TO DOWNLOAD, CLICK HERE: https://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/completeness-feat-divine-brown

The Decoders latest offering, "Completeness feat. Divine Brown" is the 3rd single from the forthcoming LP, "Adventures From Paradise: A Tribute to Minnie Riperton". With this track, The Decoders have chosen to return to their Lovers Rock roots, combining it with elements of early seventies funk and soul.

Divine Brown (not to be confused with the one involved in the Hugh Grant scandal), is a Toronto based R&B vocalist with a 5-octave range (very fitting for a Minnie Riperton tribute). Divine is a Juno award recipient and is currently signed to Universal Music Canada. Born of Jamaican parents, Divine's roots are made evident with this Lovers version of a Minnie classic. 

Todd Simon's horn arrangements pay respect to Minnie Riperton's arranger Charles Stepney, Jamaican Rock Steady bandleader/arranger Byron Lee and Shuggie Otis. The rhythm section provided by Adam Berg and Itai Shapira (and Blake Colie on drums) also follows suit, providing a lush bed for Divine's vocals to soar on. 

Stay tuned for more upcoming releases from vol 3! The full length album is due in late Fall 2013.

Credits

Divine Brown 
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals & Vocal Arrangements 

Itai Shapira 
Guitars, Bass 

Adam Berg 
Keys, B3, Mellotron 

Todd M. Simon 
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horn Arrangements 

Blake Colie 
Drums 

Engineered by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Horns recorded by Todd Simon and Itai Shapira at Nu-Fi Studios 
Mixed by Adam Berg at Manifest Music
Additional mixing by Itai Shapira at Manifest Music 
Mastered by Adam Berg at Manifest Music 

Originally Performed and Recorded by Minnie Riperton on her solo LP Come To My Garden (1971) 

Ivan Otis: Photography • Anthony Valadez: Cover Art Design

Completeness feat. Divine Brown

DOWNLOAD HERE: https://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/album/revisited-reworked-vol-2

What Cha' Gonna Do For Me Feat. Alex Isley (Freeformer Toddy T's Smooth Dub Feat. Josh Aguilar)

Strange Fruit Feat. Raul Midon (Twilight Griot Remix)

Walk On By Feat. Noelle Scaggs (Jeremy Sole Reprise)

What Cha' Gonna Do For Me Feat. Alex Isley (David Burris Remix)

I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun (Ohmega Watts Remix)

Strange Fruit feat. Raul Midon (NeXt LeVeL DuB Remix)

I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun (Adam Berg Remix)

DOWLOAD HERE: https://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/adventures-in-paradise-feat-alice-russell

The Decoders have have enlisted UK soul sensation Alice Russell (Tru Thoughts) to tackle one of their favorite Minnie Riperton songs, Adventures In Paradise, from her 1975 LP of the same name.  Musically, they are taking a departure from the laid back funk of the original, and instead, have adapted the original into a driving afro-latin infused, Band of Gypsies-esque arrangement.  The added grit of Alice's soulful wailing over the anthemic horn section and pumping bassline conjures the presence of Minnie's spirit more than ever as they continue to embark on this tribute journey to her.  Stay tuned for their next batch of songs to round out the LP later this year, Adventures From Paradise Vol 3. 

Adventures In Paradise (feat. Alice Russell)

DOWNLOAD HERE: https://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/respect-feat-mara-hruby-van-hunt

 The Decoders are at it again with another Rotary Connection cover of a cover, the classic known as "Respect" made famous by the likes of Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.  This time, they have enlisted the talents of Oakland based chanteuse Mara Hruby (www.marahruby.com) and the illustrious Van Hunt (www.vanhunt.com).  This track will be included on their upcoming full length album release, "Adventures From Paradise: A Tribute To Minnie Riperton" coming out later this year.  Check out the video for "Respect" which gives an intimate look into their process of working on the song here: http://youtu.be/nItqHDvHwoo

Respect feat. Mara Hruby & Van Hunt

DOWNLOAD: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/album/hey-there-lonely-boy-feat-coco-owino

Produced by Itai Shapira and Todd Simon 
Recorded by Itai Shapira and Todd Simon at Market Street, Sound Spot, Manifest and Nu Fi Studios 
Mixed by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music Productions.Mastered by Paul Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering 

Lead & Background Vocals: Coco Owino 
Synth Bass, Programming, Guitars: Itai Shapira 
Synth Bass, Trumpet, French Horn, Flugelhorn:Todd Simon 
Hammond B3, Wurlitzer: Quincy McCrary 
Drums: Blake Colie

released 13 December 2011 
Originally Recorded by Ruby & The Romantics (1963) 
Originally Written by Earl Shuman and Leon Carr 
Label: Universal

Hey There Lonely Boy feat. Coco Owino

DOWNLOAD: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/inside-my-love-feat-sy-smith-2

Produced by Itai Shapira and Todd Simon

Recorded by Itai Shapira and Todd Simon at Market
Street, Sound Spot, Manifest and Nu Fi Studios

Mixed by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music Productions.

Vocals recorded and mixed by Grant Nicholas.

Mastered by Adam Berg at Manifest Music

Lead & Background Vocals: Sy Smith
Bass, Guitars, Drum Programming: Itai Shapira
Trumpet, French Horn, Flugelhorn, Claps: Todd Simon
Rhodes, Moog: Quincy McCrary
Drums: Blake Colie

Vocal Arrangement by Sy Smith

Photography by Naya'Hri Suhalia-Satil

Cover Art Design by Anthony Valadez

Originally Recorded by Minnie Riperton (1975)
Originally Written by Leon Ware, Richard Rudolph & Minnie Riperton 

Inside My Love feat. Sy Smith

DOWNLOAD: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/baby-this-love-i-have-feat-leon-ware

Produced by Itai Shapira and Todd Simon

Recorded by Itai Shapira and Todd Simon at Manifest Music

Mixed and Mastered by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music Productions.

Lead & Background Vocals: Leon Ware
Background Vocals: Quincy McCrary
Bass, Guitars, Drum Programming: Itai Shapira
Euphonium: Todd Simon
Rhodes, Hammond B3: Quincy McCrary
Congas & Percussion: Allakoi Peete

Photography by: Kat Goduco

Cover Art Design by Anthony Valadez

Originally Recorded by Minnie Riperton (1975)
Originally Written by Leon Ware, Richard Rudolph & Minnie Riperton 

Baby This Love I Have feat. Leon Ware

Here's a classic lovers rock instrumental to vibe out to brought to you by The Decoders!  A special treat to share as a free download before our next single release March 20th!  Co-produced by Salvador Santana.  Enjoy!

Nice & EZ (Itaimusik re-edit)

DOWNLOAD: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/les-fleurs-feat-boston-fielder

Produced by Itai Shapira and Todd M. Simon
Written by Charles Stepney and Richard Rudolph


Boston Fielder
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals & Vocal Arrangements

Itai Shapira  
Bass, Synth Bass, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Piano & Rhodes

Todd M. Simon  
Trumpet, Flugelhorn & Glockenspiel

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
Viola & Violin

Blake Colie
Drums

Recorded by Itai Shapira at Manifest Music
Mixed and Mastered by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music

Originally Recorded by Minnie Riperton on the album Come To My Garden (1970)

Leon Dale:  Photography  •  Boston Fielder:  Cover Art Design

Les Fleurs feat. Boston Fielder

DOWNLOAD: www.thedecoders.bandcamp.com

Produced by Itai Shapira and Todd M. Simon 

Kevin Sandbloom 
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals & Vocal Arrangements 

Itai Shapira 
Bass, Electric Guitar, Additional Vocal Arrangements 

Todd M. Simon 
French Horn, Flugelhorn 

Quincy McCrary 
Hammond B3 

Adam Berg 
Rhodes 

Blake Colie 
Drums 

Recorded by Itai Shapira at Manifest Music 
Horns recorded by Todd M. Simon at Nu-Fi Studios 
Mixed and Mastered by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music 

Originally Written & Recorded by Earth Wind & Fire on the album That's The Way Of The World (1975) 

Shane Evans: Photography • Anthony Valadez: Cover Art Design

That's The Way Of The World feat. Kevin Sandbloom

DOWNLOAD HERE: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/reasons-feat-love-logiq

Produced by The Decoders 

Love-Logiq 
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals & Vocal Arrangements 

Itai Shapira 
Bass, tambourine, Additional Vocal Arrangements 

Todd M. Simon 
Flugelhorn, trumpet

Quincy McCrary 
Hammond B3 

Blake Colie 
Drums 

Engineered by Itai Shapira at Manifest Music and Market Street
Mixed by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Mastered by Adam Berg at Manifest Music

Originally Written & Recorded by Earth Wind & Fire on the album That's The Way Of The World (1975) 

Andy Drew: Photography • Anthony Valadez: Cover Art Design

Reasons feat. Love-Logiq

DOWNLOAD HERE: www.thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/walk-on-by-feat-noelle-scaggs

We are pleased to announce the arrival of the first single from Vol. 2, featuring one of our favorite singers from Los Angeles,  Noelle Scaggs ( of the band FItz & The Tantrums).  

This isn't our first collaboration with Noelle... 

Our very own Todd M. Simon inked a new Rock Steady arrangement of James Brown's "Think (About It)" for The Lions back in 2007, which featured Noelle on vocals.  Noelle has also graced many other collaborations on her own, including Quantic (aka Will Holland) and Dilated Peoples, as well as being the featured lead female vocalist in the L.A. funk and soul outift The Rebirth .

This version of "Walk On By" is an extrapolation of the original Dionne Warwick version, mutated with the stylings of Isaac Hayes rendition and finally given a "decoded" Lovers Rock backbeat.  This was quite the undertaking, and Noelle did a great job invoking the classic women of soul from the 60's era to give this version a refreshing-yet old school feel.

Burt Bacharach and Hal David (R.I.P) were a great composer team, penning many a classic hit including "I Say A Little Prayer For You" which is also slated for a Decoders vol. 2 release later this year.  We hope that we did justice to their vision with our version of "Walk On By".

The strings were recorded by San Diego native, Thomas Lea.  Thomas is the latest addition to the Decoders production team, and you can hear his lush string arrangements on upcoming releases from Rhye & Quadron.

The official release date for the single is tuesday, October 16th.  It will be made available on itunes, amazon and bandcamp for download.

We hope you enjoy it and please share if you feel it!

The Decoders


Also, in case you haven't seen it, please check out our new EPK, which is an introduction to the project and gives a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in the studio!  View it here on our new website (www.thedecodersmusic.com), where you can also purchase exclusive T-Shirts via our Insteegram store!

CREDITS:

Produced by The Decoders

Noelle Scaggs 
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals & Vocal Arrangements

Itai Shapira 
Bass, Guitars, Dub FX, Keys, Timpani, Additional Vocal Arrangements

Todd M. Simon 
Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Dub FX, Horn Arrangements

Adam Berg
Rhodes, B3, Additional Vocal Arrangements

Tracy Wannomae
Tenor, Alto Sax, Flute

Thomas Lea
Violin, Viola

Blake Colie 
Drums

Engineered by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Additional engineering by David Burris at Manifest Music
Mixed by Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Mastered by Adam Berg at Manifest Music

Originally Written by Burt Bacharach & Hal David.  Originally recorded by Dionne Warwick (1964)

Farah Sosa: Photography • Anthony Valadez: Cover Art Design



BIOGRAPHY:

The Decoders are Los Angeles-based production team Itai Shapira (producer/engineer & studio/live musician) Todd M. Simon (trumpeter/arranger for Mayer Hawthorne, TV On The Radio, The Lions, Quantic, etc.) and Adam Berg (Grammy nominated producer/engineer), with heavy contributions from Quincy McCrary on keys (Mayer Hawthorne) and Blake Colie on drums (The Lions of Stones Throw Records) . They just released their first installment of modern-Jamaican Lovers Rock-inspired versions of soul classics they dug up from the vaults of the Music Sales publishing catalogue.

In this first batch, Shapira and Simon have deciphered some Earth, Wind and Fire, Minnie Riperton and even one from Ruby and the Romantics! The project is overseen by the songwriter and producer behind many of Minnie Riperton’s hits - Richard Rudolph.

The Decoders have enlisted the help of vocalists Sy Smith (Macy Gray, Foreign Exchange) original “Baby This Love I Have" songwriter and legendary producer Leon Ware (Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Maxwell), Coco Owino (of Quadron), Kevin Sandbloom and Boston Fielder (of Muthawit).  Miguel Atwood Ferguson (Suite For Ma Dukes, Brainfeeder) also makes a guest appearance on the new single "Les Fleurs"

Volume 2 features guest vocalists Noelle Scaggs (of Fitz & The Tantrums), Raul Midon, Alex Isley and many more... 


Walk On By featuring Noelle Scaggs

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/i-am-the-black-gold-of-the-sun

Riding on the heels of their 1st single off of Vol 2 (Walk On By) with its orchestral soul arrangements, the 2nd single from Vol 2, Rotary Connection's "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun, is an ode to the beautifully epic orchestral arrangements of producer Charles Stepney.  

But this time, The Decoders have decided to venture into the Brazilian repertoire, incorporating Samba and Jazz elements into the group's psychedelic soul arrangement.  

This version features Adrian Younge's "Venice Dawn" vocalists Loren Oden and Brooke De Rosa on vocals, as well as Jungle Fire's Steve Haney on percussion and Brazilian musician Quetzal Guerrero on percussion and berimbau.

The artwork for the single is an original painting by Los Angeles based artist Michelle Robinson.  Michelle's work has been praised by Cee-Lo Green, among others.  For more info, check out her website here: http://www.michellizm.com/


CREDITS:

Produced by The Decoders

Loren Oden
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals

Brooke De Rosa 
Background Vocals 

Itai Shapira 
Bass, Guitars, Synth, Vocal Arrangements 

Todd M. Simon 
Trumpet, Horn Arrangements 

Adam Berg 
Piano 

Tracy Wannomae 
Saxophone

Thomas Lea 
Violin, Viola 

Steve Haney
Percussion

Quetzal Guerrero
Berimbau

Blake Colie 
Drums 

Engineered by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Additional engineering by David Burris at Manifest Music 
Mixed by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Mastered by Adam Berg at Manifest Music 

Originally written and recorded by Rotary Connection (1971) 

Michelle Robinson: Original Artwork • Anthony Valadez: Cover Art Design



I Am The Black Gold of the Sun

Reasons (DJ Prophecy Dub Mix)

"Dub Mixes Volume 1" is our latest adventure into the dub room, taking the Jamaican Lovers-Rock classics of our first EP, Volume 1, and giving these studio versions a dub treatment.  We reached out to our extended family for the production, as well as doing our own dub versions.  The mixes for the EP include the talents of DJ Prophecy, Blakesbeats and our very own core production team (Itai Shapira, Todd M. Simon and Adam Berg).   We had so much fun twisting knobs and tweaking the filters on these mixes, and we're very excited to share with you our latest venture into the Jamaican tradition of "dubbing" these classics...enjoy!

Hey There Lonely Boy (Blakesbeats Dub Mix)

That's The Way Of The World (DJ Prophecy Mix)

Les Fleurs (Itai Shapira Dub Mix)

Inside My Love (Decoders Nu Horn Dub Mix)

Baby This Love I Have (Adam Berg Dub mix)

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/strange-fruit-feat-raul-midon

Fresh of the press and following the release of "Walk On By" and "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun", we are proud to offer up another gem reworked from the Music Sales catalog, this time digging even deeper into our cultural history with the haunting poetic verses of Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" sung beautifully by our friend and comrade, soul crooner Raul Midon!  

In honor of Black History Month, we have to decided to release the single on Feb 1st (on band camp and iTunes), but will stream it on sound cloud this week leading up to the release date.

In classic Decoders fashion, we decided to flip the arrangement into a St. James Infirmary Jazz style with dub and cumbia undertones...Raul's amazing vocal delivery and masterful guitar work is heavily featured in the song.  This particular version is also inspired by Jeff Buckley's cover of the tune, which was recorded in the early 90's by Liza Richardson at Santa Monica's KCRW studios.  Check out the link here: http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/td/td110914from_the_archives_je

Strange Fruit feat. Raul Midon

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/what-cha-gonna-do-for-me-feat-alex-isley

In homage to Chaka Khan, The Decoders have tapped into the brilliance of her early 80's hit "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me" and re-imagined it for a new generation, featuring the young, up-and-coming vocalist and songwriter Alex Isley (daughter of Ernie Isley from the Isley Brothers).  A dash of Electronic, Soul and Reggae/Dub/Dancehall vibes, this track will keep ears young and old intrigued by its lush sonic landscape, horn stabs and the buttery, soulful croons of miss Alex Isley.  Enjoy!

CREDITS:

Produced by The Decoders 

Alex Isley
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals & Vocal Arrangements 

Itai Shapira 
Drum Programming, Bass, Guitar, Dub FX, Synths

Adam Berg 
Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Dub FX

Todd M. Simon 
Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Horn Arrangements 

Tracy Wannomae
Flute, Tenor & Alto Sax

Blake Colie 
Additional Drums 

Engineered by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music  
Mixed by Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Additional mixing by Itai Shapira
Mastered by Adam Berg at Manifest Music 

Originally Performed and Recorded by Chaka Khan on her third solo album "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me (1981) 

Holly Port: Photography • Anthony Valadez: Cover Art Design

What Cha' Gonna Do For Me feat. Alex Isley

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/reasons-feat-jimetta-rose

The debut single off of the forthcoming LP Adventures From Paradise : A Tribute To Minnie Riperton (vol. 3), Reasons is the Decoders latest offering, tackled beautifully by local LA native songstress Jimetta Rose and featuring a stellar cast of session players from Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

The Decoders chose to take this classic Minnie track, and transform it into a celebratory, Jorge Ben inspired Afro-Brazilian samba. Featuring Brazilian trombonist Fabio Santana de Souza, and percussion by Te'Amir Sweeney and Steve Haney, this arrangement is yet another tribute to Minnie Riperton's depth of songwriting and musical prowess. 

Stay tuned for more upcoming releases from vol 3! The full length album is due in late Summer/early Fall.

Reasons feat. Jimetta Rose

Recorded live at the KCRW presents "An Evening with Gilles Peterson" live radio show at Sonos Studio on the evening of May 23rd, 2013.  It was hosted by Jason Bentley and featured special guest appearances by Om'Mas Keith and Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Egon, Seu Jorge, The Decoders and many others.  

During the Decoders set, Seu Jorge joined the band in an impromptu rendition of his previously recorded cover of Roy Ayers' classic hit "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" 

Here is a portion of the magic captured from that evening.  Enjoy! 

The Decoders:

Special Guest: SEU JORGE - Lead Vocals

Todd M. Simon - trumpet, flugelhorn
Itai Shapira - Bass
Adam Berg - Rhodes, Hammond B3
Blake Colie - Drums
Steve Haney - Percussion
Patrick Bailey - Guitar
Tracy Wannomae - Alto & Tenor Saxophone
Destani Wolf - Background Vocals
Love Logiq - Background Vocals
Jimetta Rose - Background Vocals




Everybody Loves The Sunshine feat. Seu Jorge

DOWNLOAD HERE: http://thedecoders.bandcamp.com/track/young-willing-able-feat-andr-e-belle 

The follow up 2nd single from Vol. 3. "Adventures From Paradise: A Tribute To Minnie Riperton, this rare disco classic "Young, Willing & Able" has been re-imagined and updated for a new generation of music heads and dance floors alike...featuring the legendary bassist and co-founder of Jamiroquai, Stuart Zender, vocals by the lovely Andrée Belle and strings by Thomas Lea (Rhye, Quadron, and many more), the Decoders have found a way to yet again humbly breathe new life into Minnie's incomparable sound...


Andrée Belle 
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals & Vocal Arrangements 

Itai Shapira 
Guitar, Additional Vocal Arrangements 

Stuart Zender 
Bass 

Adam Berg 
Rhodes 

Todd M. Simon 
Trumpet, Horn Arrangements 

Tracy Wannomae 
Tenor & Alto Sax 

Elizabeth Lea 
Trombone 

Thomas Lea 
viola, violin 

Steve Haney 
Percussion 


Blake Colie 
Drums 

Engineered by Itai Shapira and Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Mixed by Adam Berg at Manifest Music 
Additional mixing by Itai Shapira
Mastered by Adam Berg at Manifest Music 

Originally Performed and Recorded by Minnie Riperton on her solo LP Stay In Love (1977) 

Alex Elena: Photography • Anthony Valadez: Cover Art Design

Young Willing & Able feat. Andrée Belle

In only a couple of years, Los Angeles production trio (Todd M. Simon, Itai Shapira and Adam Berg) have cemented their reputation in the studio and on stage as the premiere production team and live band for artists like Rhye, Kelis, and Hollie Cook.

They have also garnered the attention of great worldwide tastemakers such as KCRW music director Jason Bentley, the legendary Gilles Peterson of the BBC, Jaime Cullum, Okayplayer, Saint Heron, Wax Poetics, Bandcamp and many more.

Rarely emerging from behind closed studio doors, The Decoders love combining their specialized brand of "decoded" classics from the 60's and 70's soul movement with an excitingly new blend of genres ranging from Lovers Rock to Dub, Brazilian Music to Psychadelic Soul.

Coco O. (of Quadron), Noelle Scaggs (of Fitz & the Tantrums), Leon Ware, Raul Midon and many others have lended their vocal talents to this special project with more to surely come for each new volume.

In a live setting, The Decoders are 10 to 20 piece ensemble featuring LA's top musicians and session players.  Thus far, they have released 2 volumes and a dub remix EP, including a few tunes from their upcoming LP, Adventures From Paradise: A Tribute To Minnie Riperton (vol 3), which will be completed in the summer of 2014 and features special guest vocalists and musicians including Bilal, Van Hunt, Mara Hruby, Andreya Triana, Alice Russell, Jimetta Rose, Niki Randa, and many more.


"This is not music, its chemistry. Get into the science." -Okayplayer.com

For more info, check out their website at www.thedecodersmusic.com or go to www.thedecoders.bandcamp.com to listen and purchase their music.
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