Artist's note: On the first 9 songs, I have chosen to revisit songs that I have previously recorded and released. I have re-imagined them in a style that best describes what I do. I call it “Global Jazzatronica”. The last 5 “Bonus Tracks” are songs from my previous 4 CD’s in the same style.
Featuring musicians recorded in Kenya, France, India, Australia, Brazil, Argentina and the USA.
All songs, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Maurice Gainen at Maurice Gainen Productions, Los Angeles, CA.
Special Guests:
Naila Foresti - Vocals (Vinhedo, Brazil)
Cassio Duarte - Percussion (Natal-RN, Brazil)
Originally on “The Sound of Freedom”
2) EUROPA (Remix) (Carlos Santana/Tom Coster) - mp3
Special Guest: Marcelo Berestovoy - Guitar
Originally on “Jazz Flute Jams”
3) L’ÉTÉ EN HIVER (Remix) (Summer in Winter) - mp3
Music - M. Gainen/Michael Bialys
French Lyric - Karoline Blandin/Bruno Blum
Special Guest Vocalist: Karoline Blandin (Paris, France) Karoline is a very unique Parisian vocalist. I had fun speeding up the version originally on “7 CONTINENTS - Global Jams” and flipping it a bit.
4) FOR ALL WE KNOW (Remix) (Sam M. Lewis and J. Fred Coots) - mp3
Special Guest Vocalist - Hiroko Williams (Tokyo, Japan)
Heavily mashed up with samples from: Brahana (Dawn) by Aloke Dasgupta from “7 CONTINENTS - Global Jams”
I had the honor of recording the vocals, mixing and mastering Hiroko’s CD “A Time For Ballads”. I could not get this song out of my head so I asked the Producer, Grammy Award winner Bill Cunliffe and Hiroko if I could use it. I am happy that they agreed.
5) HELP ME SING THIS SONG OF JOY (Remix) Music & chorus lyrics M. Gainen. Lyrics Rap Verse 1: Immaculee Awino & M. Gainen. Lyrics Rap Verse 2: Blue Nyle - mp3
Special Guest Vocalists: The Hues Corporation (“Rock The Boat”) -
St. Claire Lee, Wendell Anderson and Elaine Woodard
Guest Rap Verse 1 - Immaculee Awino (Kenya)
Guest Rap Verse 2 - Blu Nyle
Special Guest Drums and Percussionist -
Special Guests:
June Kuramoto - Koto
Dave Iwataki - Keyboards
I have always loved this song from the first “Hiroshima” record. I am thrilled that Dave pitched in to create the version that we did for “The Sound Of Freedom” and again for this remix. Ms. Kuramoto, is a founding member of Hiroshima. The band was nominated for a Grammy in 2010
Special Guests on Percussion: Christopher Opwapo, Naomi Njeri, Billy Mwaura, Muhammed Masila
(Nakuru and Nairobi, Kenya)
Please view the video for this song filmed completely in Kenya and featuring the Simba Cultural Dancers. It tells a story of despair and then rejuvenation for a teenaged Kenyan girl, while showing old and new Kenya juxtaposed. It is more a mini-movie than music video. YouTube
I wrote this song for my father when I knew his health was in serious decline, basically as a “requium” that I wanted him to hear. He did in fact hear it many times and I am happy to say he liked it. This CD is dedicated to Leon Gainen.
10) THEME FOR AN IMAGINARY MOVIE (Craig Owens, M. Gainen) - mp3
M. Gainen - Tenor Sax solo, Soprano Sax, flute and Production
Craig Owens - Keyboards and Production
Craig and I have collaborated on many projects and songs for a long time. This is our latest, done especially for this CD.
BONUS TRACKS (Remixes previously released)
11) The Sound of Freedom (Remix/Mash-up) (M.Gainen)
With the exception of the verse sax melody, kick drum and bass part, this song is made up entirely of samples from other songs on “The Sound of Freedom” CD transposed, time-stretched, mashed and mangled.
12) Feel Like Makin' Love (Hip-Hop Remix) (Eugene McDaniels) -
Featuring rap by DRange
From “Jazz Flute Jams”
13) MANGO (Kez Remix) (M. Gainen) -
Featuring:
Coco Trivisonno - Bandoneón
Marcelo Berestovoy - Guitar and Production
Voiceover - Julia Estacolchic
This song benefits greatly from the production by Marcelo and Coco’s Bandoneón.
From “Jazz World Colors”
14) Meditation (Acid Jazz Remix) - (A.C. Jobim/N. Gimbal/N. Mendonca)
Special Guest Vocalist: June Angela
Originally from “Jazz Flute Jams”, this is the Jobim classic sped up, chopped, reversed, delayed, morphed, mangled and otherwise altered.
15) JUST DO SOMETHING (Global Jam Remix) - (M. Gainen)
Instructions to musicians for this song: “Just do something...2 takes, not too much thought…I’ll mix it up later.
Originally on “7CONTINENTS - Global Jams”
I have released my first video. It was shot by videographers in Kenya, Toronto and Los Angeles. I composed, produced, engineered, played sax and did the video editing. Immaculee Awino, George Grosman and Jamal "General" Patton tell their real life stories of how they personally achieved FREEDOM through MUSIC. Blues great Mighty Mo Rodgers caps off the song with an amazing last chorus and adlibs. The song is the title track to my 2010 CD. I also played all of the instruments on the song except the acoustic guitar.
This is the first French language release of ‘Wildflower'- the R&B-pop standard which originated in 1973 with David Foster’s first recording band, Skylark. ‘Wildflower’ will be inducted into The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on April 2, 2011.
Ceci est le premier lancement d’une version française de la chanson populaire « Wildflower », qui a vu ses débuts en 1973 avec Skylark, le premier groupe de David Foster. Le 2 avril 2011 la chanson Wildflower sera intronisée au Panthéon des Auteurs et Compositeurs Canadiens.
The eclectic flautist, saxophonist, composer, producer and sound engineer returns with his 4th CD in 6 years. He has again engaged his talented musical partners around the world via the Internet with 6 original compositions and several fascinating cover song choices.
Marcelo Berestovoy is featured on guitar and bass. No CD of mine would be complete without at least one song representing his band, of which Maurice is a memeber. Percussionist Erez Ginat was in Israel and on tour during the recording time, so he sent his cajon and dumbek parts in from Tel Aviv.
3) The Sound Of Freedom (M. Gainen, George Grosman, Immaculee Awino, Jamal “General” Patton) - mp3
Special Guest Vocalists:
Immaculee Awino (Nakuru, Kenya)
George Grosman (Toronto, Canada via Czechoslovakia)
General (South Central Los Angeles, CA)
Mighty Mo Rodgers (East Chicago, Ill)
Five people (including Maurice who co-wrote the lyrics) give their take on a universal story of finding a better life through music.
Koto player June Kuramoto, a founding member of 2010 Grammy nominated band Hiroshima, adds her signature magic. Composer/producer Dave Iwataki joins Maurice to create this new look at the Hiroshima classic, and plays dazzling keyboards as well.
5) Mulher Brasileira (Brazilian Woman) (M. Gainen) Portugese translation by Naila Foresti - mp3
Naila Foresti on vocals in Vinhedo, Brazil and Cassio Duarte on Percussion Natal-RN, Brazil helped Maurice “Brazilianize” this vocal version “Sudaméricana” from his last CD.
Special Guest Violinist: Milind Raiker (Mumbai, India)
Maurice had been wanting to feature this amazing violinist since his last CD, but could not find a place for him. This time he composed this song with him specifically in mind. All of the musicians playing in Trivandrum, South India on the last CD return with a feature in the 2nd half of the song that is not to be missed. Aloke and Sanjukta Dasgupta are heard on sitar and vocals.
Special Guest: Karoline Blandin – Vocals (Marseille, France)
Looking for a vehicle for Karoline’s fantastic voice, Maurice had the idea of recording this classic song originally by Skylark, David Foster’s first recording band, sung in French. Karoline arranged and sang both lead and background vocals of this exquisite translation by noted Canadian chanteuse/composer Joelle Rabu. This is the first ever French language release of the R&B-pop standard.
Maurice enjoyed having Kristian Benton so much on the last CD that he just had to have him again. He created this based on about 5 new tracks of Didgeridoo that Krisitian sent from his home in New South Wales, Australia and some unused percussion from the last project.
Maurice dedicates this CD to his father, Leon, whose love, support and encouragement has allowed him to pursue his creative dreams.
10) The Sound of Freedom (Remix/Mash-up) (M.Gainen) - mp3
Platinum songwriter and successful TV composer Craig Owens adds production flavor and special EFX. Bassist Kene Lucas flies in (figuratively) with his bass from New York City. With the exception of the verse sax melody, kick drum and bass part, this song is made up entirely of samples from other songs on this CD - transposed, time-stretched, mashed and mangled.
A CAST OF 38 MUSICIANS DELIVER PERFORMANCES FROM
ALL 7 CONTINENTS VIA THE INTERNET. MAURICE LEADS THE WAY WITH
SOARING, PASSIONATE AND THOUGHFUL SAX AND FLUTE.
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The Songs and Guests:
1) SUDAMÉRICANA (M. Gainen) - mp3
Fernando Beckerman delivers scorching percussion from Buenos Aires, Argentina on this new original composition.
2) ABORIGINAL DREAMSCAPE (M. Gainen/K. Benton) - mp3 Kristian Benton in New South Wales, Australia transports you to a place you have never been with his Didgeridoo, clapstick and Kamilaroi language vocal.s
3) HELP ME SING THIS SONG OF JOY (M. Gainen) - mp3
Are you ready to go to church with special guest vocalists The Hues Corporation (“Rock The Boat”)?
4) ADIÓS NONINO (Astor Piazzolla) - mp3 Marcelo Berestovoy’s arrangement of this Pizzolla classic is always a hit in live performance.
5) NGIYEKHAYA (I’m Going Home) (Mxolisi Sithole/Sthembizo Zuma) - mp3 Special Guests in Kenya: Christopher Opwapo, Naomi Njeri, Billy Mwaura and Muhammed Masila. These fantastic musicians face challenges just living day to day that we can't even begin to fathom. Still, they found time and energy to put joy into this music.
6) L’ÉTÉ EN HIVER (Summer in Winter) Music - M. Gainen/Michael Bialys - French Lyric - Karoline Blandin/Bruno Blum - mp3 Karoline Blandin delivers a luscious vocal that will make you want to get on the next plane to Paris to hear her .
8) CHASING THE LIGHT (Aloke Dasgupta/M. Gainen)
Ensemble in India: Aloke Dasgupta, Ranjeet Veer, Debasish Halder, Chirodeep ,Samrat Guha, Dr. G. Babu, Uduppi S. Sreekant, Perukavu P.L. Sudheer, Kottyam Murali, James Anose, Debojoyati Nag, Sourav Chaudhury, Arnab Mukherjee . Another trip to a place you may not have been physically or musically. - mp3
9) JUST DO SOMETHING (Global Jam Remix) - (M. Gainen) - mp3
This features many of the musicians on the CD and samples from all of the songs. Instructions to musicians for this song: “Just do something...2 takes, not too much thought...I’ll mix it up later.”
10) MERGAPATI (Procession) - mp3
(Balinese themes arranged by Cliff DeArment)
New Pacific (Cliff DeArment, Maria Bodman, M. Gainen , Mike Pievak and Barry Newton) was a band that explored the similarities between the music and instrumentation of East and West..
11) ANTARCTIC SUNRISE (M. Gainen/Douglas Quin) - mp3
Special Guest: Douglas Quin (Antarctica) - Antarctic Austral Soundscapes. All of the sounds and animals you hear including the ones that sound "synthesized" were recorded during one of Douglas' three seasons in Antarctica.
Or order the CD directly for $12,
(shipping included) using Paypal
Also available at iTunes for
$9.99 or $.99 per song Click here
MUSICIANS
Maurice Gainen - Flute
Marcelo Berestovoy - Guitars
Jamieson Trotter - Piano
Tom Lerner - Bass
Joe Dougherty - Drums
Emiliano Almeida & Paul Alexander Gonzalez- Percussion
Darek Oles - Bass.
Tom Hartman- Strings
Craig Owens-Keyboards
June Angela & Angela Carole Brown "The Angelas" - Vocals
DRange-Rap
General- Vocals & Beats
Herman Brooks, Erez Ginat, George Jiri Grosman, Preetysha, Sameer - Backup vocals
THE SONGS
LITTLE LINDA is a firey version of the Spyro Gyra song, with a hot percussion break by Emiliano Almeida.
FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE is the Roberta Flack classic with the sultry background vocals of June Angela.
LA CITA (THE QUOTE) is an original by Marcelo Berestovoy, one of the most respected guitarists in Los Angeles. Flamenco spoken here! It features percussionist Paul Alexander Gonzalez. Paul and Marcelo can be seen world-wide touring with Latina superstar Paulina Rubio.
MEDITATION is the Jobim classic with June Angela singing the lead vocal.
EUROPA - There are two great versions of this song. One is the original by Santana and the other by Gato Barbieri - which was the theme to the Brando film, "Last Tango In Paris." This version pays tribute to both, with its own spin.
COMIN' HOME BABY was a huge hit for flautist Herbie Mann in the early '60's. It was one of the first "funkajazz" tunes.
The next 2 songs are from the classic 1959 movie "Black Orpheus" that catapulted the music of South America to the north.
BLACK ORPHEUS
SAMBA DE ORPHEUS
MERCY, MERCY, MERCY was written by Joe Zawinul, and recorded by many people including Cannonball Adderly, The Buckinghams and Queen Latifa.
BLUE BOSSA- Every Jazz musician has played this one!
JUST FRIENDS features Darek Oles on Acoustic Bass. Maurice mastered and/or mixed all 3 of Darek's "L.A. Jazz Quartet" CDs. He also mixed his solo CD featuring Brad Mehldau. He currently tours with Janis Segal of the Manhattan Transfer.
MEDITATION (Acid Jazz Remix) Lead Vocal: June Angela. This is Track 4 sped up, chopped, reversed, delayed, morphed, mangled and otherwise altered, with added new parts created by Craig Owens and Maurice.
FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE- Featuring Rap by DRange. Maurice wanted had to have some tasty Rap on the CD. DRange and General brought it to the table.
LA PORTENA (Maurice Gainen) This original song is a tribute to the Argentinian restaurant that was the catalyst for this band playing together.
In the world of music, Maurice Gainen should just be called "MG" - Master of Genre of Music from around the Globe. For nearly two decades, MG has produced, recorded, mixed and mastered numerous CDs in music genres spanning Jazz, Alternative, Rap, R&B, Rock, World Music and Broadway in his own Los Angeles-based recording studio, Maurice Gainen Productions. He has added his touch on sax and flute to many of these projects. Working over the years with an impressive roster of well-known stars, such as Darek Oles w/Brad Mehldau and Bennie Maupin, Jim Hershman w/Lee Konitz and Scott Colley, Larry Koonse, Eric Von Essen and the L.A. Jazz Quartet, MG has even done Sound Design for Patty Austin. He does CD mastering for all of the 5 major record labels and his recent credits include the last 85 CDs for Starbucks. read the complete bio
MEDIA REQUESTS AND PUBLICITY
Stacey Kumagai
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
BrainGASM Productions Entertainment Media
Phone: 818/506-8675 mediamonster@yahoo.com
Or order the CD directly for $12,
(shipping included) using Paypal
Also available at iTunes for
$9.99 or $.99 per song Click here
.
MUSICIANS
Emiliano Almeida
June Angela
Shashanka Bakshi
Marcelo Berestovoy
Gregg Bissonette
Joe Dougherty
Julia Estacolchic
Dave Ferris
Mike Flick
Maurice Gainen
Jason Hann
Mike Jacobson
Kendall Kay
Kez
Tom Lerner
Jason Marshall
Jota Morelli
Suzette Moriarty
Craig Owens
George Rossi
Ken Shima
Sonship Theus
Coco Trivisonno
Jamieson Trotter
Eric Von Essen
Gary Willis
Cengis Yaltkaya
Yutaka
TRACK LIST (mp3's are excerpts)
1) GITANO CORAZON
features Maurice's flute and the Spanish guitar of Marcelo Berestovy, who co-wrote the song with Claudia Brant. - mp3
2) JUNE IN MAY
is an original composition with Asian flavor.
3) CALLING YOU
is the gorgeous and haunting theme from the movie "Bagdad Café". - mp3
4) KEITA
is another original with African inspiration and multi-layered flutes. - mp3
5) IN THE AIR
Tony Award nominated vocalist June Angela is the foil for the soprano sax. - mp3
6) BAMBOO BALLAD
was written by Ken Shima, the Bob James of Japan, who is featured on piano along with Smooth Jazz star Yutaka on koto and Maurice on the alto, bass and "C" flutes.
7) CA VA?
is another Gainen original with him again playing all of the instruments, except for the acoustic bass of Mike Flick.
8) MANGO (Maurice's Tango)
the most recent composition features Bandoneon legend Coco Trivisonno for a brief trip to Argentena where Berestovoy's guitar and the flute meet again. - mp3
9) THE GOSPEL TO END ALL GOSPELS
lands right back in America at a church somewhere in the South with the soprano sax telling the story. It is another Gainen original.
10) ONE FOR MY DAD
is a heartfelt dedication to Maurice's father, played on flute with a Latin flavor.
11) MAKE IT LAST
is a lovely piece by Jason Marshall that features longtime Al Jarreau drummer Jota Morelli.
12) NO TRANE, NO GAIN
is Maurice's homage to the legendary John Coltrane. It features the drums of the great Sonship Theus and puts us somewhere between New York City, the Middle East and India. - mp3
13) MANGO (Kez Remix)
is a R&B reworking of Track 8, featuring the spoken word of the alluring Julia Estacolchic in English with her lovely native Argentinan accent.
