Spawning two top-ten singles at radio, the long anticipated release of DRIVING FORCE, 3rd Force’s seventh recording on Higher Octave Music, adds an exhilarating chapter to the exotic groove-oriented instrumental phenomenon that’s been a mainstay of the smooth jazz format.
The “force” theme, which has continued throughout their ever-expanding catalog includes VITAL FORCE (1997), FORCE FIELD (1999), the greatest hits package COLLECTIVE FORCE (2000) and GENTLE FORCE (2002). Not only has the convention provided a clever way to title recordings, but is a true reflection of the synergy that occurs when extraordinarily talented multi-instrumentalists — most notably, group originator William Aura and longtime collaborator Craig Dobbin — bring their diverse melodic and rhythmic gifts and a wealth of musical experience into Aura’s Ojai, California studio. In recent years, 3rd Force’s unique music has extended beyond the contemporary jazz realm to the film and television world, where it has been used on numerous episodes of Sex And The City and the Robin Williams film One Hour Photo, as well as in numerous documentaries.
The in-your-face, brassy retro soul direction of DRIVING FORCE is a marked departure from the overall chill vibe concept of GENTLE FORCE. This explosive sound is a natural outgrowth of 3rd Force becoming a live performing band for the first time in 2002. Adding a post-millennial funk slant to the core sound is veteran R&B drummer and musical director Xavier Marshall, who has worked with everyone from Patti LaBelle and Christina Aguilera to Destiny’s Child. This dynamic, new approach — a sizzling, hard-slamming combination of Aura’s early career experiences as a bassist and guitarist for Detroit rock/soul bands, and Marshall’s modern hip-hop sensibilities — is further enhanced by newcomer DJ Radius who let the wax fly on the turntables.
“Up until a few years ago, 3rd Force was very much focused around a studio-based approach that was more about a mood rooted in new age and jazz,” says Aura. “Then we played a handful of really exciting gigs, including the prestigious Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival a few times, and immediate reaction was astonishing. Becoming the first band to sell out a show there on a Friday night in the festival’s 17-year history encouraged us. When we cranked up the energy, the audience responded, and we were determined to translate that spirit into our next studio project. DRIVING FORCE is the first album we’ve produced as a fully-realized band, and that’s an exhilarating new direction for us. The last few years, we’ve also been gaining a new generation of fans, and we look forward to hitting the road with this team.” Lucky for all of us, the band plans on more extensive touring after the February 1, 2005 release of the new album.
“We always have fun with the titles, and use them for initial inspiration,” he adds. “DRIVING FORCE is the polarity of GENTLE FORCE, partly by evolution, partly by design. My mind went back to my hometown roots, Motown, ‘getting your groove on’ drive time radio,” This album has the DNA of the Motor City and, like the music of that era, it’s all about uplifting the spirit.”
The classically trained Dobbin continues the thought: “When we first talked about a new direction, this felt like the natural next place for us. I had to learn to go from my usual role with strings and piano to the classic soul-jazz world of Fender Rhodes and Hammond B-3, and it was fun integrating those into the 3rd Force Sound.” Marshall, who brought the original framework of Ask Me Why to the table adds, “It was great to finally be able to perform music I had a part in creating. We’ve become like a family with two generations of R&B in the mix…William dug back to Detroit and I dropped the hip hop vibe on it.”
Since the ensemble’s self-titled debut, 3rd Force has garnered numerous top ten singles starting with their 1995 radio hit, Here Comes The Night from FORCE OF NATURE. Tracks featuring some of the genre’s biggest and brightest names on contemporary jazz’s landscape — Peter White, Boney James, Rick Braun, Paul Taylor, plus Higher Octave label mates Craig Chaquico, Brian Hughes, Jimmy Sommers, and Grant Geissman — has also earned the band a sizeable following. DRIVING FORCE continues this exciting tradition with key tracks featuring guitarists Brian Hughes and Marc Antoine, legendary sax man Tom Scott and 21-year-old sax newcomer (and Higher Octave label mate) Eric Darius, whose recent label deal was due in part to Aura’s driving enthusiasm. “I was impressed with his maturity and incredible phrasing, which reminded me of Ornette Coleman,” says Aura. “He’s the vanguard of a new generation of jazz players, and his contribution helped shape the album’s overall sound.”
Darius’ fiery, yet cool, stamp propels three tracks of DRIVING FORCE: the moody, easy grooving funk tune Ask Me Why, the playful, bluesy hip-hop shuffle driven An Open Heart and the intensely percussive, brass fired retro soul-meets-techno romp Is She Ready? Brian Hughes’ crisp, laid-back electric guitar leads the opening track, a classic soul-jazz dance featuring the flugelhorns of Mitch Manker and Greg Adams, as well as DJ Radius’ irresistible scratches. On You Got It, Marc Antoine’s cool acoustic melody is surrounded by a dreamy, slow grooving vibe reminiscent of the classic 3rd Force style. Tom Scott brought his own L.A. Express vibe and stacked the horns on Get With It, and, recalls Aura, “he shouted out during the recording that he hasn’t had this much fun in years.”
Other key tracks include the old-school-soul-meets-Latin jazz playground of Real Thing, the blasting Memphis styled R&B blues-rocker Gotta, Gotta and the exotic new age-techno-jazz-funk jam This Is The One, which is preceded by a graceful introduction featuring acoustic piano and lush atmospheres. The plight of Tibetan refugees, a cause near and dear to Aura’s creative and spiritual heart, was the inspiration for the thought-provoking closing track. A trippy, ambience-laden journey into the heart of Asia featuring the Nepali flute of Reuben Shrestha and vocals by Rashmi, both recorded in Kathmandu. Aura, who markets handcrafts over the internet to raise money for the cause, will be making his fourth journey to the Tibetan world in January, 2005.
No true account of Higher Octave Music’s success story would be complete without a few storied chapters on William Aura. Acknowledged as one of the true pioneers of New Age music, this veritable musical chameleon has forged a mutually beneficial creative relationship with the label from its humble beginnings in 1986 as a solo artist with eight recordings and as staff producer for label artists Craig Chaquico, Neal Schon, Jon Anderson, Shahin & Sepehr, and others. All told, he has produced over 100 projects for the label.
Classically trained pianist Craig Dobbin’s career is an intriguing study in diversity. He keeps the beats flowing in his work with pop and rap groups while at the same time expressing a more romantic side by directing orchestral direction and composing for film and TV soundtracks such as those for The Discovery Channel.
Another key contributor to DRIVING FORCE is Dutch composer/producer/arranger Alain Eskinasi, who added grooves, keys, guitar, bass and who co-wrote two compositions for the album. Over the years, Eskinasi has also contributed his wide range of sonic abilities to the award-winning Electro Coco and Higher Octave’s Soto Koto Band. A percussionist by trade who honed his skills studying African drumming for six years in Gambia, he’s also developed an amazing sensibility for European dance club music.
“The concept is quite significant for us,” reflects Aura. “Although we’ve done various projects independently, when we’re together something deeply spiritual happens as we spontaneously reach musical heights never imagined. Raised in Holland and having studied music in Gambia, Alain brings infectious world energy into the mix, while Craig, a brilliant composer and pianist, offers a rich orchestral experience. I’m more jazz/rock and atmospheric oriented, and thankfully DRIVING FORCE gave me the opportunity to further explore this passion for strong, funk-based grooves that motivate a wide smile.”
I am glad to announce the release of my debut CD called "Interro Island". This is my first solo project, which includes original tunes composed and arranged by me. I hope you will enjoy my work!
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