Music News
Review of In the Club
Artist: Various Artists Title: Ghetto Pass Radio presents A Night in the Club Review by Jason Randall Smith Calvin Bowers alias CB5 is something of an inner city Renaissance man, a person who’s able to channel their hustling spirit into different projects and make things happen. His past achievements include producing live shows, writing a novel, and hosting a radio show online. Ghetto Pass Radio is known for seeking out talent locally and presenting it globally, preferring to shine the spotlight on unsigned acts. Their compilation album, Ghetto Pass Radio presents A Night in the Club, continues to represent for homegrown artists, many of whom display a hunger for the craft that is both compelling and engaging. Staying true to the compilation’s theme, a band of producers keep their eyes and ears focused on the dance floor, supplying plenty of low-end bass frequencies for maximum bounce. A pair of tracks from LEL Brothas, “Big Basic” and “I Like to Party,” quickly set the tone for the collection. The former selection features LBC and DJ Clone lyrically styling and profiling over seismic thumps and synthetic snaps for snare hits. The latter increases the tempo, incorporating acidic stabs into its melody for more of a techno feel. DJ Clone is a consistent presence throughout the album, offering a quick verse and even quicker turntable scratches to select cuts. His lightning-fast hands go to work on the remix of “I Got You,” a joint production between Clone, Sacatris and CB5. Weaving a sped-up Earth, Wind and Fire sample over slow-riding cymbals and snares, it’s the type of sweaty stomp that strip clubs were made for. Clone and CB5 whip up another pole dance special with “Lexi Sadie,” an uptempo single with crooner Jailenn Thomas attempting to vocally sway a hip shaker their way and out of the club. Considering the all-boys club that rap music can be, Chevy Blu is a welcome addition to the album. On “Code Blu,” she flips the player principle to benefit her feminine wiles over seductive hi-hats and bongos. Then there’s Willie Beamin, a slick-tongued rapper making his way through the club on “Take That.” His pick-up lines are sprinkled over CB5’s sparse production, its melody sounding like a game of Pong stretched out over a musical scale. Willie moves from the smooth operator role to verbal braggadocio on “Ready or Not,” dropping verses over a Delfonics classic. The rhyme-slinging between Young Broadway and Streetz on “Not Afraid” adds just the right amount of grime to the affair. As the hushed tones of “Moments In Love” by The Art of Noise slither their way over a sinister beat, the one-liners are set to shun and embarrass other rappers in the vicinity (“I’m like a blind kid at a ball game: I just can’t see your team winning”). Even with the dominance of bottom-heavy beats throughout the compilation, there are moments of recognition for the harsh nature of the city outside the clubs. Check Playa T’s verse on “C4” as he waxes poetic over somber strings and background vocals, reminding listeners that “our only link to Heaven is where they found your ass.” CB5 pushes aside the drum machines entirely for “Got to be a Man,” allowing for live congas to provide the rhythm. Sharing a story of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, it’s a refreshing change of pace, even when the congas fall out of sync at times and the rap itself feels uneven. Ghetto Pass Radio may not be for everyone, but its existence is certainly needed given the impossibility of hearing any of these artists on mainstream airwaves. This compilation is a timely reminder that “unsigned” is not synonymous with “untalented.” Review by Jason Randall SmithElk's Theater, Pasturegate Productions, Heavenly Sound Sudios,CB5 & String Therapi make news in the Prescott Daily Courier
Area music producers to kick off series of shows at Prescott landmark Thursday, June 30, 2011 Doug Cook AzEdge PRESCOTT - Late last year, veteran music producer Calvin Bowers and his occasional colleague, Mark Echard, were working in the latter's Prescott studio when they began discussing how they could add to the live indoor entertainment here. With the economy still struggling, the duo understood that many residents continue to seek affordable, family-friendly A&E closer to home. Today, after about six months of planning, Bowers and Echard say their plans have come to fruition. At the end of July, the Elks Opera House, 117 E. Gurley St. downtown, will be opening a new monthly series, called "Live at the Elks," to generate additional music and entertainment options for this community, with Bowers and Echard as the main producers. "This is essential to anyone who's into any kind of entertainment out here," said Bowers, a 42-year-old Cleveland native who grew up in Los Angeles and now lives part-time in Cottonwood and Cornville. "They need something like this to hopefully invoke other folks to say, 'Well, I'd love to have this type of show, or 'I'd like to see this type of thing going on.' " Bowers, a producer and host for "Live at the Elks," said four shows will be videotaped for possible half-hour, tape-delay broadcasts on Phoenix/Prescott-based AZ TV. Echard said the negotiations for airing the content are ongoing with the station. Three production companies, including Echard's Heavenly Sound Studios, a music/recording studio in Prescott; Pasturegate Productions in Cottonwood; and Bowers' CB5 Entertainment, are collaborating to put on the series. Over the past four years, Bowers has been promoting and producing local music acts. One of those groups is the LEL Brothas, a hip-hop outfit originally based in Prescott Valley that is also helping Bowers produce "Live at the Elks." Bowers said the series' producers have gathered several cameras for the shows, which will feature a different genre of music each month "to bring a little bit more entertainment back to the area." "Everyone has tried to throw a concert in Prescott and bring in acts from Prescott, but it was never a team effort of people who are working in the entertainment business," he said. "We're putting it together so we can develop our young and current artists and show them what it's like to be in a + click to enlarge Les Stukenberg/The Daily Courier Mark Echard, right, and Nick Stecki, chief engineer, listen to a track being played back at Heavenly Sound Studio in Prescott. future artist's path." Echard concurred, adding that local acts need a venue to display their talents. "The only real place to play in this town are bars, and a lot of people don't go to bars," said Echard, who doubles as the sound technician for the Elks Opera House. General admission tickets for "Live at the Elks" are $25 per person, while students and seniors get in for $20 apiece. Limited-seating VIP tickets are $35 each, a fee that includes a meet-and-greet afterward with the show's headliner and its producers. The first show is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on July 23 with a gospel music theme. Mike Farris, a Gospel Music Association (GMA) 2010 Dove Award winner for his album, "SHOUT! Live," headlines the show along with the Celebration Sisters, an elegant church choir from Prescott. Farris will do a 10- to 15-minute sit-down interview on stage, followed by a 40-minute concert set. "The idea is to get an artist who's a little more known and bring in some local people to take advantage of the cool theater," Echard said. Bowers said comedian/magician Brad Zinn of Phoenix and Lew Rees of AZ TV's "A.M. Arizona" morning show will also appear, along with a couple of surprises in the beginning. "This is one of the first series like this to come to the Elks since it's been remodeled (within the past year)," he said. "It's a good way to introduce people back to the Elks." The second show is slated for 7-9 p.m. Aug. 27 with a focus on rock and roll. Authority Zero, a punk rock band from Mesa, as well as a couple of other groups and comedians, will perform. Bowers said the local band Known Enemies, which he has worked to develop, is on the bill. In September, "Live at the Elks" plans to host a blues show and follow it up with a country music-themed performance in October. "We're trying to structure ourselves across the board to let everybody know that we need to have entertainment - period - in northern Arizona," Bowers said. With the assistance of Echard and the LEL Brothas, Bowers added that he hopes to keep the monthly shows going at the Elks for the next one to two years "if things go right." Echard agreed, saying, "We're just hoping that it takes off and people will support it." *** Tickets are on sale now for "Live at the Elks" at the Elks Opera House box office and online at .
Mike Farris inked to Headline first "LIVE AT THE ELKS" televised concert series
Mike Farris, GMA Dove award winner (2010 Traditional Gospel Album) and 2008 Americana Music Awards? ?New/Emerging Artist of the Year,? will headline the first ?Live at the ELKS? performance, July 23, 2011, at the Elks Opera House (EOH) Prescott, Arizona. Farris? soul bearing authenticity, where the singer becomes one with a song, is the result of a hard fought fight with his share of personal demons, emerging from the shadows with a new song. The music, like Farris, is artistic resurrection personified. He produces the sounds of a man working out his own salvation, just like you and me. CB5 (Calvin Bowers), signed to host this new TV show, first experienced Farris while taping an episode of his GPRtv in Macon, Georgia. ?I knew then, I wanted to work with this cat, and told him so. I think he was a bit surprised that I followed through, but he has graciously agreed to be our first featured artist,? Bowers explains. The broadcast concert series will feature live talent from notable ?up and comers? to seasoned vets. ? We are pairing some of our best young talent like KENT, who is a star that nobody has seen, with pro?s like Mike Farris,? states Bowers, best known as CB5, hosting his radio show GP Radio, which plays music from the classics to newer artists who Bowers feels has a legit shot at stardom. ?I?ll sit down with a newer artist, ask a few questions, and let the audience get to know them. Then when they deliver a great concert in one of the worlds best venues, the audience can be invested in them, creating an intimate, personal experience. We are so happy to bring a show like this to EOH and all of northern Arizona where a lot of the great artist never stop for a concert,? comments long time resident, Bowers. ?The Elks Opera House, one of the most cherished venues in Arizona (if not the world), has had multi-million dollar renovations & is ready for shows like this.? ?Live At The Elks? wouldn?t have happened if it weren?t for three energetic producers, coming together with mutual goals. Prescott, Arizona?s Marc Echard, CEO of Heavenly Sound Studio has been producing recording artists in Prescott since 2010 in his state of the art studios, and feels it?s the right time for something like this. ?I?ve worked with and seen a lot of artists who do good work. They deserve to hit a stage like the Elks, and I?m glad that we are able to bring them to the people here in town. Working on this show with EOH is taking a lot of cooperation among companies, artists, producers & businesses. That?s what makes it feel right. We have everybody on board heading toward the same goal, bringing headliner entertainment back to the area? Cottonwood resident, Frank Leupold (CEO Pasturegate Productions), likes the reception that the show is receiving this early in the planning stages. ?I heard a lot of people say that you can?t bring a show like this to this area. In a way they?ve been right. We didn?t bring the show, we just opened the doors, and are allowing it to evolve. The show, and the means to get it mounted, have been here all of the time, it has just needed a proper venue.? Leupold keeps busy producing many projects including GP Radio, GPRtv, documenting the LEL Brothas? ?Epidimic Tour? (headed next to the Middle East & the UK at the end of May) & directing many videos including ?I Like to Party? by the LEL Brothas and CB5?s ?Lexi Sadi?, both slated for release this summer. ?We have been waiting for the right time and that time is NOW! Lets hope we can make this a continuing series for years to come.? CB5 of G.P. Radio & long time producer of Arizona artists, feels that it?s going to take unity among artists to make this work. ?It?s crazy to think there are so many artists in northern AZ, but nobody knows much about them. They struggle, doing shows in these holes in the wall where it?s more about the dinking & partying than the music If that?s what you like it?s cool, but artists need to reach a larger audience demographic to get ahead in this entertainment business. The EOH will provide that.? In addition to his GP Radio duties, CB5 hosts GPRtv, is headed on the world tour with the LEL Brothas, and is a resident producer of new Arizona artists at Heavenly Sound Studio. ?I want to be a part of discovering the next big artist from northern AZ, I know they are going to be on my stage before it happens. ?We three producers have come together to bring a show that has all the makings of ?what we need TV?. There is talk about putting the show on one of the local stations, which is really great when you think that not one show has been seen yet.? When all three were asked, why nobody has done this before, CB5 answered, ?Because nobody wanted to work as a team to get the job done.? Echard and Leupold nodded in agreement. [ElksOperaHouse.com; mikefarrismusic.com;facebook.com heavenly-soundstudios?]
LEL Brothas
LEL Brothas head overseas for ?Epidemic? Tour, after a U.S. tour that included appearances with E-40, The Game, Willie Beamin, CB5, and many more. Bahrain is planned as the site for their first show. Then the group will transfer to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emerites, moving through the region before tackling Europe. Plans for taking the tour to Japan are also in development. CB5 and many guest artists will be included for the majority of the tour.
Producer Spotlight
Willie Beaming
Ghetto Pass radio is proud to announce Willie Beaming as this months producer in the spotlight!! Check him out!
