Songs with the Eclectic Collective

NZAN

Ken wrote this song (K2 and the Three, and K2 and the Four) a little more than three decades ago, and recorded it with a former band in '95. It's about being a guy who recovers a woman from a failed relationship, even though he doesn't expect it to last. He got the term from an episode of the '90s hit Roseanne, when one of the someone quipped after one of the daughters had been dumped by a bad boy, only to find a new boyfriend, that "it's not gonna last. He's her transition man." So, Ken, finding himself in a similar situation, picked up the term and ran with it.
His original recording was a harder rock sounding song we used a template, but only loosely. Josh Clary (Entheogenic Psychonaught) tried to answer the question, what would Flea play on this? JJ Terrell came up with the fonky funk keys. Tez (Llanpsych) and Stephen (TexMex Shaman) came up with with the lightning and fire guitar leads. Ken, of course, did the driving drumming and essential percussion. Chris (cgManess) added the really solid foundational rhythm guitar. He also sings this one. On top of that, he also did a fantastic job of producing and mixing it, as well as coming up with the art.
We hope you enjoy it. Below are the lyrics, too.

Hey won’t you listen to me?
I know I can’t set you free
But I’ll jump start your broken heart
Make it safe again for you to live and love
You know it’s all or nothing

Love see me for awhile
Let ‘em know you’re back in style
It’s touch and go, baby you should know
Feelings from your temporary heart
Leave me with all or nothing
Yeah

Girl, I’ll see you in my dreams tonight
It only takes all of my time
You see my brilliant color
Fades to black and white
For I see what you are
And I know who I am

I’m your
Your transition man, yea
Your transition man, yeah

Baby who’s to blame
Was it your fire or my flame?
Candle’s always melt to wax
But I want you to love me like “ forever “
Is all, or is it nothing?

Darling you’re in my soul
I thought I should let you know
The Spirit that is moving me
Is it all ill have, or will you take my hand?
Give me all or give me nothing

And it’s a long distance, baby!!!

Transition Man  - (Eclectic Collective)

This is a song that was written by the very talented Artur (Surfers Like Us), who is a surf rock master, and delivered to us in the form of a guitar track. 

Josh (Entheogenic Psychonaught) enjoyed adding the psychedelic, yet foundational four string fretless bass. Ken (K2 and the Three and K2 and the Four) boosted the energy level of the song when he blew our minds with his driving drums. 

JJ (J.J. Terrell) added the wild, dynamic organ you hear throughout. Tez (Llanpsych) brought lightning down from the sky in the solo over the third section. And last, but certainly not least, Stephen (TexMex Shaman) laid down the mind-bending guitar solos over the first two sections. He also produced and mixed it, with a little help from Ken. 

We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as our Eclectic Collective enjoyed making it.

My concept for the first half was like a race - each phrase of the overall section was like a runner handing off the baton to the next racer which is a new guitar sound or tone. Ultimately leading to part 2 which is the final winning lap.

Home's Album

A Time Race  - (Eclectic Collective)

Tex Mex Shaman (Stephen)--rhythm/ slide guitars/ riff/ mix and post production--@texmex-shaman
Llanpsych (Tez)--lead guitar--@llanpsych
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)--bass guitar--@josh-clary-1
J.J. Terrell-- Piano/glockenspiel--@j-j-terrell 
Mysterious Decibel--lead and high backing vocals--@themysteriousdecibel
K2 and the Three (Ken)--drums/ cowbell( I had the fever)maracas/tambourine/ woodblock/ low harmonies--@k2andthe3, and @k2-kara

This is a cover from Paul McCartney and Wings, from the 1975 album, Venus and Mars, and this album was supported on their 1976 Wings over America tour. They always opened with Venus and Mars/Rockshow
     Ken sent Josh and Tez an email a few months back, about maybe covering this awesome rocker, after we released “Hello World." Before responding, Ken reposted his cover of "Richard Cory," a Simon and Garfunkel cover, sung by Denny Laine and Sir Paul on the Wings Over America triple live album. Stephen commented that “Rockshow” was one of the first songs he learned on guitar. Ken said, “Well, here’s your sign!" He freaked and invited Stephen to immediately contact Josh.
     We finished everything but the vocals by early June, but were stuck on lead vocalist. Several of the collective gave it a go, but nothing sounded right. Then came a late game idea. We had all been following and fans of The Mysterious Decibel for quite some time, so we asked him if he'd be interested in singing it. He was game, and really delivered what so many could not. He is a new, welcome addition to our mix. You'll also hear Stephen, who accomplished the herculean task of mixing and producing this song, very ably play the entire song on the guitar, with Tez playing the ripping leads. 
  We hope you enjoy our labor of love that has been an entire summer in the making.

Rockshow (Wings Cover)  - (Eclectic Collective)

Cast of characters:
Surfers Like Us–@user-411502040–Artur–songwriting, foundational rhythm guitar
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman–Stephen–guitar solos in first half, mix, and production
J.J. Terrell–@j-j-terrell–keys, including organ and electric piano
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara–Ken–drums and percussion
Llanpsych–@llanpsych–Tez–Guitar solo in the second half
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1–bass guitar

This is a song that Artur wrote in his unique, original, and signature surf rock style, and passed it on to Josh, as a gift. Josh added some bass, and, of course, had to get the rest of the Eclectic Collective involved, too. Ken came up with the energetic, driving beat, perfectly suited for the song. JJ added some really stunning, surfy organ and jamming electric piano. Tez added his signature inspired, powerful lead in the second part. Stephen added his dynamic guitar voice to the first half, and was kind, generous, patient, and talented enough to mix and produce the whole thing.

I asked Artur the meaning of the song's title, and he told me that it refers to the soulmate some people find, who can carry you through anything, even if you or they may be a little crazy. It's about crazy love!

We hope you enjoy our third installment of our surf rock series. Thanks for hanging ten with us!

The One - (Eclectic Collective)

This is a song that JJ came up with on the electric piano and shared with the rest of us. He's done a significant portion of the songwriting for the Eclectic Collective, and always gives us quality songs, to which are easy to add our voices. 
When he sent it to us, he had a rough bass on there that sounded like Lust for Life. Ken came up with a killer and appropriate beat, which, if you can picture Lust For Life, included a lot of accentuated bass kicks. 
So, Josh took and went with that, and came up with a funky bass line. Ken and he kicked it back and forth a few times till they linked up. Then JJ added some funky ass organ and trippy retro synth to spice it up.
 Then it was time to send it to the guitarist. Tez laid down some smoking lead solos throughout, with his signature fiery guitar tone and amazing licks. Then Stephen funked it up even more with a fonky-ass wah guitar track. 
 Ken produced and mixed this one for us, and what an excellent job he did, too. This was so much fun to create. We all hope you enjoy listening to our jam as much as we did playing it.

Tonkas and Matchbox Cars -(Eclectic Collective)

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* Read more: https://boltingbits.com/dj-rocca-the-box-above-flexi-cuts
* Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KjR6xHZLwXY
* Pre-order: https://flexi-cuts.bandcamp.com/album/musica-solida-sampler-1

In this electrifying 2024, we're buzzing with excitement as we celebrate 40 years of Flexi, the record emporium that's weathered countless storms amidst the ever-shifting tides of the music industry, catering to vinyl aficionados across the ages. Alongside the raves and swag, no doubt, there's a killer compilation dropping on the indie label "Flexi Cuts," dubbed evocatively as "Musica Solida" spread across 3 or perhaps 4 12-inch samplers, boasting a carefully curated selection of singles from cherished Flexi-affiliated artists and producers. The vision? To cultivate a virtuous movement of sublime tunes, echoing the fervor and zeal to persist within the realm of quality that Flexi embodies within the Italian scene, alongside kindred spirits... despite the daunting challenges of the market in recent years.

PREMIERE: DJ ROCCA - The Box Above

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* Read more: https://boltingbits.com/jon-selbo-keep-ur-luv-troubleshoot-recordings
* Listen on Youtube: https://youtu.be/nHAvImAcFas
* Pre-order: https://hypeddit.com/z5m29q

Following their first ‘DJ TOYS’ compilation, that was celebrated by DJ Mag, played at Berghain several times and drew support from DJs like Âme, Avalon Emerson, Barker, Baumecker and Ben Sims, queer feminist party collective and record label TOYS Berlin are back with their second ‘DJ TOYS’ installment. Representing the boundary-pushing sound spectrum of the TOYS universe, up-and-coming producers DAEDE, Eklekta, ASA 808, Jon Selbo, Jakob Mäder and OSO are transcending UK bass/garage, Trance and House in five forward-thinking underground gems.

This fast-paced, synth-driven track is a strong blend of energy and emotion. Troubleshoot Recordings co-founder Jon Selbo weaves together intricate layers of synthesized chords, driving baselines with ethereal vocal snippets that elevate the track, whilst adding layers of depth. With a tempo that relentlessly propels the listener forward, this song captures the essence of a night that refuses to end, embodying the euphoric highs and introspective lows of the club experience.

PREMIERE: Jon Selbo  - Keep Ur Luv

Cast of Characters:

~Mark F-- @mark_fosella -- bass guitar, composition

Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – guitar

cgmaness-- @user-419254289-15129531 – Chris – guitar

TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen–  production, and mix

J.J. Terrell–@j-j-terrell –electric piano, organ, and synth

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –-electric mandolin


This song originated with Mark creating a bass line to a metronome, and sharing it with Ken. Ken immediately added his driving drums, and invited the rest of the EC to join in. 
JJ was first up, laying in his foundational organ, and e. piano magic in the first half, and the cosmic synth melody in the second part. Batting second was Josh, who established the melody in the first half with his electric mandolin, and mirrors the melody in the second half with the same.
 Next came Tez, who laid in the funky guitar right after the first break, all the way to the end. Batting clean up was Chris, who laid in the psych guitar in the first section, as well as the high guitar part in the second movement.
 Of course, we needed an expert producer to mix this for us, so we turned to Stephen, who always gets it exactly to everyone's specifications. That in and of itself is quite a skill, and I don't know how he does it, but everyone is always satisfied with his work.
  This is the second song we've done with Mark, who is a tremendously talented bass player, and delightfully creative songwriter. If you aren't familiar with his work, do yourself a favor and hop on over to his page for some delicious bass music. We hope you enjoy listening to this song as much as we enjoyed making it.


The Adventures of Stefan Ortez - (Eclectic Collective) w/ Mark Fosella

TexMex Shaman