2016 has been a great year musically already.  Here's my growing collection of tunes released so far, including several fine ones where I have been asked to join the fun.   Thanks to the extraordinary musicians and friends who have joined me - I owe so much to them to what they each bring to the party, for their creativity and their collaborative spirit:
Alpha Roots - guitar and djembe
Tom Adams - guitar
Julien Apelian - keyboards
BITs - keyboards
Joe Bongiovanni - guitar
Mirko Borach (Stringburner) - bass
Jörg Calaminus - keyboards
Dean Clark (Alex Rand) - keyboards and bass
Rients Draaisma - guitar
Simon Reich - keyboards
Giuliano Ghisi - guitar
Ms. King - vocals
Rey King - guitar
Stephan "Pinner" Lipinski - guitar
Mel Lopes - trumpet
Orlando "The Don" Lund - guitar, bass, congas
Michel Martineau - clarinet
Claus Maurice - guitar
Santi-Caballero Mendez - sax
Jeff Michaels - guitar
NayJ - vocals
David Nederland - keyboards
Scott Nelson - guitar
Mike Orzek - guitar
Marco Oversteegen - guitar
Tony "bluestone' Pappas - vocals
Aleck Rand - guitar, keyboards, bass
Luis Reniu - bass
David Rhind - trumpet
Dan Rosati - tenor sax
Hidefumi Suzuki - guitar
Ian Tait - guitar
Les Thomas - guitar
Justin Valente - guitar
Dan van den Berg - guitar
Milana Zilnik - una corda

And for those interested, I have just released Barcelona and I Believe, 2 CDs of my own music and a few jazz standards. SoundCloud's Dan van den Berg and Al Schulman wrote the liner notes for them. Here's a link if you are interested in checking them out - itunes.apple.com/us/album/barcelona/id1071251143

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


BUY JAMIE'S MUSIC

2016 Releases and Collaborations

Thanks to so many extraordinary musicians and friends who have helped create some fantastic music in 2016....

Alpha Roots - guitar
Tom Adams - guitar
Tom Adams - guitar
Julien Apelian - keyboards
BITs - keyboards
Joe Bongiovanni - guitar
Mirko Borach - bass
Kenneth Bruce - bass
Jörg Calaminus - keyboards, guitar
Dean Clark - keyboards, guitar
Matt Criscolo - alto saxophone
Phil Currie - guitar
Rients Draaisma - guitar
Rikard From - keyboards
Giuliano Ghisi - guitar
Ian Greaves - vocals
Terry Harris - guitar
Steve Hart - guitar
Ms King - vocals
Rey King - guitar
Mel Lopes - trumpet
Orlando Lund - guitar, bass
Michel Martineau - clarinet
Claus Maurice - guitar
Santi-Caballero Mendez - saxes
Jeff Michaels - guitar
David Milzow - sax
NayJ - vocals
Scott Nelson - guitar, bass
Mike Orzek - guitar
Marco Oversteegen - guitar
Daniele P - bass
Stephen "Pinner" Lipinski - guitar
Paul "Pavliovante" Racle
Luis Reniu - bass
David Rhind - trumpet
Dan Rosati - tenor
Mike Spring - guitar, bass, vocals
Ian Tait - guitar
Les Thomas - guitar
Justin Valente - guitar
Dan van den Berg - guitar
Kyr van der Werf - guitar
Milana Zilnik - una corda

We thank you always for your generous time listening, for your comments and for your shares

2016 SoundCloud Collaborations

A list of funk songs by our beloved https://soundcloud.com/nayj-2 with different collaborators.
Did I miss a funk track? Let me know :)
Cheers,
Mike 

NayJ's Funky collaborations

TRACKKS OF THE DAY JULY 5TH 2016

Funk Collection

Love finding great musicians from around the world here on SoundCloud and have developed these tunes with superb blues guitar players Joe Bongiovanni, Justin Valente, Tom Adams,  fusion guitarists and composers Ronny Heimdal and Benny Sutton, lyrical guitarist and prolific composer Igor Rajsa, wonderful electric bassist and composer Daniel Petrocchi, and jazz alto saxophone player, composer and recording artist Matt Criscuolo.    Such a treat to record with each of these fine musicians.  Hope you enjoy the music.  Check out each of their galleries for more of their playing.  

Collaborations

It was 2014 when I heard Cyra's beautiful vocal stem. Cyra posted her stem asking for guitarists/cellists to make additions a year earlier. Many musicians created their version and most are likely to be found by using the 'search' button, type:  Angst Cyra Morgan.
 
In my interpretation of the song I intended to stay close to the Cyra's original version with guitar. I played my Canadian steel string guitar together with a Fender bass guitar and telecaster slide in the second part. Guys enjoy this new version of a wonderful song written by https://soundcloud.com/cyramorgan

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKqhdh_LZtk (not an original upload, but still)
and a video with this music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbT1A9OYsqY
Another wonderful intimate song and video by Cyra Morgan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOoVONNwVKc

LYRICS

I blink my weary eyes
beyond the darkened sky
the brilliant sun arises 
and hope, it grows in size
that today is gonna be
the day I finally feel the light
with angst at fever pitch
patience is a bitch
in a sticky situation
but somehow
some way I’ll find my feet find my way out
hold on, hold on
feels like forever
but it can’t be that long
now hold on, hold on
oh I can’t help believing
can’t help but keep singing my song
it’s too much to contain
the fear of all the change
the playing of the games
there are no words to explain
the guilt and all the shame
anger and the blame
but somehow, some way
I’ll find my feet find my way out

hold on, hold on
feels like forever
but it can’t be that long
now hold on, hold on
oh I can’t help believing
can’t help but keep singing my song
I thank God for those depending on me
sparkling eyes that keep me going
sun that rises every morning
the laugh that comes without a warning
pendulum will swing God-willing
warming up this cold bone chilling 
place of late where I’ve been dwelling
where giving up feels so compelling
and it calls, it calls
even the good one’s fall
it calls, it calls
even the good ones fall
hold on, hold on
feels like forever
but it can’t be that long
now hold on, hold on
oh I can’t help believing
can help but keep singing 
I can't help believing
I can't help keep singing my song

(song by Cyra Morgan)

Angst

Angst - Cyra Morgan with Mike Spring

What fun pulling this together with three serious musicians.  You probably know Joe Bongiovanni and Justin Valente's awesome blues oriented guitars, and they stretch out here on this funk / soul / fusion groove.  Burning it up they are.  And joining us on Alto Sax is recording artist Matt Criscuolo.  Look for him at mattcriscuolo.com.  These guys just play their ass off here.  Started with an internet fusion loop, I added many keyboard lines to funk it up to the max, and we added these pros.  Joe takes the opening solos for the first four minutes, Justin follows, and we finish with all the guys trading off.  So much energy.  Positive energy here.  Put this on and relax.  Hope you enjoy the entire tune - an extended play jam.  Damn this is burning.... Thanks for listening.  The guys would love your thoughts....

Funk And Burn - With Joe Bongiovanni and Justin Valente guitars and Matt Criscuolo alto sax

Created this tune to combine elements of rock and fusion, and was looking to set up soloing similar to what John McLaughlin and Jeff Beck did with Jan Hammer.   Norway's superb fusion guitarist, composer and recording artist Ronny Heimdal is featured, and just tears it up.  Into pieces.  Little pieces.  Check out his gallery here on SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/ronny-heimdal

Hope you enjoy our music.  Thanks so much Ronny:)

Busting Out - with Ronny Heimdal / guitar

Another fun one with Scotland's outstanding guitarist and master chef Ian Tait.  Ian once again brings it home with his signature funky solo and rhythm playing that matches so well with my jazz fusion roots.  Sure you'll enjoy this groove and tune I wrote, and be sure to check out Ian's gallery here too.  He cooks!  

https://soundcloud.com/ian-tait

Goin' Home - with Ian Tait / guitar

Bringing a soulful sound to SoundCloud with this one.  Lifetime recording artist, soul vocalist, saxophone and harmonica player Johnny Pugh sits in with blues guitarist extraordinaire Justin Valente and me on an emotional Ray Charles type slow jam.  What a wonderful surprise to hear Johnny's beautiful harp lines, which fit perfectly with Justin's raw electric blues energy.  Real proud of this one, as it captures the heart and spirit of why we all love SoundCloud.   Check out Johnny and Justin's music here - you will love their playing.  Thanks for listening.

Soul Brothers - with Justin Valente guitar and Johnny Pugh blues harp and horns

Can't take too much credit for this one, but loved the funky backing track and added an extended organ solo over the top.  Has a great groove and thought I'd have some fun with it.  Enjoy!

Fresh Funk

So much fun to have musicians all over the world play together, and this jam includes three of my very favorite guitarists and musicians here on SoundCloud...Tom Adams, Ian Tait and Justin Valente.  These guys can all light up a stage, and graciously came together for this funky collaboration.  If you aren't following them all you should be - you'll be getting fresh tracks almost every day from each.  Tom and Justin are both from the US (Austin and NYC), and Ian hails from Edinburgh, Scotland.   For our Summer Funk Jam here, we started with a very funky internet backing track, allowing everyone to dig in and do their thing.  You'll recognize each of the guys' styles if you've been listening to their galleries, and together it makes for some serious Summer Funk.  Thanks guys for all the ongoing support - each of you help bring out the best in SoundCloud.  Make that SoundCloud FUNk.  Let us know what you think - it is always inspiring to get feedback on our playing:

guitar: Tom Adams @tom-adams
guitar:  Ian Tait @ian-tait
guitar:  Justin Valente @justin-valente
organ:  Jamie Rhind @jamie-rhind


Summer Fun(k) Jam - collab with Tom Adams, Ian Tait and Justin Valente / guitars

Created this Latin Jazz Rock tune with a very percussive latin groove over classic jazz changes.  Justin as always does a fantastic job with the guitar, helping anchor the mood while developing a fine solo to complement the salsa groove.  Put on your dancing shoes...

https://soundcloud.com/justin-valente

Latin Dancer - with Justin Valente / guitar

*Under creative common license CC-BY-NC-ND*

*English translation below*

Mes enfants me manquent. Ils vivent très loin d'ici et je ne les vois plus qu'une fois ou deux par an. Je leur dédie cette composition ainsi qu'à tous ceux qui souffrent de ne plus voir leurs parents, leurs enfants, et tous ceux qu'ils aiment profondément...
"Les souvenirs s'emballent et embrasent mon esprit qui se meurt de ne plus vous voir..."
...à mes enfants, ma famille, mes amis, mes amis musiciens sur Soundcloud et à la vie, si triste parfois, mais si belle à la fois... KidOfEarth. <3 

I miss my children. They live far from here and I do not see them more than once or twice a year. I dedicate this composition and all those who suffer from not seeing their parents, their children, and those they love deeply ...
"Memories  blaze my mind dying not to see you ..."
... To my children, my family, my friends, my musician friends on Soundcloud and life, sometimes sad, but so beautiful at the same time ... KidOfEarth. <3

© All my songs are originals(no remix) and protected©
KidOfEarth.



Vague À L'âme(Melancholy)©*Original* See the description Thank you...

I hope you enjoy this track, It's a positive / hopeful message. 


Song written, played, arranged, produced, mixed & mastered by me. Excellent funk lead vocal by NayJ --  https://soundcloud.com/nayj-2, Lead and Rhythm Guitars by James Oakwood. -- https://soundcloud.com/james-oakwood
All other instruments Waveology - Phil McC 



No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred no.

I believe there’ll be a better day
When all the people on this earth will say
Peace and love is here for everyone
No more hate and war by anyone - hey

Famine, sickness soon will disappear
Given time there’ll be nothing to fear
Hope and faith their killing be no more
Everybody singing no more war 

I know, there’ll be, peace and love and understanding yeah
Some day, you will see, all the world will get together yeah,

Got to get ourselves together one for all
War and hate I hope will be no more
Life is short no time to be unkind
Love is here for all of us to find 

No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
I believe there’ll be a better day
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
When all the people on this earth will say
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
Peace and love is here for everyone
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
No more hate and war by anyone
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred no
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
Peace and love and understanding
I believe there’ll be a better day
Peace and love and understanding
I believe there’ll be a better day
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
Peace and love and understanding
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred
Peace and love and understanding
No more war, no more fighting, no more hatred - no.


No More War is copyright Waveology - Phil McC

No More War

Funky Music
Collab NayJ & Paploviante
Music / Composition Paploviante
Vocals / Lyrics NayJ        https://soundcloud.com/nayj-2
Bass Paploviante
Guitars / Darin Favorite
Sax / Mark Douthit
Lyrics:
Hey Hey Hey 
mmmmm
Tell me, what you think I'm gonna do
When I hear funky music
Funky music like this
I'm gonna run to the microphone
And put my two cent in
Tell me, what you think I'm gonna do
When the music hit my ears yeah
I'm gonna do the boogaloo
I'm gonna move it to the left
And move it to the right tonight
And tell me what you think I'm gonna say
When I hear the funky music
And it's playing my way
Move it to the left
And move it to the right tonight
Come on Paul
Play that funky music
Oh come on Paul now
I said play that funky music
Oh come on, come on, come on, come on,
Come on, come on,
Make that Sax talk
Yeah woooo
Chorus-line:
Funky music, funky music , funky music, funk funky music 
Funky music, funky music , funky music, funk funky music
I'm gonna move it to the left
And move it to the right tonight
You see I've got this weakness
And it's for funky music
Chorus:
Funky music
I said I've got this weakness y'all
And it's for funky music
Chorus:
Funky music
Oh so, come on, come on, come on, come on,
Come on, come on,
Make that Music talk
Chorus-line:
Funky music, funky music , funky music, funk funky music 
Funky music, funky music , funky music, funk funky music
I'm gonna move it to the left
And move it to the right tonight
Chorus:
Funky music
I feel it in my toes now
Chorus:
Funky music
Funky music
I feel it in my feet
Chorus: 
Funky music 
Woooooooooooo
I said I feel this funky music
All over me
Let's take it on home now
Come on, come on, come on
Take it on home now
Tell me whatcha gonna do
Cause I know you feel it too
Shake it to the left
Shake it to the right tonight

Funky Music (Collab NayJ & Paploviante)

Here's a soul funk composition with the very great singer: NayJ. @nayj-2 
I'm so glad that Nay added her wonderful vocals on this track!
It's also a big honor and pleasure to have Marc on bass @baloubass and Bader on guitar!!
We hope you enjoy! As always, thank you for your time listening and your shares.
Vocals & lyrics: Nay J. @nayj-2
Bass: Marc Saint Hilaire @baloubass
Guitars: Bader 
Keyboards, drum programming & production: Julien Apelian

Mr. Big Stuff

Wait a minute Mr. Big Stuff don’t you know I’ve had enough yeah, yeah
Of all the promises you spoke, because now I know you were just a big joke.
Of all the promises you spoke, because now I know you were just a big joke.

Chorus:
Mr. Big Stuff, you ain’t got my heart no more
Mr. Big Stuff, I ain’t crying over you know more
Mr. Big Stuff, don’t you know that I’m finally free yea

You think that you got me all tied up in your hand yeah, yeah
Well you better check it out
Baby you better look again
I ain’t got time to be tripping with you no, no 
Lord knows, I’ve got better things to do

Chorus:
Mr. Big Stuff, I ain’t crying over you no more
Mr. Big Stuff, don’t you know that I’m finally free

Oh Mr. Big Stuff
You ain’t got my heart no more
Mr. Big Stuff
I ain’t crying over you no more
I ain’t shedding not one more tear
Don’t you know that I’m finally free
Mr. Big stuff yeah
Hey Mr. Big Stuff

Adlib:
Mr. Big Stuff
You ain’t got my heart no more
Mr. Big Stuff
I ain’t crying over you no more
Mr. Big Stuff
I ain’t shedding not one more tear
Don’t you know that I’m finally free
Mr. Big stuff yeah
Don’t you know that I’m finally free

Mr. Big Stuff
I ain’t crying over you no more
Mr. Big Stuff
Don’t you know that I’m finally free yea
Mr. Big stuff 
I ain’t crying over you no more
Mr. Big Stuff
Don’t you know that I’m finally free yea
Mr. Big Stuff

Mr. Big Stuff
Oh Mr. Big Stuff yeah
Mr. Big Stuff
Hey Mr. Big Stuff yeah
Mr. Big Stuff
Mr. Big Stuff

Wait a minute Mr. Big Stuff don’t you know I’ve had enough yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mr. Big Stuff, you ain’t got my heart no more
Mr. Big Stuff, I ain’t crying over you know more
Mr. Big Stuff, I ain’t shedding not one more tear
Mr. Big Stuff, don’t you know that I’m finally free yea
Mr. Big Stuff yea
Hey Mr. Big Stuff,

Mr. Big Stuff, you ain’t got my heart no more
Mr. Big Stuff, I ain’t crying over you know more
Mr. Big Stuff, I ain’t shedding not one more tear
Mr. Big Stuff, don’t you know that I’m finally free yea
Hey Mr. Big Stuff,

Mr Big Stuff - feat. NayJ.

For those of you who haven't discovered Orlando "The Don" Lund, here's your opportunity.  Orlando is a serious pro, having built a career as a writer, multi instrumentalist and producer in London during the '90s Soul Funk era, leading and creating with some of the finest contemporary jazz and funk musicians in Europe.  You can hear many of their great tunes here at https://soundcloud.com/orlando-lund.  If you are into grooving music, almost no one does it better.

Orlando approached me about playing on a tune I had released here, What the Funk, quickly sending 5 tasty tracks to me - a solid grooving bass line, a congas line, two rhythm guitar tracks and a George Benson style guitar solo.  I've worked them all in here, adding them to all my keyboard parts, creating some sweet soul jazz for your listening pleasure.  Check out Orlando's wonderful Palma Groove Project recordings on his gallery - really special creations.  

We thank you as always for your generous listening time, for your comments and for your shares.

What The Funk - with Orlando "The Don" Lund

"Wait A Minute, are we straight up back in the 70's? NayJ. & Mike Spring channeled something extra funky for this slick strutin' workout. NayJ is full on attitude as she sings with soulful sass, warning all the young women out there about the lip licking ways of the dog. Mike Spring drops some greasy riffs on his Fender Strat while his Fender jazz bass locks you deep into the funk groove! This is mad funky y'all! Now get up and dance! -CKP"  (http://musiciselation.com/  https://soundcloud.com/plastic-inevitable  https://www.facebook.com/musiciselation)

"An exceptional Funk track in the best tradition of Motown and P-Funk and who could sing it better and cooler than NayJ? Extra compliment for the groove, which is not just straight 16th, it seems to swing a abit"  https://soundcloud.com/heartscore 
 
Supported by http://www.funkycorner.it  

Personal note: 
NayJ, thank you most dearly for making this original production so worthwhile. You did it again girl!

Here you all can find our earlier collaboration https://soundcloud.com/nayj-2/empty-bucket-nayj-mike-spring
 
Commentary:
When I'd recorded the funky instrumental I asked NayJ if she was interested making a song out of it. She appeared to be excited immediately :))) And oh boy what a song she made! The lyrics point out to how shallow young girls can be aiming for a life in luxury. Obviously she has a message to them… 

Instruments for this original:
•	Fender Strat 3x
•	Fender Jazz Bass 
•	Programmed drums NI Abbey Road series
•	Midi keys
Recorded and mixed in Cubase Pro 8, mastered in Ozone7adv.

The vocal arrangement is created by NayJ https://soundcloud.com/nayj-2 next to the writing of lyrics and the recording of thevocals.


Lyrics:

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hey
This song is to all the young girls out there
Who's living life like you just don't have a care
Wait a minute wait a minute

Oh
You say you looking for a man
You said you're running out of time
He's gotta have that curly hair
You say he's got to be fine as wine
You said you're looking for a man
Who's going to give you diamond rings
Shower you with bling bling
And promise you everything

Wait a minute, wait a minute, better hear me wait a minute, better hear me, wait a minute

Oh uuuuuuuuu
Oh girl
That ain't the way
You better listen to me
You better hear every word that I say
You better listen real good
You better make sure that it's understood

Cause It's some dogs out there
Wait a minute, wait a minute, better hear me wait a minute, better hear me, wait a minute

Oh girl don't be a fool
While you're starting out nice and fresh
Just make the wrong moves
And you'll be branded with the rest

If you let the wrong guy
Don't you know he'll use you up
Then he'll lick his lips
And be ready for his next sup

Oh yeah yeah wooooooooo yeah yeah
Oh can you hear me, you better hear me girl
You better listen to what I say
Cause It's some dogs out there
And they're headed your way

Oh
They really don't give a care
Just looking for a little play
They will ruin your reputation
And it will become your identification

Oh wooo oh ouw
Girl you wanna a man
A man who will treat you right
You want a man who will put a ring on it
A man who will make you his wife

Don't you know the diamond rings
They don't mean everything
Cause baby if you ain't got love
Girl you ain't got nothing

Wait a minute, wait a minute, better hear me, wait a minute, better hear me, wait a minute

Do you hear me girl
Do you understand
Well if you understand
Then it's time to do your funky future wedding dance

Take you're veil off
Blow a kiss to the left then to the right
Wave your hands up high
Like you're reaching for the sky hey ya
Slide your foot to the left and then to the right
You're gonna take it down real low
Funky Future Wedding Dance
When you know you've got a good man

This song on YouTube: https://youtu.be/O7OTJjn1n4s

Support & Buy

Wait A Minute --- NayJ & Mike Spring ---

Here's a classic jazz standard A Foggy Day.  A Foggy Day was composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 film A Damsel in Distress. Never saw the movie but the beautiful tune has stuck with me for a long time.  It was originally titled "A Foggy Day (In London Town)" in reference to the pollution-induced pea soup fogs that were common in London during that period, and is often still referred to by the full title.  So many greats have recorded this, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, George Benson and even David Bowie.

This recording was all done on keyboards.

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

A Foggy Day  - George Gershwin

What Do You Mean - Justin Bieber (Nicole Cross Official Cover)

Stitches - Shawn Mendes (Nicole Cross Official Cover)

HELLO - ADELE Cover By Luciana Zogbi

a 6 hands keyboard funk jam..
with; Jamie Rhind @jamie-rhind
An idea that came out with lot of energy, happy dance feelings and friendship. To share this huge fun with all of you, dear SC friends.
Thank you Jamie.!! 
8-)


BITe Funk (Jamie Rhind & BITs)

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

Time for some more funk.  A special thanks to the very kind and knowledgable G-Deed, who jumped in with final sound editing and compression, creating a better overall sound and balance:).  He loves great funk and soul and groove, so check out his gallery here....https://soundcloud.com/g-deed

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

I Don't Funk On The First Date

Let's go for a stroll in Madrid....  All recorded on keyboards.

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

A Walk in Madrid

Here's a pretty one to get in that positive weekend frame of mind...

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

A Positive Mind

Nothing like the thrills of the '70s Muscle Cars.   How 'bout a '72 Camero...

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

'72 Camero

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

FUNK STATION originally started off with Terry’s funky guitar riffs. Terry performs on a regular basis together with his funk band FU5ION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU6mqscd8ag  You can find Terry's original instrumental here https://soundcloud.com/user-719649280/bounce
 
I liked Terry's guitar play right away and after some time had passed I asked Terry for a collaboration. I told him that I had some interesting ideas to let it grow :) After having edited Terry’s recordings for a straight drums I added my lyrics/vocals and bass guitar, some percussion and an appropriate amount of claps & snaps. Since I am a great admirer of Jamie’s keys playing I asked Jamie Rhind to add his instrument and he did this so well I must say. It changed the flavor of the piece immediately. Next I found the wonderful sax player David Milzow from Germany willing to add his wonderful saxophone solo. From the start I held in mind to ask NayJ for adding her vocals too and thus make a funky duet together. Well… she did! :)) So now we can all  proudly present to you our FUNK STATION!

The track is kind of a wink to ‘Soul Train’ the most funky and inspiring television show in the Seventies. You can find those on YouTube and I can recommend to have a look and listen because this show was just amazing. All great funky R&B soul singers and bands from that era came along. For instance The Jackson Five, Donna Summer, Tower of Power and James Brown. Since the funk stole my heart for many years I felt now was the opportunity to celebrate the funk all the way. For the occasion I chose to give it a cinematic ambiance by creating a logical environment for our sweet funky station. I blended the music with a number of outdoor and indoor samples to put it all together so that it would sound like it’s recorded in a station hall. I sincerely hope you guys enjoy the result as much as we did recording/producing it!

My sincere gratitude goes out to David Milzow, Jamie Rhind, NayJ and not in the least to Terry Harris who inspired us all with his funky guitar playing. Thank you all so much!

NayJ – vocals https://soundcloud.com/nayj-2
Terry Harris – guitar https://soundcloud.com/user-719649280
Jamie Rhind – keys and synths https://soundcloud.com/jamie-rhind
David Milzow – saxophone https://soundcloud.com/david-milzow
Mike Spring – production & audio engineering, lyrics, vocals, bass guitar, percussion (congas, tambourine), claps & snaps

Another interpretation of the Soul Train Show https://soundcloud.com/ddjohn/soul-train-blues. Steph laid down a fantastic ode to the era I think.

LYRICS

Say where your goin’
Get infused for feelin’ the Funk
Hear that guitar smokin’
Watch that Soul train comin’

Say what your doin’
Clap along ‘cause you feel the Funk
Brothers and sisters pokin’
Catch that train on Funk Station runnin’

Ooooh Ooooh
Do do what you wanna do
Get wooed, funk your mood
Do do what you wanna do

Ooooh Oooh
Do do what you wanna do
Funk your mood in the hood
Do do what you wanna do

Say how your doin’
Move your hips and feel the Funk
Get your bodies movin’
Beat that train on Funk Station groovin’

Say where your strollin’
We’ve got it comin’ the Funk
And keep it rollin’
Keep your funky muscles flowin’

Say what your lookin’
Now do you feel the Funk
Hear those barrels cookin’
It’s our Funk Station crookin’

Say you better start movin’
You can’t whisk the Funk
Your funk train should be runnin’
Now don’t keep me punnin’

Ooooh Ooooh
Do do what you wanna do
Get wooed, funk your mood
Do do what you wanna do

Ooooh Oooh
-
Funk your mood in the hood
Do do what you wanna do

Ooooh Ooooh
Do do what you wanna do
Don’t get prude, funk your mood
Do do what you wanna do

Ooooh Oooh
-
-
Funk your mood’n taste the food

Ooooh Ooooh
Do do what you wanna do
Get wooed, funk your mood
Do do what you wanna do

Ooooh Oooh
Do do what you wanna do
Funk your mood
In the hood
Do do what you wanna do

Ooooh Ooooh
Do do what you wanna do
-
Do do what you wanna do
Ooooh
Oooh

FUNK STATION

FUNK STATION - NayJ · Mike Spring · Terry Harris · Jamie Rhind · David Milzow

Tom Adams is back with some really heavy playing....some of his very best ever.   This one's our tribute to the recent tragedies in Dallas.  

Check out Tom's fantastic playing and gallery at https://soundcloud.com/better-with-the-blues

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

Blues for Dallas - with Tom Adams / guitar

Netherlands based singer-songwriter/guitarist/composer/sound engineer.
headphones recommended

FUNK STATION - NayJ · Mike Spring · Terry Harris · Jamie Rhind · David Milzow

MIKE SPRING