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Richtaste, the Swiss alternative rock band led by creative mastermind and lyrical genius Stefan Frankhasuer, is now setting up to release their sophomore album Lights And Shades (Sunset) on September 23rd. The first single from the album is "Good Days Are Gone." The entire CD was produced by Pat Aeby who is the drummer for the multi platinum Geffen Recording artist Krokus. The songs on the Lights and Sounds CD recount Stefan's life experiences pursuing a career in music and growing the bands repertoire for the new CD.

Richtaste is a band made up of Stefan Frankhasuer (Vocals & Guitar), Rafael (Guitar), Roger (Bass), Marc (Drums) and Retro (Keyboard). The new album shows the growth and ripeness the band has gained by playing large stages live over the last year. And, Lights And Shades is produced by Pat Aeby (Krokus) who elevates the bands to the top of their game. The songs are done a high level with lyrics that are compelling and accessible throughout the entire CD. Coupled with the proficient musicianship, Lights And Shades is an appealing and awesome second CD.

The band's debut self titled album has received amazing amounts of critical acclaim by all sorts of media outlets around the world. The debut CD also had a great amount of radio play in the United States due to the label picking up the CD for the rest of the world outside of Switzerland and Germany. Sunset Records released the debut to help set up the Lights And Shades follow up CD. “We are working five (5) singles to radio starting this week,” says Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset. Lichterman goes on to say that he “must strategically work this album. One of the guys is going into the military service from late October until February of next year. We are doing key bookings in America before and after at industry conventions before doing a Europe tour after he is done with his service.”

The band, recently just played the main stage at the sold out The annual Open-air Etziken preparing for the Lights And Shades sophomore title. The group and producer Pat Aeby spent a lot of time with over 30 songs to choose these strong 14 tracks for the upcoming release. “This is really a considered a debut although we did use the self titled to help introduce the music to media, radio and retail,” says Lichterman about bringing the band to the US. “And then conversely with Lights And Shades we will work with Universal in Switzerland to deliver the music.”

"When I hear our songs today, I really feel we could not be better in a better place today," says singer and songwriter Stefan Fankhauser. "Our sound has more eggs (nuts) than before! Our expectations were not met," admits Fankhauser and relates to the new support the band has in place that has opened up their musical ideas and the production pieces it all together perfect.” "We were busy with the production for so much time, that we already were filled up to the top with new ideas when releasing" Frankhauser says with his enticing European accent. Unapologetically the five now dare to face also critical issues. Richtaste know that light and shadow in the real world are as close together as in the show business. "Supermen" i.e. simply states that at least a dozen blue dressed superheroes is needed to save the planet before the impending demise. And "Tom Rocket" deals with the question of what drives a man to spend the nights slaughtering anything that moves in a video game using what can be described as its pseudonym.

It is not out of the blue for bands to boast about their latest album release well before it even gets to retail stores. From the opening track, Rocket Man, you can hear the high level of confidence. The pace never slows down with the first single Good Days Are Gone, the driving dark foreboding second track, to the outrageously catchy, Superman and Night Of 1,000 Dreams, the obvious hit singles waiting in the sings if there ever were hit songs. Frankhauser couldn't let the year’s political landscape go without directing his songs right at the US government, as he does in Superman. And, then all the way down to the final few songs on the CD, the uplifting Night Of 1,000 Dreams and Duke Of WestPoint, gives Richtaste fans 14 of the strongest alternative rock and pop songs of the year.

With Lights And Shades, Richtaste will gain many new fans in the United States along with keeping their European fan base excited about the new CD

Album: "Do You Want Some?"|eesoteric-music.me

Album: "Do You Want Some?"|eesoteric-music.me

Reggae legend I Kong has been through more than his share of life’s experiences over the last few decades, and the new Tropical Records release of the extended 19 song Forgotten Man CD will prove to be one of the best opportunities for Kong’s positive messages of true love, world peace, and total unity amongst humans to the world.

The I Kong vibe and energy is unmistakable on this extended CD album entitled, The Forgotten Man (Release date: July 14, 2009), this is the latest release by I Kong in what is a lengthy and prolific career that began decades ago and today, I Kong has now reached a place being a part of reggae history. And, personally, Kong is at total peace with everything which is evident in the songs on the new CD.

I Kong’s musical journey began in Jamaica, where he first heard legend Bob Marley music which gave the inspiration to be able to convey his own message in his own music and then to the music world.“Kong is legend. His music is amazing and his new material is the best music he has done to date,” says Don Lichterman, the head of Tropical / Sunset Records. “The most incredible part of me hearing the final work on this new CD is that our first single is actually the 19th and final song on the CD. That is not only a great testament to putting together a great full length album, this is also a great roots reggae CD that every world music fan will have as part of their collection. And, Kong is a legendary artist that will be around forever in the history of music.”

Lichterman (Don) goes onto say that he picked up the Forgotten Man CD and then added four (4) brand new songs recorded by the legendary reggae artist. I Kong also originally released The Way It Is in 1978, which is the only album recorded by Errol Kong, the nephew of the famous Jamaican producer Leslie Kong. Now, almost 30 years after that album release, these nineteen tracks (expanded for this reissue) are being worked as a new album by the upstart Tropical Records. The album's lead track and first single is a brand new song by I Kong entitled, "Are You Lonely For Me Baby," is a quintessential reggae song that is sure to be a standard.

After years of making music and playing endless amounts of live shows being on the road, let alone multiple successful albums in the reggae music scene, and his endless durable work ethic, Kong spent a lot of time writing his music back on the Jamaican island. And, after working with his old record labels and distribution companies in the music industry along with his management and booking agents, he finally found his home at the Tropical Record label (a main subsidiary of Sunset). And no matter how legendary and how strong Kong’s songs are in his career, let alone his ongoing growing popularity every year, getting paid for that work seemed to be a problem for this artist. Lichterman says, “the one thing he will get at Tropical is paid for his work and the way we structured this deal is that he will get paid day one (so to speak) for that work.” Lichterman then goes onto to say that “sales today, mean nothing to me” because he “expects” that eventually, “every artist at Sunset will be multi platinum status and the last couple years have been a complete set up for the rest of our lives.”

Prior to this deal last month, Kong started his own company to handle his own business affairs. He created and founded the Kong Music label with Gee Cee Management founder, George Campbell. And, Lichterman embraced the model for the independent reggae musician. And, the label head proceeded to sign a few artists (Original Black Pantah) through the new label deal. “Considering the landscape of distribution today and considering the reach of the internet for music artists and us Indy labels, Kong is one of those artists that need to be out and available to everyone in the world.”

The label has the CD set up at major retail stores and is getting ready to begin work on radio play this week. I Kong is featured in the newsletter given out to over 80,000 people at the Bonnaroo Music Festival next week (Bonnaroo Beacon Newsletter). The CD is set to hit stores on July 14th. The downloads and ringtones will also be available wherever they are sold online.

And, Kong’s obvious messages on the Forgotten Man nineteen (19) song extended CD is of total self-confidence, financial independence, and his great self-confidence that has gradually taken on new meaning for Kong. And, as Kong’s career continues to grow and blossom even to this day, he will reap of release a solid reggae CD to the world.