Andy Bernstein grew up in Greektown, East End Toronto on a steady diet of skateboarding, souvlaki, art, punk rock and hip hop. Rocking the name MC Abdominal, he formed his first rap crew with DJ Serious as a teenager, and started recording, honing his freestyle chops, building an astounding lung capacity, and developing into one of the most lyrically gifted and charismatic performers ever to grace the shores of Lake Ontario. A chance meeting in 1998 at a downtown party lead him to first cross paths with DJ Fase. The two hit it off immediately, they paired up as Abs & Fase, began recording together, and a limited run of "Vinyl Frontier" records made its way into the hot hands of DJs, radio hosts, and record collectors around the globe. One of them was picked up by UK producer DJ Format, who was floored by this unknown Canadian emcee, and invited him to England to collaborate. Escape From The Pigeon Hole, the first solo record by Abdominal, featuring production by DJ Format, Cut Chemist (from Jurassic 5), Young Einstein (from Ugly Duckling), DJ Fase, DJ Serious, Circle Research, cuts by World DMC champion DJ Dopey, and a special appearance by Elizabeth Shepherd, the record promises to be Abdominal's richest, most vibrant, most artistically diverse project to date. "My goal is to show a more complete picture of who I am." The tracklisting is filled with concept songs, ranging from stories about being a bike courier, open relationships, not giving a f**k, and his cat. Strong lyricism, detailed imagery, plenty of humour, and the illest of flows carry through the album beautifully, from start to finish. Abdominal is not only escaping the pigeon hole - he is leaving it far behind in his pedal-pushing dust. [www.myspace.com/mcabdominal](http://www.myspace.com/mcabdominal)

2009-06-11T19:11:45Z

12 Abdominal abdominal true

2009-08-16T21:42:18Z

Growing up in Peterborough, NH, a small town in north eastern US, Alister Johnson aka DJ Catalist, drew his first influences from the sounds of hip-hop producers DJ Premier, RZA, Pete Rock & Large Professor. Armed with a turntable and Cool Edit, an audio sampling program popular in the day, he soon began making hip-hop beats of his own. Alister has given his special touch in production to remixes for artists such as Feist, Hird w/ Yukimi Nagano, LAL, Layah Jane, Voice, to name a few. When he is not working on tracks for other artists, Alister is making music with a team of writers at The Hive for television shows and commercials. As Catalist, Alister has produced for local MCs Louwop the Dirty General and Scot Free; but he is perhaps best known for his production efforts on the 'unofficial' remixes, the DJ Catalist re-edits, of Nina Simone, James Brown, Love, Ruth Brown, and Billie Holiday. These demo versions have been circulating among DJs around the world, and have been playlisted by the likes of Quantic, and Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio One. Whether he is creating music for television commercials, or music for a hip-hop MC to spit their best over, Alister has become one of the fastest uprising artists to look out for. Stay tuned for more from this multitalented and diverse producer. [www.myspace.com/alisterjohnson](http://www.myspace.com/alisterjohnson) [www.myspace.com/djcatalist](http://www.myspace.com/djcatalist)

2009-08-10T18:26:52Z

26 Alister Johnson alisterjohnson true

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2009-08-16T21:42:38Z

Take two Hip Hop aficionados that live, eat and breathe music, mix with equal parts clever production and drive to push the sound to the next level, and you get Circle Research. Producers, Astro the Guillotine and Nix the Finger Prince met way back when, through the common interest of records, djing and breakdancing. They formally embarked on their research mission to spread Hip Hop love in 1995, first through sharing choice headnodding cuts with audiences live at shows and later on the radio with the infamous "Circle Research Show" in Toronto on CKLN 88.1 FM The Circle Research patented cut-scratch-and-boogie ethic that permeates their DJ sets, both at clubs and on air, naturally extends into beat-making territory. Fresh drums, basslines, and melodies drenched in jazzed out soulful funk meet heaping dollops of b-boyism and old-school Hip Hop flavour. [www.myspace.com/circleresearch](http://www.myspace.com/circleresearch)

2009-06-11T19:25:23Z

13 Circle Research circleresearch true

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2009-08-16T21:42:56Z

Take a ride from hell to paradise on the new flying carpet of funk. A new project from two of the original members of cosmic soulestra 1LUV from Vancouver, Canada, Cutty Lark is songstress seductress Amalia Townsend and producer Dr.J taking their soulful sound lo-fi to raw drum breaks, double shots of brass and block rockin' bass grooves. Dr.J is on the rise. In 2006, not only did he release future soul anthem 'Black Daylight' on SuntzuSound, he also dropped his first full-length album with his band 1LUV on Sonar Kollektiv in Berlin. Miss Amalia Townsend is slowly but surely becoming an International Tour de Force. From Tokyo to Stockholm she's brought it all on; her unique exuberance, her passion for life, her rawness, her screams, her strength of heart to the people. Cutty Lark: [www.myspace.com/cuttylark](http://www.myspace.com/cuttylark) Dr J: [www.myspace.com/jazidup](http://www.myspace.com/jazidup) Amaila Townsend: [www.myspace.com/mizfuzemuze](http://www.myspace.com/mizfuzemuze)

2009-06-11T19:37:36Z

17 Cutty Lark cuttylark true

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2009-08-16T21:12:16Z

Elizabeth Shepherd pushes the boundaries of what is considered conventional jazz, all the while creating a sound completely her own. From London to Tokyo, Elizabeth has captivated audiences and critics on both sides of the pond. Her Juno nominated debut album, Start To Move continues to receive critical acclaim, and was voted the Top 3 Jazz Albums of the Year by the listeners of the Gilles Peterson show on BBC Radio 1 UK in 2006. Raised by ministers of the Salvation Army, an early exposure to the brass band sounds mixed with her love for classical and house music, disco and hip hop, lay the foundations for one soulful musician. Trained extensively in conservatories from across Canada to France, Elizabeth completed a degree in jazz piano from McGill University, Montreal. Initially entering the music program to pursue a career in music therapy she quickly discovered her extensive talent in songwriting and performing. She returned to Toronto in 2004 and worked as a server at a piano bar. Her serving job proved an asset to her musical career- once management realized Elizabeth's talent, she quickly became the restaurant's key entertainer. Organically and innocently enough, the Elizabeth Shepherd Trio was formed with Scott Kemp on bass, Colin Kingsmore on drums and Elizabeth Shepherd on piano and vocals. The Elizabeth Shepherd Trio became a staple group in Toronto's soul jazz scene, performing all over town in jazz and other concert venues alike. Upon joining forces with Do Right! label owner John Kong, the Trio was invited into the studio to record a demo. But what was supposed to be a demo turned into a jam session resulting in the album Start To Move. The following few years established the EST locally and saw them gain recognition internationally, performing on BBC Radio 1, sold out shows at London's Jazz Cafe, and a week long residency at the prestigious Cotton Club in Tokyo, Japan the summer of 2007. Her follow-up full-length album Parkdale is an older, wiser Shepherd teamed with her ever youthful, graceful soul. The mood of Parkdale tracks the emotional whirlwind of human experience. The album explores what everyone fears the most: total openness, divulging your innermost humanity. "Parkdale," the title track, explores the nuances of brokeness within the community. The album leads the listener through it all with stories of personal growth alongside the evolution of a neighbourhood in transition. "I've always found strange the massive discrepancy between the highly emotional events that shape our personal lives, that we generally don't share, and the completely mundane events that insidiously make their way into conversation. As far as being a "jazz performer", Elizabeth does not count herself as one to be defined by a particular genre; her music comes straight from the soul, and is more than just what she does, but what she loves and who she is. Website: [www.elizabethshepherd.com](http://www.elizabethshepherd.com) Myspace: [www.myspace.com/elizabethshepherd](http://www.myspace.com/elizabethshepherd) Management: Do Right! Management: [info@dorightmanagement.com](mailto:info@dorightmanagement.com) Booking: [booking@elizabethshepherd.com](mailto:booking@elizabethshepherd.com) <object height="225" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fdo-right%2Fsets%2Falbum-review&show_comments=true&auto_play=true&show_playcount=true&show_artwork=true&color=4caa89"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="225" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fdo-right%2Fsets%2Falbum-review&show_comments=true&auto_play=true&show_playcount=true&show_artwork=true&color=4caa89" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object>

2009-12-09T18:01:53Z

35 Elizabeth Shepherd elizabethshepherd true

2010-02-07T00:24:21Z

It's daunting when any album begins with a timpani and bars of classical dramatics, but the moment that Heidi Happy's (aka Priska Zemp) voice launches over the orchestrated musical journey, you are in safe hands. She pulls from classical and jazz and backs this up using flute, violin, viola, cello, vibes, Fender Rhodes and, even glockenspiel. But some of her most touching moments happen when paring back and using simple guitar and voice to tell a love song. Although she was honoured as the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation's 'Swiss Top' winner in 2007 for her music, the bright-eyed Lucerne Rock City pop singer only officially began her recording career in 2005. O-o-oh, the first single on "Flowers, Birds and Home" is perhaps the best direction on how to approach the singer whose feet stand in pools of indie alternative folk and pop jazz at the same time. In concert, she's as creative as her music. Seeing her play crowds in her home country, you might encounter an eight-piece band filled with Switzerland's best. Elsewhere, she solos using looping pedals. It's that mix of acoustic instrumentation and the awareness of available technology that put this young singer ahead of most on tour. Choosing to write and produce with the authority of a well-travelled singer-songwriter, Heidi Happy's tunes are filled with a nascent dark romanticism. There is an old-timey modernism here, one that takes artful to a new level. It's as if Joanna Newsom was giving pointers and Joni Mitchell took on the story. Everything is full and acutely personal. Website: [www.heidihappy.ch](http://www.heidihappy.ch) Myspace: [www.myspace.com/heidihappy](http://www.myspace.com/heidihappy) Booking: [Little Jig](mailto: greg@littlejig.com)

2009-06-03T20:48:21Z

7 Heidi Happy heidihappy true

2009-08-16T21:22:17Z

Tokyo native, Berkley College of Music grad, Jun Miyake has lived in Boston, New York and currently sets up camp in Paris. Artist, composer, arranger, producer and musician, Jun is a multi-talented performer. In his album, Stolen From Strangers, Jun flirts with the surreal and the fantastic. Taking the listener on a trip from Brazil to Paris with a lay over in Tokyo never has the world's music been integrated so cohesively. Jun has released 13 albums in his native Tokyo. He's co-produced with the likes of Arto Lindsay, Hal Willner and Vinicius Cantuaria. Jun impresses upon everyone his talent and vision. At times cinematic, his compositions are moody, conjuring visual scenes' pictures to sounds to his unusual, otherworldly instrumental scoring. Discovered by Jazz legend Terumasa Hino, Jun began his career as a Jazz trumpeter, and it didn't take long before he began popping up on recordings from Ron Carter to Grace Jones to Al Foster, to name a few. He quickly segued into composing music for commercials, thousands of theme so chances are your favourite jingle is one of Jun's scores. Jun also works composing music for theatre and feature films, composing for Oliver Stone, as well as dance, working with choreographer Philippe Decouflé. The album is a must-hear from start to finish, mixing all styles and genres to create a hybrid of musical genius. With the authentic vocals of Arto Lindsay, Lisa Papineau and Arthur H. Stolen From Strangers is a soundtrack for everyman. [www.myspace.com/junmiyakehome](http://www.myspace.com/junmiyakehome)

2009-06-11T19:07:31Z

11 Jun Mikaye junmikaye true

2009-08-16T21:42:00Z

Today, Hip Hop is an overcrowded, saturated musical genre that is riddled with sub genres; club hits and gangster rap, backpackers and true school heads. Amongst them all stands Justis; also known as Justin Vail from Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada. His debut solo project entitled 'Just Is' sheds the skin of everyday gimmicks, and avoids being pigeon holed by typical overdone formats. It's the modern hip hop music for people who dance, listen, love and live. Very seldom is there an artist, like Justis, who has the talent and charisma to speak so honestly to listeners while still being musical. Justis will make sure you can't ignore his efforts. [www.myspace.com/justismusic](http://www.myspace.com/justismusic)

2009-06-11T18:30:29Z

10 Justis justis true

2009-08-16T21:45:27Z

Lee was born and raised in the small town of Wilson, North Carolina, one of 4 children. He spent his adolescence years singing in church and listening to R&B Artists such as James Brown, The Temptations, Eddie Floyd, Otis Redding and the classic sound of 60's Memphis. He joined a few racial balance groups in the South and began playing college circuits that included East Carolina University, Duke University and Georgia Tech. By the late sixties, Lee began his singing career, working with bands which would lay the foundation for funk music including Kool and the Gang, Sammy Gordon and the Hip-Huggers, and Little Royal. Renowned throughout the global Funk community, Lee Fields has poured his grunts and screams over a legacy of funk and soul hits from the early seventies, including such 45 rpm classics as She’s a Lovemaker, The Bullis Coming, and The Funky Screw, not to mention his well sought after Let’s Talk It Over LP. This LP draws four digit bids from collectors worldwide. His recordings with the hard funk purists at Truth & Soul, Desco, and Daptone Records in recent years has solidified his place as the King of contemporary funk music as well. When Truth & Soul started in 2004, the first mission of label owners/ producers Jeff Silverman and Leon Michels, was to record a sweet soul record that would be modeled after the near perfect formula that bands like The Moments, The Delfonics, and The Stylistics had created. Music that was both tough as nails and sweet as honey. Music with laced with lush strings and smooth vocal harmonies layered over hard-hitting rhythms. Michels and Silverman called in a few trusty associates, which included singer Lee Fields, and recorded the single “Do You Love Me”. What happened in the studio was pure magic and thus, The Expressions were born. Fast forward 4 years and The Expressions featuring Lee Fields have successfully created a unique and personal sound that can hold court with the bands they set out to emulate. However, what was created in the process goes beyond just a carbon copy of a sweet soul music. The music has developed into a deeply soulful mix of old and new. The formula stayed the same but the style has been adapted for the ears of people who didn’t grow up on Al Green or Sam Cooke. Elements of modern music have crept their way into the mix to create something entirely fresh and unique. The Expressions have surely lived up to the name, each song they make is choked full of raw emotion that permeates deep through your ear hole straight to the soul. Lee Fields & The Expressions Lee Fields-vocals The Del-Larks-backing vocals Leon Michels-guitar, keys, saxophone Thomas Breneck-guitar, bass Quincy Bright-bass Nick Movshon-drums, bass Homer Steinweiss-drums Toby Pazner-vibraphone, keys Micahel Leonhart-trumpet, mellophone Aaron Johnson-trombone Garo Yellin-cello Rachel Garb-violin Rico Reese-violin Amy Adams-viola Yoshi-congas, percussion Myspace: [http://www.myspace.com/leefields](http://www.myspace.com/leefields) Booking: The Windish Agency: [Steve Goodgold](mailto:steve@windishagency.com)

2009-09-09T02:44:13Z

32 Lee Fields leefields true

2009-09-09T14:54:29Z

Don't be fooled by the QNO's placid sounding handle, there's nothing stodgy about these eight bold souls -- led by trombone titan Peter Fredriksson and featuring the seductively swoopingvoice of Sofie Norling -- are among the hottest young jazz talents in Scandinavia. Now they're poised to take on the world. The QNO's astonishingly tight Chapter One debut combines the sophisticated swing of a classic Blue Note set with the cool precision and propulsive grooves that exemplify the very best of the Nordic jazz tradition. But this creative crew isn't stuck in the past. The Quiet Nights Orchestra: Sofie Norling - Voca Peter Fredriksson - Trombone Jonne Bentlöv - Trumpet/Flugelhorn Magnus Dölerud - Tenorsax/Baritonesax/Flute Philip Neterowicz - Piano Peder Waern - Upright Bass Carl Ottosson - Drums Jacob Johannesson - Percussion [www.myspace.com/quietnightsorchestra](http://www.myspace.com/quietnightsorchestra)

2009-08-14T14:53:47Z

29 The Quiet Nights Orchestra thequietnightsorchestra true

2009-09-09T14:58:00Z

The Souljazz Orchestra’s debut album on the Do Right! label, “Freedom No Go Die”, has come to receive rave reviews from critics and fans alike, its lead-off track reaching the Top 10 of the Year on Gilles Peterson’s BBC Radio 1 Show, as voted by the listeners. "Freedom No Go Die" also became one of the biggest selling afrobeat albums of the year in France. It has been featured on numerous compilations and has managed to climb charts not only at home but abroad as well. Since the release of "Freedom No Go Die", the SJO has been tirelessly touring the festival circuit across Europe and Canada, amassing quite an international following. The band now returns in full force with their new album “Manifesto”. Building on the success of their previous effort, the SJO has upped the ante with this latest album. “Manifesto” reflects the various influences picked up from the band’s travels across the globe, making for a uniquely rich array of sounds. Their powerful chants, majestic brass, overheated organs, chicken-scratch guitars, hypnotic bass and poly-rhythmic percussion work mix tropical funk and spiritual jazz to the band’s signature militant afrobeat. The Souljazz Orchestra also cast their net wider with this latest effort, delving into the traditions of ancient folk tales and spirituality, while keeping their message politically conscious. Now in their 7th year as a band, the multicultural collective from Ottawa has had the honour of sharing the stage with the likes of Femi Kuti, Etta James and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. They have performed to crowds in venues around the globe, including France, England, Scotland, Denmark, Austria, Hungary and the United States. “Manifesto” is the fruit of the Souljazz Orchestra’s relentless touring, containing songs that have developed organically over the course of hundreds of live performances. The Souljazz Orchestra: ZAKARI FRANTZ: alto sax, flute, percussion, vocals STEVE PATTERSON: tenor sax, percussion, vocals RAY MURRAY: baritone sax, percussion, vocals PIERRE CHRÉTIEN: electric piano, clavinet, organ, percussion, vocals PHILIPPE LAFRENIÈRE:drums, percussion, vocals MARIELLE RIVARD: shekere, tambourine, vocals Website: [http://www.souljazzorchestra.com](http://www.souljazzorchestra.com) Myspace: [http://www.myspace.com/souljazzorchestra](http://www.myspace.com/souljazzorchestra) Booking (Europe): The Agency Group: [Jules de Lattre](mailto:julesdelattre@theagencygroup.com) Booking (Canada & the rest of the world): [Pierre Chrétien](mailto:souljazz@hotmail.com)

2009-03-31T19:14:50Z

2 The Souljazz Orchestra thesouljazzorchestra true

dr038

2009-08-16T20:43:46Z

Avalanche To Wandering Bear is borne of stubborn restlessness. The curiosity, trepidation, and victory of discovery are wrapped in a heavy dose of danceable rhythms, soul, and humour. With its tumbled lyrics, unconventional arrangements, and progressive piano, Avalanche sets the mood for a bold audio journey. The album features a handful of stand out tracks; “Shoes of Glass” has lush vocal harmonies and a steady 1950’s momentum. “Worried Head” is charismatic in its lyrics and full with driving Motown horns. “Scared” pays homage to jazz fusion singer Karin Krog and lends an esoteric metaphor to the album name. The harmonium arrangement and solid piano of “Consolation” is a rough outline of Gore’s admiration of producer Jon Brion’s work. The piano tones of Avalanche range from the prestigious Steinway of CBC’s Glenn Gould studio to the grittiness of The Hive’s cranky upright. The first blending seamlessly with the epic woodwinds of “Sparrow”, and the second setting the vaudeville-esque “Red Eye Family” against a backdrop of ticking pipes, settling rain and distant ghosts. Engineered and mixed by Tim Abraham, this album’s depth and dynamic is matched by the musicians who made their mark on it: Devon Henderson on bass, Dan Neill on drums, Trent Reschny on saxophones and clarinets, and Ben Bowen on trumpet. The Toronto-based pianist and songwriter began her musical journey from the age of eight, tapping unemotional melodies on the black keys. Valery’s repertoire grew from songs about bees and snack time to the classical masterpieces of Chopin, Debussy, and Listz. All the while her ears were tuned to her dad’s playlist of 70’s – 90’s rock. Gore topped it off with jazz piano studies at Humber College and wove these disparate sounds into her own indefinable genre. Valery Gore’s words and music transcend emotions, force you to gear-down and listen, feel. Website: [www.valerygore.com](http://www.valerygore.com) Myspace: [www.myspace.com/valerygore](http://www.myspace.com/valerygore) Booking/ Management: [Black Box](ian@weareblackbox.com)

2009-03-31T19:59:50Z

5 Valery Gore valerygore true

2009-08-16T20:49:50Z