im just a Beatmaker with passion and vision ....

OKeh short history: 

OKeh was founded by Otto K. E. Heinemann when he set up his own recording studio and gramophone record pressing plant in New York City in September 1918. Heinemann formed the name of the record label "OKeh", from his initials.  OKeh began by issuing popular songs, dance numbers, and vaudeville skits similar to the fare of other labels, but Heineman also wished to experiment with music for audiences neglected by the larger record companies. OKeh produced lines of recordings in German, Czech, Polish, Swedish, and Yiddish for the USA's immigrant communities. In 1920, Ralph Peer's recordings by African-American blues singer Mamie Smith were a surprise smash hit for Okeh. The company perceived the significant, little-tapped market for blues and jazz by African American artists. Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Bix Beiderbecke are only a few names of jazz greats that have recorded for the label. By 1926 Columbia Records bought the label and kept it running into the 60's with jazz and R&B recordings. 

In 1994, Sony Music reactivated the OKeh label as a new-age Blues label. Okeh's first new signings included Keb' Mo, Popa Chubby, and Little Axe. By 2000, the Okeh label was again retired, but in 2013 it will see its re-launch as a jazz label once again.

Extra Curricular make future soul music, incorporating rock and electronic music styles. The band play real instruments along-side live electronics and vocals.

Thabo Mkwananzi (Vocals)
Martin Chung (Guitars)
Jack Button (Bass/Programming)
Noah Burton (Drums/Programming)
John Waugh (Saxes)
Greg Nicholas (Trumpet)

After releasing two EPs on Doorly's Pigeonhole This! label in summer 2012 the world are now waking up to Extra Curricular’s fresh new sound. The band's debut EP 'WON'T STAY DOWN' peaked at number 11 in the iTunes electronic chart and set the scene for the follow up success of 'LAST DAY'. The track received countless BBC Radio 1 plays courtesy of Annie Mac, Toddla T, and Friction, and was showcased as part of the now legendary 'Free Music Monday' blog.

Formed in 2009 from after-hours jam sessions in Huddersfield put together by rhythm section duo Noah Burton (Drums) and Jack Button (Bass), Extra Curricular sculpted their sound passing through the genres of hip-hop, jazz and funk, with past alumnae including Ruby Wood (Submotion Orchestra) and Jack Flash (UK Hip-hop MC).

The current formation boasts an impressive live stage show which has to be witnessed to be fully appreciated. The band’s blend of soulful grooves, bass driven beats and luscious melodies together to form deep and meaningful songs delivered by the rapturous vocals and presence of Thabo Mkwanazi. This live show has seen Extra Curricular play alongside Example, Labrinth, Professor Green, Tynchy Stryder, Zane Lowe, Tower Of Power, Doorly, DJ Yoda, Reverend and The Makers, Artwork, Youngblood Brass Band, The Correspondents, The Furious 5, and Craig Charles amongst others.

The band can also count Andi Durrant (Capital FM) and Eddy Temple-Morris (Xfm) as fans. Mixmag, Knowledge Magazine, and DJMag have run features on Extra Curricular, with Mixmag premiering the band's debut music video on their worldwide blog. Following on, 'LAST DAY' has now appeared on the Ibiza Rocks 2012 compilation and the Jaguar Skills and His Amazing Friends album. Thabo’s vocals also featured on the Duke Dumont underground house hit ‘No Money Blues’ taken from his ‘For Club Play Only’ EP.

Fast-forward to 2013 and with a series of EP releases under their belt, countless performances at major festivals and venues. Extra Curricular continue to produce new music, collaborate with exciting artists, and showcase their live show around the UK.

Annie Mac "Beautiful sentiments, and a wicked tune..."

Mixmag "...Thabo's fragile vocals and unforgettable refrain are a gift to remixers and daytime radio alike." Toddla T "...this one Last Day is totally bliss!"

Zane Lowe "Extra Curricular 'Won't Stay Down' on @doorlydj label - check it..."

DJ Magazine "...epic, life-affirming bass music..."

Example "I like this band..."

Flavour Magazine "Beautifully dirty!"

DJ Friction "The track's called Last Day, and it's a summer time special..."

DJ Target "Live hip hop/soul/funk all mixed together with a horn section! That's sounding really interesting!"

Craig Charles "I've just watched Extra Curricular live at the Limetree festival and they knocked the ball out the park, tore the roof off the sucker!"
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Alan Raw (BBC Introducing) "That was a very wonderful thing - That was Extra Curricular live in session... I'm absolutely dumbstruck, I loved it!"
Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music)"Needle sharp, tight as a drum! The lean funk stylings of Huddersfield 6-piece Extra Curricular... The Rhythm section could just of easily of come out of New Orleans or Mussel Shoals as Huddersfield!"

Vanguard Records, part of Concord Bicycle Music’s Fantasy Label Group, is one of the world’s leading independent record labels. Its eclectic roster of quality artists includes Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Switchfoot, O.A.R., Flogging Molly, Parachute, Sallie Ford, Matt Nathanson, Chris Isaak, Barenaked Ladies, Greg Laswell, Trevor Hall, Indigo Girls, and more. It’s rich history of catalog artists features Levon Helm, Merle Haggard, Joan Baez, Mindy Smith, Buddy Guy, Big Mama Thornton, Junior Wells, John Fahey, to name a few.

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