Recordings
Education
Dancehall, Roots Reggae Respect is ready to “Take A Stand” with the release of that CD on February 22.
Tropical Records is releasing the dancehall, roots reggae CD, ‘Take A Stand’ on February 22nd, by the legendary artist, Respect.
Respect’s ‘Take A Stand’ (Tropical Records) is ready to hit stores this month on February 22nd and the legendary dancehall and roots’ artist has always given reggae music fans an upbeat and positive message with his songs. The eleven (11) song full length ‘Take A Stand’ CD has songs with the same types of positives messages, colorful melodies and those accessible lyrics Respect is known for in the world music and reggae music scene. “Respect is another important artist for reggae music,” says Don Lichterman, the head of Tropical Records, “and for the Tropical Record label (www.Tropical-Records.com).” (Don) Lichterman’s goal at “Tropical (Records)” was/is to “build the label (Tropical Records) repertoire with legends like Mabrak, I Kong, (Original) Black Pantah, Cryout, and of course, Respect, while we also sign and develop newer world music and reggae acts like Alayna. He (Don Lichterman) then says, “let alone us signing what I consider to be international star, like Pascal G, the label has come full circle since I started it two years ago in August, in the most perfect way.”
(Don) Lichterman started Tropical Records while attending Sum fest in the summer of 2007 in Montego Bay, Jamaica in the West Indies. Since then, the label (Tropical Records) has been providing reggae music listeners with not only what is considered to be traditional roots reggae style of music, Tropical Records has also released specific dancehall styled reggae music artists since its inception two and a half years ago from this month. Since the start of his career, Respect has returned stronger than ever with this ‘Take A Stand’ CD and the “High Miles Punny” and “Silent Assassin” songs are already getting airplay in constant rotations at world music radio stations and on online radio stations, all over the world. His first single, “High Miles Punny” has really started to gain the attention of retailers, distributors (Sunset/Island Def Jam Digital) during the set up time this month, and that should lead to the sales of the new ‘Take A Stand’ CD that will be in stores on February 22 this month.
“Dancehall (reggae) styled artists and their songs are not only stronger than ever in today’s marketplace,” says (Don) Lichterman about the reggae artist, Respect, “but honestly, I also love that style of music myself because its fun quite frankly.” The Tropical Record label seems to be intertwining what can be considered roots reggae music artists, along with dancehall reggae music artists that have mixed or added fusions bringing in other styles of music, to reggae songs. “I like taking a certain basis from an A&R and producer point of view when signing artists and putting together their albums,” (Don) Lichterman continues to day say about his world music record label (Tropical Records), “and then what I always try to do is to expand on that basis if you will, with artists that can deliver colorful melodies and more avenues in songs than the verse, verse, chorus basic way people write songs.”
Omen
Husband-and-wife tandem Dan and Cristina Handrabur make up what is Weed!
The latest release from Weed contains many nuggets of musical works with ambient singer Cristina Handrabur that lends her beautifully distinctive vocals to songs on 'Visionary Sessions'. Both ( Dan and Cristina Handrabur) were both born in Bucharest Romania before each moved to live in Geneva. Dan began playing violin and is classically trained musically while garnering a scholarship to study at the Conservatoire de Geneve at the young age of sixteen (16) years old. Cristina began singing also at an early age in her teens with credits on many albums and placements of her music on many soundtrack CD's. As Weed, they blend ambiance, psychedelia, trip-hop and electronica elements into their own unique musical blend and top it with Dan's great playing styles and with Cristina’s distinctive vocals.
Oddly, Weed have been flying under the radar when it comes to music in mainstream world. People are now fast becoming more familiar with this act, and especially those listeners that are fans of Morcheeba, Lemon Jelly, The Cinematic Orchestra and Jazzanova. Fans of triphop in general and electronica music band will love this new album entitled 'Visionary Sessions.' This latest release does sound like an old formula in a modern era, and those that love music with a modern and sophisticated lounge feel to it, this is an album for you.
Earning a set of Technics DJ'ing at the landmark Club 58, Weed adapted the use of a Korg synthesizer and a Roland beat box. The new reality of composing and producing electronic music along with adding Cristina's soothing vocals, make up quintessential Weed. That overall sound is something that automatically makes the entire album accessible to all listeners. The combination of Dan's playing and Cristina's vocals makes them sound like they did the day they met to collaborate as one. The dreamy vocals and trip hop sound is what carries the band. And, the ability to produce sophisticated beats with flashy chords is what makes that cutting edge overall sound.
There is no doubt that we will hear certain songs be used on TV montages and in advertisements, and the band has already been placed in at least four Soundtrack (Suddenly Naked, Guilty, Free Enterprise & Bruiser) CD's to date. Drawn together by similar tastes in music and artwork, Dan and Cristina fell in love literally, and musically. After Dan moved with his family to Toronto, Canada (shortly after his graduation), a year later, Cristina joined him, and they married each other while they also they collaborated on music in Weed. Having relocated to Canada, they both quickly became known among a new electronic music community and have had great successes in large American cities like Detroit and throughout the entire United Kingdom. Their overall ambient sound is actually described as being more than the Industrial sounds any major populated city is more associated with today.
After the participation of many projects over the years (Outersanctum, Floatpoint, Vuemorph, Mere Mortals, Off And Gone, Weed), the duo has since returned to their native home in Romania to settle in a mountain village, and label head (Sunset Jazz Recordings) Don Lichterman, pleaded with them to allow the company to release this latest CD (Visionary Sessions). (Don) Lichterman says that “seeing them around horse drawn carriages, wooden stoves, secular traditional customs and lots of fresh air, the home of Outersanctum Studios is a goldmine of music and most of all, these guys play so well together; they compliment each others great talents.” (Don) Lichterman also says that “Dan continues to produce albums, tour all over in Europe and hopes to be able to travel to India to learn the techniques of Indian violin playing as well as the sarangi, an ancient, almost rudimentary stringed instrument with a distinctive sound.”
Cristina Handrabur says that “in the last years since we moved from Bucharest, we are enjoying a more natural life, growing our own vegetables and herbs, making our own wine, visiting and discovering new sacred places(where European civilization first started), forest trekking, experimenting and finding inspiration for new artwork.” (Don) Lichterman says that “this overall situation is a great recipe for success and most of all, they need to be heard big time.” He (Don Lichterman) ends by saying that he “will give them (Cristina and Dan Handrabur aka Weed) the most viable chances to be placed and they will have the most viable way to be heard by anyone in the world.”
The 'Visionary Sessions” twelve (12) CD is in stores on march 3rd and the new video of the song, “Truth Love Spirit“ is in all video outlets beginning this week. The full length CD is made up with the following beautiful sound recordings:
1. Visionary Sessions
2. Ace
3. Blessed (Proceed Without Caution)
4. Fields Of Love
5. Aloft
6. Finding My Way
7. Follow Me
8. Make U Feel
9. Omen
10. Path Of Rose Petals
11. Peace Mantra
12. So Hi
13. A Sigh Becomes A Thousand Trees
14. Truth Love Spirit
Sunset Jazz Recordings / Sunset Classics & Jazz (SC&J)
A world renowned jazz record label with old school styled and modern day smooth jazz artists signed to the label and with DJ's, Electronica, House, TripHop Music artists on its roster. Featuring the old school traditional Sunset Jazz Recording artist Woodcock Group, Electronica artists Dreamdoktor, DJ Zevzek and Weed, along with the guitar aficionado and genius Steve Tilelli along with avante garde sounds and new age artist, Store Thousands. The label also features great jazz artists on the Lounge Party CD.
Animales Del Agua
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).
