GOTSOUL RECORDS AND THERAPY PRESENT THE FIRST ANNUAL
MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Leave it JojoFlores and the good people from GotSoul and Therapy to give House lovers the respect of a festival. Closing down the summer could never feel so good. If you don’t believe me check out this House giant all star
THURSDAY AUGUST 28th GOTSOUL SESSIONS at SEGAFREDO
ABICAH SOUL, MIKE FRESCO & LUKE NATIVE

FRIDAY AUGUST 29th SOUL NATION at TIME SUPPERCLUB
KARIZMA, PAT BOOGIE & CHRISTIAN PRONOVOST

FRIDAY AUGUST 29th DANNY BUDDAH MORALES at CHERRY

SATURDAY AUGUST 30th CLASSICS at CHERRY
ANGEL MORAES, JOJOFLORES & SIMON B.

SUNDAY AUGUST 31st THERAPY 9 YR ANNIVERSARY at CHERRY
KENNY BOBIEN, JOE DIPADOVA, MISAYO, JABIG, MIKE FRESCO & TAZZ
Hosted by: Bic, Claudy, Inobe, Stephen Nelson & Metrotalent

Joni NehRita passed through Ottawa tonight promoting her new Cd “A fine time”. The atmosphere at the Mercury lounge was comfortable and laid back, those present enjoyed the soulful voice of Joni. She was accompanied by three musicians who have been touring with her. The chemistry between them was interesting to see; the up beat Jazz drumming and funky bass lines gave it the kick it needed to make it a great show. Joni’s Cd is well worth the buy, as it sets the mood for a pleasant night. Check out her Myspace here.

July 12th, 2008 Fame and Therapy launched the Album Release of MIAMI SUNSET SESSIONS featuring Jojoflores from Gotsoul Records & HALO from City Deep Music. Jojoflores is a celebrated Montreal DJ with a signature sound that resonates sweet, soulful melodies and a profound jazzy vibe. He is also highly respected for his rare underground garage house. Jojoflores maintains regular residencies at Cherry (MTL) and Cielo (NYC).

Jojoflores was joined by Toronto DJ, Mat Chrysdale. The CD release took place at Toronto King St. West resto/bar Brassaii.

Purchase MIAMI SUNSET SESSIONS today! Or better yet, hit up the next CD Release party at Tribe Hyper Club (MTL) 10pm Friday July 18th. Jojoflores will be joined by Mike “FU” Fresco.

(Want to hear? Pick up The Young and Passionate Days Of Carpedia from CDBaby right now)

With Neil White captaining the Argo like ship, instructing the infused bass and synths with a focus akin to that of a Scientist, Jahmal Tonge plays the drums with the passion of a black baptist preacher, and sings & screams with the soul of the sweating young singer in the neighboring Juke Joint.

Marketing companies would say: It’s Punk Rock with a Gun to R&B’s head. And somehow in the midst of the exquisite smorgasbord of sounds, they manage to convince us all that Soca music and New Jack Swing makes for good company.

The Carps have played to Enthusiastic crowds in their hometown of Toronto, and across North America and Europe with friends The Cool Kids, The Hives, Datarock and MIA.

The Carps can be consumed in Genre defined parts, according to your stylistic preference. The Carps however, feel better when taken whole.

Upcoming shows:
16 Jul 2008 20:00 Salt Lounge London, Ontario
19 Jul 2008 20:00 Phog Lounge Windsor, Ontario
20 Jul 2008 11:00 Rogers Picnic Toronto, Ontario
11 Oct 2008 20:00 Prinzenbar Hamburg, Germany

Avant Chord (aka dj Cheeba due to his free-spirited and relaxed attitude towards life) hails from Canada and resides in Toronto. He has been a very active individual in the Toronto hip-hop community since 1996, which stems from his tremendous passion for the culture as a whole (graffiti, breakdancing, emceeing and dj-ing and now producing) and every genre that has inspired the music from funk, soul to samba. His ear for rare, soulful music originated from break dancing to the music of legendary funk artists such as James Brown, Booker T and the MG’s, Bob James and The Blackbyrds back in his high school era. During this time, he was introduced by a friend to some musical instruments that would seal the deal for his love for manipulation of music, a pair of Tech 12’s and a Gemini mixer. He grazed his fingers, for the first time, to a spinning record on a turntable platter and the rest is history. Since then, his love for hiphop and everything soulful has gone from playing them and now recently has evolved into creating them.

Over this past year, Avant Chord has worked steadily to create an impressive portfolio of music – producing tracks with the mindset of crafting soundscapes with longevity and versatility. Notorious for incorporating obscure samples and infusing his own brand of raw soul with a musical edge, his signature is having the ability to reinvent his musicality through each track – deeply layered and diversified with a unique flavour. As an artist, his love for making music is only one part of the equation, the other is being able to share his talent and creativity on a global level.

With distinctive and dynamic vocal artistry, unique and original songwriting skills and wide range of influences and inspirations, Jennie Laws has emerged as a beautiful and brilliantly talented new arrival on the cutting edge of today’s music.

Yet for all her extraordinary gifts, the Toronto-born singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist is perhaps most notable for her ability to bring it all together in one accessible and appealing package. Small wonder word of mouth has been spreading steadily since Jennie Laws first began recording and performing, both in her hometown and for a growing fan base from New York to Los Angeles and beyond.It’s a buzz that’s about to grow a lot louder with the release of her debut EP. Featuring such Laws originals as “Heavenly,” “I Just Wanna Be Close To You,” “So Deep” and “My Soul,” it’s a collection that effortlessly spans musical genres while at the same time laying claim to a style that is wholly and completely her own. Mixing contemporary urban grooves with folk-flavored nuances and jazz-tinged flourishes, Jennie Laws has fashioned an alluring soundscape that draws on a lifetime of music making and points to a promising future for this passionate and polished young artist.

“It took me a while to realize that the music going around in my head ever since I can remember was there for a reason,” says Jennie. “As much as it is about entertaining people, it’s also about creating positive energy and spreading love. There’s a purpose to what I do and that’s the most important element of the songs I write and sing.”

It’s a purpose to which Jennie has been wholeheartedly committed ever since she can remember. “Music has always been there,” she explains. “Some of my first toys were musical instruments and although I experimented with acting and dancing and athletics, by the time I got into my teens I realized that music had a special place in my life.”

It did indeed and with characteristic determination, Jennie pursued it wholeheartedly, joining a series of singing groups, studying classical guitar and, at age sixteen, recording early originals on a four-track machine. “My influences are literally too numerous to mention,” she laughs. “It begins with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Louis Armstrong and then carried on to artists like George Michael and Michael Jackson. By the time I got to college, it was like I was carrying a musical encyclopedia around in my head; everyone from Duke Ellington and Miles Davis to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder. I’ve also always admired artists like Ani DiFranco, Ben Harper and Lenny Kravtiz for the way in which they were able to build a solid base, one fan at a time.”

It was at the Southwestern School for Musical Vocations in Iowa where Jennie plunged into an intensive study regimen that included courses in arranging and conducting as well as ample opportunities to perform with fellow students. “I toured with school jazz vocal and instrumental groups,” she remembers, “and in between I was getting a great classical education. But the most important lesson I learned at the time was to never settle, to always strive to make the most beautiful music I possibly can without letting the ego get in the way.”

Check out this EP, available on CD Baby:

It was a realization that she would carry with her into the next stage of her musical apprenticeship, when she received a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee School of Music. “It all came together there,” she continues. “My natural inclination was toward a very earthy, gypsy style, which got filtered through the World Music I was exposed to – Latin, Indian and African – as well as hip-hop and R&B and even some classical influences like Ravel and Debussy.” Jennie absorbed it all and, in the process, began to fashion a sound that, while mixing and matching a broad range of approaches, was still unmistakably her own.

The result is Jennie Laws’ stunning debut EP. Showcasing her evocative and emotionally resonant singing and songwriting, the collection also boasts a impressive roster of supporting talent, including engineering by, among others, Grammy-winner Ari Raskin, and Juno-winner L. Stu Young.

Through it all, Jennie Laws had maintained her belief that music can bring wholeness and healing to the world. “My goal is simple,” she concludes: “To make the best music I can.” It’s a goal she’s reached and exceeds on her debut EP.

June 19 2008 The Supermarket (268 Augusta Ave.) Toronto, ON

With the release of their first album What We Have in January of 2006, METHODOLOGY joined the revolution to bring true Soul, R&B, and Funk back to the live stage. With approximately 50 independently produced shows across Canada in 2006, METHODOLOGY has grown into one of the foremost underground Live Soul acts in the country. In 2006 they were nominated for ‘Best Live Performance” and “Best R&B Group” at the Toronto Independent Music Awards, and were honoured to be nominated for “Group of the Year” at the Soultracks Awards in the USA (running against the likes of The Brand New Heavies, Amel Larrieux, Omar, and many other signed acts).
Through online distribution, internet and satellite radio, campus radio, and music publications, METHODOLOGY has developed a world-wide following. Sites like Myspace have exposed METHODOLOGY’s music to an international audience. Mixes of METHODOLOGY’s music are being spun by renowned DJ’s in the U.K, U.S.A., and Europe. With thousands of hours of airplay on radio and in clubs, METHODOLOGY’s music is now widely recognized in countries they have never even been to.

Formed in late 2003, METHODOLOGY are five individual artists that found a blessed connection together, and formed a unit to create and perform some intense, original music. With KAMIL spearheading the group on Vocals, JAMIE laying down the live beats on the Drums, MARTYN churning out thick riffs & rhythms on Guitar, STEFAN’s sweet fingers on the Keyboards, and DAN laying down the bass on the heavy tip, METHODOLOGY is a band that focuses on great music with great musicianship. Now with the frequent addition of the vocal talents of JANELLE, METHODOLOGY often rocks the live stage with six dynamic members. Their music has been called; ‘a perfect mixture of Soul, Hip Hop, and Funk’. The band has been described as; ‘Imagine Jamiroquai, Stevie Wonder & Prince all rolled into one fantastically melodic groove band’. The music is straight from the soul, steeped in the flavours of Hip-Hop, R&B, Funk and Pop.

2007 and 2008 has proved to be busy years for the band as they delved into work on their second and now highly anticipated album titled “THE REPRISAL”. A four-song EP featuring hot tracks from the new record has been released ahead of schedule to wet the increasing appetites of METHODOLOGY’s followers. With a fiercely growing large fan base and demand for new matieral, “THE REPRISAL” is is nearing completion and is currently slated for official release in the Summer of 2008.

Upcoming Shows

24 Jul 2008 14:00 Beaches International Jazz Festival Toronto
25 Jul 2008 14:00 Beaches International Jazz Festival Toronto
26 Jul 2008 14:00 Beaches International Jazz Festival Toronto
16 Aug 2008 22:00 Montreal Funk Fest! Montreal

Brian’s music is rooted in the folk, pop and soul traditions of his heroes. He often draws comparisons to artists such as James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Bruce Cockburn and Stevie Wonder. Brian has recently released his second cd of original material entitled “Let The Darkness Go”. Approaching the stage like an old friend; excited, warm and ready to engage, Brian’s command of his guitar allows him to create a complete sound as a solo performer or as the focus in a duo or trio. The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals recognized his songwriting in 2005 by awarding him the Colleen Peterson Award. Brian has performed at such festivals as Home County, Mariposa, Shelter Valley, Winterfolk, Toronto City Roots, NXNE, SXSW and Boston’s NEMO festival. He was recently a performer on the 2007 Barenaked Ladies Ships and Dips Carribean cruise tour. Outside of his solo career, Brian can be seen performing regularly with many local greats such as Lori Cullen and Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies). He can also be heard on recordings by The Wailin’ Jennys, Lori Cullen, Kevin Hearn and Harmony Trowbridge.

Grab one of his albums now from CDBaby!

4 Jun 2008 20:00 C’est What Toronto, ON
7 Jun 2008 20:00 Moonshine Cafe Toronto, ON
12 Jun 2008 22:00 The Local Toronto, ON
13 Jun 2008 22:00 Not My Dog Toronto, ON
4th – 6th Jul 2008 0:00 Mariposa Folk Festival Orillia, ON
12 Jul 2008 20:00 Knox United Church Owensound, ON
18th – 20th Jul 2008 20:00 Home County Folk Festival London, ON
1st – 3rd Aug 2008 20:00 Blue Skies Folk Festival Clarendon, ON
22nd – 24th Aug 2008 20:00 Eaglewood Folk Festival Pefferlaw, ON
29 Aug 2008 20:00 Shelter Valley Folk Festival Shelter Valley, ON
29 Aug 2008 20:00 Hugh’s Room w/ Jory Nash Toronto, ON
30th – 31st Aug 2008 20:00 Shelter Valley Folk Festival Grafton, ON
5 Sep 2008 20:00 House Concert Milton, ON
6 Sep 2008 20:00 House Concert Waterloo, ON
20 Sep 2008 20:00 Aylmer Town Hall Aylmer
28 Mar 2009 20:00 Perth House Concert Perth, ON

Singer-songwriter Layah Jane is a hearty young musician with a mission. With soulful vocals and a poetic, articulate tongue, Layah’s sound recalls Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones and Ani Difranco, with a resonance all her own.
Both piano and guitar became tools for writing and accompaniment as Layah began to create and perform original material at the age of thirteen. Since the completion of her first demo in 2000, Layah has been invited to play countless shows and festival showcases including the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Winterfolk Festival, North by Northeast Music Festival, Toronto Indie Music Week, Toronto City Roots Festival, the Ottawa Folk Festival, and New Music West. Following the release of her debut album Grievance and Gratitude (Grace Note Records, 2005), Layah won a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, a Toronto Independent Music Award for “Best Jazz” and nomination for “Best Live Acoustic Act”, and a nomination for an American Independent Music Award in the “Folk/Singer-Songwriter” category. Her song “Reverence and Ridicule” won the political category in the Ontario Council of Folk Festival’s 2005 songwriting competition. Recently Layah received a 2007 Ontario Independent Music Award (Best Folk), and nominations for two 2007 Toronto Independent Music Awards (Best Folk and Best Female Fronted Band). Layah’s new EP Patience (Grace Note Records, 2007) was produced by Oliver Johnson (Ivana Santilli, Esthero), and was musically blessed by drummers Davide Direnzo (Holly Cole, Jacksoul), Ben Riley (Bruce Cockburn) and Lyle Molzan (Jann Arden), bassist Marc Rogers (K’naan, Philosopher Kings), and percussionist Dave Gouveia (Amanda Marshall, Ivana Santilli). Both Provincial and Federal grant programs continue to recognize Layah’s musicianship and support her projects, through the Ontario Arts Council, and FACTOR. The Grievance and Gratitude Remixes (Grace Note Records, 2005) took the folk song seeds planted on Layah’s debut recording Grievance and Gratitude, and grew them into flowers that bloom compellingly in colours of breakbeat, trip-hop, hip-hop, rock, sam

ba, and reggae. The tracks were produced by a diverse and well-respected tribe of remixers. Layah Jane has been seen and heard as a live and recorded back-up vocalist for a range of artists making folk, funk, soul, and hip-hop music in the Toronto area. Over the past ten years, she has also appeared as a lead and back-up vocalist on various commercials and Juno-nominated albums. In the realm of television and radio, Layah’s songs have been licensed for Global TV’s “Blue Murder”, and ESPN’s primetime drama “Tilt”. Layah appeared on Toronto 1’s late night entertainment TV show, “The Toronto Show” in 2003, and on Calgary’s A Channel’s “Wired” in 2005. Through regular college and CBC radio play, as well as a fortunate invitation to be the voice of the Dove Real Beauty/Self Esteem Fund’s 2006 “True Colors” TV Campaign, listeners all over the world are being introduced to Layah Jane through the airwaves. Morphing from singer-songwriter to DJ, Layah co-founded the Move Collective, a Toronto dance jam that spread west to Calgary and east to Halifax. Voted Best Non-smoking Dance Event in Toronto by Now Magazine in 2003, rotating DJs pack dance floors each week. Armed with new tunes that are as organically rich and sonically intimate as ever, Layah completed a Summer/Fall 2007 tour of ON, QC, NY, VT, MA, NC, and TX, and is currently preparing for a Spring 2008 cross-Canada tour, in support of her highly anticipated sophomore full-length recording, “Brightness & Bravery”. Layah Jane is a spirited and natural performer who receives enthusiastic support wherever she plays. When she takes the stage we are transported to a place where emotion is raw, reflection is deep, and revolution is not only possible, but necessary.

Grab all of her albums from CD Baby!

25 May 2008 20:00 The Slice Bar and Grill Lethbridge, AB
4 Jun 2008 20:00 Healey’s – Toronto Ind. Music Award “Best Live Act” Competition Toronto, ON
7 Jun 2008 20:00 Moonshine Cafe Oakville, ON
20 Jun 2008 20:00 House Concert Peterborough, ON
28 Jun 2008 18:30 Toronto City Roots Festival Toronto, ON
1 Jul 2008 20:00 Good Sounds Good Showcase – Supermarket Toronto, ON
12 Jul 2008 20:00 Knox Acoustic Cafe – with Brian Macmillan Owen Sound, ON
1 Aug 2008 20:00 Blue Skies Music Fest – with Brian Macmillan Clarendon, ON
2 Aug 2008 20:00 Blue Skies Music Fest – with Brian Macmillan Clarendon, ON
3 Aug 2008 20:00 Blue Skies Music Fest – with Brian Macmillan Clarendon, ON
5 Sep 2008 19:30 Hugh Foster Hall – “Just Milton Folks” Series with Brian Macmillan Milton, ON
6 Sep 2008 20:00 House Concert Waterloo, ON
13 Sep 2008 20:00 Elk Mountain House Concert Series Asheville, NC
14 Sep 2008 8:00 Jubilee Community Asheville, NC
20 Sep 2008 20:00 Salem Art Works Salem, NY
22 Sep 2008 20:00 Dryden Community Center Cafe Dryden, NY
23 Oct 2008 20:00 Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference Ottawa, ON
24 Oct 2008 20:00 Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference Ottawa
25 Oct 2008 20:00 Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference Ottawa, ON
26 Oct 2008 20:00 Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference Ottawa, ON
29 Oct 2008 20:00 The Bees Knees Morrisville, Vermont
28 Mar 2009 20:00 Perth House Concert Series Perth, ON
25 Jul 2009 20:00 Knox Acoustic Cafe Owen Sound, ON

Taylor McFerrin is redefining the one-man show. Combining his skills as a producer and performer, Taylor is making music heads around the world take notice as he seamlessly builds songs from scratch with his ambitious solo project. Fender Rhodes, synthesizers, samples, vocals and beatboxing are meshed together in his Brooklyn bedroom studio as Taylor builds from his roots in ‘60s soul to his vision of future hip-hop.

Thriving on a solid fan base through MySpace and the online hip-hop community, Taylor has gained considerable popularity and captivated audiences at some of the most legendary venues in New York City. In addition to his US performances, Taylor also toured internationally with the Yohimbe Brothers in 2005. Taylor performed in Italy, Austria, Brazil, Argentina and everywhere in between. MTV took notice of Taylor’s skills as a producer and used his beats to promote the 2005 Video Music Awards.

The release of Taylor’s first EP, Broken Vibes has gained international attention, thanks to the title track, “Broken Vibes,” which debuted on Benji B’s BBC Radio show. Since then, “Broken Vibes” has been on heavy rotation on Gilles Peterson BBC World Wide Radio. Fusing his beatboxing skills with broken drums and melodic keys, Taylor creates a style of sound that is both unique and modern. The EP also features several other original tracks that flex his exceptional abilities as a producer, musician and beatboxer. With sounds ranging from R&B to hip-hop to Brazilian, Taylor keeps the buzz on high for his debut full-length album with his undeniably intriguing solo project.

If you’re in Ottawa, make sure to come check him out TONIGHT at the Mercury Lounge at 10pm!

16 May 2008 22:00 Mercury Lounge w/Lance Baptiste Ottawa, ON
17 May 2008 23:00 FOOTWORK BAR w/Mr. V Toronto, ON
19 Jun 2008 20:00 Celebrate Brooklyn w/Medeski Martin & Wood Brooklyn, NY