Pre order the new CD here, cheaper than anywhere else
Comes as a deluxe limited edition CD case with a 12 page booklet.
Delivery expected between 16th-21st February
Delivery expected between 16th-21st February
Listen here:
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Monday, 10 November 2014
Buy Soulperfreesia Amalgamation CD with Joey Negro Remix Bonus Track Here!
Our Soulperfreesia Amalgamation album is now available on CD for the very first time. This special edition CD comes with a Joey Negro remix of “Keep It Working” that isn’t on the download. It comes in a slick “eco friendly” gloss finish cardboard wallet. To get yours Just press the “Buy” button below Hurry while stocks last! Thank you. SoulP
Listen to Amalgamation Here
Listen to Amalgamation Here
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
SOULPERFREESIA ALBUM UPDATE
As many of you know, since July 2012 myself and the Princess have been working tirelessly on our forthcoming Soulperfreesia album. I'm not going to lie that this is probably the most challenging album we've made, and this is for a number of reasons.
Reason number one being that Princess Freesia is from Australia and had to go back there as her Visa ran out, but the good news is that she is half Latvian and is currently in the application process of getting an EU passport which in turn means she can live in the UK and come back and forth as she pleases. This could be a timely process and could happen next week, or at the very worst next year, so as you can imagine it is very all up in the air and not really ideal for our creative output together. But we will keep on going regardless and our fingers remain crossed. We're still doing what we can over the Internet and are making the best of a bad situation.
The album was actually finished before she left in November, we kind of rushed it a bit as we knew that Freesia had to get back, so everything was on a deadline. I actually mixed the entire album in October and I remember us having a couple of drinks and deciding to listen to it. This turned into a bit of a nightmare as we only got through the first 3 songs and had to turn it off, there were problems everywhere, from the musical arrangement clashing with Freesia's vocal arrangements, drums not sitting right and particular sounds that just grated on my nerves. That said there were 6 tracks that were (and still are) absolute killers. At one point we were about to just say "Sod it" and put it out regardless but when Miss Freesia left for Australia I went and learned some more advanced engineering skills from a good friend of mine Michael Rendall (He's worked as engineer for people like Paul McCartney, The Verve and loads of other prolific names and is a fantastic producer and musician in his own right) He also pimped my computer with loads of new plug ins and musical instrument patches. So in January, with all these new sounds, tips and tricks at my fingertips, I decided to re-approach the album and re-mix it completely from scratch!
After much deliberation, myself and the Princess agreed that we should take off the songs that that didn't give us goosebumps so I started writing new songs to replace them, this time getting inspired from 80's soul music all over again. the problem was (in my mind anyway) that the songs we didn't like as much, they didn't fit into the project and the continuity was a bit all over the place. So I made 5 new instrumentals and sent them over to Princess to lay her magic over them . I could tell they were a much better choice as I could see Miss Freesia's face light up whenever I sent her a new one, and over the past 2 months she has recorded (from her bedroom in Australia) all the brand new songs (Trust me, she's written some BANGERS and they sound brilliant). Now when we listen to them all together as an album, they sound like probably the best work we have ever done together.
We have 2 more tracks to finish and now (I'm glad to say) we are totally happy with each and every one of them. The tracks we have left out we'll make available at a later date as a "B Sides" project. As I said earlier, this whole thing has been so challenging on the both of us. When we are not in the same country making music together, things become difficult, especially with the time difference and the distance. Yes, we could put the album out now, but I want Freesia to be here in the UK when it's released, we put so much hard work into it I feel she deserves to be here to enjoy it all when it comes out, plus be available for any shows other opportunities that may come of it. So apologies to everyone that has been asking me when it's going to be released, these are our reasons and we just hope you can understand our situation here.
Before I finish, I'd like to give special thanks to all the musicians that have contributed to this album, prepare yourselves for some fantastic performances from Punk Pappa (bass) Carl Hudson (keys) Andy Tolman (bass) and the Queen of Soul Jocelyn Brown who does an incredible duet with princess Freesia that I know everyone is going to love.
So to finalise, the album WILL be out as SOON as Princess Freesia returns to the UK. We are now well on the way of having an album that gives us goosebumps all the way through and we hope it does the same for you too.
Lots of love,
SoulP
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Thursday, 17 November 2011
A Few Things You Might Not Know About The Lapdancer LP
1. The lapdancer was produced in soulpersona's dining room/kitchen
2. All the vocals were recorded in Princess Freesia's bedroom
3. Princess Freesia wrote and recorded the lyrics and vocals for The Lapdancer in two months.
4. Throughout the recording of The Lapdancer, SoulP was in agony and couldn't move his head left or right for the majority of the recording, due to a trapped nerve in his neck.
5. SoulP's brother Tukka designed the artwork and took the album cover picture.
6. Princess Freesia actually got a job as a lapdancer for a few nights, just to research the Avalon Lexus role.
7. The plan was and still is to do "The Lapdancer" the movie.
8. The length of the... album is precisely 69 minutes long... You do the math.
9. Princess Freesia recorded the majority of the vocals on her knees singing through the built-in microphone on her 4 year old macbook... And a couple whilst sitting up in bed!...In fact The Lapdancer was produced only using Mac products.
10. Soulpersona came up with THE LAPDANCER concept in 2006 when he first arranged tunes such as “The Lapdancer Theme”, “Make That Money” and “Ava’s Fantasy”
11. Princess Freesia recorded “I Got Into This Mess Part 2” drunk on an entire bottle of Cava Champagne.
12. Princess Freesia REALLY cried in the intro for “Hot Shower Interlude”!
13. SoulP & Freesia consumed an entire of Morgan’s Spiced Rum and stumbled into town to record a film clip for the promotional track “Babylon”.
14. Both “Avalon” and “Lexus” are cars made by Toyota.
Out now on CD at www.digisoul.co.uk with free worldwide delivery and on iTunes & Amazon
The Lapdancer by Soulpersona
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
What the deejays and media have been saying about "The Lapdancer"
The Lapdancer by Soulpersona
Here's some of the nice things deejays, press & media are saying about the album.
You can get it now at www.digisoul.co.uk with free worldwide delivery or on Itunes, Amazon and emusic worldwide.
"This has to be the DOPEST LP i've heard in the last 10 years"
Glenn Underground - SJU Muzic
"Well done! I've been hungry for this album"
Junior-Record Breakin' Music
"To call this album sexy just feels foolish, only because that would be the understaement of the year! Mezmerising: That's the word I would use. Princess Freesia's vocals are absoloutly devastating. A match made in heaven with Soulpersona. Very strong and highly addictive album. If Avalon Lexus were real, there would be a whole lot of brokenhearted men with broke pockets walking the planet!"
Jason Randall Smith- Both Sides Of The Surface
"Fusing old skool with the new. A must for your record collection. Supurb from start to finish"
Ash Selector- Groove Control/Solar Radio
"Excellent!"
Charles Spencer- www.loveslap.com
"We think this album is great! Our reders will love it!"
Ray Douglas- Commercial Break
"fantastic album, full with grreat Soul to the very brim, so many delightful tracks to choose from!"
Kerem Gokmen Dubmission Radioshow. WYEP Pittsburgh
"Great album with a classic vibe and intruiging story!"
Chris NG Kiss FM Australia
"Very well produced, sounds very vibrant and full of flava!"
Infinity Loop Music- Canada
"Very unexpected to find a retro disco disco concept album, but intruiging. Amazing instrumentation and spot on vocals!"
Anji Bee- The Chillcast USA
"Oh WOW! Some seriously wonderful vibes going on here. Huge contratulations to SoulP & Freesia for a stunning album of late night soundtrack jazz funk BLISS!... I think i'm in Heaven!
Justin Winks- Casio Social Club
"Quality music, great songs and a really, really good listening album!"
Chris Samba- Dragon-l
"Great production from SoulP and Princess Freesia's voice is so full of emotion. She completely draws you into every track. Excellent".
Mikey Futuristic- Deja Vu FM
"VERY nice record! Will definitely be dropping selections from this tatsty offering. HOT, HOT, HOT!!!"
Trevor Walker- Mercury Lounge Canada
"This is rather brilliant!"
Alex-DFRNT
"Love the LP. Groovy and just plain FUNKY! Love it"
Jose Zargoza' Deep Hype Sounds
"What a nice, solid and soulful influenced album. This is timeless"
Matthias Desch- Bogaloo Radioshow-Germany
"First class album!!. Never heard a Macbook mic sound so good!"
Mark Milz- Further In Fusion
"Unbelievable, amazing and down right out of this world!"
Prescription/Future Vision Records
"Absoloutly love the old skool approach and the luscious sense of humor...Excellent release!"
Sam LaBelle- Soundworks
"The disco soul here is fantastic, mating lyrical sounds that will cast a spell on your mind for a long time"
Marc LaCasse' Jackhouse' Canada
"Quality soul for the next millenium"
Colourful Productions
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Soulpersona "The Remixes" Volume 1 (Tracklist & Album Credits)
Written & Performed by Jocelyn Brown
Produced & Arranged By Soulpersona
All instruments by Soulpersona
Original version appears on Jocelyn Brown "Unreleased" out now on iTunes.
2. Darien "Showya" (Soulpersona Hot Buttered Toast Remix)
Written & Performed by Darien
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
Bass & Guitar by Punk Pappa
All other instruments by Soulpersona
Taken from the "If These Walls Could Talk" by Darien, out now on iTunes.
3. Tashan "Read My Mind" (Soulpersona Raregroove Remix)
Written & Performed by Tashan
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
Bass & Guitar by Punk Pappa
All other instruments by Soulpersona
Find all Tashan's back catalog on iTunes.
4. Dre Rock "Sex N Go" (Soulpersona Baby Makin' Remix)
Written & Performed by Dre Rock
Produced & Arranged By Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
5. Princess Freesia "Angel Is An Animal" (Soulpersona "Animal Instinct" Remix)
Written & Performed by Princess Freesia
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
Original version appears on "Nightclub Of The Nudist" by Nude Continuum. Out on iTunes.
6. Darien "Can't Hide" (Soulpersona Studio 54 Remix)
Written & Performed by Darien
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
Bass & Guitar by Richard Molyneux
All other instruments by Soulpersona
Original version appears on "Soulacoaster" by Soulpersona out now on iTunes.
7. Navigators "Do Something" (Soulpersona "In The Pocket" Remix)
Written & Performed by Navigators
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
Bass & Guitar by Punk Pappa
All other instruments by Soulpersona
Original version appears on the album "My Place" By Navigators out now on iTunes.
8. Princess Freesia "Daedalus" (Soulpersona Sunset Remix)
Written & Performed by Princess Freesia
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
Original version appears on the album "Nightclub Of The Nudist" by Nude Continuum.
8. Dre Rock "Esacpism" (Soulpersona Blazed One Up Remix)
Written & Performed by Dre Rock
Produced & Arranged By Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
10. Phreeda Sharp "Brand Me Sexy" (Soulpersona "Candy" Remix)
Written & Performed by Phreeda Sharp
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
Original version on Phreeda Sharps forthcoming album, find her on facebook and myspace.
11. Phreeda Sharp "Bad Mister" (Soulpersona Supa Soulful Remix)
Written & Performed by Phreeda Sharp
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
12. Dre Rock "Angels" (Soulpersona "Motown City" Remix)
Written & Performed by Dre Rock
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
13. Replife "Change 4 A Dolla" (Soulpersona "Golden Gun" Remix)
Written & Performed by Replife
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
Original version (produced by Soulpersona & Marc Rapson) appears on "The Unclosed Mind" album by Replife. Out now on iTunes.
14. Replife "Loungin' (Soulpersona G Funk Remix)
Written & Performed by Replife
Produced & Arranged by Soulpersona
All Instruments by Soulpersona
Original version appears on on Soulpersona "Soulacoaster" album out now on iTunes.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Soulpersona feat. Princess Freesia "You Did It Again" Out Now On iTunes
Inspired by the 80's, out now on iTunes Worldwide.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
"The Lapdancer " Show & Interview with SoulP & Princess Freesia
A interview with myself and Princess Freesia done on Alan Johnsons radio show, featuring nearly all the songs from the album, with Princess Freesia giving the background to each of the songs she wrote. Album out now at www.digisoul.co.uk
Saturday, 13 August 2011
The Lapdancer By Soulpersona Buy Here
We are very proud to announce that "The Lapdancer" hard copy CD is now in stock, and it's £10.99 with Free Worldwide Delivery! We are currently working on getting a brand new Digisoul website together, so in the meantime, you can buy is safely and securely here:
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Pre Order The Lapdancer CD
You can pre order the forthcoming Soulpersona album "The Lapdancer" starring Princess Freesia as Avalon Lexus for £10.99 with FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY. Order now and we will send you the CD the day it arrives (Between 8th-13th August, maybe earlier) If you want it signed by Princess Freesia (or Avalon Lexus) just let us know on the order information.
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Why Do I Give Away So Much Free Music?
...Over and over again, I get asked by friends, music fans and other artists and other fellow producers why do I give away so much free music. The answer is simple, it's because I feel that if I have a load of music sitting stagnant in my iTunes, then it's a waste of time me making it in the first place.
Most of the music I give away are either remixes I have done, or re-edits of some of my favorite songs. As well as being paid to remix songs, remixing for me is a hobby, it's my favorite thing to do as a producer, and when I get free time, I try to do as many remixes and re-edits as possible. Then most of the time, i'll put them onto Soundcloud as a free download.
Another reason of why I like to give away so much free music is because I believe that if I look after my fans, and give them free music in between albums, then they will look after me when I put out albums and remixes on CD and iTunes etc.
The internet has completely changed the way we listen to and buy music and I firmly believe that if your going to get someone to part with their hard earned money, then you have to provide a service. I my case, because I have so many free downloads, my hope is that people will give something back and be loyal to buying the albums I put out... I know that not everyone will do this, but even if they don't and they prefer to find a blogspot to download it for free then that's good publicity for me. Of course, i'd rather someone buy my album, but i'm not going to be naive and think that everyone is going to buy it as most people will find it on a blogspot and download it for free. My point is, that if i've been giving away free music most of the year, then when my albums are available to buy, then people might think twice and think, and consider supporting the artist, as the artist has supported them.
Unless your selling hundreds of thousands of records, then it's impossible for the artist to be making a living from music. For example, if I sell 100 albums on iTunes, I make £799. To sell 100 albums on iTunes will take a few months, so although it's nice pocket money now and again, it's not the kind of life changing money that let's say Beyonce is enjoying.
Free downloads are also a great way of self promotion. Through my remixes, I have got quite a bit of paid work as a remixer, and as a producer, making tracks for different artists, that I would never have met or worked for unless they had heard my music in the first place... And most probably downloaded it for free!
I strongly believe the future of music is in live performance. A live show is a perfect scenario for us to connect with our fan-base and sell our music, merchandise and start making a living out of what we love doing. And through giving away the free downloads in the first place, will get you new fans, new fans that will come to your shows, pay entry and buy and album because they like and respect what you do and want to support you.
I will end on this note, imagine having a job that you get up for 7 days of the week, knowing that your working on "Might's" and "Ifs'"... As producers and artists we have to motivate ourselves to make this music, all this motivation is for the complete love of it, as most of us don't get paid, or even think about the money when we're making the songs. I know I certainly don't!... Although we have bills to pay like everyone else, for some reason, we still carry on relentless, working crazy amounts of hours, every day of the week, usually into the dead of night, with hope that one day it will pay off for us. The ones that survive this game are the ones that keep the faith, commit and stick at it forever, regardless of the impact it may have on their lives, regardless of the sleepless nights of worrying about bills, car tax, insurance and day to day living. I've been through and still go through all of this, but it has made me a stronger person, it has made me more ambitious, and it has fueled me to work harder, and I don't regret any of it for one minute. So, after all that, I will continue giving away music, as it will always open doors and gain me new fans. Because if someone doesn't hear you in the first place, then how the hell are you going to get heard!?
Oh, here's a free album full of my remixes and re-edits. Enjoy.
Soulpersona "The Free Album" by Soulpersona
Love and goodness,
SoulP
Monday, 27 June 2011
The Making Of "Babylon" The short film from "The lapdancer"
This video was made after myself and Princess Freesia polished off a bottle of Morgan Spiced Rum, it was 12.30 am and we decided to do a little film to our song "Babylon" from The Lapdancer album... Here's what happened.
Introducing Avalon Lexus, a high class call girl and erotic dancer as she get's ready for work and takes a walk through the busy town center on route to "Babylon" the club where she does her thing.
This is not to be taken too seriously, as it was done for fun and a bit of a giggle... Francis Ford Coppola I am not!
Monday, 6 June 2011
The Lapdancer... Coming July 2011
Just wanted to let you know that myself and Princess Freesia have been working relentlessly on this new album for the past couple of Months. "The Lapdancer" is a concept film soundtrack written and performed by Princess Freesia who also takes on the lead role as Avalon Lexus, a high class call girl and erotic dancer from London. With over 15 tracks, the album tells it's own story. It's sexy, salubrious, decadent and quite disturbing in places, and with each track you gradually become acquainted with the life and times of Ava Lexus.Each track is a slice of raregroove, jazzfunk soul, with plenty of supa soulful uptempo disco also in the mix, and i'm really looking forward to getting it out!
I came up with the concept of doing this album in 2007, and since then, i've recorded over 35 instrumentals for it, which have now been whittled down to the best 18. Princess Freesia has blown my mind with her song writing skills for this, her abstract metaphors really make you think about each song and make you want to listen again and again. There's spoken word pieces, which are beautifully delivered, and a fair share of acting , especially on one of my favorites called "I Got Into This Mess" which is a bizarre story in itself to be taken however you want to take it... When I heard it I was rendered speechless, and all I wanted to do was play it again!
I know that some people will love it, and others might hate it, but what i'd like you to remember is that it is not an "Album" it's a "Soundtrack" to an imaginary film, a film that in the future we would like to make for real... For me, it's one of the best things I've ever had the pleasure of working on, and it certainly passes the goosebumps test. There's uptempo disco tracks, some gorgeously delivered slow jams and some real nice mid tempo hip shakers, hopefully it will tick all the boxes and there will be something for everyone... Just not for children!
Here's a limited edition FREE DOWNLOAD Lapdancer promo, that will not appear on the album entitled "Babylon"... The name of the club where Avalon Lexus does her thing...
Here's a remix I've done of one of the songs featured on the album called "Make That Money"
"Like" The Lapdancer on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lapdancer/167291406664851?ref=ts
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Jocelyn Brown "Unreleased"
...As some may or may not know, I had the pleasure of working with Miss Brown for many years as her A&R and PA, it was her that pushed me to express myself through music and gave me the inspiration to what i'm doing now. So let me tell you a few things you might not know about the new Jocelyn Brown "Unreleased" album that is out now, worldwide on itunes....
..."Unreleased" is a fascinating insight at Jocelyn's unreleased demo's over the past 15 years. When I was working with her, I remember one morning she came into the kitchen and pulled out a bundle of old DAT tapes, she then from her handbag pulled out her personal DAT player and casualy told me that she'd found a collection of demo songs that she wanted me to hear.
The story goes something like this. apparently she had been asked by a major lable (who will remain nameless) to record and write an album, so Jocelyn, being Jocelyn hired all the studio equipment and had it set up in her own lounge room. She then called on the production skills of Al McDowell, a bass player and producer that has played alongside Don Blackman, Weldon Irvine and many others as well as JB back in the day... Well, he came over from New York and recorded, "Real Thing" "Find Someone To Love" "I Love You" "Sweet Fine baby" 'Vacation Time" "Foever" and "Don't Make A Mistake" (many of which feature players from Incognito)
So, the first one she plays me is "Find Someone To Love"... I was speechless.
Apparently, she had produced all these wonderful songs for the major label, and when she took the finished songs back to them, they didn't think the music would do very well as it wasn't very commercial sounding... Basically, they didn't know what to do with it, or how to promote it so they cancelled the project. This is typical of major labels, many of them don't have any idea about soulful music, and are scared to put anything out that is soulful and heartfelt... So it all worked out OK, their loss was our gain.
She then went on to play the rest as well as a few beautiful acoustic songs she had done with the Bacci Brothers... It was the that I said to her that she should put these out as unreleased demos... She agreed, so between us we compiled an albums worth of her favourites.
It was released on a small scale through CD in 2006 but was never given the right promotion, as the investors for Digisoul at the time were another bunch of people who didn't understand soul music, so after a catalog of disasters with this release, and Digisoul nearly being taken over by useless maniacs that didn't understand what we were trying to do! So, myself and my brother (together we own Digisoul) decided to call it a day with these people and get our company back to being owned by just ourselves.
5 years have passed since then and Digisoul is back, this time doing things the right way, by ourselves with nobody else's intervention. So it was a natural progression for us to re-release this lovely album on a worldwide scale through iTunes.
"Unreleased" a wonderful collection of soulful and beautifully written songs by Jocelyn Brown, and I highly recommend it for your ipod!
You can get the whole album now on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/unreleased/id419142225
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Soulacoaster Live... The Aftermath
I'd like to thanks all the vocalists that came over and performed, Darien (who came from New York) Kia Bennett (Who came from Washington) Sibel Thrasher (who travelled from Vancouver Canada) Juliette Ashby for her valuable time and a massive thankyou to the background vocalists Katie Leone and Jono McNeil (Who I met for the first time ever, only that morning) who did such a professional job that even Jocelyn Brown wanted to to poach them!...And of course a massive undiluted thankyou to Jocelyn Brown, my good friend and mentor who tore the roof off the house, with a special song we wrote together called 'In The Middle" (see footage below) it was such a special moment to play with Jocelyn as we have so much history, and this was the first time we'd ever shared a stage together... One of the highlights of my life, as was playing alongside Sibel Thrasher from RAMP!
Thankyou to all of my musicians, Nick Van Gelder for being humble and leaving his drumsticks to one side to supply some slick guitar parts, to Carl Hudson, one of the most talented keys players i've ever met, to my right hand man on bass Andy Toleman for keeping the groove in the pocket, and my percussionist Gabriel Nuzzoli for coming all the way from Barcelona especially to do the show...With no rehearsal I might add...
On The subject of rehearsals, I was really pleased with the way the show turned out as we had only practiced 4 times together as a band, and with over 15 songs to learn, if it wasn't for the professionalism and musicianship of every player involved then it might have been a different story! These players are my brothers forever, and to play alongside each and every one of them is an absolute honour!
Finally i'd like to thank my manager Michael Fountaine for making the show happen. For the first time in my career, this is the first time i've had a manager that actually does what he says he's going to do. And for that, i'm eternally grateful!
Onwards and upwards, next month on the 25th November, the Soulacoaster show continues at Jazz Refreshed @ The Mau Mau Bar, Potabello Road, London. This time your in for another treat as Princess Freesia will be flying in from sunny Australia as well as Katie Leone standing in for Kia Bennett and Sibel Thrasher and Jono McNeil stands in for Darien. As I have already said, these two are brilliant singers in their own right, and gradually we'll be incorporating more of they're own material into the shows. Also my good mates Super Dirtie & Phase Wizz will be performing a track, these two in my opinion are Londons finest emcee's and you'll certainly enjoy their verbal gymnastics over some goosebumpy raregrooves. Anyways, hope you can join us for a bit of a jam! Tickets are £5 before 9 and £7 after.
Here's some footage of the Cargo show for those who may have missed it.
Jocelyn Brown performs our song "In The Middle"
Sibel Thrasher performs "In Your Eyes" from Soulacoaster
Juiette Ashby performs "Get My Shit Together from Soulacoaster
And here's a bit of footage from our first ever rehearsal, grooving with "So Natural"
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Soulpersona Presents Soulacoaster "Live" @ Cargo
When I put out Soulacoaster last October, I'd have never imagined that a year later i'd be sharing the stage with the artists involved on the album, and for some reason, that's completely beyond me, it's actually going to happen.That's right, I am dusting off the drumkit and returning to my first instrument for this show. I've got my good mate Nick Van Gelder on guitar duties, don't have a bass player confirmed yet, but have a badass keys player who loves his Rhodes and vintage synths. Instruments that are vital in this show.
So what can you expect from this forthcoming Cargo experience? Well, with Darien (who you might have heard on the last Reel People album) Kia Bennett (backing vocals for D'Angelo) Sibel Thrasher (from the legendary RAMP, who gave us "Daylight" and "Everybody Loves The Sunshine) Juliette Ashby (Get My Shit Together) and Jocelyn Brown (My friend and mentor) all appearing on the same show, i'd say it will be a night to remember.
Tickets are £12 in advance & £15 on the door. Available from www.ticketweb.co.uk and Maestro Records: 0207 635 7299
Looking forward to seeing you there, for what is set to be a completely one off experience I'll never forget.
SoulP
Friday, 9 July 2010
Soulpersona Songwriting Competition
Thought I'd spread the net wide and see if there are any supa talented singers/songwriters under my radar that I should know about. What I am looking for is someone to write and sing they're own flavour over the below instrumental. All you have to do is email me on soulpersona@gmail.com and I'll send you the track, and then it's up to you to fill in the gaps with your goodness. The track already has a working title of Summer Heat, feel free to use it or make up your own.The prize is to have the song as a part of my next album, and be part of my future projects. So if you think you've got some magic you'd like to drop over this piece of music, then here's your chance to shine.
Really looking forward to hearing what I hear, and I promise to listen to every one of them.
Good Luck!!!
SoulP
Closing date for entries is August 31 st 2010
Monday, 21 June 2010
Soulpersona Interview For Soulm8online.com
Here's a recent interview I did.
Soulpersona Interview for SoulM8online.com
Soulpersona, Producer, Arranger & Remixer, thanks for speaking to SoulM8 online.
The name Soulpersona, how did it you get it and what does it mean to you?
It comes from my love of soul music, I suppose I'm a soulful individual, I have a soulful persona, hence the name Soulpersona... And with a name like Soulpersona, you kind of know what genre of music I’m going to be creating.
Give us an overview of your music styles?
I’m into producing anything soulful really, stuff that gives me goose bumps, weather it be soulful jazz, funk, hip hop, disco or just straight up soul. I try to incorporate all of these elements into my music. I have a love for the Fender Rhodes piano, I try and use it in everything I produce, just because I love how it sounds. When I produce, I try not to dabble with the latest sound technology, I like to keep it how it would have sounded back in the 70’s, so I just use sounds that would be used in the 70’s, like drums, piano, strings, synths, bass and guitar. I try to leave all the fancy production techniques alone.
You have a natural instinct for quality music when working with artists - where does that ability come from?
Thankyou! Haha, umm, I didn’t realise! Well I started off playing the drums and have always played piano by ear, so I suppose I've always had an ear for music. Also listening to Marvin Gaye, Leon Ware, Roy Ayres, Freddie Hubbard and countless other influences kind of taught me how a record should sound. I’m a groove kind of person, so as long as the groove is there, the vocals should be able to do the rest of the work.
How did you get in to the soul music scene and when did it all begin for Soulpersona?
I have always loved and listened to soul, jazz funk, rare groove and disco music from a young age and started off just making little demo’s on a Yamaha sequencer plugged into a midi keyboard. Through those demo’s I got signed to an awful garage music label where they expected me to produce garage music, every mix I did for them they told me it was too soulful, it became such a struggle to make music that I wanted too, so after a year of that I left and refused to make commercial music ever again. I then bought some basic production equipment of my own and decided to make music that I loved, just for the love, with no expectations. I then made a little demo which got into the hands of my friends manager who really liked my stuff. On the strength of that he called me one day and told me that Jocelyn Brown was looking for producers to work with. I went along to the meeting and she loved what id done and I ended up working for her company Joycee Music as her personal assistant. I spent the next 5 years going with her to meetings and shows, learning about the industry and gaining inspiration from her wealth of musical knowledge. I also got to hang out with some of my musical idols that often stopped over at her house when they were touring. It wasn’t unusual for me to turn up for work in the morning and find a legend in the kitchen making tea... I once spoke to Pattie Austin for about half an hour in Jocelyn Brown’s kitchen before putting two and two together! So I’d say, it all began there, and over the past 9 years it has given me the knowledge to create what I do now. Jocelyn Brown has been my mentor and friend throughout, and I have learned so much from her. She’s an incredible lady on both a personal and musical level, and i’ll always be eternally grateful for the knowledge, inspiration and support she’s given me.
On your myspace page it comments “Soulpersona has dedicated his life to soul music, a decision that paid off in 2001” tell us more about that?
I guess it finally paid off because I met Jocelyn Brown, she was my key into the soul music industry and opened doors for me that before were locked shut.
Your currently working closely with the brilliant Jocelyn Brown and other featured artists, with the intentions of releasing a new album, how is this going to differ from any other soul album?
This album is something that I am so passionate about, It’s an honour to work with the most incredible female singer in the world, and I’m still waking up and having to pinch myself that it’s really happening. This album is going to take the listener back to the late 70’s and early 80’s when Jocelyn was often going under the name of Jocelyn Shaw singing sessions for Kleer, Change, Luthor Vandross, Cerrone, George Benson and so, so many other acts that we now consider to be rare groove. The album is a 50 50 collaboration, I have produced all the music and Jocelyn is writing and singing all of the songs. We are currently recording the vocals and she is sounding totally beautiful, she is also a brilliant songwriter too, a skill which so many producers have overlooked in the past, always preferring to get her to sing their lyrics and songs. I particularly wanted her to write her own songs on this album because I believe in her writing ability, I mean, she did write a hit song “Somebody Else’s Guy” and I believe she can write many more. She has a wonderful gift for writing good hooks and catchy chorus parts and I just love hearing what she has done with all of the songs we’ve done. I think people will have a bit of a shock when they hear it, because it’s the kind of music that every soul music fan would wish from a Jocelyn Brown album. I’ve also used some fantastic, talented musicians on this album. my good mate for over 20 years Paul “Punk Pappa” Lancaster plays all the bass and guitar parts and my other good mate Nick Van Gelder (Who was the original Jamiroqui drummer) is doing all the live percussion. It’s all sounding really good and I can’t wait for people to hear it. It’s also being done with no record industry intervention, myself and Jocelyn are funding the whole thing ourselves and releasing it ourselves, in the hope that a distributor will see the potential and help us out on a larger scale.
When can we expect the next Soulpersona instalment?
That would be the Jocelyn Brown & Soulpersona album... Hopefully it will be ready for an Autnum 2010 release.
Tell me about your recent debut album – SOULACOASTER describe the music, working closely with the artists via the web and how long it took to produce?
The Soulacoaster album took me about 3 months to do all of the music, and it took three years to get all of the vocals on it. I was mainly working with Princess Freesia at the beginning, her songs were done really quickly, she wrote and recorded the vocals and sent me back the accapellas to sit on top of my music. I then met Darien, and he did the same format. Replife came to the UK and stayed with me for a couple of days and recorded his songs. Through Replife I met Deborah Jordan and co produced “Home” with Marc Rapson for her “The Light” album and through that link I gave her a couple of tracks to sing on Soulacoaster. Thing is, “Soulacoaster” wasn’t really an album as such, it was just a collective of songs I was doing for the love that gradually grew bigger and bigger. I them met Sibel Thrasher from working with RAMP, and she did a couple of songs too... Then last Summer I thought I had about 15 songs that could potentially lead to an album. I decided I’d just put this collection of songs together and get some CD’s pressed up, my brother Tukka designed me a nice bit of album artwork and that was it. I remember picking up the box of CD’s and expecting to only sell a dozen at the most. I honestly thought they’d be in that box, in my my loft for the rest of my life. I had no expectations, and then suddenly it took off. Not massively, but enough for me to tap into listeners that loved my kind music.
What do you offer that’s different to any other producer / arranger / remixer?
I wouldn’t know how to answer that question, you’d have to ask people who like my music. I just try and keep things simplified and create good honest soulful music that comes from the heart. I suppose as long as I give the listener goose bumps, my job is done.
If you had a chance to work with any other artist (passed on or still with us) who would it be with and why?
I would have loved to work with Marvin Gaye because he just epitomises soul music for me. Leon Ware would be nice too as would Jean Carne and Marlena Shaw... Todays artists would be Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Q-Tip, Dwele... I remember always wanting to do a track with Hinda Hicks back in the 90’s cos I adored her voice...And had a crush on her! So many to choose, but if someone has a great voice or can play an instrument well, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they look like, I’d love to work with them.
Where do you see yourself placed in the music industry in the future, where do you want to take Soulpersona?
I don’t see myself in the music industry, I see myself as a free agent working with people that I enjoy working with. In my experience the minute the “Industry” gets involved, the music seems to get diluted. I’d like to get my band together and do live studio recordings on reel to reel and record using the same philosophies used back in the 70’s using traditional vintage instruments and recording desks. I also want to play drums more and play live... In the next 5 years, if I can have a nice big studio where I can record live music every day, and do loads of gigs, then I’ll be happy. My ambition is to run my company Digisoul using elements from the Motown blueprint, have a bunch of in house musicians where we develop the next generation of soulful singers and produce beautiful, supa soulful music for the masses to enjoy.
As the music world continuously changes do you think you will eventually venture into a different style of music?
Never! I will only ever do what I know best. I want people to know that whenever they buy a Soulpersona record, they’ll know exactly what they’re going to be getting... Soulful music.
Do you live and breath your work?
To a certain extent, because most of my songs start as emotions that reflect my day to day life, music is a kind of therapy, if I'm sad, i’ll make a sad song, if I'm happy i’ll make a happy one... But I do like to do other things apart from music. I’m a massive Chelsea supporter and if there was the choice of studio time in the best studio in the world, or watch a Chelsea game, id pick the Chelsea game every time. Love my football, when I'm not making music, I'm either watching it, or playing Fifa 10 on the PS3!
Can you name a personal standout track from your own album or some else’s?
Freddie Hubbard “Little Sunflower” from his Love Connection album... It’s a musical journey that always leaves me speechless and goose-bumpy.
What are you personally listening to at the moment?
Hmm... Just looking at my “Last Played” in my itunes... Randy Brown, Alphonse Mouzon, Dwele, Ana Mazzotti, Azymuth and Kool G Rap.
Personal taste, Old Skool or new?
My main preference is music from the 70’’s to early 80’s... But I like artists out now who try to give a respectful nod to the old skool.
What other projects have you got on offer?
I’ve just finished mastering an instrumental album I've called “The Lapdancer” it’s a collection of sampled grooves from the 70’s and early 80’s that I've added instrumentation too, ranging from disco, soul, jazz funk and old soundtrack music. Sounds very pornographic and ideal for the bedroom, or for simply just putting on when your driving, or walking along with your ipod. I’d ideally like to make a film to accompany it, but that’s another future ambition all together!
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