Crossover jazz rock pop - infectious world rhythms,
solid bass grooves, fluid guitars and sweet vocals
The 'wined up' CD was recorded on a shoe-string budget during 1999, with
old chum and techno producer Basil Brooks from 'ZORCH', in rural Surrey
UK
Wined Up - the Line Up
Luciano Albo had to leave UK for his home Brazil at the beginning of the
year. He recorded the bass-lines to a metronome for the entire 12 songs
during two marathon recording sessions, before Jeza overdubbed a single
note ..
John and Caroline Hoare of 'The Haunting AD' have made valuable contributions
to many recordings and continue to perform live with Jeza
John & Caroline Hoare
Lead guitar and BeeVees
Joined during the process by Gwyo Zepix from 'Gong' and 'Zorch' on keyboards,
Robin Gillan on country fiddle and banjo, Tony Greenwood on kit drums
The cover photo was shot by Brazilian photo-journalist Roberto Steinberger,
just off Abbey Road, London. On the crossing across the road from the
more famous crossing, once crossed by the Beatles
I happened to pass this location (EMI recording studios) on the way to
recording sessions. The inspiration was to re-make Sargeant Peppers ..
but to do it 'My Way', with legs crossed and guitar slung upside-down
and backwards - with the Beatles influence placed firmly in my background.
CROSSOVER MUSIC GEDDIT !
CM on 'JEZA WINED
UP'
12 Original Songs
In the world of independent music, Jeza's 'Wined Up' has become a true
classic since its release in 1999. Jeza is the kind of artist who creates
his own genre, making music as he hears it and letting the rest of the world
figure out how to categorize it. His individuality is underscored by the
consistent high quality of these recordings and performances, combined with
his undeniably soulful vocals and wide-ranging lyrics
These are songs that are every bit as good as anything ever written by
people like Eric Clapton or Bill Withers or Tracy Chapman. 'Wined Up' makes
an outstanding addition to any music-lovers collection!
MAN IN THE MIRROR
- 2003
Jeza's 'Man in the Mirror' is a success on many
levels. This is an album that will satisfy the hunger of open-minded music
fans yearning for a rich stew in a world of musical junk food and imitation
flavors. - C M
If 'wined up' was a collection of singles, then 'Man in the Mirror' is
about 'album tracks'. Longer songs, more maturity, introspective and self-indulgent,
but without losing any of the warmth and charm of the previous album
An altogether more ambitious project. Flying solo now without the aid
of a producer or bass player, Jeza wears these new hats with consumate
ease. As his reputation grew over the internet, fellow musicians around
the globe were eager collaborators. Swapping digital files across oceans
to create a new kind of world-music and shared common language.
Southern Logic
It's a Blues Evolution
Songwriting and recording with both Neal Allen of 'SouthernLogic' in USA
and Lord Bygon in Italy, Anthony Ruocco in New York, Bud Bennett from Virginia,
Californian Country singer Hunter Payne and long-term collaborator DJ Lazer
flew in from Israel. CM from New Jersey on flugalhorns. Not One but Four
brand new recordings with flautist Roberto Luz in Guatemala raised the musical
platform to soaring heights.
12 brand new releases plus 3 bonus archive recordings.
Roberto Luz - Guatemala
Our Man in the Jungle
Genres include latin, celtic-hip-hop, jazz, blues, dub, drum'n'bass,
storyville rock and reggae ... to name but a few
Jeza works with a large number of collaborators, both locally and globally.
The Beatles, Sting, Gong, Terry Reid, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon, Stevie
Wonder, Stevie Winwood, Steve Miller, Steve Hillage, Steely Dan, Santana,
10CC, XTC, Eminem, Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Tears for Fears, Afro
Celts, Richie Havens, Marx Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Marc Bolan, Bjork, Baaba
Maal, Bob Marley, Akiru Kurusawa, Salvador Dali
in loving memory of
Suze Da Blues
who passed away peacefully on Sunday 19th August 2007
Sounds Like
MUSIC
FOR THE OVER 20s
The Beatles, Sting, Terry Reid, Steve Miller, Steely Dan,
Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Bob Marley, Marc Bolan, Gong, 10CC, Tears for Fears,
Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton - mix 'em all together and ..
Jeza
lives in London UK between travels, where his musical odyssey
began in the early 1970s as a brother act acoustic duo Phantasy
Circus. He has been writing and performing throughout four decades,
countless gigs, clubs, UK music festivals and strongly supporting
the local live acoustic network.
More recently commiting much of the back catalog of songs to
CD. Working from home studios and enlisting the finest cherry-picked
musicians - often themselves recording in remote locations around
the globe including UK, USA, Guatemala, Italy & Israel
WHAT
THE HECK IS CROSSOVER JAZZ ROCK POP?
Well
it’s a little bit of everything you’re sure to like I suppose. As
a songwriter I have taken it as a norm to experiment in many different
styles from reggae to samba, through rock to baroque.
I
hadn’t even considered categorising my sub-genres or putting everything
into one box until releasing my music via the internet to a 21st century
cyber audience who require such boundaries - so you may hear some
blues or some folk or some jazz as you explore the catalogue, but
if you still don’t find what youre looking for - please call again
- and if you enjoy the music we make, then you can find four unique
and original CDs exclusively available via Jezaland
WHAT'S
BEING SAID ABOUT JEZA
'Unique and
intriguing, Jeza has created
an impression that lingers, with his use of exotic themes
and world class musicianship'
ProCriticRadio
'What a shining
example of a playful entertainer in total charge of his art form.
This music crosses many lines and it's tailor made for radio play.'
Keith Hannelek - MuzikMan
'There is an
International feel and sound to his music that moves freely across
all borders':
Bronson Hermuth, author '100 miles to a record deal'
CM
on 'MAN IN THE MIRROR'
I played flugalhorn,
keyboards and percussion on 'Chasing After Wind', track 11
on 'Man in the Mirror'
I am an eclectic guy when it comes to music and
film and other forms of expression. Too much of the same thing,
no matter how inspired or interesting that thing is, has diminishing
returns for me as a fan or as an artist. So it will come as
no surprise that I am particularly impressed by musical artists
who can skillfully and gracefully draw from a broad array of
styles and flavors, and blend those ingredients into an original
and genre-defying musical identity. An excellent example is
UK singer/songwriter Jeza, who in late 2003 released 'Man in
the Mirror', the follow up to his widely-acclaimed 1999 album
'Wined Up'.
At first, I thought it a bit odd that Jeza included
the phrase 'crossover jazz rock pop' on the front and back of
this album. Apparently, he knows many fans tend to categorize
or label their favorite music, and Jeza's music doesn't fit
neatly into any one or two standard genres, so he went ahead
and gave us a label to use to describe what is inside. How accurate
is this self-applied description? I'd say it works pretty well,
better than anything else I could come up with.
The jazz element is most evident in an overtly
swing piece like 'Sister J', but a pervasive jazz feel is also
clearly reflected in many of the other songs: the chord changes
and voicings ('Man in the Mirror'), the improvisatory instrumental
work ('Dancin' in the Rain', 'Chasing After Wind'), and Jeza's
rich and adventurous vocal delivery ('One Fine Day').
Jeza obviously maintains a warm spot in his heart
for classic rock, particularly of the 60's-era psychedelic variety.
John Hoare's sinuous and haunting lead guitar soars and rings
on several recordings, including 'Darkness' and 'One Fine Day'.
On the final reprise 'One Fine Night', John's more muscular
tone puts an emphatic exclamation point at the end of the album.
Jeza doesn't resort to big drum and bass sounds to satisfy his
need to rock, sticking instead to much more restrained drums,
trebly bass parts and liberal use of hand percussion, reminding
me of mid-60's rock bands like early Grateful Dead or Big Brother
and the Holding Company.
The pop part of Jeza's self-categorization is
certainly well-deserved. This is not 'pop' in the mindless,
mass-produced meaning, but instead the kind of pop whose litmus
test is passing the critical 'can you remember the hook?' test.
I think 'One Fine Day', 'Man in the Mirror', 'Tower of Babel'
and 'Chasing After Wind' all do well in this regard. Jeza happily
dips into other popular music forms, delivering a convincing
blues tune ('Watching the Cellphone'), an authentic reggae groove
('Never Go Away'), and a seductive bossa ('Dancin' in the Rain').
Even elements of dance/techno grooves show up unexpectedly ('Ballad
of Killy Beggs', 'Blues Evolution').
I should point out that this album maintains
the level of intelligence and introspection established on 'Wined
Up'. Jeza follows his lyrical muse through big political and
philosophical topics and more intimate and personal subjects
with equal passion and wit. Never does he get too overtly intellectual
or preachy, though, managing to keep each song honest and humble,
something the listener can relate to. By folding all this together
with the term 'crossover', Jeza gives the listener fair warning
that in his world, anything can go with anything if it works
musically. Proudly defying any particular genre restrictions,
and refusing to 'dumb-down' in an attempt to achieve lowest-common-denominator
popularity.
Jeza's 'Man in the Mirror' is a success on many
levels. This is an album that will satisfy the hunger of open-minded
music fans yearning for a rich stew in a world of musical junk
food and imitation flavors
CHECK
OUT MORE JEZA MUSIC AT
Plenty more
tasty bytes below
Late arrivals please join our party !!
How are you, JEZA? Haven't checked in on you lately, so I swung by to wish you a happy thanksgiving & hope you are feeling well! Listen, I have another track up on my page, "Attack Of The Mushroom People." You can Hear it right Now, if you'd like at: www.myspace.com/psychedelicpablo OK, that's it for the shameless self-promotion.Thanks for being a friend. adios for now! Pablo
Hey Thank you for being a friend on the Official David Mensah myspace page. Check out the brand new album playing now on the player below. David's new album "Music is the Food of Love" is due for digital release in the UK and USA on 31st August 2009 and will be available on iTunes, Amazon and all good download stores through VME Records. You can also order the CD from CD Baby. Drop us a comment and let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you. Join the mailing list for a chance to win signed CD's, posters and other goodies from David Mensah. Thank you for your time. Much love Team DM
It's been a long time... we're talking years.. since I last stopped by. Sorry... life has kept me busy. Well, just wanted to say HI. Hope you're doing good. Lovely music. Feel free to drop by ;)
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Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
You might enjoy watching some of my films (use the on screen controls to skip between them):
thanks fam i appreciate that. i heard your stuff, i found it to be very entertaining and interesting. had a nice vibe to it, sorry coimment got cut off, i honestly enjoyed it. thanks for being a fan, and lets keep each other updated!
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