ALLTIME: Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, John Lennon, Oumou Sangare, (old) Police, (old) Springsteen, Beatles (esp. the White Album), Hassan Hakmoun, Babatunde Olatunji, Miles Davis, Neil Young, Toumani Diabate, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, David Bowie, Ravi Shankar, R.E.M., YES, Elvis Costello, Earth Wind & Fire, James Brown, Dimi Mint Abba, Khaled, Fleetwood Mac, Baba Maal, Hukwe Zawose, Pink Floyd, Brian Eno, Prince, Master Musicians of Jajouka, Paul Simon (& Garfunkel), U2, Hazrat Inayat Khan, Joni
Mitchell, Parliament, WAR, Latcho Drom (the film & soundtrack), Daniel Lanois, Djavan, LLCool-J, Augustus Pablo, Central African Pygmie Music, Alla Farke Toure, Salif Keita, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan. ..................................................................................CURRENT:
Lulacruza, Beck, Masters of Persian Music, Midnite, Ojos de Brujo, Tinariwen, Caetano Veloso, Zap Mama, Antibalas, Ile Aye, Bill Lazwell, Aterceo Pelados, Hamsa Lila, Tabla Beat Science, Damien Marley, KRS-1, Daniela Mercury, Zakir Hussein, Boubacar Traore, Peyote Songs of the Red Road, Sacred Ritual Music of South America, Sade (esp. Lover’s Rock), DJ’s Brother & Cheb-i-Sabbah, Oliver Mtukudze, Desiree, Cachaito, Ben Harper, Dead Prez
MJ 2008 Bio--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MJ Greenmountain embodies the essence of modern World Music, singing in multiple languages, organically fusing ancient and modern melodic and rhythmic roots elements with real instruments and vocal layering, all while syncronizing dub-style effects in a fresh, Medicinal Global sound. His original songs and adaptations include flavors primarily from Africa, Brasil, India, the Middle-East and the Caribbean. MJ’s undeniably powerful, yet humble stage presence has been recognized World wide as a potent lead singer, percussionist, and central founding member of the popular World Fusion band Hamsa Lila, who's album "Gathering One" hit the tops of the CMJ (US) and Chart Attack (Canada) World Music charts in 2004, earning the band international acclaim for it's ground-breaking sounds, and hypnotic, memorable performances. Hamsa Lila is recognized as a pioneer in the field of World Fusion, and MJ’s role in the creation of the band‘s sound was not only crucial, but trend-setting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Establishing himself now with 'MJ', the brand new self-produced debut 2008 solo release, one can hear threads of traditional Yoruban, Gnawan, Native American and Rastafarian musics weaving through captivating, conscious vocals and polyrhythmic arrangements, revealing his years of World Music studies and colorfully reflecting his multi-
continental travels and tribal connections. Ever pointing his compass towards the Divine, he is both an inspired solo performer and a powerful band leader - where his ‘Fela-esque’ qualities can be witnessed. Whether it‘s a yoga studio, dance club, or festival, MJ’s music vibrates hearts and bodies in a Ceremony of Life. His new release has already begun to catch the attention of renowned DJ’s like Cheb-i-sabah, who’s been spinning an original track (5 ) from the album, with many mistaking it as Cheb-i’s own remix - a telltale sign of MJ’s honed producing skills as well as his musical talents. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Artistically, MJ's makes use of an array of instrument choices and sounds. Rhythm guitar, kalimbas, various drums, flutes, percussion, keyboard, exotic textures, looping pedal, dub-delays, and laptop spin together amid trance-inducing vocal lines, seamlessly forming a new kind of World Fusion: one in which the sacred, the tribal,
the melodic, and the modern alchemize into a potent Shamanic blend. Receiving direct transmissions from Elders and Masters, assisting in healing cerermonies, and learning sacred chants and ancient tribal traditions has made MJ's music authentically grounded, simple yet expansive, giving the songs depth and impact. Crowds celebrate and participate, as he guides them on a mystical journey around the World and ultimately deep inside themselves - the essential part of Healing Music - thus bringing both listener and musician to a higher place.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xMJ has been honored to record and/or perform with notable artists such as Ozomatli, Michael Franti &
Spearhead, Jai Uttal, Babatunde Olatunji, Azam Ali, Hassan Hakmoun, DJ Cheb-I-Sabah, Haale, Ras Michael, String Cheese Incident, STS9, Yossi Fine, Toots Jr., Krishna Das, Steve Kimmock, Rena Jones, Ganga Giri, Shimshai, Sambada, Joann Shenendoah, MC Yogi, Prince Diabate, Albino, Tina Malia, and many many others. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Composing and producing original music scores for independent feature films and documentaries has helped also to shape MJ’s producing skills, which he has recently begun to do for other artiists. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MJ currently resides in the Santa Cruz mountains of Northern California ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Greetings & Blessed Love! Glad to connect on MySpace. Maybe see you at another Forest Circle at Roy's Redwoods soon.... such a beautiful place for hearts and souls to connect. One Love
Mj! thinking a lot about you!!! we hope your cd release concert is wonderful and everything flows in beauty and harmony. we are doing well, preparing our last show in Buenos Aires, with live versions of Soloina, Cenote, Caracoles and Nina Tusuna. you will have to hear them!
we miss you and send you so so much love....
here's the invite to that show.. just for fun... Soloina....
so we listened to your album immediately after getting into the car after leaving the beloved site. it was the most purely magical music to be listening to as we rolled thru that magic land!! oh my geez. it was so intoxicating, as if i wasn't already in mega deep mystic love trance bliss; your music just took it to another level. we all felt like we were floating along that road on another plane! so beautiful. where do i get a copy of your CD or how? definitely want to support yer arts, beloved brother. thank you. infinite kisses on your thousand toes.
Aloha MJ. So happy to hear you are almost finished with your album. I mknow how much energy it takes and I am so proud of you. You did it!!! YEAH!!!! Hope to see u soon before I forward to Kauai. Maybe at Good medician??? Blessings be with thee always.
Hey there my funky friend!!! How was your show with shimshai???...surrounded by amazing family no doubt!!!...just had my first real show of all my original musik and first time hearing my songs with drum n bass and when that harmonica started blowing i was in heaven!!! Big love xxx Sss
Hey MJ!!! Can you believe it took me this long to listen to that cd you gave me? Wow!!! I love it!!! Actually listened to it in a loop for 2 days...especially love the kalimba...elegua...your ear for harmonies...one in the one in the one and, oh! the frogs of course!!! There's still one song of yours that was always my favorite...what was it...???...!!!...??? Anyway...looking forward to the finished product- you are in my top friends coz i think you're pretty terriffic!!! Love you bro-thanx for your inspirational musings and transportational cuddles!!! xxx Sahara
