Jim said, "I wanted my first album to be a real blend of the type of music I love, which is spacey and dancey, and real stories about things I have experienced. Every song is very autobiographical and I like writing and singing about what I've learned on my journey. Plus it is just such a blast to do!"
Two years later, a bout with heartbreak and disillusionment found its outlet in the songs that comprise record number two, "Second Chance." The healing power of creativity and music fueled the fire which churned out the 13 songs on this set. While not eradicating the sense of loss, hurt and disappointment he was experiencing, crafting these musical snapshots gave Jim a way to share what was going on as he walked through the fire. Striving to be authentic and honest as well as musically exciting, he discovered making music has transcendent power.
Influences
Lesley Gore, Pet Shop Boys, Luther Vandross, Dusty Springfield, Bjork, Jackie DeShannon, Todd Rundgren. Everything But the Girl. I'm in love right now with the music of Ari Gold, Alanis Morrissette, Keyshia Cole, Dwele, Lykke Li, Robyn, Raphael Saadiq, Solange Knowles, The Ting Tings and Musiq Soulchild.I listen to a lot of hiphop, especially the phenomenal Deadlee and prolific Tim'm T West, and also currently Kanye, Common, Devin Da Dude, Lupe Fiasco, M.I.A., and Q-Tip. Pharrell and Timbaland are my favorite producers.
Sounds Like
My journey to becoming a songwriter and recording artist began probably when I was a young boy singing along with Lesley Gore and The Supremes in front of the mirror in my downstairs bedroom. Decades later, a friend sold me a four-track recorder and I began fooling around with doubling my voice and singing harmony in a two-dude duet. This led me to take a voice class from Lucy Kinchen at Laney College where I began to connect my spirituality with singing. I became friends with local Oakland hiphop producer, Skarlo Paine, and he would play me tracks from his debut CD as we drove around The O. I would riff over the tracks and eventually Paine asked me to contribute lyrics and vocals to one of the tracks, which became the song, "Help Me" on his record.
One thing led to another and I was singing back up on Cuneo P's dance-metal recordings and doing duets at Laney with local jazz chanteuse, Paula, still taking voice class. Skarlo suggested I take some of the lyrics I'd been writing for years and think about doing my own CD. Together we collaborated on "Better Late Than Never," with him creating the tracks and the two of us writing the songs and doing the vocal arrangements. Gradually over the course of 18 months, the project came fully together.
Originally, the plan was to do "Second Chance" with Skarlo Paine, but it didn't work out. He did do a bit of sweetening on the first track, "Damaged Goods," but I ended up doing all the production and arrangements myself, learning as I went along and honing my skills. It was a thrill to create these songs, sometimes starting with lyrics, sometimes a title, sometimes a track and working things out a bit at a time. I strove to be lyrically honest and musically true to myself and my influences and current interests, and I'm very happy with and proud of the result.
Two years after his debut, Jim Allio (aka James Anthony), stakes his claim on his own musical sound with his sophomore set, "Second Chance." Written, sung, produced and arranged by Jim, the 13 songs (with a few bonus surprises) are a dynamic mix of the trip hop lounge blend he began to explore on his "Better Late Than Never" CD, with bold elements of jazz, salsa, dance, alterna pop, rock and nu wave thrown explosively into the caldron.
Jim Allio aka James Anthony's Friend Space (Top 18)
Real fans can help us make our new record and help us promote our just released album and get us ready to tour! By buying one part for just $10 on Sellaband. Please help us reach our goal. It's a movement of other artists and fans helping us realize a dream. http://www.sellaband.com/projects/thelatrells
Discover The Latrells on your favorite local radio stations "New 2 Discover" section of their website. Help increase our song plays! Please vote and play the songs to help The Latrells get a chance to be placed in the participating stations regular rotation. Find the "new2/discover" links on popular radio stations such as KISS 108, B95 94.9, 103.5 The Beat Miami, 92.7 Kiss FM, 106.1 KMEL, iheartradio.com and more. click on links here to lead to links to find your local station. Thanks for the continued support! http://www.kiisfm.com/new2/artists/i/265805http://www.106kmel.com/new2/artists/i/265805?psid=354065
"Still Love You' looks set to ride the soul train straight out of San Francisco and onto the world stage." It's Official!, Today we released with great reviews the new album from THE LATRELLS titled 'Still Love You & since yesterday we have been receiving a lot of awesome reviews, positive feedback & a bunch of sales thanks to all the widespread news from various agencies and the music industry as a whole...Thank You we really appreciate it and we are proud to offer this album after 5 years in the making! Enjoy :: LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Pacific Soul Records) - Produced by XRAYDUSA at the Think Tank, San Francisco, West coast soulsters The Latrells second album 'Still Love You' released today on Pacific Soul:: check the press http://bit.ly/3K4o5d
Just un case you missed The Latrells radio interview last night on OTTObox Radio show..talks to Marquez Gallegos and Ray Wilcox of THE LATRELLS - It was a great 2 hours. (link) http://tobtr.com/s/739081 Thanks OTTObox Radio! The Latrells, a San Francisco based "psychedelic soul band flavored with pop, hip-hop, R&B and rock." Their new album "The Latrells Still Love You" will release on Tuesaday 10/20
Hi Jim, thanks for the friendship! By the way, Chie gives vocal lessons to anyone living in the East Bay. She has 8 years of teaching experience, for age k-adult. She makes house calls too. Her rate is $40/hr. You can have as many lessons as you want, even just one lesson! Do you know any friend who is also interested in taking a vocal lesson with Chie? Please let us know. Thank you again and hope to see you at the Frank Bette in November.
Good Morning Jim how are you nice meeting at the Temple was that some great music ! I hope I was not to crazy for you lol. I Love the music I did not now you did music. I love to see people here in Oakland doing great things here.
hey thank u so much 4 ur message homie, u know damnnn this is hard to do it...but we are here expressiing our vidas! cruz, tercer discipulo, drastiko and wakko = salvimex
MyHotComments Just wanted to say hello. I know I still owe you a long email that covers the last 20 years (I guess that seemed so daunting that I've just put it off! haha!). I haven't forgotten. Just so busy - - but wanted to let you know I was thinking of you. :-)
Hey James -- Thanks for checking us out and listening to StudioOut.com -- the hottest new Gay Internet Radio Station on the planet! Please spread the word that we are streaming live 24/7 at StudioOut.com. Did we mention it's free??
