After playing around Hanford's music venues and events for several months, SoL recorded a four track demo CD. Beau Morrow engineered, mixed and mastered the original CD. Jim Miles remixed and remastered it in 2024.

SoL was a four-person band formed during the early 2000s in Hanford, a small town in California's San Joaquin Valley. Michael and Johnny drafted several original tunes and found a musical synergy with each other, so they expanded into a full band with Brett and Jim. From 2002-2003, the band wrote dozens of original songs and performed them around Hanford.

Michael Aguilar was exposed to music all his life and performed locally in the 10 years before SoL. He shared the stage with drummer Buddy Miles, and blues guitarist Johnny Rawls. Post-SoL, Michael continued performing, including jamming with Nino Moschella. He's most known for his unique style of harmonica playing, but ventured into playing guitar, percussion and flutes. Art lives in Michael's soul, and finds expression beyond music in glass-blowing, painting, sculpture-- any medium he can get his hands on.

Brett Hobbs is a gifted self-taught musician who started with various local groups in the mid–80s. Prior to joining SoL he pursued different styles. He studied under one of the Valley’s top notch percussionists, Mark Shuklian of ZZAH, a well known jazz/fusion group. Brett said of SoL at the time, “We’re a band that isn’t afraid to be versatile.”

Jim Miles experimented with different instruments growing up, finally gravitating toward guitars at age 13. He later joined a garage band that needed a bass player, and fell in love with being part of the rhythm section. Jim's roots in recording and editing and his expertise with newer computer-based tools for mixing and mastering have made possible the streaming releases of SoL's twenty-year old catalog.

Johnny Rodriguez hails from a very rich and diverse musical background. Raised around music all his life, he started playing guitar around the age of 14. He has played with many bands in the Valley and is considered one of the most gifted in his craft. In the early 90's he opened for world-renowned blues artist John Hammond at the Bastille in Hanford. Post-SoL, he put his carpentry talent into creating a home recording studio, and continues to make music with his Hanford family and friends. Johnny plays lead guitar from the bottom of his soul and his prolific song writing and arranging are just as heart-felt. He goes by Johnny Rokkets now, and can be found at Hanford music events leading the Juke House Dogs, and as a solo act on several music streaming services.

SoL FourShadow Demo

This album was recorded live in Hanford, California at the Hanford Mall, March 29, 2003. The 14 tracks represent SoL's eclectic blend of blues, pop, ballad, and experimental jam styles. All of the songs are original, except for Killing Floor, which appears here with permission.

SoL was a four-person band formed during the early 2000s in Hanford, a small town in California's San Joaquin Valley. Michael and Johnny drafted several original tunes and found a musical synergy with each other, so they expanded into a full band with Brett and Jim. From 2002-2003, the band wrote dozens of original songs and performed them around Hanford.

Michael Aguilar was exposed to music all his life and performed locally in the 10 years before SoL. He shared the stage with drummer Buddy Miles, and blues guitarist Johnny Rawls. Post-SoL, Michael continued performing, including jamming with Nino Moschella. He's most known for his unique style of harmonica playing, but ventured into playing guitar, percussion and flutes. Art lives in Michael's soul, and finds expression beyond music in glass-blowing, painting, sculpture-- any medium he can get his hands on.

Brett Hobbs is a gifted self-taught musician who started with various local groups in the mid–80s. Prior to joining SoL he pursued different styles. He studied under one of the Valley’s top notch percussionists, Mark Shuklian of ZZAH, a well known jazz/fusion group. Brett said of SoL at the time, “We’re a band that isn’t afraid to be versatile.” 

Jim Miles experimented with different instruments growing up, finally gravitating toward guitars at age 13. He later joined a garage band that needed a bass player, and fell in love with being part of the rhythm section. Jim's roots in recording and editing and his expertise with newer computer-based tools for mixing and mastering have made possible the streaming releases of SoL's twenty-year old catalog. 

Johnny Rodriguez hails from a very rich and diverse musical background. Raised around music all his life, he started playing guitar around the age of 14. He has played with many bands in the Valley and is considered one of the most gifted in his craft. In the early 90's he opened for world-renowned blues artist John Hammond at the Bastille in Hanford. Post-SoL, he put his carpentry talent into creating a home recording studio, and continues to make music with his Hanford family and friends. Johnny plays lead guitar from the bottom of his soul and his prolific song writing and arranging are just as heart-felt. He goes by Johnny Rokkets now, and can be found at Hanford music events leading the Juke House Dogs, and as a solo act on several music streaming services.

SoL Mall Gig

This album documents the first time a brand new local band played for an audience. Four Hanford California guys had found a musical home with each other. Unofficial manager Mikey Aguilar (a founding band member, the harmonica player, and percussionist) was getting SoL into the local music scene, starting with local Hanford cafe Artworks. For the rest of that summer of 2002, Mikey's persistent PR campaign for SoL got them gigs at the many Hanford events and venues friendly toward local music. But it all started here, at Artworks. For frontman Johnny Rodriguez, co-founder Michael Aguilar, drummer Brett Hobbs, and bassist Jim Miles this was not the first time any of them had played music publicly. But for their new collaboration, SoL, it was.

SoL was a four-person band formed during the early 2000s in Hanford, a small town in California's San Joaquin Valley. Michael and Johnny drafted several original tunes and found a musical synergy with each other, so they expanded into a full band with Brett and Jim. From 2002-2003, the band wrote dozens of original songs and performed them around Hanford.

Michael Aguilar was exposed to music all his life and performed locally in the 10 years before SoL. He shared the stage with drummer Buddy Miles, and blues guitarist Johnny Rawls. Post-SoL, Michael continued performing, including jamming with Nino Moschella. He's most known for his unique style of harmonica playing, but ventured into playing guitar, percussion and flutes. Art lives in Michael's soul, and finds expression beyond music in glass-blowing, painting, sculpture-- any medium he can get his hands on.

Brett Hobbs is a gifted self-taught musician who started with various local groups in the mid–80s. Prior to joining SoL he pursued different styles. He studied under one of the Valley’s top notch percussionists, Mark Shuklian of ZZAH, a well known jazz/fusion group. Brett said of SoL at the time, “We’re a band that isn’t afraid to be versatile.”

Jim Miles experimented with different instruments growing up, finally gravitating toward guitars at age 13. He later joined a garage band that needed a bass player, and fell in love with being part of the rhythm section. Jim's roots in recording and editing and his expertise with newer computer-based tools for mixing and mastering have made possible the streaming releases of SoL's twenty-year old catalog.

Johnny Rodriguez hails from a very rich and diverse musical background. Raised around music all his life, he started playing guitar around the age of 14. He has played with many bands in the Valley and is considered one of the most gifted in his craft. In the early 90's he opened for world-renowned blues artist John Hammond at the Bastille in Hanford. Post-SoL, he put his carpentry talent into creating a home recording studio, and continues to make music with his Hanford family and friends. Johnny plays lead guitar from the bottom of his soul and his prolific song writing and arranging are just as heart-felt. He goes by Johnny Rokkets now, and can be found at Hanford music events leading the Juke House Dogs, and as a solo act on several music streaming services.

SoL Artworks

This song inspired the creation of SoL. Michael Aguilar and Johnny Rodriguez knew they had written a great track, and needed a band to realize its full potential.  They recruited Brett Hobbs on drums and Jim Miles to play bass guitar, and got busy practicing and scheduling gigs around their home base of Hanford, California.

FourShadow

Strong For Today

SoL - FourShadow - Strong For Today

Johnny's songwriting covers a wide range of topics but often returns to love for his family. Michael's gift for adding just the perfect touches of harmonica shines through on this track.

Life In A Different Way

SoL - FourShadow - Life In A Different Way

This funky simple two-chord jam backs a catchy lyric that perfectly captures the funk-blues style of Johnny Rodriguez and Michael Aguilar, and also the ability of drummer Brett Hobbs to flex perfectly to whatever genre you throw at him. On this demo recording Johnny adds some synth horns and a wah pedal to his solos for a little extra flavor. "No crazy Super-Tonic, just true love is all..."

Soul Shade Mechanic

SoL - FourShadow - Soul Shade Mechanic

This instrumental jam was a favorite warm-up at SoL practices, and was often at the top of set lists.

Whuut

SoL - FourShadow - Whuut

This song inspired the creation of SoL. Michael Aguilar and Johnny Rodriguez knew they had written a great track, and needed a band to realize its full potential.  They recruited Brett Hobbs on drums and Jim Miles to play bass guitar, and got busy practicing and scheduling gigs around their home base of Hanford, California. A year later (03-29-2003), their local mall sponsored an outdoor concert, and this recording was made at that event.

SoL - Mall Gig - Strong For Today

This funky simple two-chord jam backs a catchy lyric that perfectly captures the funk-blues style of Johnny Rodriguez and Michael Aguilar.

SoL - Mall Gig - Soul Shade Mechanic

Johnny Rodriguez composed both words and music to this soulful song early in 2003:
"Wisdom is sought not found;
You should know what it's like to be on your own--
Fortune favors the brave.
And how you've reaped the rewards
Of adopting the life of a rolling stone!"

Welcome Back Eloise

SoL - Mall Gig - Welcome Back Eloise

Chicago blues standard recorded by Howlin' Wolf in 1964. Michael's love for classic blues and skill in selling it with voice and harmonica shine through in this track.

Killing Floor

SoL - Mall Gig - Killing Floor

Johnny Rodriguez composed both words and music of this bluesy ode to broken hearts on December 6, 2002. Michael Aguilar shows off his flute skills in the introduction and ending. It's another great example of drummer Brett Hobbs' perfect ear for interpreting a song's mood. And Johnny's ability to compose guitar solos that make sense and tell a story.

Two Be Alone

SoL - Mall Gig - Two Be Alone

The ultimate high energy rock anthem closer, this original song by Johnny Rodriguez finished out many of SoL's sets. "Don't forget your brothers back home!"

Brothers Back Home

SoL - Mall Gig - Brothers Back Home

This instrumental jam was a favorite warm-up at SoL practices, and was often at the top of set lists. Engineer's Note: The reason several tracks by SoL fade in is simply because whoever was recording it failed to hit the button fast enough. To be fair, this was recorded in the dark times of magnetic tape, which wasn't cheap, or infinite in supply.

Artworks

SoL - Artworks - WHUUT

Short but sweet Jump Blues ditty showcasing another of Johnny's gift for lyric-writing and his recurrent theme of love for family.

Love Sick Jump

SoL - Artworks - Love Sick Jump

Jim Miles had always wondered if there was a way to turn this bass pattern into something more than a warmup exercise. SoL found a way. Thanks to Johnny's perfectly tuned guitar solo radar, this track levels up. Brett's drumming is on point as usual, dynamic and funky. A "utility player" is the name often given to a person with a crazy collection of percussion and noise-makers who knows when to use them; this shows Michael earning that name.

Into the Ark

SoL - Artworks - Into The Ark

Robert Johnson wrote this blues standard in 1936. It's a dance-able crowd-pleaser allowing for some fun audience interaction. Best experienced live!

Sweet Home Chicago

SoL - Artworks - Sweet Home Chicago

This funky simple two-chord jam backs a catchy lyric that perfectly captures the funk-blues style of song-writers Johnny Rodriguez and Michael Aguilar.

SoL - Artworks - Soul Shade Mechanic

James Taylor wrote this ballad and released it in 1970. Taylor says heartbreak inspired the lyrics. Johnny's singing brings this out, while calling back to his  roots in blues standards, making this cover uniquely his own. The introductory slide guitar is from Johnny warming up for the two quieter acoustic numbers he performed back to back, Lo and Behold and Rollin and Tumblin'.

Lo And Behold

SoL - Artworks - Lo And Behold

One of Michael's earlier guitar compositions, it might best be called "ambient experimental", which was the style that acoustic guitar seemed to bring out in him, and the band accompanying him.

Lotus

SoL - Artworks - Lotus

Practice with Brett's friend the keyboard player sitting in.

China Alley 9

Only Seven

Another instant classic pop love song by Johnny Rokkets (Rodriguez). 

When we made the FourShadow Demo, the recording equipment stayed in the Hanford California practice space on China Alley, Suite 9. We turned it on to record a practice session. The so-called bootlegs of the album China Alley 9 come partially from that equipment and the rest from a jam we recorded with a keyboard player.

On this track, regular drummer Brett had gone home, so amateur drummer Michael took up the sticks and provided a basic tempo for this song Johnny and Jim were working on.

It's only a brief sketch of the first verse and chorus, but it's unfortunately the only recording that exists of this beautiful song written by Johnny. 

Somebody Like You

The second time SoL played at Artworks Cafe in Hanford, California. The recording was done bootleg-style with a single cheap cassette tape recorder.

Je T'ame Beaucoup Alanah

07 SoL - Artworks II - Je T'ame Beaucoup Alanah

06 SoL - Artworks II - Two Be Alone

Little Family

15 SoL - Artworks II - Little Family

The Thing That Wasn't Said

14 SoL - Artworks II - The Thing That Wasn't Said

Mike's Nameless

13 SoL - Artworks II - Mike's Nameless

Life in a Different Way

12 SoL - Artworks II - Life In A Different Way

Better With Age

11 SoL - Artworks II - Better With Age

White Island Rain

10 SoL - Artworks II - White Island Rain

Before the Blood

09 SoL - Artworks II - Before The Blood

05 SoL - Artworks II - Killing Floor

Cinnamon Opinion

The BuiltMore

Funky Bolly Pop

Cinnamon Opinion 2

Zhazz

Barrow

Tauren Dreams

I've been a musician since I was a teenager in a garage band. Computer software has become a new instrument. My main is electric bass guitar. Second is acoustic guitar.

JimMilesEdits

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