There's a time in everyone's lives when one searches for meaning, for positive reinforcement and for the unknown.  We've all felt that and for many, music is a big part of that healing process.  I've gathered a series of tunes here - many collaborations - that for me have that deep feeling and soulful purpose.  

The opening tune is by the wonderful singer NayJ, who wrote and recorded Fix Me at the passing of my mother in March.  What a special treat it was to me and I continue to listen to the beautiful words, melody and harmonies that Nay Nay created.  A joy, with the very deepest of meanings for me.  Something I will never forget.

Blues Prayer (for our bigmamma Dee) is a prayer for SoundCloud's Debbie Deijkers that Tom Adams and I recorded.  Bigmama is an inspiration to us all as she continues to try and overcome the many medical challenges that have made her life so difficult, and to the love and prayers that we pass along to her along the way.  Stop by Debbie's extensive gallery and show her your love.

Reverie is an original composition by Michel Martineau that includes two of the finest recording musicians on SoundCloud, who both are dealing every day with significant health issues.  Clarinetist Michel Martineau has been overcoming his battles with colon cancer for several years, and he has created a series of 13 pieces he's recorded during that time with other musicians here to help battle the pain and tell his story.  For this Latin jazz piece he selected David Williams, aka Flutemaker, whose life has been dedicated now almost exclusively to taking care of his wife, who is in very late stages of terminal cancer herself.  Special prayers out to both Michel and David for their pain and for their important battles.  Please stop by their galleries to let them know they are in your thoughts.

Feeling the Blues is a blues tune I recorded while my mother was in the hospital, shortly before her death.  I never played it for her, as it wouldn't have been something that she could relate to - a Bach concerto would have been more fitting.  But I did deep with emotion here and it is an important part of this collection.

Lead Me to the Light is one of two recordings here with the always soulful Joe Bongiovanni.  Joe asked me to play organ on this and of course I obliged.  Deeply spiritual and soulful in his approach to playing, this gospel based tune is a real beauty.

Breathe On Me was a great surprise to me, when Nay Nay approached me and asked if she could create words to a gospel blues piece I had written earlier.  Nay Nay's beautiful voice comes through and elevates my original piece to a very spiritual level.

Blues for Ross is a blues tune that Joe asked me to join him on, which is a tribute to his close friend Ross who had died.  So much meaning here for Joe and he just puts his heart and soul into every note for Ross.

Crying to Myself is a slow original gospel organ tune I recently recorded that speaks to the pain that so many people around the world have due to their internal and external sufferings.  

Soul Brothers is one of my very favorite compositions here on SoundCloud, that was brought to life by two wonderful talents here - guitarist Justin Valente and multi instrumentalist Johnny Pugh, who plays blues harp here.  What a joy this gospel piece is and has been so wonderfully received here among listeners.  The emotion that both players show is remarkable.

Gospel Blues is another gospel style blues that was done all on keyboards, though the lead instrument is an acoustic guitar patch.  Deeply soulful and another favorite of mine.

B3 Groovin' has a little less of the spiritual side associated, but is an uplifting joyful jam on the B3 that concludes the collection in a positive way.  Hammond organs have been associated with Churches and spiritual music for the past 50 years, and with my love for blues and the hammond organ sound, we end the collection on a positive note.


BUY JAMIE'S MUSIC

Going to Church - with NayJ/Dee/T Adams/M Martineau/Flutemaker/J Bongiovanni/J Valente/J Pugh

Collaborations with Jamie Rhind!

four

Mike Orzek lives and breathes great music.  One of the most passionate and active musicians here on SoundCloud, Mike brings a deep understanding of music to everything he does.  And he's done a lot with many from around the world.  Serious on both the electric and acoustic guitars, Mike finds the right sound to fit in with many genres he records and performs.  A recent quote someone wrote during one of his fine solos was "Master Class" and that just says it all.  When serious musicians are discussing his chops and musical ability, that's a great sign of approval.  Happens a lot here.

Mike first approach me with a recording he had made with a funky tune I had composed Getting Down, asking if he could lay down some guitar on it.  Worked beautifully, and now we have done 5 things together - funk, blues, fusion, R&B...just about anything you throw at Mike he handles with ease.  

Mike's living in Atlantic City, on New Jersey's shoreline, but has developed a true world view of music.  A number of years in Texas helped shape his serious blues chops and now he's a gambling man.  

So sit back and enjoy our music....and let Mike know if he should change his SoundCloud stage name from Mike "Land of Orz" to Master Class Mike.  A treat Mike.

Check out and follow all the great music in Mike's gallery:  https://soundcloud.com/lando-orz

Thanks as always for your time listening and your shares.  

Master Class With Mike "Land of Orz" Orzek

Blues

On this day, the 25th anniversary of Stevie Ray Vaughn's death, I wanted to recognize the huge influence Stevie has had on me and so many other inspired musicians here.   Stevie was one of the greatest blues guitarists ever, combining super rhythm playing, strong vocals, flair, and an aggressive soloing that followed the pentatonic based approach that Jimi Hendrix used, often with serious distortion, superb wah wah, and a unique ability to bend notes.  SRV had it all - until his untimely death in a helicopter crash following a blues festival in Wisconsin, where Eric Clapton was almost on the helicopter too.

So I've put together an extensive collection of blues from many of my favorite musicians here, all of whom have been deeply inspired by the music and genius of Stevie Ray. Many of these tracks I am playing keyboards on and others have been selected because of their blues authenticity and influence by SRV.  Friends included on this collection are:
Tom Adams
BigMamaDee
Joe Bongiovanni
Mirko Borach
BronzedGod
Zach Brown
Derek Cornett
Frank Fois
GuitarPhil7
Willie Johnson Jr.
Scott Jones
Rey King
Gavin McGough
Mike Orzek
Marco Oversteegen
Johnny Pugh
Al Schulman
Ian Tait
Telefan
Daniele Turani
Justin Valente
Dan van den Berg

Thanks to all who have invited me to add my keyboard blues sound to these and other tracks.  Hopefully this music will inspire you as much as it has me and others here on SC.  We thank you all for your time listening, for your comments and for your important shares.

Thank You Stevie Ray Vaughn - SRV inspired blues from SoundCloud Friends

live

Collabs with some of Soundclouds finest artists!

Land of Orz Collaborations - 2015

Has been a very musical and creative 2015 with so many friends here on SoundCloud.  A huge thanks to all the players who continue to contribute to the wonderful tracks and music that we regularly create.  

Thanks as always for everyone's support!


2015 Collaborations

♥ LOVE TRACK 2 ♥

Stormy Mondays

Track : Apotheosis
Dark Electronic Dance (DED)
by Optimum Vulnerability 
Soon Professionally Mastered & Released under SJERecords (www.sjerecords.com) 
Free download as always! :) 
O.V.


Soon On SJERecords

Apotheosis

Now You're Talkin' - with Joseph Bongiovanni / guitar

An instrumental version of the blues classic Sky is Crying, made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughn.  My first work with Justin, who has been an inspiration and is truly a world class blues guitar player.  Fun to post today on Justin's birthday.   Check out @justin-valente to hear more of his special blues 

Guitars and Bass:  Justin Valente (@Justin-Valente)
Organ:  Jamie Rhind
Drums:  Blues Drums Vol.1 from the Loop Loft

Sky is Crying - with Justin Valente / guitar and bass

Jaming With Jamie by joe bongiovanni and jamie rhind

Jazzy blues collaboration with blues axeman Joseph Bongiovanni, who brings it home with an accompanying B3 organ groove, in the swinging style of jazz organ great Jimmy Smith.  Think you'll like this one.  Always fun working with Joe, who was just invited to the International Blues Competition in Memphis.  He can play his ass off...

BUY JAMIES MUSIC

Walking On Hot Coals - Jamie Rhind and Joseph Bongiovanni

Blues for ross by Joe bongiovanni and Jamie rhind

Guitarist Joe Bongiovanni is a blues master, laying his heart and soul into every note that he plays.  It's about the passion, the emotion and the taste for Joe, as it should be for all musicians.  Joe not surprisingly qualified for the upcoming world championship of blues, no small feat, and is simply one of my very favorite guitar players...because of the emotion and tone that comes forth with every measure and phrase.

So when Joe https://soundcloud.com/joe-bongiovanni asked me to add my thing to this gorgeous gospel blues ballad, I just couldn't resist, finding a Hammond organ sound that would complement his soulful playing.  Sit back and enjoy our take on Lead Me to the Light.  Appreciate the invite Joe!

Thanks as always for your time listening, your comments and your shares.  And please check out Joe's gallery.  If you are into the blues, into soul and into fine musicianship, Joe's pushing it every time.

Lead Me To The Light - with Joe Bongiovanni / guitar

Such a pleasure to have Norway's brilliant guitarist Ronny Heimdal  https://soundcloud.com/ronny-heimdal join me again, this time on Purple Mountain.  Ronny's playing and creativity is world class, and he makes this heavy modal fusion original come to life with his listening, note selection and phrasing, interaction with my synth lines, and finally his engineering abilities.  My deepest appreciation goes out to him for jumping in to help us climb the Purple Mountain together.   

This photo is of the stunning Norwegian fjords, a magical place that I am looking forward to exploring someday.

Thanks as always for your listening, for your comments and for your sharing among your friends.  Please go to Ronny's gallery to check out more of the superb music he has created and recorded.  A very fine keyboard player as well as guitarist, Ronny should be followed by any musician interested in fusion, jazz rock and progressive rock.

https://soundcloud.com/ronny-heimdal

Purple Mountain - with Ronny Heimdal / Electric Guitar

Jamie Rhind – music, keyboards, production (@jamie-rhind)
Michael Orzek – guitar (@lando-orz)

I was very happy to come across Jamie Rhind recently.  Jamie is a true purveyor of the art of American jazz and blues music.  This tune really grabbed my attention with his performance of some really great Hammond B3 style playing.  Not to mention the spanking clavinet sounds.  I added some spanking telecaster sounds to go with it, and Jamie liked it enough to allow me to publish it here.  Thanks, Jamie!

Find his version here:  https://soundcloud.com/jamie-rhind/gettin-down

His description:  “Time to do something funky and thought this had the right amount of down home cookin'. Has that great Clavinet sound that guys like Billy Preston and Stevie Wonder pioneered, and then some tasty jamming with some Hammond and Vibes patches. This one grooves like the great Jimmy McGriff did back in the '70s and '80s with his organ led bands. If you dig this one, check out Jimmy's awesome groove oriented B3 playing here on SC or online.
Thanks as always for your time listening, your comments and your generous shares.”


Gettin' Down - Jamie Rhind (featuring Michael Orzek)

Gary Moore & BB King - Thrill Is Gone

Here's an original Latin Jazz groove that includes the very fine Spanish flutist Santi-Caballero Mendez https://soundcloud.com/santi-caballero and German bassist Mirko Borach (Stringburner) https://soundcloud.com/stringburner.  Wrote this tune with kind of a Santana groove, and think you will love what Santi-Caballero does with his gorgeous flute playing.  I have the trombone patch solos.  Route 251 is named after the classic II-V-I chord changes around which the tune is built.  Please check out and follow both Santi-Caballero and Stringburner's galleries - you will love their musicianship.

As always, thanks for your time listening, your comments, and your shares.



Route 251 - with Santi-Caballero Mendez flute and Stringburner (Mirko Borach) bass

Now you can submit your track to be reposted on our Soundcloud
✖✖✖ SUBMIT YOUR TRACK HERE ✖✖✖
artistsunlimited.com/vijayandsofia/submit

After 10 000 000 plays on souncloud, we decide to share with you our new FREE DOWNLOAD in collab with Esther Veen.

Due to the copyright on the lyrics, we loaded the instrumental version.
The Vocal version is available on the FREE DOWNLOAD LINK.

Hope you like it ;-)

✖ SUPPORT US:
- Spotify: goo.gl/vdwpEZ
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/vijaysofiazlatko/
- Soundcloud: @vijayandsofia
- TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@vijay.sofia.zlatko (We just start)
- Facebook: fb.me/tribubelgium
- Youtube: shorturl.at/mGIOR

✖ BOOKING, INFO, REQUEST:
vijay.sofia.zlatko@gmail.com

✖✖✖ NEWS --> FEELING GOOD RECORDS ✖✖✖
Follow our own Label and send us your DEMO ;-)
- Soundcloud: @feelinggoodrecords
- Email: feelinggoodrecords@gmail.com

Thanks for your Feedback ;-)

Greetz from Belgium

Vijay & Sofia

Support the other artists and buy the Original:
* BUY: http://dukedumont.com/music/i-got-u
* Duke Dumont:
www.facebook.com/DukeDumont?fref=ts

* Esther Veen:
www.facebook.com/musicestherveen?fref=ts
https://soundcloud.com/esther-veen
http://www.youtube.com/user/lieffeurd

FREE DOWNLOAD

Vijay & Sofia Feat. Esther Veen - I Got U (Instrumental)

The brilliant Dan van den Berg https://soundcloud.com/danarchx and I are thrilled to share a tribute to two of our favorite bands, The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return to Forever.  These seminal bands and their musicians were so important to the merging of rock and jazz, many having come out of Miles Davis' fusion band, and featured virtuoso soloists and creativity that had not been seen before with electric music.  Dan here plays both electric and acoustic guitars, and has added so very much of himself to this modal tune.  The tune features a repeating simple lick, with dueling aggressive synth and guitar solos that these bands pioneered and took to a very high level, with John McLaughlin and Al DiMiola on guitars and Jan Hammer and Chick Corea on keyboards.     Please check out more of Dan's extraordinary music at https://soundcloud.com/danarchx .  

As always, we thank you for your time listening, your comments and your shares.  Enjoy Mahafusionu....

Mahafusionu - with Dan van den Berg / guitars

Excited to release Spring Blossom, an original jazz tune with three of the very finest true jazz players on SC.   I have known Alan for a decade, having worked and played with him here in New York.  He's a world class digital marketing professional, superb and highly educated musician, collector of extraordinary guitars, and created the melody here for Spring Blossom.  Santi-Caballero Mendez is a wonderful multi-instrumentalist from Barcelona, and plays saxophones and flute with both ease and taste.  Santi opens the tune up on alto saxophone.   This is my first collaboration with Manuel, who is from the island of Sardinia, Italy.  Manuel is a superb bass player, and performs here on his fretless 6 string - an instrument I am certain Alan would love to get his hands on:).  Despite being born with a handicap to his right hand, Manuel has overcome this hurdle to create and play remarkable jazz and fusion bass lines and music, in addition to drums.  I'm looking forward to doing some very electric fusion tunes with him too, as his understanding of bass and rhythm is simply stunning.  Straordinario.

Grazi Manuel, gracias Santi-Caballero and thank you Alan.  Proud of what we have created here.  

Please check out and follow these wonderfully creative musicians:
https://soundcloud.com/alanschulman
https://soundcloud.com/santi-caballero
https://soundcloud.com/manuel-muzzu

As always, we thank you for your time listening, your comments and your shares, which go so far to spread the word and vision of these wonderful players.


Spring Blossom - with Alan Schulman guitar, Santi-Caballero sax, and Manuel Muzzu bass

Here's a tasty blues shuffle with New York's outstanding guitarist Alan Schulman laying it down.  Thanks for joining me on this one Al.  Alan used to tour and record with Charles Earland, one of the top B3 players in the world.  Hopefully I didn't pull him down too much with this swinger.  And don't forget to check out Al's wonderful playing at https://soundcloud.com/alanschulman 

Thanks as always for your time listening, your comments and your shares.



Big Al's Blues - with Alan Schulman / Guitar

Feeling the blues right now, as my mother continues to be in critical care and our time together is short.  

Thanks as always for your time listening, your comments and your shares.  

Feeling The Blues - A Tribute to My Mother

Yay! We finished it! We all 3 love Hendrix! marco and zach presented this idea to me a while back...Marco provided the structure and backing track..

Marco ;plays the guitars from intro through til the 5 min mark or so..

Zach plays the guitars from there on out

Marco mixed it! ...Zach played around and came up with the cool artwork!!!!!!!!!!

I sing on the whole thing! these cats know how to play! i am honored to be in such company!

Voodoo Child (slight return ..and colab with MARCO OVERSTEEGEN and ZACH BROWN ))

welcome to southern cali crip bloods an the essays quetes pounding the pavement 
mounting bodies drowin in blood fillin graves in every county LA to SD test
G's on the next street they check thee faster then a text be break neck speed 
if it aint money in a sealed envelope than dont address me .... 

scripts get flipped yer the actresss bitch take your cash quick.. thats back taxes 
cus u on yer back gaspin askin for help but noones reacting ..action 
its not a movie but the scene graphic face fulla plastic talkin that shit
fact is clip spit like hicks and dip lip drip witta gun butt.. slappin ..impactin

they got toast like a fkin baker like 3 fuckin loafs for any taker, but they
want your bread get the bizquit or give up the dough... yer paper player 
run that shit leave em numb an shit when they dump that shit leave em slumped
and stripped ... buck naked liem nieson taken shaken.. R.I.P  ripped


tools and rachets fools an batches schooled do the the math or get subtracted
divided to fractions packed in sacks then burnt them to ashes end transaction
fuck you pay me ..duck me ..slay three  *pop pop pop* mom .. lady & the baby...
maybe if you thought twice ..wouldnt BE singled out by the dogs with rabies



welcome to southern cali.. (echo) (pitched) (scratch effect)



Left coast get ghost rep most take a breath from a fuckin hole in your neck bro
thumpin like techno tempo in the ghetto or metro now your fuckin dead... necro
phelia .. memorobilia  "you can't see me"  u right... we aint seein ya.
6th sense freein ya u got nerve we aint feelin ya .. yer fuckin fate sealin ya

up in a casket my case is basket off the chain unhinged unfasoned screw loose
got a duece magnum straight to your head asprin if you ask what happend
DONT TELL deafs and mutes throwin up signs generals an troops salute or get the
boot steel toes iron sight on u chrome & gold tooth too

flossin caution or we boxin boxed in cross3 the line of fire caught in 
smoke an coughin .. get off'd then im bad luck knockin on wood often 
get a bat man robin the trap man clack bam your click get a back hand last stand
jammed for a gram bag god damn on the lamb DDT slam this MME MAN

the killing field  fuck a shield pigs yield pealed off the street for real
they on yer heals better pray kneel thse homies whield the steele
never warnin ya  swarmin bruh like vultron formin up 3 third i cornea 
sees noones mournin ya... thatS   right mother fucker welcome to california 



Welcome to Southern Cali - (Lyrics/Vocals/Prod. By SaintCharlez) **FREE DOWNLOAD**

Walt I D

Waltz I D

The Foundation

Thelma and Louise

Name your Price

Thelma And Louise

Open collaboration with Tom Adams https://soundcloud.com/ytlblues/weekend-open-collabdownload-and-jam-your-version-then-post

Tom is back on Soundcloud with this open collab.  I added some guitar and vocals to his track.  Hope you enjoy!  

Thanks Tom!

The Texas Bluebell Blues - featuring Tom Adams (Weekend Open Collab)

What a gift! A few days ago I received amazingly beautiful vocals from my alltime favorite vocal artist Mari Kattman to my track "Silence". It was such a pleasure again to work with her and I proudly present the vocal version of the track. I hope you´ll enjoy it as much as I do :)
Definetely check out Mari´s music projects:
https://soundcloud.com/mari-and-the-ghost
https://soundcloud.com/druidelectro
https://soundcloud.com/day-twelve

Cover art: www.pixabay.com (under Public Domain License)

ZEITFAKTOR feat. Mari Kattman  - Silence (Vocal version)

This is the fourth collaboration between Matthias and me.  This is another example of Matthias brilliant rhythmic and compositional talents.  So glad he invited me to perform on it.  

Composition, arrangement and production: Matthias Andrä
Acoustic and Electric Guitar: Michael Orzek

Hope you enjoy our Transatlantic Passion!

Please listen to this song on Matthias' page here:  https://soundcloud.com/tunesma/transatlantic-passion-feat-land-of-orz

Transatlantic Passion - Matthias Andrä (featuring Michael Orzek)

Here's another collaboration just packed with funk and great players from around the world.  Represented on this tune are musicians from Germany, Spain, Scotland, France and the US (3).  Pretty sure you will enjoy this one.  It's an original funk fusion tune that lets everyone here stretch it out a bit.  Germany's Mirko Borach (Stringburner) holds down the deep groove on bass, with Barcelona's multi horn player Santi-Caballero Mendez creating the head.  Solos from Mike "Land of Orz" Orzek with a fuzzed out wah guitar, Santi-Caballero smoothing it down on sax, Scotland's finest Ian Tait bringing it back up again with his signature electric funk guitar playing, France's wonderful keyboardist Julien Apelian on a great synth patch, and then New Jersey's fine jazz guitarist Stephan "Pinner" Lipinski bringing it home with his serious Scofield funk guitar style.  Wow.  So much playing here.  Great job guys!

Thanks as always for your generous time listening, for your comments and for your shares here on SoundCloud and on social media.  Please check out and follow these superb players. 

Funk The Blues   -  Stringburner, Land of Orz, Santi-Caballero, Ian Tait, Julien Apelian and Pinner

Delay Of Game is a soulful trio interplay between New Jersey's Mike Orzek's bluesy talking wah guitar, Germany's Mirko Borach's funky bass playing and my delayed Rhodes groove.  These guys found the pocket immediately, and together have turned out another fine one...just in time for your weekend listening pleasure.  

If you are not following them, head to their impressive galleries immediately - Mike https://soundcloud.com/lando-orz has a ton of great music across many genres, and Mirko's https://soundcloud.com/stringburner doing his serious funk and slap bass and fusion tracks with other world class guitarists.  

Thanks as always for your time listening, your comments and your shares.

Delay Of Game - with Land of Orz / guitar and Stringburner / bass

Prayer time for one of SoundCloud's most dynamic blues vocalists, Holland's Debbie Deijkers, aka bigmamaDee https://soundcloud.com/thingsfromthepast .   Tom Adams and I have recorded this blues tune to honor bigmamaDee's contribution to the blues vocabulary here, which includes over 30 recordings with Tom, and several that include me.  

For those who are not yet aware, Debbie is suffering from severe medical complications which have limited her ability to walk, to move, and to sing.   Far more complicated that that, but you'll have to go to her wonderful gallery here to learn more.  Her recent hospitalization has us all feeling the blues, and so we've recorded this blues as a prayer for her.  

The comments and support for Debbie and her music are very important to her, and the SoundCloud community is something that provides a healing and soothing during these impossible times.  Please send your love to her, and check out the music she has created for all of us.  

You are in our thoughts every day, Debbie.  This one's for you...




Blues Prayer for our bigmama Dee - Debbie Deijkers / with Tom Adams guitar

This is a beautiful piano ballad by Milana (@milanazilnik).  This melody should be familiar to many Soundclouders as it is based on her previous open collaboration, Moonlight Stroll.  I am quite honored that she asked me to add electric guitar to this!  We hope you enjoy!

Find this on Milana's cloud here:  https://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/pale-moonlight-milana-feat-land-of-orz

Pale Moonlight - Milana (featuring Michael Orzek)

There are times when one feels the blues

Thanks for your time listening, your comments and your shares

Crying To Myself

THANKS TO MY BROTHER AND RAS OKORO LUCKYKIDD!
THIS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD MUSIC AND GOOD VIBRATIONS BEAUTIFUL STORY !!!! THANK BROTHERS STILL GREAT JOB !!!
RIDDIM (KCRASTA)
PRODOTTO E MIXATO DA KCRASTA AL MONKEY STUDIO!!!!!



MOVED BY JHA RAS OKORO FT LUCKYKIDD (PRODUCTION KCRASTA)

Mike Orzek and I thought we'd break out some blues here, and created this 12 Bar blues to let off a little steam.  (12 am Bar Blues).  It's the standard form for the blues, and we've got a lot of guitar and organ in this one.  Mike has done so many fine collaborations with people on SoundCloud, and his command and understanding of the blues is impressive.  Some of that is from his years living in Dallas, Texas, where he lived just a few blocks from a serious blues bar and was able to perform there regularly.  

Check out Mike's extensive gallery at https://soundcloud.com/lando-orz .  

Thanks as always for your time listening, your comments and your shares.

12 (am) Bar Blues - with Mike "Land of Orz" Orzek

Ntaa Gang: Ape shit Freestyle

This song is an expression of determination and faith.  I am pleased to have Milana (Listen to this on Milana's cloud here:  https://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/though-i-walk-by-land-of-orz-feat-milana) bring her incredibly expressive piano to this piece.  
Michael Orzek: acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, mandolin, acoustic drums, drum programming.

Music has an amazing ability to attach itself to our memories and emotions.  I originally recorded this song in 2010 (less the piano and electric guitars) at a time when I was very ill with a yet to be diagnosed disease, POEMS Syndrome.  At the time of those recording sessions I was suffering from pain and weakness as the disease was attacking my peripheral nerves.  Though it was difficult to perform the instruments, particularly the acoustic drums, I was determined to compose this song in spite of my deteriorating condition.  I was finally diagnosed in the months after the original recordings and have been through radiation therapy, relapse, and chemo and stem cell transplant in 2012.  I would occasionally listen to the demo recording and be instantly transported to those feelings and emotions I felt during those days.  I knew that I wanted to complete the song, but would never feel like I was ready to re -immerse myself in the emotional memories it stirred in me.  Until now.

The title “Though I Walk” is double entendre, highlighting the reality of having had to be pushed in a wheelchair or using a walker and a cane to get around, and a reference to Psalm 23 “…though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil…”

Photo Credits:  Skarphéðinn Þráinsson @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/skarpi/4019918303/in/faves-109402094@N04/


Though I Walk (featuring Milana)

Jamie Rhind - keyboards, composition, production   
Michael Orzek - guitar

All hands on deck!  Jamie created this ripping track with me in mind.  It is my honor and privilege to bring this song onto my cloud.  Jamie is a very talented and productive member of Soundcloud, and it is always a treat to join him on his musical creations.  You can find Jamie and his version here:  https://soundcloud.com/jamie-rhind/hand-of-orz-1

From Jamie's description:
"Michael Orzek is simply a great guitar player and musician. A true artist. Like Escher. Asked him to join me on this uptempo modal blues and look where he took it! So many know him for his collaborations on SoundCloud with the finest players all over the world, and he jumped in here to elevate this original track and bring his hands, mind and heart into it. Love what he has done and hope you do too."

Hand Of Orz - Jamie Rhind (featuring Michael Orzek)

I have been a fan of the Peter Bennborn Project for several years.  Peter is an exceptional producer and composer and he always has a clear artistic vision when bringing his collaborators together.  So, it is always an honor when Peter calls your number to join in.  

This track features Peter's exceptional Rhodes play, along side of Magnus Jansson's (@the-ewi-master)refined muted trumpet on EWI.  Mirko Borach (@stringburner) is a virtuoso slap style bassist adding fantastic depth and percussive articulation to the mix.  I am an honoured guest at a high class table setting in the Senator Lounge ;-)

Find this track on Peter's Cloud:  https://soundcloud.com/peter-bennborn-project/senator-lounge-escort-ft-magnus-jansson-mirko-borach-michael-orzek

Senator Lounge Escort - Peter Bennborn Project (ft. Magnus Jansson, Mirko Borach & Michael Orzek)

Excited to release this heavy fusion tune with the always superb Mike Orzek on electric guitar https://soundcloud.com/lando-orz.  Mike is such a talented player and has a unique ability to find the right sound and mood and note selection for whatever is put in front of him.  I just love what he has added with conception and playing to Creeping Around, his ability to bend notes and sound and to complement the other instruments.  This is our 9th tune together and a really exciting one for me.

Check out Mike's deep gallery of solo work and collaborations at https://soundcloud.com/lando-orz   

Thanks as always for your most generous listening time, for your comments and for your shares.  

Creeping Around - with Mike Orzek / guitar

In the mood for a little Tony Hymas & Jeff Beck style fusion? It is always a pleasure when Jamie Rhind (@jamie-rhind) invites me to play on his tracks.  This is a super cool synth based fusion track with a slinky groove.  Outstanding production from Jamie as well.  We hope you enjoy!

From Jamie's cloud:  https://soundcloud.com/jamie-rhind/creeping-around-with-mike-orzek-guitar-1

"Excited to release this heavy fusion tune with the always superb Mike Orzek on electric guitar @lando-orz. Mike is such a talented player and has a unique ability to find the right sound and mood and note selection for whatever is put in front of him. I just love what he has added with conception and playing to Creeping Around, his ability to bend notes and sound and to complement the other instruments. This is our 9th tune together and a really exciting one for me."

Buy Jamie's Music

Creeping Around - Jamie Rhind (featuring Mike Orzek - Guitar)

http://www.REGGAEVILLE.com

From the upcoming album Morgan Heritage - Here Come The Kings [VP Records]

Morgan Heritage - Perfect Love Song [2013]

Eric Clapton - BB King -Crossroads 2010 - Live

Jazz/Fusion keyboard player, composer and producer.  Marketing, advertising, publishing and sales career.  Originally from Chicago, where I developed a strong appreciation for the blues and classical, and moved to New York, where jazz and the fine arts are so deep.  Key musical influences include Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Zawinul and Weather Report, Chick Corea and Return to Forever, John McLaughlin and the Mahivishnu Orchestra, Stanley Clarke, Scott Henderson and Tribal Tech, Jeff Beck and Jan Hammer, Mike Stern, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Emily Remler, McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Larry Young, Buddy Guy, Santana and Earth Wind & Fire.   Former classical clarinet and piano player.  Unless noted, my music on SoundCloud was composed, recorded and performed using only keyboards.  An avid photographer.  Many covers here are my shots.  To see my photography look for Herbiejazz on Instagram or search for Herbiejazz on Google.  And a big thumbs up to SoundCloud and the SoundCloud community, and so many friends who have joined me to create.  Thank you all.