Project Tru: 'In Case They Still Believe'

contents

blues

What would happen if a dozen musicians decided to blend rock, rap, blues, funk and soul together in a sonic brew that defies categorization? Project Tru answers that musical challenge with "In Case They Still Believe", the ensemble's highly-anticipated sophomore CD, on sale now. One of Southern California's most visionary collectives, Project Tru spent more than two years recording a follow-up to its debut album, "A Twelve Piece Band." While the dozen or so members of the Orange County-based troupe are all involved in other projects, Project Tru is nonetheless a labor of love. Conceived by singer, bassist and songwriter Robert Trujillo, Project Tru's musical vision started with funk as its foundation, but quickly grew to include a number of classic and contemporary styles.

Tim "TJR" Ramirez and Robert Scott's guitars cut like switchblades, while bassist Robert Trujillo, drummer Lee Godden and percussionist Tony Vizcarra form the rock solid rhythm section. Standout songs on this eclectic, 15-song album include funk-based "Dirty Habits" and "I Don't Mean It's Over", rock-infused "Livin' In Make Believe", "Standing Alone", and "Damn", and rap-styled "Don't Let Me Down." Rapper Kelly B, backing vocalist Robin Nivans and a powerful horn section complete one of the tightest, genre-defying bands to come out of the Southern California music scene.

"Two years in the studio gave us the creative flexibility to experiment with different grooves", said bassist and lead singer Robert Trujillo. "We had fun arranging the songs live before going into the studio to record."

While the majority of tracks were written by Trujillo, the disc also features original songs penned by Godden ("You Belong To Me"), Kelly B ("Things I Did"), TJR ("No Offense Juliet") and Nivans ("Natural Born Lover").

"You can hear on this CD the wide-range of styles of everyone in the band", said English-born drummer Lee Godden. "Twelve musical backgrounds makes for quite a mix."

Project Tru has shared the stage with such acclaimed bands as War and The Fenians, and has also played at such legendary venues as the House of Blues in Hollywood, the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, The Whisky, Canter's in Hollywood, and the Pier Plaza Amphitheatre in Huntington Beach.
"Everyone in the band was influenced by Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire", said guitarist Robert Scott. "Our music is evidence that blending rock-meets-horns instrumentation with funky basslines and Latin percussion creates a contemporary sound."

Project Tru's horn section mighty horn section includes saxophone player Marcelo Duran, trumpet players Bernie Nelson and Jason Foltz, French horn player Steve Mahpar and trombone virtuoso Brent Anderson.

"We wouldn't get together and make this much noise if we weren't having such a great time", Robert Scott said.

write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page