Tasha Taylor's "Merry Christmas Baby" Released To Radio

The youngest daughter of R&B Pioneer Johnnie Taylor, is offering her sultry, Christmas original, "Merry Christmas Baby" in advance of the release of her CD, TAYLORMADE, scheduled for release early next year. An accompanying "Merry Christmas Baby" video is now available for viewing at TashaTaylor.com and at YouTube.

"TAYLORMADE is filled with remembrances, and sometimes more about how I feel about my mother's and father's feelings and relationship than about myself," Tasha elaborates. "'Merry Christmas Baby' is one of those songs on the album that has taken on a life of its own and now is really more evocative of my parents than about me."

Tasha's music is infused with the spirit of her legendary father and TAYLORMADE includes a funky duet by "Taylor and Taylor"—daughter and father—reprising Johnnie's first million-selling Stax Records' hit, "Who's Making Love." Tasha has just been tagged as a New! Artist to Watch by Clear Channel and "Wonder Woman" as a Blues Breaker on House of Blues Radio with Elwood Blues.

Tasha executive produced the album this summer at Noisy Neighbors Studio in Los Angeles with Stuart Benjamin, Rob Arbittier and Gary Adante producing. Award-winning bassist Nathan Watts was musical director of the impeccable tracks which feature Tasha Taylor on lead and background vocals, guitars and keys; Kerry Griffin on drums; Kyle Bolden and Jon Taylor on guitar, Rahn Coleman, Roman Johnson, Rob Arbittier and Mike Finnigan on keys, Kevin Ricard on percussion; and Joey Berkley, Zane Musa, Stephan Baxter, Nolan Shaheed, Brian Pareschi and Gerard Carelli on horns.

Website: http://www.tashataylor.com
Music: http://www.tashataylor.com/assets/audio/Merry_Christmas_Baby.wma

Trance/Electronica Artist Eutheria Releases Debut CD 'Forever'

ListenOut, Ltd. announced today that Trance/Electronica artist Eutheria have released their debut album entitled ‘Forever’. Moreover, the five track EP is being offered as a free download at Eutheria’s official website, www.eutheria.co.uk/.

Commenting on the new EP, Tom Callahan of Eutheria stated, "I started writing songs for this album in April, and in November I began recording the CD. Most of the music you hear is electronic, but I also played the guitars and performed the vocals."

Eutheria is a melodic trance / electronic project formed in 2010 by Tom Callahan, who is also a guitarist in the emerging British band Silent Descent. Taking influence from artists such as Basshunter, Pendulum and David Guetta, Eutheria's focus is to create melodic, emotional music whilst keeping the energetic club vibe.

"My other projects have always been quite different from this one as my main focus is on the metal band Silent Descent. I’m always surrounded by rock and metal - but I was ready to do something different. I played around with several ideas and discovered some good sounds and styles with the electronica/trance genre, and it just evolved into this EP. My goal was to touch people’s emotions and really focus on producing something that was musically powerful."

The 'Forever' EP covers several different styles within the electronic genre. Opening tracks "Start Again" and "Now or Never" are hard hitting club dance tracks, along with the fourth song "Broken Free". The third track, "Question Yourself," takes a drum & bass style approach, while the final track "Forever" is a more chilled out, soulful track. Despite the variations in style, all tracks focus on being melodic, vocal based and emotive.

Visit http://www.eutheria.co.uk/ to download the free EP Forever.

CONTACT:
Tom Callahan
ListenOut, Ltd.
info@eutheria.co.uk

All About Jazz Partners With RocketHub To Make Jazz Mobile

All About Jazz, the largest online jazz resource and community, has partnered with RocketHub, a grassroots crowdfunding community developed for Creatives by Creatives, to actively engage jazz fans across the world and to crowdfund an innovative mobile application.

Crowdfunding establishes a web-based event that harnesses an artist's or entrepreneur's network and audience for funds, awareness, and authentic feedback. It is a powerful new way to build financial support and public groundswell.

All About Jazz Founder, Michael Ricci, summed up the project: "Imagine walking in Greenwich Village or in Paris or London or Tokyo or wherever and checking the All About Jazz calendar app to see who is playing that night near you – then buying a ticket while mapping your way to the club. We're talking the most comprehensive global jazz calendar where every city is represented, every night. And we can do it with your help."

To learn more and to get involved: http://www.rockethub.com/projects/708-make-jazz-mobile

RocketHub Co-founder and CEO, Brian Meece describes the partnership as "a proud moment for our team and community. RocketHub has helped many jazz musicians reach new fans and attain funding for musical projects. It's an honor to be working with the biggest and best jazz hub on the Web."

All About Jazz
AllAboutJazz.com is the leading and longest running jazz music web site, attracting both enthusiasts and industry professionals. A daily resource of impressive depth and breadth, AllAboutJazz.com publishes and syndicates a variety of jazz-oriented content. As a social enterprise, AllAboutJazz.com is committed to raising the awareness of jazz's cultural significance and historical legacy while playing an essential role in celebrating the creative leaders of today. It is a 9-time winner of the prestigious Jazz Journalist Association award for excellence in web publishing. As an AOL Music Network partner, its content appears weekly at Spinner.com.
http://www.AllAboutJazz.com

RocketHub
RocketHub is a grassroots crowdfunding community for Creatives by Creatives, founded by Brian Meece – singer-songwriter, Jed Cohen – actor/producer, and Vlad Vukicevic – tech-thinker/writer. The concepts behind RocketHub stem from the founders' own personal challenges as creative people; therefore RocketHub supports a DIY-ethos that is welcoming and supportive to all Creatives from around the world. "We are the creative underdogs with a mission to liberate creativity through our platform and educational support. RocketHub is the center of the crowdfunding revolution and the foundation of the new creative economy."
http://www.RocketHub.com
http://www.RocketHub.org

Sonicbids Partners With Headliner.fm To Help Artists Make Connections And Reach New Fans

Sonicbids, the leading matchmaking site for bands and music promoters, today announces a partnership with Headliner.fm, the largest real-time social media and viral marketing solution on the web, to launch a new application for artists to reach new fans. With the Headliner.fm app, artists can reach millions of new fans by trading recommendations with like-minded artists and promoting to their fanbases through artist-endorsed status updates on social networking sites and mobile devices.

"Headliner.fm reaches 123 million social media fans on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and mobile devices, empowering artists to reach and engage new fans in an affordable, targeted and authentic way," said Sonicbids Founder and CEO Panos Panay. "This partnership echoes our mission to help artists cultivate relationships with other artists and reach new fans. We’re excited to bring the Headliner.fm app to Sonicbids members and help bands not only get gigs but also interact with their fans in a meaningful way."

As part of this partnership, Sonicbids artists will have access to the Headliner.fm app to promote everything from new music, videos, tours and contests to helping artists engage with fans and expand their social media fanbases. Artists can create custom promotional messages and service them to other artists in their genre. Each time an artist recommends another artist to their fans, they earn Band Bucks, which can be used to send out their own promotions to reach new fans: one Band Buck equals reach to one new fan.

"Headliner.fm helps solve the universal challenge that all artists face on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and mobile devices - reaching and engaging new fans.
This is not an easy problem to solve," said Mike More, CEO Headliner.fm. "We had to come up with a solution that was cost-effective and that artists would get behind. We thought about this challenge for a long time and thought that the best way for artists to reach new fans on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and mobile devices was to have similar artists recommend and endorse them. Getting these endorsements provides artists of any size the chance to reach enough new fans to move the needle. Now, we’re taking this a step further by partnering with Sonicbids. Making the process of booking and promoting shows easy and simple for artists is a common mission both Headliner and Sonicbids share. Our goal is to help artists by providing them with a powerful, easy-to-use, one-stop solution so they can spend less time managing their career and more time making great music."

To get started, artists log into their Sonicbids account and click on the Headliner.fm app in the Featured Apps section of their homepage. If you don’t have a Sonicbids account, sign up for a 14-day free trial membership here.

About Headliner.fm
Headliner.fm has grown to become the largest real-time social media and viral marketing solution on the web, with over 30,000 registered artists combined reaching over 123 million social media fans on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace - 5 million daily. It offers a free to low cost way for artists to reach new fans, authentically endorsing one another on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and on mobile. Headliner.fm's service is unique. Many sites offer bands opportunities to upload their content and ask their fans to share with friends, but only Headliner offers artists the ability to reach the fans of thousands of other bands through real-time social media recommendations. Whether your band is a platinum-selling major label artist or an indie artist just getting started, Headliner.fm can help you reach more new fans than ever before. Promote your music with http://headliner.fm/

About Sonicbids
Sonicbids is the leading matchmaking site for bands and music promoters. Our community includes more than 280,000 bands and 24,000 promoters and licensors from all around the world. With festivals, clubs, colleges, music licensing and much more, Sonicbids offers a diverse range of gigs for every kind of musician. In fact, last year alone, more than 71,000 gigs were booked on the site. The company was founded in 2001 by Panos Panay and continues to focus on its core mission of empowering the artistic middle class. Get a gig or book a band at http://www.sonicbids.com/

Adorned With YouTube Accolades, "Santa Is Coming" By The U.K.'s Mister Jack Arrives At ITunes December 13th

Sarah Mayal of Arival Records announced today that the track "Santa Is Coming," by Mister Jack, will be available at iTunes and all major online retailers on December 13, 2010. The accompanying video, which has already been released, climbed the YouTube Charts of the Most Watched Video rapidly. On December 1st, the video held the number one spot, becoming the frontrunner to other celebrated artists such as Nicki Minaj with "Fly" featuring Rihanna holding the number two spot and Justin Bieber's "Latin Girl" at number five. In fact, Mister Jack even overtook fellow U.K. celeb Cher Lloyd of the X Factor, whose video had been number one on November 30th, knocking her to number four.

With his new single, Mister Jack, the pop/punk/ska/reggae master of the U.K., brings to us some 2010 holiday cheer with a smooth Reggae Club mix. The guitar sets off "Santa Is Comin'," which is a fun song about getting together for a romantic Christmas night. The Reggae beat features a solid drum groove and horns that punctuate the hook without being overbearing. The female vocals make the hook work with Mister Jack, as he assures the ladies that Santa will be fulfilling their every wish (naughty or nice). The overall mix is perfect for having some fun on the dance floor this holiday season!

Mayal commented on the video's success, stating, "Mister Jack has a reputation for producing good music and presenting it in a very entertaining way. He is absolutely an original artist. If the video's popularity is any indicator of how the track itself will do upon its release on December 13th, we're in good shape."

Mister Jack's video, "Santa Is Comin'" begins with an animated Santa and reindeers pulling a sleigh that is about to trample a bearded male as he shouts to whomever will listen, "Santa is coming!" The music starts to play and the video switches to real life, with Mister Jack and his band playing in a bar. The song itself has a catchy reggae and ska feel to it with a slow beat that is reminiscent of Jimmy Cliff. The scenes switch from Mister Jack and crew shopping for holiday items in a department store, to frolicking outside in the snow, to Mister Jack being a little naughty with one of Santa's female helpers. Mister Jack sports a Beastie Boys look with his black top hat, Adidas track jacket and sunglasses. Lyrically speaking, Mister Jack is pondering his female counterpart's desires for this Christmas. Overall, it's a fun and festive holiday track that naturally incorporates Mister Jack's British humor. He appears to be having a jolly ‘ole time and is in good spirits. Then again, what man wouldn't be with two scantily clad females around him? Bring out the egg nog, because Santa is Comin'!

Born in Hammersmith, West London, in 1986, the artist known as Mister Jack has garnished many accolades over the years for his brand of music which is an anthemic mix of what he calls "power pop, punk, rock, ska and a hint of British humor". A self-taught guitarist by the age of 10, Mister Jack began writing guitar riffs while performing in U.K. punk rock bands from 2004-2006. He was honored with an exclusive feature in the Reggae section of Bebo.com, became the 18th most viewed musician on YouTube UK, and Garageband.com also awarded him numerous honors for his songs. He became the featured artist in August 2009 on Pax Stereo TV and his single "Pretty Damn Cool" on Arival Records had a total of 50,000 YouTube views. His latest single, pop reggae Christmas track "Santa Is Comin'," will be released in time for the Holiday Season on December 13, 2010.

"Santa Is Coming" can be purchased through iTunes at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/santa-is-comin/id405096948?ign-mpt=uo%3D4.

Websites:
http://www.misterjack.co.uk
http://www.itunes.com/misterjack
http://www.myspace.com/misterjackofficial
http://www.youtube.com/misterjackofficial
http://www.twitter.com/misterjackblog

CONTACT INFO:
Sarah Mayal
Arival Records
Sarah@arivalrecords.co.uk
+44 7534744451

Movielocker Launches State Of The Art HD Video Delivery Platform

After a successful beta phase Swiss-based Movielocker SA officially launches a new integrated HD enabled online video platform next Monday. Targeting a global generation of independent filmmakers and semi professionals as well as the niche interest with content segment the company offers a platform enabling hosting and streaming of HD content, a state of the art payment gateway and 2 step licensing. Movielocker, as the service will be called, joins an exclusive group of companies that is catering to a booming market where digital video clips are made available for sale directly by the producer.

"The future belongs to the Indies", as Jon Landau (Titanic) quoted recently.

"Everyone already recognizes that the user generated video market is essentially the world's largest market for free goods but quality videos will very quickly transform this into the largest movie market in the world," says Mai-Anh Demottaz, spokeswoman for the company, "however, the mystery for the movie industry has been how to monetize this market, and for independent filmmakers, how to reach it. Today, Movielocker delivers a streamlined solution that opens a significant new video market to the rest of the world."

A strategic alliance with the George Eastman House to distribute their archive is way beyond a marketing gag. Movielocker also won legendary independent filmmaker Jonas Mekas as a first supporter of their services. Mekas says: "Get a camera and start filming!" To cement its goal to support the independent film community Movielocker was essential in bringing The George Eastman House to honor Jonas Mekas with an honorary scholar award at a special award ceremony in April 2011.

A first in the market the Movielocker service does not require any up front costs and is backed up by the most price worthy three layer pricing model.

"We will promote independent films and videos to the worldwide market of movie lovers, which still have an enormous appetite and passion for movies, and will appreciate this new groundswell of indie movies leading to significant sales for any kind of filmmakers. Therefore, I believe Movielocker is the fastest and most effective sales channel for filmmakers ever" said Dmitry Volobuev, co founder of Movielocker.

Online video viewing is more ubiquitous than ever. "We reach 80% of US Hispanic households with quality broadcast programs," said Esteban Lopez Blanco, VP of Interactive at LATV Networks. "We know the worldwide online video market will reach 20 billion dollars in a couple of years. To capture our share of that market profitably, we need more digital distribution than ads alone."

Movielocker plans to expand its reach into viral promotion and marketing of videos online.

About Movielocker
Movielocker is comprised of a dedicated team of movie industry professionals and tech developers with a long history in the indie and major film community. Movielocker SA was founded in 2009 and is based in Boncourt, Switzerland.
Website: http://www.movielocker.com/

Contact:
Eric de Fontenay
MusicDish
ecfont@musicdish.net
+1-718-278-0662

[Singapore] Celebrate December: Naughty "Noor" Nice

Naughty "Noor" Nice: Christmas with Aya Sekine and Joanna Dong, Featuring Mohammed Noor on percussions.

Aya and Jo are both very naughty and super nice! This Christmas, join these cheeky chicks as they take Santa by his beard and swap his milk and cookies for a potent dose of their music*!

Venue: Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, Singapore
Date: 22nd December 2010
Time: 7.30 – 8.15pm, 8.45 – 9.30pm
Admission: Free!

*Aya and Jo play innumerable genres of music between them, but it is likely to be largely Jazz-informed, with some tongue-in-cheek humour.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110534032353032

Songwriting Veterans Dominate Top Two Spots In USA Songwriting Competition

Results of the 15th Annual USA Songwriting Competition have been announced. Canadian singer-songwriter Alannah Myles and prolific Los Angeles songwriter Ken Hirsch won the top two positions of the 15th Annual USA Songwriting Competition. This also marks the first time that music industry veterans dominate the top two positions of the USA Songwriting Competition fifteen year history.

Toronto Canada based Alannah Myles and co-writer Nancy Simmonds won Overall Grand Prize as well as the first prize of the Rock/Alternative category with their song "Give Me Love". Alannah Myles is known for her Classic Rock hit "Black Velvet". "Black Velvet" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1990, won a Grammy award in 1991 for the same song. That song has become a classic and is a mainstay on Classic Rock and Pop radio stations worldwide. With her latest win, Alannah Myles is launching a comeback. This also marks only the second time that the top prize went to a non-US based songwriter. The last time the top prize when to a non-US based songwriter was 2006 when Vikki Simpson of the group "The Waifs" won.

Ken Hirsch and co-writers Rosie Casey, Peter Roberts & Hillary Podell of Los Angeles, CA won first prize in the Pop category as well as Overall second Prize with their song "Is that So Bad". Ken Hirsch is a prolific songwriter with several hits on the charts and is well known for his number one hit "I've Never Been To Me". Like Alannah Myles's "Black Velvet", "I've Never Been To Me" has also become a classic hit and is a mainstay on Classic Pop, Soft Rock and easy listening radio stations worldwide. Ken has also written hits such as "Two Less Lonely People In The World", a top 40 hit for Air Supply which he wrote with late legendary songwriter Howard Greenfield. Ken Hirsch has his songs recorded by music legends such as: Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton. Ray Charles and Mary J. Blige.

Christopher Tin, an Honorable Mention winner of the 15th USA Songwriting Competition has been nominated for two Grammys at the latest 53rd annual Grammy Awards: 'Best Classical Crossover Album', and 'Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists' for his USA Songwriting Competition song entry 'Baba Yetu'. 'Baba Yetu' won an honorable mention award in the 2010 USA Songwriting Competition.

USA Songwriting Competition has a long history of having winners getting recording and publishing contracts, have their songs placed on the charts as well as having their songs placed on film and television. 2009 First Prize winner (country) was signed to Universal Records. 2005 First Prize winner (Pop) Kate Voegele was signed to Interscope Records the year after she won and had her winning song hit top 40 on the Billboard Charts, her latest album hit Top 10 on the Billboard 200 Album charts this summer. 2007 Overall Grand Prize Winner Ari Gold had his winning song "Where The Music Takes You" hit #10 on the Billboard Dance Charts. Darrell Scott, winner of the country category of the 2005 USA Song writing Competition had his winning song cut by award winning country singer Faith Hill. Judges include A&R managers from record labels such as Warner, Capitol Records, Universal, BMG/SONY Music.

The following is the list of winners of the 2010 USA Songwriting Competition:

OVERALL GRAND PRIZE
Give Me Love - Alannah Myles & Nancy Simmonds; Toronto, CANADA

OVERALL 2nd PRIZE
Is that So Bad - Ken Hirsch, Rosie Casey, Peter Roberts & Hillary Podell; Los Angeles, CA

OVERALL 3rd PRIZE Be Inspired - (T. Custis, T. Haddon) Ason; Upper Marlboro, MD

FIRST PRIZES IN EACH CATEGORY
1st Prize - LATIN
Estas en mí - Miriam Duran & Daniel Vila; Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA

1st Prize – LYRICS
Hot Coals - Sherri Gough; Nashville, TN

1st Prize – R&B
Retail - Branden Abeyta; Denver, CO

1st Prize – DANCE/ELECTRONICA
Can't Keep It A Secret - Jacinta Brongeest, Tony Moran & Warren Largaso Rigg; Sydney, AUSTRALIA

1st Prize – FOLK
The Mistress - Hawksley Workman & Amelia Curran; Toronto, CANADA

1st Prize – COUNTRY
Lighthouse - Chaise Flanders & Doug Stokes; Nashville, TN

1st Prize – ROCK/ALTERNATIVE
Give Me Love - Alannah Myles & Nancy Simmonds – Toronto, CANADA

1st Prize – POP
Is that So Bad - Ken Hirsch, Rosie Casey, Peter Roberts & Hillary Podell; Los Angeles, CA

1st Prize – HIP-HOP/RAP
Be Inspired - (T. Custis, T. Haddon) Ason; Upper Marlboro, MD

1st Prize – WORLD
Deix - Tais Alvarenga, BRAZIL

1st Prize – INSTRUMENTAL
Light Longing - Catya Mare; Beverly Hills, CA

1st Prize – JAZZ
The Angels Share - Don Breithaupt & Jeff Breithaupt; Bolton, ON, CANADA

1st Prize – GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL
More - Raleigh Hall & Gordon Chambers; Jamaica, NY

1st Prize - NOVELTY/COMEDY
I'm Allergic To My Job - Drew Jacobs; Latham, NY

1st Prize – CHILDREN
Honey Bee - Tina Jones; Gabriola Island, BC, CANADA

Honorable Mention Awards
1. Hechizo - (Jacqueline Grace Lopez) Jacqueline Grace; San Diego, CA
2. Good Goodbye - Erin Casey; Boston, MA
3. Hypnotize - Leandro Dannug; Quezon City, PHILIPPINES
4. Who Will Find Me - Adrina Thorpe; Costa Mesa, CA
5. Stay With Me - Dave Merenda; Los Angeles, CA
6. Saturday in June - Robert Gillies; Scotland, UK
7. Red Shoes - Edie Carey, Boston, MA
8. Drink You Away - Nikki Shae, Mark Zubek; Ontario, CANADA
9. Kiss My Rainy Day Away - Jenn Bostic & Charlie Hutto; Nashville, TN
10. Citadel - Vreny Van Elslande, David Crocco & Cela Scott; Los Angeles
11. Do You Want To? - (Kyle, Chris Lowe, Scott Romig) Dexter Freebish; Austin, TX
12. Unraveling - Liz Longley; Boston, MA
13. LA Sky - Matthew Murphy, Sara Haze & Michelle Atkinson; South Euclid, OH
14. Distract Me From My Hustle - Joycia Ramsey (MzSKANDALOUZ);
15. Baba Yetu (feat. Soweto Gospel Choir) - Christopher Tin; Los Angeles, CA
16. Song For Sheila - Ellsworth McMeen; Sparta, NJ
17. Sanctuary - Helle Hansen; Copenhagen, DENMARK
18. I am Wordless - Tonya Poe, David Garcia, Wayne Smotherman; Pittsburg, KS
19. Mrs Santa Claws - Bette Anderson; Oakford, IN 20. You, Me and O.P. - James Struthers; Winnipeg, MB, CANADA

Entries are currently being accepted for the 16th Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Winning songs of the 16th Annual USA Songwriting Competition will receive airplay on a nationally syndicated radio program "Acoustic Cafe" as well as Sirius XM Satellite Radio. This is the first Songwriting Competition that gives airplay to the winning songs, giving deserving bands, songwriters the recognition and exposure they deserve. Entrants stand to win a grand prize of over US$50,000 in cash and music gear from sponsors such as Sony, D’Addario Strings, Ableton, Audio-Technica, Presonus, IK Multimedia, and more, making this the largest prize package for any annual songwriting competition. Other sponsors include: New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, AirplayAccess.com, Onboard Research, Acoustica, Livewire Musician, Sonoma Wireworks, Rockstar Texting, Image line Recording magazine and Premier Guitar magazine.

Songs may be entered in 15 different categories including Pop, Rock/Alternative, R&B and Country. Entries are accepted from now through May 31, 2011. For more information, visit: http://www.songwriting.net

The Best Of African Music (One World - One Love Edition) Exclusively Released On ITunes Throughout December

Crafted with groovy, positive, energetic but also melow and meditative music, "The Best of African Music (One World - One Love edition) is definitely one of the best compilation to come out this year.

Even though the album features some major names such as Akon, NAS and Damian Marley among others, "The Best of African Music (One World - One Love edition)" is overwhelmed with many independent and established artists who are not necessarily known internationally thus giving these wonderful musicians the opportunity to reach out to the worldwide audience. The fans in North America will have to wait because the full album will be available in 2011.

The tracks of the album "The Best of African Music (One World - One Love edition), have been carefully selected and compiled by Didier Kussu, based on the following criteria:
- Each track must contain some typical African music elements
- Songs with lyrics must be positive and uplifting
The outcome is the best Christmas gift of 20 lovely songs for true music lovers.

Featured artists are Akon, Keri Hilson, Nneka, Paul Play Dairo, NAS, Damian Marley, Ed Jatto, Obiora Obiwon, Tate Simms, Adonye Green, Blackface Naija, Seun Kuti, TEA, Shaman's Dream,
Jason Farnham, Cesar Funck, Proofsound, Denise Gordon, Miss Maawa, Sunburn In Cyprus, Afrotech Project, Basiru Suso, Eddie "SEA" Caldwell, Gene Katsuro among others.

About The Best of African Music
The Best Of African Music is a compilation series with aim to create a platform in which fans around the world will have the opportunity to discover the great variety of music that the
African continent has to offer.
For more info: http://www.thebestofafricanmusic.com/

Press Inquiries:
United Entertainment & Media Limited
Suite 404, 324 Regent Street
London
W1B 3HH
UK
P: +44 20 7193 5457
E: press@uemlimited.com

The Amazing Insurance Salesmen - from Beijing and Hong Kong... to Kuala Lumpur!

[Editor's Note: When Beijing-based Rustic won the Global Battle of the Bands World title earlier this year in London, attention inevitably turned to China and who would represent it in the 2011 competition. While it might not be so surprising that the prize went once again to a Beijing-based band, being the birthplace of its indie music movement. But a multi-cultural franco-sino-dutch band called the Amazing Insurance Salesmen?

With influences ranging from Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd and good dose of fusion jazz, the band has played all of Beijing's hotspots (Yugong Yishan, Mao live house, D22, 2Kolegas) since the band formed in 2009. Band leader Zhang Si'an (aka Jean-Sébastien Héry) arrived in China in 2000 and stayed paying a Wednesday night residency at the "River" bar (later destroyed in 2003). What would follow are seven solo albums written and recorded in Mandarin, and member of indie bands The Incredible JSB!, The Maix Jazz band and the Amazing Insurance Salesmen, which brings us back to the GBOB China competition in Hong Kong. In Zhang Si'an's own words...]

We woke early in the morning to meet each other at the Beijing airport. I arrived early, and waited for Maomao and Maikel. We saw the band Rustic there and realized they were taking the same plane to Hong Kong as we were. After going through customs, we were finally seated on the plane.

Once we arrived in Hong Kong, the Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB) team was there to. We were quickly ushered to the Novotel Hotel in Wanchai, and realized we had been upgraded by the hotel, giving us access to bigger and more comfortable rooms (nice!!!). It was time to get ready for our showcase at The Wanch, one of Hong Kong's oldest venues When we arrived, Misery, one of the Hong Kong GBOB leg winners, was playing. We waited, listening to the music, drinking beers, realizing we had left mainland China, and not knowing what was lying ahead of us.

The atmosphere at the Wanch was very cool, and we had fun there. My feeling is that people there didn't expect to hear the kind of music we play coming from a Beijing band, and it felt good to surprise them. We were very tired after the day's travel and playing, and decided to go back to the hotel early.

The next morning, we went altogether to eat some good Hong Kong food, and then headed to Tom Lee, the local music instrument and equipment shop, to buy a few things and take a look at some gears. After that, we went back to the hotel and started practicing our songs for the final battle that was to take place that night at the venue Sticky Fingers. We practiced the songs and talked about what had gone well or not so well at The Wanch the night before. We decided to take the best of the show that we had performed at The Wanch and use it at the GBOB contest.

We still had a few hours to kill, so we headed to the Sticky fingers for a sound check, and then went out and walked for hours along the Hong Kong docks, watching all the tourists and the local people mixing together in an atmosphere only Hong Kong could create. We were talking about what to expect from the contest that night. I said to Maomao and Maikel that we would probably lose. At that time, I was convinced the Hong Kong band Senseless would win because not only were their lyrics interesting, they were in Cantonese, which was great for interacting with the local audience.

Shortly before the beginning of the contest, we went back to Sticky Fingers, changed into our performance outfits, and then waited and listened to the first band to play, which was Crossline. They were from Macao. Once they finished, it was our turn to get on the stage. We didn't know what to expect from the contest, but we did know that the best we could do was to enjoy ourselves, and do it like we do it in Beijing....

We really enjoyed ourselves playing those 8 minutes, and I think people in the audience felt that. There were still two bands to go. Senseless did well, and so did the band from Shenzhen -- Bolt Action. Then Rustic came on stage, and surprised the Hong Kong audience with their punk rock Beijing sound. We couldn't wait anymore and I went outside to have a smoke, and talked with a few judges, who told me they really loved our music, which seemed like a good sign for us. Then the moment for Chris B. to declare the name of the winner came, and she said our band's name -- The Amazing Insurance Salesmen. We couldn't believe it! It was a relief for us to win as it had been a lot of pressure on us from the moment we had won in Beijing as people had doubts about our ability to win again.

Nobody would have bet a multicultural band, with a French guy as the front man, a Dutch guy on the bass, and a Chinese guy from Henan on the drums would win in China to represent the Beijing music scene at the world final of the GBOB, but it happened!

We want to once again thank the GBOB team, Chris B, Wain and all the others.

We hope to win the Global Title in Kuala Lumpur!

By Zhang Si'an (aka Jean-Sébastien Héry)