skewer @ YouTube
I render the sensual and organic forces of nature in materials that are clearly man-made, seeking to blur the divide between nature and structure. My work reflects a refined balance of positive and negative space, embodying the tension between stasis and impending movement. Each piece exists also as a self-contained, self-referential form. The artistic path I follow is a post-minimal synthesis of abstract expressionist gesture and improvisation coupled with the literalness of minimalism. I blend emotion with form, allowing the work to evolve, probing shapes, investigating their capacity to change. I seek to reveal the nature of the material, allowing it to take on a life of it's own. I use Cor-ten steel, stainless steel, bronze, and carbon steel for their permanence and their varied looks. These diverse metals bear my forms individualistically; each material acts as an active collaborator in my process.
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