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| Borders Books & Music Presents Ajamu Akinyele Bay Areas own Cyber Jazz recording artist Ajamu Akinyele, pronounced Ah-jah-moo+Ah-kin-ysy-lay, will be performing his eclectic blend of smooth jazz - jazz fusion “Live” at a series of BORDERS Books & Music stores throughout the Bay Area, promoting his new double CD Black Magic: the Cyber Jazz Experience, released January 9, 2006 to rave reviews. Producer/Bassist Andre Marcel Ajamu Akinyele, pronounced Ah-jah-moo + Ah-kin-yay-lay, recorded as MARCEL on the Bombay Recording Company Label from 1998 to 2004. He's had independent success with several releases in the San Francisco Bay Area, Europe, and Japan. As MARCEL, he released five CD's ranging from Funk to World, but as Ajamu Akinyele, embarked on his first cyber jazz CD Supernova (2005). He changed his name on his 32nd birthday, June 21, 2004 from Andre Marcel Wilson to Andre Marcel Ajamu Akinyele to reflect a more African heritage. Ajamu released his last CD as Marcel titled Secret Weaponm Volumes 1 & 2 (2004). He struggled in his career as Marcel trying to find his true musical style. Now he has created his own unique identity producing what he calls “Cyber Jazz - Funk Fusion, ” trying to redefine jazz for a new generation. Recording as Marcel, he arrived on the scene in 1998 with his debut CD The Diary of Marcel. His follow[up release Spice : The Alternative Hip-Hop Experience, (2001) helped him to establish a loyal independent following in Japan and Europe. With the release of his third and fourth CD's Uptown : 2025 A.D., (2003) and Uptown : 2025 E.P. The Remixes, (2004) he developed a true sense of artistry and a vision of being dedicated to his musicianship. These releases gained him radio airplay on the “Upper Room with Joe Kelley, ” a radio station in Connecticut that was featured on Pop Icon PRINCE website, and also gained him attention on MTV Germany. Uptown : 2025 A.D. was a self-awakening, and now he is aware of who he is, and where he's going! On Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2, (2004) his fifth and final release recording as Marcel, he displays funk in a way that makes you think of bands like Parliament/Funkadelic. Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2 also gained him distribution, radio airplay, and exposure in Australia. Supernova (2005) is filled with elements of futuristic sounds combing funk and fusion, while maintaining a sense of an R&B feel. This CD is a reflection of his personal and musical growth as a recording artist. So Supernova was not only a new beginning or a rebirth, but also a new direction in sound to take him to the next level in his journey, Cyber-Jazz! With his new release of the double CD titled, Black Magic, (2006) he captures the true essence of cyber-jazz, which is a blend of smooth jazz - funk fusion influenced by the smooth sounds of Sade, the laid back grooves of MeShell Ndegeocello, the funkiness of Prince, and the fusion of Miles Davis. Black Magic: The Cyber Jazz Experience includes tracks like the highly infectious “Pandora's Boxx, ” “Crystal Ball, ” and “Spellbound, ” but nothing compares to the sexy Latin groove of “Rio Dulce, ” which was produced and composed by Timescape recording artist Jon O'Bergh on piano and all other instruments, while Ajamu Akinyele lays down the sexist bass line you'll ever hear on a jazz album. And, two cover tunes, Burt Bacharach's “The Look of Love, ” and Sade's “The Sweetest Taboo” shows Ajamu Akinyele's versatility in production and musicianship. There are eighteen tracks on Black Magic: The Cyber Jazz Experience and every song was produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Ajamu Akinyele, with recording artist Jon O'Bergh as special guest on a few tracks. Ajamu Akinyele states, “This album is where I'm at right now, and the experience of writing about the word “Black” has opened my eyes because now I see the truth!”--Ajamu Akinyele write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |