New Release “People Like You & Me” - The new album from poet and songwriter Robert Priest

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Drawing inspiration from rock poets like Jim Morrison, John Lennon, and Patti Smith, Robert Priest has combined poetry with music throughout his career. Since 1980, he has created six albums featuring a mix of poetry and rock, with at least one poem set to music on each. Priest's spoken word/music video "Congo Toronto" (1988) first gained national attention on MuchMusic and CFNY.

The fusion of poetry and music is essential to Priest's work. In both rock venues and literary festivals, he blends songs with poems. His poetry books often include songs with musical notation, reflecting Priest's belief in the importance of this union. His earlier work primarily involved rock music, but his latest album, "Love is Hard" (2017), produced by Bob Wiseman, included avant-garde and jazz influences.

Priest's foray into jazz began with his involvement in Jaymz Bee's social circle, leading to performances of poetry with jazz musicians, sometimes improvising alongside their music. This new realm opened up fresh poetic possibilities for him, and he eagerly recorded this material, thanks to an Ontario Arts Council grant and collaboration with notable jazz instrumentalists.

The album includes both improvised pieces and pre-written lyrics set to music. Kevin Breit, George Koller, Alison Young, and co-writer Allen Booth contributed significantly, helping to shape the album's musical landscape. Breit's compositions, "People Like You and Me" and "A Series of Buts, " showcase Priest's poetry in new rhythmic and harmonic contexts. Booth's arrangements for two English sonnets brought a traditional form into a contemporary musical setting. The recording process at Kensington Sound was a collaborative and inspired session, with all musicians contributing to a cohesive and dynamic sound.

In addition to the tracks recorded at Kensington Sound, "Outer Peace, " produced and performed by Robert G. Scott, features a reggae groove, while Drew Jurecka's "When We Make Love" is an erotic history poem set to Jurecka's multi-instrumental accompaniment.

This album represents a milestone for Priest, blending poetry and music in a way that he hopes is both enjoyable and engaging for listeners. It's a testament to the enduring power and relevance of this artistic crossroads.

Musicians on tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 *except where noted:

All Vocals and Lyrics: Robert Priest, trumpet on track 9

Kevin Breit: Guitar, Additional Keys

George Koller: Acoustic and Electric Bass

Great Bob Scott: Drums

Alison Young: Saxophone

Al Booth: Keys (on tracks 5, 7, and 12)

*Track 3 "When We Make Love": All music composed and mixed by Drew Jurecka

*Track 6 "Outer Peace": All music composed and mixed by Robert G. Scott

Recorded by: Vezi Tayyeb at Kensington Sound, Toronto, 2023

Assistant Engineer Will Schollar

Mastered by: Mariana Hutten

Produced by: Jaymz Bee

Photography: Al Booth

(P) 2023 Robert Priest under exclusive license to Vesuvius Music Inc. / Distributed by IDLA

ABOUT ROBERT PRIEST

In a realm where poetry's potency meets the reverberations of jazz-infused soundscapes, Robert Priest stands as a singular figure. With a career that traces back to the late 1980s, Priest has been a quiet force within the corridors of spoken word and music, a niche he's not so much carved as fluidly inhabited as a poet and songwriter.

The emergence of Robert Priest into the cultural radar occurred in 1988, with his fusion of poetry and music in the MuchMusic video "Congo Toronto, " which garnered him a CASBY award nomination for Best New Artist."

Priest's career defies binary classifications. His versatile pen has brought forth seventeen volumes of poetry, four novels, and a litany of musical compositions. His words have been quoted in the Farmer's Almanac, debated in the Ontario Legislature, sung on Sesame Street, posted in Toronto's transit system, broadcast on MuchMusic, released on numerous CDs, quoted by politicians, and widely published in textbooks and anthologies.

While Priest's lyrical prowess extends to his own compositions, he's also earned distinction as a collaborative spirit. His co-authored work "Song Instead of a Kiss" with Alannah Myles ascended to the pinnacle of the Canadian charts, a resounding testament to his lyrical finesse and melodic sensibility. He also co-wrote Julian Taylor's recent CBC hit Seeds (They Tried to Bury Us). Such crossovers punctuate Priest's career, intertwining his words with the resonances of celebrated musicians.

Priest's recent foray into the realm of jazz might be seen as an expected progression in his artistic trajectory. Yet, it's the unexpected that truly captivates. His 2021 album, "Love is Hard, " produced by Bob Wiseman, swayed to the avant-garde breeze. This ethereal journey into soundscape marked Priest's willingness to navigate uncharted waters, proving that his creative compass remains unwavering.

The crescendo of Priest's journey finds its expression in the forthcoming "People Like You and Me." Under the aegis of producer Jaymz Bee, the album weaves Priest's voice, poetry, and songs into a symphony of jazz enchantment. Collaborations with luminaries like Kevin Breit, George Koller and Alison Young evoke a cadence that's more than the sum of its parts. Avant-garde jazz, spoken word, and a dash of the unpredictable — "People Like You and Me" is a glimpse into Priest's immersive realm of artistry.

As Robert Priest's journey unfolds, the intersections of poetry and music reverberate with renewed vibrancy. He stands as a trailblazer, undeterred by the boundaries of genre, resonating with echoes of Langston Hughes' jazz-infused verses and the socio-politics of Amiri Baraka. Priest's legacy is one of pushing the envelope and defying norms, carving an indelible path that continues to captivate and inspire.

In a world where words often remain confined to ink and melodies to notes, Robert Priest's artistry transcends these limitations. His is an embodiment of the ineffable fusion where verse and melody meet, giving rise to something altogether extraordinary.

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