Recordings
Wolves in Sheep Clothing
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.
Vengan A Ver Mi Granja
Sunset Strategic Marketing (SSM) is setting up their first release that will tap into the children’s marketplace with the Sign and Sign a Language: Spanish three (3) CD Set.
The “Sing And Sign A Language: Spanish” CD Set is not only a specially packaged three (3) CD set, the initial concept for this type of a release was also produced to create a learning kit for children in their greatest development years. The entire set was then developed by Susan Dezenhall Schwartz along with sound man, Eric Aubrey at his Red Armadillo recording facility outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The entire project was produced, performed and recorded by (Susan Dezenhall) Schwartz, a linguist, composer, vocalist, educator and mother.
(Susan Dezenhall) Schwartz, unimpressed with the educational programs available for children’s learning, decided to create a learning program herself and for the students she teaches every day. Starting this inevitable series of language learning products with Spanish became the obvious choice considering the ethnicity of children in her classes. However, Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Records / SSM says that there are “plans to franchise this concept with more languages like Hebrew and French,” and that was always “the plan with Susan and me from day one.”
After three years of study, research and development, this very special set comes out as a CD and the label has already made way for the entire set to be available as downloads and ringtones. Lichterman goes on to say that “Susan (Dezenhall Schwartz) seems thrilled to have this be placed in stores,” and “I am thrilled to be working a project for kids.” This is first educational related product released at the Sunset/SSM company and the launch of this premier Spanish set “Sing and Sign A Language: Spanish” is perfect to educate and the songs are a great listen. The set includes not only lyric’s in Spanish, there is also a translation to English in the nicely packaged inside booklet and there are lesson plans for kids to follow along with too. The label; has these booklets available online (pdf) for everyone to download and print them out for free.
The CD includes songs that sound like classics/standards like the “Bienvenidos” and “Adios” intro and outré to each lesson plan, is not only accessible to people, it is also recognizable in some ways. And, there are a total of thirty seven (37) Spanish versions of songs that sound like there is choir of kids singing behind the lead vocals. The songs are also set up in ways for children to learn in a chronological way and to be able to follow along with throughout the entire Set. Disc one is Lesson I / Level I while the second disc is for Lesson/Level Plan II and then the third disc is the Level II lesson plan. Consumers will be able to buy all three (3) CDs in one set from retail stores that sell CDs and DVDs, and consumers will also be able to buy individual songs and the individual Discs at stores that sell downloads and streams. The overall sound is very colorful and the CD is perfect to listen to at home, in a car, as well as with teachers and parents.
Moreover, "Sing and Sign a Language" is a multi purpose type of a CD release that is to be used at home and the label also will be working with Alibris to get the product into libraries and educational facilities around the world. The label plans to work this into school programs and/or educational enrichment programs that teach the languages. And, teachers, educators and parents do not need to know the Spanish language to use this product in an effective and efficient way. Parents and teachers will learn the language too as they teach it. Both English and Spanish are translated as part of the special packaging. The lesson plans are also included in that special packaging.
The "Sing and Sign A Language: SPANISH" is the debut release and there are plans to create more multimedia educational projects at SSM. The content on the CD set tells a story in a way to help you learn every day things about life.
For more information about the “Sing And Sign A Language: Spanish” CD Set and language series, please visit the official web site at Sunset Records and at Sunset Strategic Marketing (SSM).
