Description : New demo from the up & coming Saxobones album which is due for worldwide release on iTunes from Autumn 2012.
I'm looking for mix comments please if you have the time.
The song was recorded & mastered in Logic pro 9. All instruments Slap. This will be a 13 track album , so there's 12 more tracks coming soon.
Description : This is my new project, GLOBAL SKA NETWORK.
I wanted to go back to my early musical roots on this years RPM challenge. It was Ska and not jazz that go me inspired to be a musician. Ska bands like The Specials, Madness, The Beat, The Selector and Bad Manners all carried horns, the music was fun and live these bands were a great night out. After buying all the ska I could from these above bands I started looking back to the 60's ska bands Prince Buster, The Skatalites and Jimmy Cliff to name a few. So I felt why not try to capture that flavour and fun for all to enjoy.
If you have any constructive comments on any aspect of this song please feel free to express them.
I have decided from here on in I'm trying to reach perfection for each song/track.
I hope you enjoy the first of few ska songs I will be loading over the next week.
I thank you all in advance for taking the time to listen.
All instruments and vocals Slap J, drums and percussion Sonic foundry.
Cheers Slap...
Description : I decided to challenge myself to record and produce a track in 10 minutes flat. This is my attempt! Les paul recorded in one take from a guitar sequence out of a grade 4 guitar book. Alto sax recorded in one take after a quick play through the first few bars to get in key. Then added a reverb to the sax and adjusted the volumes and rendered. Finished in just under 10 minutes.. All comments welcome.
Cheers Slap...
Description : This is another off the cuff recording, nothing fancy just an electric guitar track and an alto sax track. Both tracks recorded first take to try and capture the improvisation in it's raw state. I have added reverb to the sax and adjusted the levels slightly, but that's it. I am sticking with this format for the next 6-10 tracks, I just want to work on getting the what's in my head music across to the finger music a little more directed, if that makes sense.. I hope you enjoy this little piece of heaven..
Cheers Slap...
Description : Another guitar and alto sax improvisation.Recorded and rendered in 15minutes. Again I'm searching for catchy lyrical melodies on the sax.As I'm recording the guitar track first, I'm having to think at that point about the interplay between the two instruments, and imagine the sax playing along in my head, it's kind of working! This one has a lot of energy, and seeing it was created in fantastic weather, it's called "Hot day". I hope you enjoy it..
Cheers Slap...
Description : Get your flares on baby and jump in Slap's pimp mobile for some funky fresh sounds. I'm sticking with this genre for a while, it's so infectious... All instruments Slap, drums sonic foundry. I've use a talk box effect on one of the guitar tracks, and added a wah to the bass (first time I've done that, it won't be the last as I think it helps the songs style). Solo 1 is my son Alexander on alto sax & solo 2 me on alto. The songs called Yeah right, because that's how I felt when I finished it. Yeah Right!!
Cheers Slap...
Description : Improvised guitar and sax piece. Recorded in two takes, one for the guitar,then one for the sax. Mastered and uploaded in 15 minutes. I'm trying to capture true improvisation, in doing so I can listen back and be critical of my playing. Listening back is a great way of moving forward, and this is what this exercise is all about. I hope you enjoy the rawness of these songs...
Cheers Slap...
Description : one guitar track and one sax track. Recorded direct in to ableton first take, no overdubs, no re-takes. I'm on a mission to try and channel what I hear/feel and what actually I play is the same thing. Some call it improvising, I'm calling it instant composition. This song came in at 12 minutes including mastering (which was adding reverb to the sax and a quick adjustment of the levels.
The song has a kind of sombre feel hence the title..
All comments welcome.
Cheers Slap...
Description : This is another guitar and sax improvisation. I used a delay on the guitar to add an extra rhythmic quality which I found in the line 6 toneport. It's quite a difficult beast to control, because you have to be in perfect time to get the repeats matching. You can hear there are a few places where it goes against the grain, but it still kind of works. The guitar and sax were recorded first take, again I'm looking to improve the instant mental composition part of my ability, I know holes can be picked in these performances, but that's why I'm doing this. I want to improve all aspects of my music and playing. This song just came out with a classical flavour. It's not my usual bag, but I dig the technique involved, and I can hear the parts of my playing I need to work on to improve if and when I decide to continue with a song in this vein.
This one is my favorite to date out of these improvisations, I hope it gives you some sort of emotion as you listen..
Cheers Slap...
Description : Light and floating melodies over a jazz chord sequence.
All instruments Slap Johnson,drums by sonic foundry.
The idea behind this song,was to create a Carlos Jobim type track. Rather than create a set melody, I decided improvisation would suit the piece better ( you can be the judge of that).
Cheers Slap...
Description : This is a soaring lead alto sax instrumental.This ones for all who give and receive love. I recorded my trusty yamaha acoustic along with my Les paul heritage doing rhythm. Next yamaha bass track, add percussion and drums, then lead work on my selmer mark 7 alto sax. The high notes are in the altissimo register, where it's hard to control intonation. I think I have just pulled it off.
I dedicate this one to my loving wife Fiona for putting up with me and my amazing son Alexander.
All comments welcome...
Cheers Slap...
Description : This is a real funky track. I just love this genre. I love the rhythms,grooves,licks & phrases you can apply, and I forgot to mention the solos. Since I was a child, watching all of these cool cop tv shows(mainly American ones), I loved the music. Wah guitar and funky bass lines, married with super drums and uber cool solos. I have tried to capture these flavours on this track. All instruments played by Slap, drums by Sonic Foundry..
It's called school bully, because I'm sticking two fingers up at those sad little boys that made Alexander's life hell this time last year. We had to move him out of that school, and he never really settled into his new school. But, now he is going to a music school, he is feeling a whole lot better about being a musician... No parent wants to see their child upset. No child should have to go through this..Up yours School Bully lol...
Cheers Slap...
Description : A slow a meaningful song and melody in which I have poured every emotion I have. I'm trying to capture the sense of beauty and despair in one song. All of the joys all of the sorrows we share day by day,week in week out, year in year out..
Description : This track is packed with funktastic groove. Solos from Alexander on soprano sax as well as tenor sax and flute from the Slapster.Plus horn and guitar riffs galore. All instruments Slap (except soprano solo which is by Alexander) . All comments welcome.
Description : This is the first of the 2010 RPM challenge tracks to be mastered. Fat Dog features my son Alexander on alto sax (his is the first solo). All other instruments and solos are by myself. I have worked my socks off on these tracks even though my bloody laptop keeps packing up on me, somehow I have kept on pushing to finish each track. I hope you enjoy this one, it has taken blood ,sweat,tears,tooth and nail to complete..
Description : This is another song taken from the work completed for RPM challenge 2010. Riff Laden is the name of the album, and Saxobones is the artist name which my son and I go under. Alexander's superb soprano solo is the second sax break on this track. You have to admit for 13 he's blowing a mean horn. I am really trying to get a unique original exciting sound for this album, one that makes people sit up and take notice. Not just because of style, but for musicianship, for playing a solo that makes people want to pick up that instrument and learn. I want to inspire, like I'm inspired when I listen to all the great players I love and learn from... I hope this one hits the mark....
Description : The third offering from our RPM 2010 album "Riff Laden" by Saxobones. I wanted a really fun and funky fresh vibe for this work. This track has a cool and cheeky flavour with plenty of solos and changes to keep your ears interested.
Alexander takes the second sax break on the soprano and we also has a little call and answer section twice in this one. Enjoy..
Description : This is the fourth track taken from our 2010 RPM challenge album "Riff Laden". Here Comes Mr Big is a funky in your face track featuring Alexander my son on soprano sax (the second solo). All the instruments are played by myself, with the drums provided by Sonic Foundry.
Description : This is the fifth song taken from the RPM 2010 album "Riff Laden". This work features my son (Alexander) and I, and is mainly a funk based album. Alexander is blowing his alto sax on this one (he has the second sax break in this tune), and this track also features tenor and harmonica solos. All instruments by Slap with the drums by Sonic Foundry...
Description : Taken from the RPM 2010 challenge album "Riff Laden" by Saxobones. This song features my son Alexander blowing alto sax (first solo) as well as a sparring section near the end with me.. All instruments Slap, drums by Sonic Foundry.
All comments welcome...
Cheers Slap...
Description : This song is a test in playing high out of range notes (altissimo) on the saxophone. These notes are a saxophonists nightmare/dream, the soaring high note that makes the solo crescendo or the same note turns in to a squawk and you sound like a twat...My solo at 2.47 is the section I'm harping on about. Alexander is playing the first solo in the song (awsome job). Enjoy this hard driving funk track... Cheers Slap...
Description : This is one of two ballads featured on the "Riff Laden" album by Saxobones. This is a smooth guitar groove with a floating tenor,soprano & flute solo. Alexander plays the third solo after the flute on soprano sax, man this kid has soul for 13, his solo is stella.
Description : This is a live recording of the Saxobones jazz quintet FT Alexander Bone (Alto & Soprano sax),Richard West (Piano),Jonathan Berry (Bass), Luke Stevens (Drums),Steve Bone (Tenor sax). These recordings took place on the 7th March 2010,and are all first takes. These tracks are the basis of our new live Saxobones album of jazz standards, this is our version of the Jimmy Smith classic Back at the Chicken Shack. I recorded these tracks using Ableton and the amazing line 6 tone port with two mics direct to one stereo track. I have also posted videos of the same recordings on youtube. go to groovetonemusic page to see how we did it, and watch the recordings take place. All comments welcome..
Cheers Slap...
Description : Another live recording of a classic jaz standard. Autumn Leaves features Richard West Piano,Luke Stevens Drums,John Berry Bass,Alexander Bone Soprano sax & Steve Bone Tenor sax. Recorded direct into Ableton using the line 6 tone port and 2 MXL mics.
Description : This is our live recording of Sonny Rollins classic "Tenor Madness". The Quintet = Alexander Bone Soprano & Alto saxophone,Steve Bone Tenor saxophone,Richard West Piano,John Berry Bass & Luke Stevens Drums. All of these uploads are first take recordings. I recorded using two MXL microphones direct into Line 6 toneport then into Ableton. I am very impressed with the results..
