Just lil' ol me, with occasional help from other talented peeps...
"Touch My Soul": Written by Adam Gibbons, Steve Marriott & Ronnie Lane. Produced & Arranged by Adam Gibbons. Bass, Beats, Hammond & Percussion by Adam Gibbons. Dedicated to the genius of Steve Marriott & Ronnie Lane.
"The Outsider": Written, Produced & Arranged by Adam Gibbons. Bass, Beats, Hammond, and Percussion by Adam Gibbons.
"Sugar Cane" (Lack of Afro remix): Written by Oliver Beltz. Additional Remix, Arrangement and Production by Adam Gibbons. Guitar by Eddie Roberts. Bass, Beats Hammond, and Percussion by Adam Gibbons.
"When The Sun Goes Down": Written by Arctic Monkeys. Produced by Adam Gibbons. Arranged by Adam Gibbons, Eddie Roberts & Neil Innes. Engineered by Neil Innes. Guitar & tambourine by Eddie Roberts. Bass by Neil Innes. Flute by Rob Lavers. Drums, Hammond & percussion by Adam Gibbons. Recorded at The Wardrobe, Leeds on 9th March 2007.
"Polonio" (Lack of Afro remix): Additional Remix, Production & Arrangement by Adam Gibbons. Drums by Mike Bandoni (Funkshone). Guitar, Bass, Beats, Hammond & Percussion by Adam Gibbons. Out soon on Lovemonk Records
"Roderigo": Written, Produced & Arranged by Adam Gibbons. Guitar, Bass, Beats & Percussion by Adam Gibbons.
Influences
All music in one form or another, but the following have been especially influential...
Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Lou Donaldson, Cannonball Adderley, Paul Desmond, Maceo Parker, The JB's, The Meters, Eddie Bo, The Motown Sound, The Stax Sound, The Atlantic Sound, Alan Hawkshaw, early Kool & The Gang, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Roy Ayers, Grant Green, Jimmy Smith, Joe Henderson, Ahmad Jamal, Grover Washington Jr, Buddy Rich, Bernard Purdie, Steve Gadd, Harvey Mason, Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks, Kenny Jones, Mitch Mitchell, Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, James Brown (R.I.P), Stevie Wonder, The Small Faces, Steely Dan, Roy Budd, Piero Umiliani, John Barry, Thomas Newman, Nat 'King' Cole, Sam Cooke, Quincy Jones, The New Mastersounds, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, DJ Numark, Madlib, Aim, Moby, Daft Punk, The Cinematic Orchestra, Quantic, Flevans, Bonobo, Air, David Holmes, Magic Number...
"One of the finest albums of the modern funk era." One Week to Live
"Totally retro yet utterly contemporary. Gibbons is more than just a revivalist, he could well be on his way to becoming neo-funk's DJ Shadow. The blistering version of The Arctic Monkys' 'When The Sun Goes Down' sounds like it could've been cut in a dirty New Orleans studio circa 1973. Mark Ronson must dream of making music like this." Toby Rogers, Rant!
"'Press On' is Freestyle's greatest album to date." Dom Servini
When The Sun Goes Down:
"Oh yeah! Love that beat and spy time wah-geetar. A real builder with that flute and drum section - more downright goodness from the Funky Gibbon." Flow Dynamics, Freestyle Records
Spooky:
"Blown away by this, can't stop playing it - an incredible record! Even more incredible is the fact that he plays all the instruments!" Mark Lamarr, BBC Radio 2
Roderigo:
"Been playing it loads!" Bonobo, Ninja Tune
"'Roderigo' is a powerhouse shufflin' monster with scrappy yet wonderful drums and thunderous dynamics. Very much in the Quantic School of production, he achieves that elusive knack of putting together an arrangement that excites and gets you all loose on the dancefloor. Very funky, crammed full of breaks and musical flourishes and in my box for months! Simply an excellent record which makes the prospect of an LP later this year so excruciatingly exciting. 9/10." Pete Isaac, Jelly Jazz
"An all-action extravaganza of funk fire and flamboyance." Matt Oliver, One Week to Live
"Rhythmically involving and musically engaging this hard-hitting full-on wall of afro-latin-funk-fusion with percussive breakdowns and competent mixing is as uncompromisingly heavy as it is easy on the ear." Jazzman Gerald, Jazzman/Funk45/Stark Reality
"Love the track, love the style, all first class stuff." Flevans, Tru Thoughts/Jack to Phono
"Really love this little seven - tight party tackle with top big band sample manipulation! Playing in most of my sets in main rooms, back rooms and bars." Dr. Rubberfunk, GPS Recordings
"Quality cut and paste beats in the accent of afro latin from Adam Gibbons. Short and most definitely sweet, this gem gets busy over a three minute spread, leaving a cloud of dust in its trail. Ariba!
" Found Sounds (DJ magazine)
"Roderigo is one of the dirtiest horn fueled drum blasted funk tunes out this year, with such a killer groove that makes any danceloor shake it's ass!!" Smoove, Acid Jazz/Wack Records
"Quality dancefloor funk - love this!" Boca 45, Dynamo Productions
"Fab...I've been playing the cdr for ages!" Paul Murphy, Afro Art Records
Wait A Minute:
"Newcomer Adam Gibbons, aka Lack of Afro, steps up to the plate with some smokin' funk breaks!" iDJ
"Dropped it at the Big Chill and it went off! The reaction was great, as I knew it would be." Flevans, Tru Thoughts/Jack to Phono
"A truly full-on modern funk affair! This release clearly bungs this lad up there with some of the best current funk producers, and it's only his first try." Disque.co.uk
Press release from "Press On":
Having dabbled in numerous instruments from a young age - he's tinkled the ivories, blasted the alto sax, banged a few funky beats out on the drums and plucked a few tunes on the guitar - Lack of Afro certainly isn't lacking in creative stock. This funky young dude has been going since the age of 7 and now, at 26, Adam Gibbons has all but earned an honorary afro with the release of his debut album, 'Press On'.
Adam Gibbons found his feet after getting into funk and soul whilst studying Music Technology at University and started to ply his trade in various bands around Exeter. Having posted a few tracks onto a friend's website in 2006, word soon spread to the Freestyle offices, where he was instantly snapped up and released the huge selling 'Wait A Minute'. One of the label's fastest selling 12''s, it has gone on to sell huge numbers worldwide and licensed to countless compilations.
The follow up 'Roderigo' also flew off the shelves and is still in huge demand to this day. Soon after this, the offers of remix work came flooding in; to date Adam has sprinkled his Afro magic on Diesler, The New Mastersounds, Nicole Willis, Eddie Roberts (NMS), Tim Wood (Social Beats) and is currently working on remixes for DJ Regal and Flevans, as well as producing an entire album for US band The Diplomats of Solid Sound for Italian label Record Kicks. His tracks have also picked up numerous radio plays, appearing on BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, 6 Music, Xfm and many more. More recently he was invited to record a live session for Mark Lamarr’s “God’s Jukebox” show on BBC Radio 2 at the legendary Maida Vale Studios in London.
Taking its cues from the heavy funk and soul of the 70s, and giving them something of an updated twist, 'Press On' is without a doubt one of the finest albums of the modern funk era. Playing most of the instruments himself, Adam has created a contemporary classic. From the opening track you can hear a sincere and honest love of funk and an understanding of what works both on the dance floor and at home. Highlights include the does-exactly-what-it-says-on-the-tin 'Pure Filth'; the sublime genius of 'Touch My Soul', featuring the voice of the late Steve Marriott; and the inspired cover of the Arctic Monkeys 'When the Sun Goes Down', already a firm favourite with DJs.
Already being touted as ''the next Quantic'' we're sure you'll agree that this young and talented producer has carved a new niche for himself. With the charm and musicality of funk pioneers such as The Meters, James Brown and Jimmy Smith, but with a contemporary twist, we're sure this will find favour with fans of artists such as DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, Breakestra, The Quantic Soul Orchestra and Mark Ronson.
Press On, Stand Up and Feel The Funk!
If you're into the music and dig what he's doing then don't be shy and drop Adam a line. Unlike some other peeps, he always to replies to his messages...
FOR LACK OF AFRO FREESTYLE PROMOS, PLEASE DO NOT SEND MESSAGES THROUGH MYSAPCE. INSTEAD CONTACT FREESTYLE RECORDS. THESE WILL NOT BE SIMPLY GIVEN AWAY SO PLEASE DONT CHANCE YOUR LUCK...
Lack of Afro releases:
For remixes, live bookings or further information, please e-mail aaron@holditdown.org or alternatively send a message through this page.
Lack of Afro vinyl can be bought from the following websites:
NapsterEmusicDancetracks DigitalFull Lack of Afro Discography (N.B. original releases only - all compilations are not listed unless track is solely available on that compilation):
Singles
Lack of Afro - "Touch My Soul" b/w "The Outsider", Freestyle 7" (FSR7044) 2008
Lack of Afro - "When The Sun Goes Down" b/w "Spooky", Freestyle 7" (FSR7039) 2007
Lack of Afro - "Roderigo", Freestyle 7" (FSR7025) 2007
Lack of Afro - "Wait A Minute", Freestyle 12" (FSR039) 2006
Albums
Lack of Afro - "Press On", Freestyle CD (FSRCD034) & LP (FSRLP034) 2007
Productions
The Diplomats of Solid Sound - "Featuring The Diplomettes" - Record Kicks LP (RKS022LP) 2008
The Headhunter - "Get On It", Club Tikka 45 7" (MUTO 010) 2008
Remixes
Various - "Mas Achilifunk" - Los Manolos "Polonio" (LOA remix), Lovemonk CD (CDLMNK29) & LP (LMNK29) 2009
Ray Camacho & The Teardrops - "Si Si Puede" (LOA remix), Freestyle 7" (FSR7053) 2009
omg!! 9 is my favourite number!! 09/09/09... what an awesome release date!! i cant wait cant wait cant wait :) :) havent been on this for ever and ever.. hope all is well man with no afro.. ktgx
Our next show is at the Jazz Café on Friday Friday 26 June. More details below! The Jezebel Sextet + Groove Cartel + Soul Cookers DJs in assocation with Saint Paul Soul Jazz
Jazz Cafe, 3-5 Parkway Camden London, NW1 7P
Doors: 7pm
Tickets: £15 / £12.50 advance or £10 guest list (sign up at www.jezebelsextet/gigs)
Saint-Paul Soul Jazz, Europe’s most exciting funk festival, crosses the channel to present a night of heavy Hammond funk featuring The Jezebel Sextet and the Groove Cartel, plus DJ sets from Soul Cookers Records. All the excitement and friendly atmosphere of the festival at the Jazz Café for one night only!
#About Saint Paul Soul Jazz
Saint Paul Soul Jazz, Europe’s first Hammond funk and raw soul jazz festival, takes place from 10-12 July in the beautiful provençale village of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, near Avignon in France. This year’s line up includes: The Perceptions, Phat Fred, Lefties Soul Connection and Sweet Vandals
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