Saturday, June 9, 2018

Plunky Releases - "Only You" Smooth Groove/Afro-Mellow EP

The storied history of Afro-jazz funk legends Plunky & Oneness continues with a new album, "Eclecticism," to be released June 13 of this year. As a prelude to the new album, Plunky is releasing "Only You," a four-song maxi-single of Afro-mellow smooth grooves on March 13. While his maxi-single focuses on mellow vibes, the four tracks still showcase the variety and versatility Plunky and his group have shown for more than 40 years and 25 albums. Newness and innovation are on full display on this EP as Plunky and his son, J. Fire Branch, have produced a collection of personal songs with multiple layers of beats, sounds and meanings.

Listen to samples of the "Only You" 4-song Maxi Single, click here:
https://soundcloud.com/plunky-1-1/only-you-4-song-sampler

Here's how Plunky himself describes the songs on the EP/Maxi-single:

"The title tune, "Only You," is a smooth groove song about your one and only love. The tenor sax lead implies that it is a man speaking to his lover, but female background vocals make it clear that it is just as likely that a woman might sing it to hers. Every listener can hope that if they asked their lover "who makes you happy," the answer would be, "Only You." This song is my nod to Najee, Gerald Albright, Boney James, Kim Waters and all the smooth jazz saxophonists who make it mellow and funky at the same time.

"Love Makes Us Better" is about universal love. The modal piano vamp on the track hearkens back to the openness of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" and Pharaoh Sanders' "Karma;" but this new song combines sequencing with live instruments, vocals and soprano sax. The song was produced using modern hip-hop/R&B sampling techniques, instrumental improvisation and lyrics to create a nu-cosmic jazz.

"The instrumental track, "Word of Mouth," could have been titled "Oral History" or "Speaking in Tongues." This is truly a new music construct, using voices as percussion instruments and overdubbed saxophones as a rhythm section. This is special, acoustic Nu-Afro-beat music; mellow and danceable.

"The introspective song, "Dream Safari," uses a new age soundscape and a smooth Afro-jazz groove to create a vehicle for a tenor sax excursion into dream land. The song is cinematic, expansive and intimate. A safari is an expedition and this is a soundtrack for a quest for wisdom, peace and love…

"These are songs for this season, and with these songs I am intimating a subtle African and cosmopolitan aesthetic, an understated and diverse Afropolitan jazz-funk music."

"Only You" 4-Song sampler video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ypX2piavBM&feature=youtu.be

Musicians: J. Plunky Branch – sax, vocals; J. Fire Branch – electronic percussion, tracks; Charlayne "Chyp" Green – vocals; P. Muzi Branch – bass; J. L. Harris – keyboards; Carl Lester El – guitars; Chris Beasley – guitar; Kala Page – background vocals; Abdou Muhammed – Djembe drum; Al Dokes – tracks production

The "Only You" four-song EP is available from www.cdbaby.com and on all usual download sites.
Plunky & Oneness is available for touring dates, festivals, concerts, seminars and club dates.
Contact Plunky at plunkyb@aol.com. Website: www.plunkyone.com

Listen to samples of the "Only You" 4-song Maxi Single, click here:
https://soundcloud.com/plunky-1-1/only-you-4-song-sampler

"Only You" 4-Song sampler video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ypX2piavBM&feature=youtu.be

http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=202426

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Raquel Aurilia To Host A Fan Appreciation Party In Nashville During CMA Fest Week

Singer-songwriter Raquel Aurilia announced today she will be hosting a fan appreciation party in Nashville during CMA Fest week. Raquel will perform live and celebrate with fans during the lunch hour at The Stillery on Thursday, June 7th at 12noon. The fan event is part of the Renegade Radio Nashville & Music Update Central Fan Appreciation Party Showcase.

The event is free and music fans are encouraged to show up for photo ops, meet & greet, giveaways - plus a live music performance showcase by Raquel Aurilia.
The Stillery is located in downtown Nashville just off Broadway at 113 2nd Ave N.

"I am thrilled to be hosting this wonderful fan appreciation party in Nashville," says Raquel Aurilia. "It's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate music with the fans while they're in town for the CMA Fest week."

Raquel's latest single, "Pretty Roses" was recorded in Nashville where she also filmed the music video. Aurilia co-wrote "Pretty Roses" with songwriter Jennifer Adan, known for co-writing Blake Shelton's #1 hit "She Wouldn't Be Gone," Jonathan Hamby, keyboard player for country superstar, Carrie Underwood, and critically acclaimed producer, Michael Lattanzi, whose clientele ranges from rock legends Aerosmith to public figures like Paris Hilton.

Singer-songwriter Raquel Aurilia is currently touring. Aurilia has toured opening 25 U.S. cities for John Waite - including an upcoming concert scheduled January 19 in Phoenix, AZ. Aurilia has opened for B.B. King, Gin Blossoms, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Lisa Loeb, Eddie Money, Pat Benatar, and Riders in the Sky. Aurilia has worked with Grammy Award winning producer Tony Papa (James Brown, Willie Nelson, John Denver) and Gardner Cole (Madonna, Jodi Whatley), as well as Grammy nominated producer Billy Smiley (Bebe and Cece Winans, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash) in Nashville. Aurilia's music has been featured in MTV's hit series "The Hills," "The City" and "Taking the Stage."

Upcoming Event
June 7 - Nashville - The Stillery 12pm (Fan Appreciation Party during CMA Fest)

Weblinks: www.RaquelAurilia.com / www.twitter.com/raquelaurilia / https://www.facebook.com/RaquelAurilia / www.instagram.com/raquelaurilia / www.about.me/raquelaurilia /

http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=203524