Alphio is an outstanding musician, creating an extensive library that includes percussion, guitar, keyboards and vocals.   These rhythms and harmonies have touched so many people around the world.  Going by the name of Alpha Roots here, Alphio is the ultimate SoundCloud partner, adding a positive spirit to everything he touches.  A man with a heart of gold, a soul of the highest integrity, and a sense of rhythm and style that complements whatever he touches.  Alphio lives in a positive world, where one sees the light while understanding the dark.  For him it is usually about the space that one doesn't play in, that realization that music is as much about the absence of sound as it is about sound...the ying and the yang.  Steeped heavily in reggae and dub, Alphio brings his rhythm, melody, passion and unique musical abilities to so much here.  This collection includes a wide variety of music we have done together so far, often with other musicians, and I am excited to say there is more in the works to be released soon as well.  We hope you enjoy this collection as much as I have...some the most treasured pieces of music I have recorded here on SoundCloud.  There is not a person here on SoundCloud for whom I have greater respect.  A man who stands above it all with spirit, with heart and with soul, and now with bravery.  Thank you Alphio.  You will forever remain in my heart.  Check out Alphio's brilliance on all things percussion, guitar and keyboards - as well as his haunting vocal tracks:  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots

Rhythm and Space - collaborations with Alpha Roots

Here's an original reggae tune brought to life by three very fine musicians, Alpha Roots on guitar, Julien Apelian on keyboards and piano and Ian Greaves on vocals.  Alphio is so deeply rooted in serious reggae, and brought his great understanding and love to his riddim guitar work.  Julien as always has contributed sweet playing and ideas with two keyboard tracks and also the two fine synth solos.  And Milwaukee's Ian Greaves's sweet lyrics and vocals tell the story.    

Love how these guys each contribute to the overall sound and conception.   
Check out their extensive galleries here on SC:
Ian Greaves - vocals and lyrics https://soundcloud.com/ipg1
Alphio - guitar  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots
Julien Apelian - keyboards  https://soundcloud.com/jules-keys-1

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

All I Want Is A Little Love - with Alpha Roots/guitar, Julien Apelian/keys, and Ian Greaves/vocals

Prince was a contemporary, who influenced music for almost 35 years, blending funk, soul, rock, pop and more, with creativity and musical ability across all instruments that has rarely been seen.  When Alphio (Alpha Roots) created this super funky track last week to honor the passing of Prince, I asked him if I could join him on a Part II.  Graciously, Alphio agreed and so I added a couple of synth lines to further spice it up a little.  The fantastic drum and congas and guitar lines are Alphio, and I have added the trumpet and low synth, following Alphio's beautiful wah guitar playing.  

If you aren't following Alpha Roots, please make the effort to check out his extensive collection of originals and collaborations:   he is a reggae master, and a very fine percussion player, guitarist and expressive vocalist - while even throwing down some nice keys too:  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots 

And here's a link to Alpha's original Jam For Prince https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots/jam-for-prince-rip in case you haven't yet caught his classic tribute...

We thank you for your generous time listening, for your comments and for your shares.  RIP Prince....

Jam For Prince II - a Tribute to Prince / Alpha Roots with Jamie Rhind

1971 was an important time in music, where electricity was changing the landscape and Rock, Funk, Soul and Jazz were all merging into psychedelic grooves.  Marshal stacks were often taller than the players, the players were higher than the Marshal stacks, Strats and Les Pauls were the axes of choice, Hammond B3 Organs and Fender Rhodes keyboards could compete for volume with the guitars, and the hair was even longer than the jams.   Woodstock was a recent memory, Jimi Hendrix had just passed but had moved into the funk and soul inspired Band of Gypsies period, Sly & The Family Stone was heating it up with heavy funk and soul inspired grooves, and Miles Davis had just released the seminal Bitches Brew fusion double album that literally changed music.  This was where it was at, with each of these musicians and bands being influenced by each other.  Great stuff that produced legendary sessions and recordings and pushed music forward with power, energy, groove and volume.  

1971 commemorates this time and mindset, and recreates the feel with friends from around the world who continuously exhibit this spirit, energy and hair in their playing:

Alpha Roots - djembe  Stuttgart, Germany  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots
Rikard From - Hammond B3 organ  Umea, Sweden  https://soundcloud.com/rikard-from
Stephen "Pinner" Lipinski - guitar  New Jersey, USA  https://soundcloud.com/pinner
Scott Nelson - guitar  Pennsylvania, USA  https://soundcloud.com/scott-nelson-364333064
Marco Oversteegen - guitar  Almere, Netherlands  https://soundcloud.com/marco-oversteegen
Justin Valente  - guitar  New Jersey, USA  https://soundcloud.com/justin-valente
Jorg Calaminus - Dusseldorf, Germany - mastering

A couple of words on each of the players:  ALPHA ROOTS - Alphio was the perfect choice to add his soulful African djembe percussion voice.  One of the most prolific and inclusive musicians here on SoundCloud, always speaking with a positive voice.  Check out his often reggae and dub inspired recordings.  RICKARD FROM - my favorite B3 player here on SoundCloud.  We haven't recorded before but wanted his beautiful sound and also wanted these other heavy cats to be introduced to his Jimmy Smith type playing.  STEPHEN "PINNER" LIPINSKI - one of the hottest jazz fusion guitarists on SoundCloud, bringing more modern Scofieldesque jazz lines and harmonies to 1971.  SCOTT NELSON - another burning jazz and fusion guitarist, Scott sound combines elements of the contemporary guitar masters - Scofield, Metheny and Martino - to create his extraordinary playing.  MARCO OVERSTEEGEN - no one on SC has a closer overall sound to Hendrix, and we needed Marco's fabulous rhythm playing and soloing to anchor this 1971 mood.  JUSTIN VALENTE - Justin's my favorite blues rock guitarist, and just had to be a part of this summit, bringing us that heavy electric sound of Jimi, The Allman Bros, Freddie King and Stevie Ray Vaughn.  

So here's 1971.  Again.

Thanks to these great players for joining me and contributing so much to 1971, and also to all the listener, for your generous time, your comments and your shares.  And a special thanks to Jorg Calaminus for taking the initiative to master the sound for us to give you this real fine mix.
  

1971 - Alpha Roots, Rikard From, Scott Nelson, Marco Oversteegen, Pinner, Justin Valente, Jamie

Our great friend on SoundCloud Alphio "Alpha Roots" has been struggling with some serious medical issues recently.  Today I put this tune together to honor his friendship and that would serve as a platform during which we could wish him continued strength and improved wellness, and the same for others struggling.  This is my message to you...

Sure Alphio would love your positive words of healing, so head to his wonderful SoundCloud gallery for inspiration and the healing that he shares with so many others:  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots

This photo was taken in the beautiful Islands of Lofoten, Norway

Alphio's Roots - For Alpha Roots

Something very special can happen on SoundCloud when deep musicians from all over the world get together.  Here's our Song For Africa, a jam for Peace.  The tune was conceived and initiated by Germany's multitalented musician Alphio "Alpha Roots", who wanted to create a positive statement with friends from around the world, asking Germany's Jorg Stohwasser on tenor sax and Christian Zatioukal on African Bouzouki,  London's Gary Reeves on drums and percussion and me on keys to record.  Each has added so much to the sound, and we are really pleased to now share it with you.  One Love and Prayers too now for Alphio, who is gaining strength after a most difficult surgery. 

Alpha Roots:  song creation, bass, steel drums  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots
Jamie Rhind:  organ, vibraphone
Joerxworx:  tenor saxophone  https://soundcloud.com/joerxworx
Mountain Songs:  drums, percussion, congas, timbales  https://soundcloud.com/mountain-songs
Soundwanderer:  African Bouzouki  https://soundcloud.com/soundwanderer


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

Song For Africa  - with Alpha Roots / Joerxworx / Mountain Songs / Soundwanderer

Alphio's music is some of the coolest and most creative here on SoundCloud, using space to define the music more than notes.  Always a less is more approach, except when it comes to his vast collection of musical output, which must be rooted in rhythm, often in reggae, and comes with a positive voice and spirit.  So when Alpha Roots's Alphio recently posted this Acid Jazz Jam, I had to jump in.  Acid Jazz came out of the 80's, combining hip hop, soul and jazz.  You will recognize some famous piano chords and comping that Alphio used from the classic '50s Dave Brubeck Take 5, and I added back in the first part of the melody on piano as a motif.  Alphio's laid down the rhythm, grooving bass line and piano comping here and I've added the Hammond Organ, piano melody and a couple of little synth ideas.  We hope you enjoy this.  And check out Alphio's fantastic collection of original music at his gallery:  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots

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

Alphio's Acid Jazz Jam - with Alpha Roots

What a great group of players on Infinity.  Scott Nelson is at the top of his game on guitar, setting the head and building a great story.  He's a musical master and we are so happy once again to have him leading.  Alphio on djembe is a second master, one who plays many instruments with ease and taste, and so much soul.  And creating the deep funk fusion bass lines again is Mirko "Stringburner" Borach.  These guys are all among my very favorites.  We hope you enjoy Infinity.   The photo is of the magnificent Northern Lights above Lofoten, Norway.

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

Infinity - with Scott Nelson / guitar, Alpha Roots / djembe,  and Mirko "Stringburner" Borach / bass

Time to groove again - this time with the incomparable Scott Nelson on guitar synth and Alpha Roots on djembe.  What a treat to have them both grooving here.  Check out both of their expansive galleries here on SC...
Scott Nelson:  https://soundcloud.com/scott-nelson-364333064
Alpha Roots:  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots


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

Tight - with Scott Nelson / synth guitar and Alpha Roots / djembe

Cissy Strut is a funky, New Orleans type groove recorded initially by the Meters, and then performed and recorded by so many musicians.   Scott suggested the tune and we've decided to style it after a favorite version recorded by John Scofield.  We've lined up some great great players to bring Cissy Strut to SoundCloud - Scott Nelson and Stephan "Pinner" Lipinski on guitars, Mirko "Stringburner" Borach on bass and Alpha Roots with his signature djembe sound.  Scott's got the first solo and plays sweet rhythm guitar over the track, Pinner takes the second guitar solo, and I follow on Hammond Organ.  What fun this was for all of us.  
Follow each of these serious players:
Scott Nelson / guitar:  https://soundcloud.com/scott-nelson-364333064
Stephan "Pinner" Lipinski / guitar:  https://soundcloud.com/pinner
Mirko "Stringburner" Borach / bass:  https://soundcloud.com/stringburner
Alpha Roots / djembe: https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots

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

Cissy Strut - with Scott Nelson, Stephan Lipinski, Mirko Borach, Alpha Roots and Jamie Rhind

Here's some reggae I just created that is a tribute to our great SoundCloud friend and artist Alpha Roots.  Alphio isn't well at all, but is doing everything he can to keep it positive and his spirits high.  I wanted Alphio to join me here but he just wasn't able to get the energy up but loved the tune.  Here's to you Alphio, a little sand between your toes and a gentle island breeze behind your back.  Please stop by Alphio's SC page, listen to some of his gentle and inspiring music, and send him some love.  Big love Alphio!  One Love.  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots

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

Sand Between My Toes  - for Alphio ( Alpha Roots )

According to the Urban Dictionary, the definition of hip is "Cooler than Cool, the pinnacle of "what it is"".  So with that Alphio and I offer Funky Hip 2, a remake of Alphio's classic Funky Hip where I've added a few more layers of fun.  Thanks for the great invitation Alphio.

Alphio and his music are definitely hip so click here to follow his fresh material:  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots 

And here's a folder with our 14 tunes so far.  Great stuff:  https://soundcloud.com/jamie-rhind/sets/rhythm-and-space-with-alpha

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

Funky Hip 2 - with Alpha Roots / bass and percussion

Recording Bob Marley's classic Three Little Birds has been something I have wanted to do since I joined SoundCloud, and the incredible Alpha Roots jumps in with me here to bring this to life.  Alphio has been so close to Bob Marley's music and teachings, and he brings everything musically and spiritually to this recording, as he does so musically to everything and everyone he touches.  In addition to the beautiful singing, Alphio has created a 2 riddim guitar tracks, an organ track and a bass guitar track.  Check out Alphio's simply wonderful gallery of music and collaborations here.  He's such a talented musician, who plays all instruments, and creates such great grooves and moods and tunes:  https://soundcloud.com/alpha-roots  And for our collection of 16 tunes we have recorded together:  https://soundcloud.com/jamie-rhind/sets/rhythm-and-space-with-alpha

Alphio has been facing so many recent challenges, with severe medical issues.  Prayers for healing, strength and courage.  I know this music helps.

Thanks to all for your generous listening, for your comments and for your shares

Three Little Birds - with Alpha Roots

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.