New single, new album, new remixes etc!
Lots of new things
Yo…
Its been a good long while since the last update, there’s loads to get through so here goes…
First up, Monday 21st September sees the release of the brand new Lack of Afro single “International”. Featuring the ultra-talented US MC brothers (and YouTube phenomenons) Wax & Herbal T, the 12” also features the amazing soulful voice of Roxie Ray (from Aussie funk outfit Dojo Cuts) featured on the flipside track “Closer To Me”. A smokin’ solo from one of the finest guitarists around, Eddie Roberts (of The New Mastersounds) is also on the flip. Released on Freestyle Records, the 12” (and full digital release) is made up of both original tracks, complete with full instrumental versions, as well as the acappellas, which will no doubt make for some LOA-themed mash-ups making an appearance on a webpage near you soon…
Barely a month later (*October 19th* to be exact) sees the release of the first Lack of Afro album in over 2 years. “My Groove Your Move” will be released on Freestyle CD/LP & Digital. Featuring the aforementioned Wax & Herbal T, Roxie Ray and Eddie Roberts, the album also contains appearances by ex-Paul Weller/Ocean Colour Scene bassist Damon Minchella, as well as regular LOA collaborator, Frootful illustrator and guitarist extraordinaire, Nick Radford. The album is a little different from “Press On” but I’m a firm believer in progression and I reckon that’s exactly what it is…hope you think so too.
On the production tip it looks set to be a very busy few months ahead. First up is a 7” for Gene Garcia, a Spanish singer on the wonderful Lovemonk label. Then I’ll be producing an album for South West band Hypfonic which I’m very excited about as some of their demos are killers already. I’ll also be working on the debut album from the aforementioned Nick Radford, aka Frootful. If you are a fan of Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell etc, then make sure you check him out. And last but not least is a collaboration with Tru Thoughts recording artist and damn fine fellow Flevans. Recording for this project (entitled The Pick-Ups) is already under way and it is sounding sweet to say the very least. Keep an eye out for that in the early part of 2010…
The remixes are also coming thick and fast. Look out for Lack of Afro versions of the following tracks in stores over the next few months: Flevans “Endless Things” (Tru Thoughts), Wondertronix “Dance” (Unique), The Fantastics “I Cant Dance With You” (Freestyle), DC Fontana “The Contessa” (TBC) & The Cherryboppers “Freakman” (Cherrybopper Records). There might be the odd bootleg floating about too…nuff said for the moment I reckon…
The Lack of Afro website will shortly be having a little makeover. I will be uploading all of the Node minimixes again (as it seems people rather liked them), as well as longer DJ mixes, exclusive tracks, freebies and other downloads. There will also be regular (I promise) charts, and a full gallery too.
Look out for some LOA live & DJ dates coming your way very soon too…
Also, Lack of Afro is now on Twitter. Follow me here I shall be having a tweet from time to time…
I think that’s about it, but before I go it was very disappointing to see “My Groove Your Move” available as a free download on one of those shitty blog sites, over a month before its proper release. The promo copies had only just been sent out but yet again there was some prick willing to screw an artist over and post it for free on his pointless site. I’m not gonna have a long rant as enough has already been said about illegal downloading, but please, if you in any way value the music, PLEASE DON’T DO IT. At this level it really is killing the artists, labels and whoever else was involved in the creative process. A hell of a lot of work goes into writing, producing, manufacturing, marketing, promoting, publishing and advertising an album, and to simply make it available for free is theft, pure and simple. If you want that artist to carry on making albums then do the right thing and support them in the right way.
Many continued thanks for doing the right thig and I hope you enjoy the new Lack of Afro material…
Adam x