Sweet Salinity is an indie/experimental rock duo consisting of Ruben van Tonder and Roy Blake. 

Their vocals are written in English and Afrikaans and consist of a mixture of rap, free verse and various other styles.

Currently the group is looking for other artists to collaborate with so feel free to contact us at the the email 
provided below.
sweetsweetsalinity@gmail.com

Roles:
Ruben van Tonder (Guitar) 
Roy Blake (Production/Electric sounds) 

If you like our music LIKE and SHARE it.
Awela.


For Mastering your track you can contact me via mastering@audiobyray.com or via the website

Standard Mastering = 35 euro = 49 US Dollar 
Full Mastering         = 45 euro = 59 Us Dollar 
Stem Mastering       = 60 euro = 79 Us Dollar
Mixing & Mastering = 75 eur (8 stems) = 99 US Dollar 

Online Banking
Paypal
Creditcard
Wester Union

AudiobyRay Mastering provides you audio mastering for a reasonable price.

We have mastering experiance for over 5 years and mastered over a 1000 EDM (electronic dance music) tracks, Stem Mastering sessions, and countless DJ Mixtapes so far.We like to think you’re in good hands! Our mastered tracks have had lots of Releases at Beatport , Dancetunes, Junodownload & iTunes.

Mastering for EDM, Elektro House, Elektro, Progressive House, Dubstep, Trap, Trance, Drum and Bass, Acid,Club, Deep House, Nu-Disco, Electro, Electro-Funk, Fidget House, Funky House, Garage, Hard Dance, Minimal, Tech House.

Mastered/Mixed/Produced by me :)

Jessy Arriba
Ranzino Listen To Your Dreams
Nivanoise Connected (Jake Travis & Paul Martin Remix)
Alex Gobang Saturday (Groovenerd Remix)
Miky Mad This Love
Marvel Child Can You Feel The Base (Original Mix)
Ranzino Along The Road (Original Mix)
Jake Travis Feat SaraLee Do What I Gotta Do
Miky Mad This Love
Dancyn Drone Shadow People (Original Mix)
Adam Weizhaupt Sunday People
Jessy Feat Ward One People
Erik Vee Far Away (Stereotic Remix)
Phorsicht Wenn die Sonne im Norden erscheint (feat. LSP, Katha Huber & Ben Bright)
Jessy Feat Ward One People
Erik Vee Far Away (Stereotic Remix)
ZiK ft. Katey Laurel Stars
Dana Blue That Man
Dancyn Drone Shadow People (Original Mix)
Dana Blue Hey Na Na Na
Blood From The Stone Command Q ft. Angus Dawson (Dumo remix)
Isabela Derniere Danse
Corren Cavini Primavera
Endemit Work Mess Around
Jessy Free Fall
Tosic Secret Love (US)
Ranzino Along The Road
Corren Cavini Primavera
Oliver Koletzki Bring Me Home (Stereotic Remix)
Dancyn Drone Thunderstruck
Katey Laurel ft. ZiK Stars (Prod. by ZiK)
Dancyn Drone Come To Me (Original Mix)
Jessy The Shadow
Dancyn Drone Come To Me
Hekkla Zhouzou
Bill Withers Who Is He (Deepend ft. Charles Saxless Bootleg)
Dancyn Drone The Flex
Paul Shout Vibes (Jake Travis Remix)
Bill Withers Who Is He (Deepend Saxless Bootleg)
Stereotic L'hiver (Original Mix)
Bill Withers Who Is He (Deepend ft. Charles Sax Bootleg)
Bill Withers Who Is He Deepend Bootleg)
Corren Cavini Apologize (Bootleg)
G-Lati & Mellons feat. Sebastian Dean- So Real (preview)
Phorsicht Spring Ding
Deepend Gone (Original Mix)
John Legend All Of Me (Dumo Bootleg)
Dan Chase feat. Chris Lago Runaways (Dumo Remix)
Jake Travis Roll It
Deepend Gone
Corren Cavini Blurred Lines (Bootleg)
Miley Cyrus Wrecking Ball (Jessy Remix)
Party DJ's United Een Heel Gelukkig Kerstfeest (DJ Dopy Remix)
Betty Who Somebody Loves You (Hector Fonseca Club Mix)
Stereotic Feat. IXI ISIS Rooftop Memories (Original Mix)
Stereotic L'été (Original Mix)
Billy Lace Pump It Up Homeboy (Original Mix)
Wikash Ft. Ceren Aksan The Comeback
Cem Esgen Rebirth (Jake Travis Remix)
Corren Cavini Changes (Bootleg)
John Martin Just Drive (Joakim Carley Remix)
R.Marlon Are You Ready
Dirty basterdz Ft. Lady Lee Melody (Houze Remix)
Dennis Quin Coconuts (Smooth Remix)
Wikash Baidjoe & Ceren Aksan Captain Epic
Onnik Zzzzzz
Elquando Dami Freak (Original Mix)
Nicolle You (Radio Edit) English Version
Vanessa Falk Private Party (Jody Koenders Remix)
Michael Partington Plexus (Original)
Miky Mad 1989
Brian Bloom & Franky Malloy ft. Ania Crown Broken Piano (Radio Edit)
Dr. No Grande (Shroomtune Remix)
Alles Davies ft Shannon When The Dark Comes
Dirty Basterdz Universe
Dr. No Grande (Original Mix)
R Marlon Electro & House
Nicolle You (Club Edit) English Version
Dennis Quin & Mavgoose Eres Para Mi
Barry Fore 4Ya (Nene Dasile Remix)
Gerald Le Funk Taste The Fame
Dellacrozz ft Dj Salva Wasteland 2011 Anthem
Tom Twice, Robin Riccio Carbon (Original Mix)
Dirty Basterdz Trip to Ibiza
Brian Munshi Bem Vindo Ao Meu Mundo MIXTAPE
Yvonne Hypnotised
Gerald Le Funk Obvious (Original Mix)
Timati feat Snoop Dogg Groove on (Onnik & Boskamp Remix)
Phorsicht Nacht
Marvel Child Pump It Up (Original Mix)
Miky Mad Hit and Run
Deepend L.C.D. (Original Mix)
ErroV & Reef feat. Chaja Proost New Horizon
Jake Travis Big Surprise
Jasmin Jax White Night (Original Mix)
Bloom & Malloy Punk (Original Mix)
Gino Windster feat Halogen Crystal dreamz (Bjorn Know How & Josh Pitch remix)
Gerald Le Funk Interface (Orignal Mix)
Treetstreet Funky Tunes
Varius Allure (Original Mix)
Aye Q & Juvey Let's Find Out
Aeterni Hulu (Original Mix)
Fresco Project Play It Cool
Marvel Child ft. Claire Willi I Remember Mama Said (Original Mix)
Dancyn Drone Oh I Don't Give A Fuck
DJ Deepblue Layers (Party Killers Remix)
Zik Follow My Dreams
Phorsicht Verloren
I-KON feat. SuperChill The Boy Who Likes To
Phorsicht anORGANik
Ridney & Terri B! Ft.Toddi Reed Rise Up (What Can I Do) (Nick Morena & Sean Garnier Remix)
Sleazy Stereo & Thomas Mendell Thunderbirds
Afrojack & Steve Aoki Feat. Leave out Palmer- No Pork (Birthday party Killers Remix)
Dj Mark Mortale Please Leave The Dancefloor Now
Onnik High Roller (Original Version)
Party Killers Ft Vuk Lazar We Can Fly (Original Mix)
Brad Coleman Enigma
Dr. No Grande (Felice Remix)
dj Tunes Vicious Circle (Radio Edit)
Chazers Do That Song (Jacknificent Remix)
Marc Beedle Alone
Monk1e Viceman (Original Mix)
X-Dream No More BallyHoo
Quilinez Ft Sick Individuals Troll (Party Killers Smash Edit)
Bill Withers Ain't No Sunshine (Deepend ft Charles Sax Bootleg)
Mike Gloria Samsara (Original Mix)
Coca Dillaz The Revolution
Martyn Green The Force (Original Mix)
Deepend Hidden Sound (Original Mix)
Todd Whittle Ritmo
Miky Mad Raw
Don Ruijgrok Crafting (Halogen Remix)
Onnik ft Miss Irma Derby Music [HOUSEQUAKE]
Katarie Down With Me
Areon Atlantis
Dancyn Drone feat. Eedah Broke Me Once
Miky Mad Twisted
DJ PhilV Shake It Up
Dennis Quin & Mavgoose Eres Para Mi (The Official Remix)
Brian Bloom & Franky Malloy ft. Ania Crown Broken Piano (Original Mix)
DJ Forever Please Stay In My Life (Original Radio Edit) 2013
Rivalio Vegas & Gerald Le Funk Can you Hear me
Rihanna Diamonds (Hector Fonseca Remix)
Laurent Apffel The Contact (Clubmix)
Lothar When It Hits You
Volcano - Thank You
DJ Silence Bomba Latina (Onnik Remix)
Don Ruijgrok Boy Meets Dog (Original Mix)
De La Phunk & Pascal Moreno & Tyron Kemble Matasu
Adr1an G. Absolute
The BeatCookers My City (Original Mix)
Brad Coleman Perpetuum
Archie Koba Keep On feat. Andy Dolan
Erro V & Reef feat. Dionne There is a light
O.B Lightning (Nick Morena & Sean Garnier Remix)
Marvel Child Freak Tonight (Original Mix)
DJ Set Roog Loveland Festival 2012
Phorsicht Verbindung Verloren (feat. SR da Häbbät & JR da KeyHakka)
J.Era Alarm
Delarock Ibiza Horn
Dennis Quin King Of The Beats (Roberto Corda Remix)
Julio Rivera Switched
Fresco Project Play It Cool
Trupa Hara feat Mr. M Totaya Ye
Ricardo Brooks Dirty (Dancyn Drone Remix)
Miky Mad You Complete Me
Deepend Afterhour
Shaun Mcdonald 1988 (Stu Laurie Remix)
Onnik ft Miss Irma Derby Music [HOUSEQUAKE]
DJ Tunes feat Petra We're going to the future (Radio Edit)
De La Rock feat. Jennifer Cooke You and Me
Katarie Grand Carnival
Supersexy Mixtape Volume 1
Digital Style Twenty Four Seven
Marvel Child Proggy Style (Original Mix)
Archie Koba Everything Came Out Right
MNDR Feed Me Diamonds (Dancyn Drone Remix)
Tiësto Chasing Summers (Party Killers Remix)
LuKone & deMoga feat. Liviu Teodorescu Electronic Symphony (Radio Edit)
Brad Coleman Trajectory
Faithless Insomnia 2012 (Tom Jung Remix)
Underground Resistance Transition (TS RMX)
Corren Cavini Beaver
Jake Travis Jump on Sunday
Dirty Basterdz ft Houze B.i.G-R00M
Bob Marley Is This Love (Marvel Child Remix)
AN21 & Max Vangeli ft. Julie McKnight Bombs Over Capitals (Chriss Silver & B5K0 Remix)
Marvel Child I'm a Sorcerer (Original Mix)
Paul Lock Lock That Feeling
Onnik Sorted
The Low End Theory Waking Up Benirras (Benirras EP)
Utku Dalmaz Call The Fireman
DJ Gezzie Got To Funk
Vicente Roca Sambito (Dancyn Drone Remix)
DJ San Sebastian ft Stanford Revolution (San Sebastian Remix)
DJ Roog Hardsoul at Club Yellow Tokyo May 2006 Mixtape
Brad Coleman St. Rollin
Gino Windster feat Mode De La Fvnk & Roel Calister Shimaruku (Original mix)
Dennis Quin King Of The Beats
Archie Koba Down With Me
Jay Costa Pianore
DJ Mark Mortale Mondo Superiore
Gege Feel the beat (Guan Mito Beach Remix)
Erro V & Reef feat. Chaja Proost New Horizon 2011
Sisse Marie Kill For Your Love (Bloom & Malloy Bootleg)
Founder Blowback (Radio Version)
Budakid Six Degrees
Chris Decent 9th Flag
Don Ruijgrok Crafting (Original Mix)
Miky Mad The Morning Fog
Marvel Child Music Is Our Salvation (Original Mix)
Mike Rozz Scarab (Original Club Mix)
Nielson Ludge Moments (Original Mix)
Deepend MPC
Elquando Dami Bouncing Green
Alano Tekashi Challenger
Mark & Modena Orbit (Original Mix)
Royalistic ft. Brandnew und Grande Palmera (Original Mix)
Phorsicht Reiseziel
Merk & Kremont Underground
Gino Windster & Halogen Crystal Dreamz (Original Mix)
Phorsicht Die Seele
Martin Dhamen One Step Away (Original Mix)
Black Wonderful Life (Deepend Bootleg)
Mario Rijken van Olst vs Emiel Roche Woofers
Nick Corline Sweet Dreams (Onnik & Boskamp Insomnia Remix)
D-Rakki Feat Mary M. Freedom (Original Mix)
Dennis Quin- King Of The Beats
Party Rock Anthem (Luke-R & Valentino Original Bootleg) LMFAO
Paul More Say Yes
Erro v & Reef VS 4-4 Water & Dionne Super High
Kraantje Pappie Waar Is De Kraan (Marvel Child Remix)
Dennis Quin La Musica
Walterz Love Boat (Remix)
Billy Bazz Gingsta
Twelve Twelve Steppin Alley
Arcade The King (Onnik Remix)
Zik Dance
Tom Odell Another Love (Deepend Bootleg)
Dj Mark Mortale Too The House Beamm
Gino Windster feat Rooz Will You Ever Know (Original)
WiDiRa Pegas (Original Club Mix)
Mash & Koma Just For Fun (Party Killers Remix)
Onnik Pandemonium [Big & Dirty Records]
Planet King Everything is Ok
Dancyn Drone Surreal (Original Mix)
Eddie Amador House Music (Marvel Child 2013 remix)
San Sebastian ft Stanford Revolution (Quintin remix)
Miss Irma Derby Shelter You (Onnik & Boskamp Remix)
Brad Coleman We Cozy
Onnik ft Miss Irma Derby I Won't Lose It
Marvel Child Music Came First (Original Mix)
Marco Farouk Rising
Miky Mad The Walking Pad
DJ Quin Coconuts (Original)
Nicolle You (Club Edit) Romanian Version
Brad Coleman Orbit
Nicolle You (Radio Edit) Romanian Version
Franky Malloy & Timothy Cash Electric Phenomenon
Laurent Apffel Joe's Dub
Maxi DJ Crazy (Original Mix)
Dr. No Grande (Bingo Bongo Boys Electric Flamenco Rmx)
Marvel Child The Catacomb (Original Mix)
ErroV Reef feat. Dionne There is a light that never goes out Remix 2011 National Geographic
Franky Malloy Rock Thiz
Founder Blowback (Extended)
Dancyn Drone The Cricket
Billy Lace Cha Cha Now (Original Mix)
Billy Lace Check This Out (Original Mix)

Formed in Denver, Colorado, John Daryl Blouin and the Electric Black was a spin-off of a previous group that disbanded as various members pursued their college education.
I joined Electric Black after leaving another group, three of whose members–Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn and Andrew Woolfolk–were also leaving to join Earth, Wind & Fire. Their contributions to the New Earth, Wind, & Fire include Where Have All The Flowers Gone, Time is on Your Side, Keep your Head To The Sky, Shining Star, Devotion, Reasons.
The new Electric Black was comprised of myself, Dale Hinton, Melvin Proctor, Paul Small, Harold Lee, Rick Rivera, Gerald Morris, David Wilson and Albert Lattier. We were the “Hottest Musical Band” around. There was competition, but no one could touch us! 
Amazingly, we went on to win George Wein's Kool Jazz Festival, edging out the other 17,000 Musicians and over 3,000 groups that entered. We performed in the Philharmonic Hall in Manhattan on the same stage with Chuck Magione, John Blake and others.
Electric Black was the only group to get a standing ovation that day, which is something you never forget! It was wonderful, and we were truly shocked and honored to win. As if that wasn’t enough to be proud of, later that week we were given an Award by Satchmo's wife on the 65th floor of the Rockefeller Plaza.
About two or three weeks after arriving back home, the Kool Jazz Festival came to Denver, where we were asked to be the Opening Group. We performed alongside such legends as Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Donnie Hathaway, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Kool and the Gang, the Isley Brothers, War and many noteworthy jazz greats. 
Sometime later, we added Julius Carey to the group, who sings lead on the two latest songs I wrote and produced. Before these two tunes came together, I also dusted off a few songs I had previously written and conformed them to a man (me) who loves, respects, adores, and is truly thrilled in his heart each time he kisses her... whose heart explodes with different musical tunes every time she touches him. NOW, THAT'S LOVE! 
As a result, we hit the studio to record Pretty Momma and Honey Sweet Darling. PRAISE THE LORD! HOPE THAT THEY ARE A SMASHING SUCCESS


The Sweet Endings Blues Band are...

Dave Bosma- guitar/ vocals
Dave Hyldig-guitar/ vocals
Andrew Poirier- bass/ vocals
Matt Pease -drums
Jay Morency- harmonica/vocals

The Sweet Endings are a Victoria local live electric blues band With a rockin blues sound  based in 50's Chicago blues, with a little jazz/swing and rock and roll thrown into the mix. With influences ranging from artists like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and Howlin Wolf to Led Zeppelin , and the Rolling Stones. A main stay at Swans hotel for the past 3 years, the SweetEndings have been a gigging blues band for four years plus now, they have shared the stage with other great blues acts including Maple Blues award winner David Vest. A night out with The Sweet Endings is always a rockin time guaranteed to shake a tail feather.

A Sweet Motif is a Cyprus based band made up of Giannos ''johnytank'' Michael (Drums), Marios Xadjikos (Bass Guitar) and Mike Fotiou (Electric Guitar). Being longtime friends, in 2016 they decided that their passion for complex/fusion style music as well as their love for mainstream pop hits is the perfect reason to form a band that can blend those two elements together and create something that in their ear sounds ideal. Their ambition is that most of the music enthusiasts will love their approach. ASM will invite different singer (or singers) for each cover because their idea is that they have to be flexible with the singing approaches for different styles of songs. In the immediate future they will also record their own compositions which will vary stylistically. To keep up to date with ASM subscribe to their YouTube channel, and follow them on their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Laranja play infectiously catchy, energetic indie, on the border of becoming rock – full of raw vocals, bass hooks and pop melodies. Created from the ashes of the Birmingham scene that created Peace, Swim Deep and JAWS, they bring a new aspect to the scene, keeping the shimmering guitar effects that shaped the sounds of their Birmingham peers then adding in endless hooks, powerful vocals and driving bass, they’re not genre defining but sound like nobody else. Led by vocalist and guitarist Luke Mendonça and supported by Dave Cartwright (Bass), their varied live set has been described as electric by the few people who’ve had chance to see them, playing just a handful of shows since they’ve been together, treating only midlands audiences to their performances as of yet. Alongside a new single and accompanying cinematic video, directed by Andrew Rutter, plans are being made to take their show around the UK later this year.

2013 saw the band release their debut single ‘Lose Faith’ receiving critical acclaim from BBC radio 1 DJ Ally McCrae, writing on his personal blog “Cut from the same Midlands cloth as Jaws, Peace and Swim Deep but with even more pop shout a long moments, there’s a fist in the air feel to it, which will always, always grab my attention”.  Their follow up single ‘Sweet’ saw further radio play from Goldierocks on The British Council show The Selector, as well as receiving airtime from numerous Amazing radio DJ’s.

Working with producer Dreamtrak (Foals / Swim Deep / JAWS) and recording with Gavin Monaghan (The Editors / The Twang) at his studio The Magic Garden. They’re latest offering ‘Capitol Hill’ due to be released this summer, features an infectiously catchy riff, driving bass and eerie guitar sounds, typical of their no-frills style. The song is under 3 minuets long, jumping straight into the hook, wasting no time going into the darker verses then building back up to the riff, continuing to build to the end of the track.

‘Capitol hill’ along with its accompanying cinematic video is due for release via iTunes this summer. Plans have also been made for a concept E.P. working in collaboration with Andrew Rutter to create a short film, to be released later in the year.

During the 1970s, a new brand of pop music was born – one that was steeped in African and African-American styles – particularly jazz and R&B but appealed to a broader cross-section of the listening public. As founder and leader of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White not only embraced but also helped bring about this evolution of pop, which bridged the gap that has often separated the musical tastes of black and white America. It certainly was successful, as EWF combined high-caliber musicianship, wide-ranging musical genre eclecticism, and ’70s multicultural spiritualism. “I wanted to do something that hadn’t been done before,” Maurice explains. “Although we were basically jazz musicians, we played soul, funk, gospel, blues, jazz, rock and dance music…which somehow ended up becoming pop. We were coming out of a decade of experimentation, mind expansion and cosmic awareness. I wanted our music to convey messages of universal love and harmony without force-feeding listeners’ spiritual content.”Maurice was born December 19, 1941, in Memphis, TN. He was immersed in a rich musical culture that spanned the boundaries between jazz, gospel, R&B, blues and early rock. All of these styles played a role in the development of Maurice’s musical identity. At age six, he began singing in his church’s gospel choir but soon his interest turned to percussion. He began working gigs as a drummer while still in high school. His first professional performance was with Booker T. Jones, who eventually achieved stardom as Booker T and the MGs.After graduating high school, Maurice moved to the Windy City to continue his musical education at the prestigious Chicago Conservatory Of Music. He continued picking up drumming jobs on the side, which eventually lead to a steady spot as a studio percussionist with the legendary Chicago label, Chess Records. At Chess, Maurice had the privilege of playing with such greats as Etta James, Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, Willie Dixon, Sonny Stitt and Ramsey Lewis, whose trio he joined in 1967. He spent nearly three years as part of the Ramsey Lewis Trio. “Ramsey helped shape my musical vision beyond just the music,” Maurice explains. “I learned about performance and staging.” Maurice also learned about the African thumb piano, or Kalimba, an instrument whose sound would become central to much of his work over the years.

In 1969, Maurice left the Ramsey Lewis Trio and joined two friends in Chicago, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, as a songwriting team composing songs and commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol and called themselves the “Salty Peppers,” and had a marginal hit in the Mid-western area called “La La Time.” That band featured Maurice on vocals, percussion and Kalimba along with keyboardists/vocalists Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead.

After relocating to Los Angeles and signing a new contract with Warner Bros., Maurice simultaneously made what may have been the smartest move of his young career. He changed the band’s name to Earth, Wind & Fire (after the three elements in his astrological chart). The new name also captured Maurice’s spiritual approach to music – one that transcended categories and appealed to multiple artistic principals, including composition, musicianship, production, and performance. In addition to White, Flemons and Whitehead, Maurice recruited Michael Beal on guitar, Leslie Drayton, Chester Washington and Alex Thomas on horns, Sherry Scott on vocals, percussionist Phillard Williams and his younger brother Verdine on bass.

Earth, Wind & Fire recorded two albums for Warner Brothers: the self-titled 1970 album Earth, Wind And Fire and the 1971 album The Need Of Love. A single from this album, “I Think About Lovin’ You,” provided EWF with their first Top 40 R&B hit. Also in 1971, the group performed the soundtrack to the Melvin Van Peebles film ‘Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song’.

In 1972, White dissolved the line-up (except he and brother Verdine White) and added Jessica Cleaves (vocals – formerly of the R&B group The Friends of Distinction), Ronnie Laws (flute, saxophone), Roland Bautista (guitar), Larry Dunn (keyboard), Ralph Johnson (percussion) and Philip Bailey (vocals, formerly of Friends & Love). Maurice became disillusioned with Warner Brothers, which had signed the group primarily as a jazz act. Maurice, in contrast, was more interested in combining elements of jazz, rock, and soul into an evolving form of fusion, a truly universal sound.

A performance at New York’s Rockefeller Center introduced EWF to Clive Davis, then President of Columbia Records. Davis loved what he saw and bought their contract from Warner Bros. With Columbia Records, debuting with the 1972 album Last Days And Time, the group slowly began to build a reputation for innovative recordings and exciting, live shows, complete with feats of magic (floating pianos, spinning drum kits, vanishing artists) engineered by Doug Henning and his then-unknown assistant David Copperfield. Their first gold album, Head To The Sky, peaked at number 27 pop in the summer of 1973, yielding a smooth tangy cover of “Evil” and the title track single. The first platinum EWF album, Open Our Eyes, whose title track was a remake of the classic originally recorded by Savoy Records group the Gospel Clefs, included “Mighty Mighty” (number four R&B) and “Kalimba Story” (number six R&B).

Maurice once again shared a label roster with Ramsey Lewis, whose Columbia debut Sun Goddess, was issued in December 1974. The radio-aired title track was released as a single under the name Ramsey Lewis and Earth, Wind & Fire. It went to number 20 R&B in early 1975. The Sun Goddess album went gold, hitting number 12 pop in early 1975. Maurice had also played on Lewis’ other high-charting album, Wade In The Water; the title track single peaked at number three R&B in the summer of 1966.

The inspiration for “Shining Star” (one of EW&F’s most beloved singles) was gleaned from thoughts Maurice had during a walk under the star-filled skies that surrounded the mountains around Caribou Ranch, CO a popular recording site and retreat during the ’70s. The track was originally included in the ‘That’s The Way Of The World’ movie that starred Harvey Keitel and was produced by Sig Shore (Superfly). “Shining Star” glittered at number one R&B for two weeks and hit number one pop in early 1975. It was included on their 1975 multi-platinum album That’s The Way Of The World that held the number one pop spot for three weeks in Spring 1975 and earned them their first Grammy Award. The title track single made it to number five R&B in summer of 1975. It also yielded the classic ballad “Reasons,” an extremely popular radio-aired album track.

The multi-platinum album Gratitude held the number one pop album spot for three weeks in late 1975. On the album was “Singasong” (gold, number one R&B for two weeks, number five pop), the Skip Scarborough ballad “Can’t Hide Love” (number 11 R&B), and the popular radio-aired album tracks “Celebrate,” “Gratitude,” and the live version of “Reasons.” In 1976, Maurice decided he wanted to record a spiritual album. The multi-platinum album Spirit parked at number two pop for two weeks in fall of 1976 and boasted the gold, number one R&B single “Getaway” and “Saturday Nite.” Spirit is remembered as one of EWF’s best albums and sadly for also being the last project of Producer Charles Stepney. He died May 17, 1976, in Chicago, IL, at the age of 45. Charles was a former Chess Records arranger/producer/session musician/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter and Maurice’s main collaborator on his EWF projects. The multi-platinum album All ‘N All peaked at number three pop in late 1977, won three Grammy’s, and had arrangements by Chicago soul mainstay Tom Tom Washington and Eumir Deodato. The singles were “Serpentine Fire” (number one R&B for seven weeks) and “Fantasy.” The group’s horn section, the legendary Phenix Horns (Don Myrick on saxophone, Louis Satterfield on trombone, Rahmlee Michael Davis and Michael Harris on trumpets) became an integral part of the Earth, Wind & Fire sound.

During this time, Maurice produced several artists such as The Emotions (1976′s Flowers and 1977′s Rejoice which included the number one R&B/pop hit “Best Of My Love”) and Deniece Williams (1976′s This Is Niecy which included the Top Ten R&B hit “Free”). In the late seventies, in association with Columbia Records, Maurice also launched a record label, ARC.

The multi-platinum greatest-hits set The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. I included a cover of the Beatles’ “Got To Get You Into My Life” went to number one R&B and number nine pop in Summer 1978. The group performed the song in the 1978 Bee Gees/Peter Frampton movie ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. Another single, “September,” made it to number one R&B, number eight pop in early 1978. On the flip side was the enchanting popular radio-aired album track “Love’s Holiday” from All ‘N All.

Their live performances were stellar as well. Sellout crowds were spellbound by the band’s bombastic performances. Their performances blasted a cosmic wave of peace, love and other happy vibrations to audiences using a combination of eye-popping costumes, lights, pyrotechnics and plain old good music. Sometimes they even threw in magic illusions. Earth, Wind & Fire’s message was one of universal harmony, in both musical and cultural senses. “We live in a negative society,” Maurice told Newsweek. “Most people can’t see beauty and love. I see our music as medicine.”

The multi-platinum album I Am hit number three pop in Summer 1979 on the strength of the million-selling single “Boogie Wonderland” with The Emotions (number two R&B for four weeks, number six pop) and the phenomenal gold ballad “After The Love Has Gone,” written by David Foster, Jay Graydon and Bill Champlin that stayed at number two R&B/pop for two weeks. Their Faces album peaked at number ten pop in late 1980 and was boosted to gold by the singles “Let Me Talk” (number eight R&B), “You” (number ten R&B), and “And Love Goes On.”

The million-selling funked-up “Let’s Groove,” co-written by The Emotions’ Wanda Vaughn and her husband Wayne Vaughn, was the track that re-energized EWF’s career, parking at number one R&B for eight weeks and number three pop, causing their Raise! album to go platinum (hitting number five pop in late 1981). Their next gold album Powerlight made it to number 12 pop in spring 1983 and included the Top Ten R&B single and Grammy-nominated “Fall In Love With Me.” Their 1983 Electric Universe album stalled at number 40 pop, breaking the band’s string of gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums.

In 1983, Maurice decided he and the band needed a break. During this hiatus, Maurice recorded his self-titled solo album Maurice White and produced various artists including Neal Diamond, Barbra Streisand and Jennifer Holliday. Reuniting with the band in 1987, EWF released the album Touch The World and scored yet another number one R&B single, “System of Survival” and embarked on a corresponding nine-month world tour. This was followed by the 1988 release The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. II.

In 1990 the group released the album Heritage. Two years later, Earth, Wind & Fire released The Eternal Dance; a 55-track boxed set retrospective of the band’s entire history. The appearance of such a project after a prolonged period of relative inactivity signaled to many listeners that the band was calling it quits but that did not turn out to be case. In 1993, EWF released the album, Millennium that included the Grammy-nominated “Sunday Morning” and “Spend The Night.”

Earth, Wind & Fire kept recording and in 1996 released Avatar and Greatest Hits Live; followed by 1997′s In The Name Of Love; 2002′s That’s The Way Of The World: Alive In ’75; Live In Rio which was recorded during their 1979 “I Am World Tour;” 2003′s The Promise, which included the Grammy-nominated “Hold Me” and 2005′s Illumination, which included the Grammy-nominated “Show Me The Way.”

In 2000, the nine-piece ’70s edition of Earth, Wind & Fire reunited for one night only in honor of their induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In 2001, Eagle Rock Entertainment released the documentary ‘Earth, Wind & Fire: Shining Stars’, which contains rarely seen historic video footage along with in-depth interviews with the band members.

Even though Maurice is no longer a part of the touring group, he remains the band’s heart and soul from behind the scenes as composer and producer. Maurice reflects, “I wanted to create a library of music that would stand the test of time. ‘Cosmic Consciousness’ is the key component of our work. Expanding awareness and uplifting spirits is so important in this day. People are looking for more. I hope our music can give them some encouragement and peace.”

DEEP FOREST OFFICIAL 
Eminent composer and musician Eric Mouquet is a Grammy award-winning composer who has worked with and produced for artists like Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'Dour, Joe Zawinul, Josh Groban, Ana Torroja, 
Herbie Hancock,  Mell, Chitose Hajime ,Sa Dingding, Catherine Lara, Charles Aznavour, and many more.
Eric Mouquet is also founder of Deep Forest, the pioneering ethno-ambient electronica band. He is on the cusp of a musical renaissance that promises to explore new directions, combinations and influences in ambient world music.

Sweet Saro was born at bonfire parties in their hometown of Baltimore City. Named for a British/Appalachian ballad, the band puts traditional Americana songwriting motifs to an ever-changing mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation. Sweet Saro sets dark themes to bright songs, creating simple sounding yet deceptively intricate music about dreams that don’t always come true.

Alva Pamela is following