Keyboardist John Corda infuses melodic soul into every groove and jams as if performing with a live band. No surprise coming from one who has performed soul, funk, reggae, and jazz in various bands for well over a decade and continues to do so. Armed with a Trigger Finger and an arsenal of keyboards, he forgoes premade loops and generated beats in favor of 25+ years of piano skill, performance, and compositional exploration. The result is an organic approach to electronic music.
Mashed Buddha falls under the rubric of jungle and drum 'n' bass, but is so much more than the terms imply. “I like to think of my music as electronica that doesn't take itself too seriously,” he states. “Mostly it's a blend of wild musical ideas that constantly run through my head. I tame them with soothing words.” He further soothes them by adding a rock and pop sensibility to the framework of drum 'n' bass. He achieves this by using tried and true techniques of songwriting such as creating verses, choruses and bridges from hooks, voices, keyboard licks, snippets of sound and catchy themes. On his debut CD, 'Subdue Your Mind', each song uses drum 'n' bass -- frenetic drum beats matched against slower bass lines -- but also elements of funk, downtempo, and even '70s jazz fusion. On his latest CD, 'Zen Conspiracy', in addition to a richer pallette of sounds and guest vocalist Uri Geller, he incorporates something no one else in this genre uses: jazz improvisation.
Mashed Buddha has created a signature sound by putting a human face on, and pumping blood through, the often cold music created by machines and electronic devices.
Accolades
"When John Corda steps into his alter ego, Mashed Buddha, magical things begin to happen. Eschewing the derivative nature found in much electronica, Mashed Buddha relies on extensive piano/keyboard skill and an inimitable groove to create a sonic sphere to envelope the listener. There are no tricks here. John Corda has an understanding of musical composition that escapes many of the tech-heads who dabble at their computers in the wee hours of the morning." - Wildy's World
"From the swirling, trance-inducing 'Spikes' to the Prince-ly overdrive of 'Edge,' it's clear that this one-man effort... is as inspired as it is unconventional." - Gary Carra, Nightcrawler, Valley Advocate
"This album is a mixture of downtempo rhythms, electronica melody staples, and jungle beats. John Currier is the mastermind or madman (depending on the way you look at it) behind Mashed Buddha. He set about to craft jungle and drum&bass beats and rhythms as the backdrop to an electrifying ambient and symphonic journey. The result is a compelling and inspiring joint that works its way into your head analyzing your Zen status and applying a bit of a karmic good rub on your soul. Excellent." - J-Sin, Smother.net
"This is more great racing danceable music. What makes it stand out? It isn't gimmicky... If you're like me and come out of retirement and go to a rave about twice a year, this is the album you play when you're driving home, trying to stay awake and watching the sun come up. An instant classic." - Joel Edelman, Agouti Music
"A cool eclectic mix of stuff that teases your cortex in some way that I can't really describe... Very freaky spacy electronica." - Scott Heller, Aural Innovations
Influences
Miles Davis, Led Zeppelin, Weather Report, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamiroquai, Medeski, Martin, and Wood; Fela Kuti, Mozart, Frank Zappa, Propellerheads, A Tribe Called Quest, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Wayne Shorter, Bob Marley, Headhunters, Yes, Mr. Bungle, The Police, Duke Ellington, Roland Rahsaan Kirk, Roy Ayers.
"...cerebral and danceable at the same time... You will play it again and again ... one tasty recording....I have to recommend this highly. Buy It Now!" - Wildy's World
Mashed Buddha's second full length release, Zen Conspiracy, is a blend of intricate drum n bass, downtempo funk, and ambient electronica. Keyboardist John Corda infuses melodic soul into every groove and jams as if performing with a live band. Armed with a Trigger Finger and an arsenal of keyboards, he forgoes premade loops and generated beats in favor of 25+ years of piano skill, performance, and compositional exploration. Famed guru and bender of spoons Uri Geller threatens to put you into a hypnotic coma on one track. The album's painted artwork was done by none other than Spy vs Spy artist Peter Kuper.
Buy ZEN CONSPIRACY Today!
Zen Conpiracy Track List
1) Zen Conspiracy - Jungle turns Latin turns Piano Solo. (sample)
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FOUR KEYS TO ZEN
Four Keys to Zen is an online only EP that portrays a new direction for Mashed Buddha, who's sublime, orchestrated grooves have thus far lacked one thing: Improvisation. John Corda, the sole musician responsible for Mashed Buddha, performs professionally as a keyboard player in soul/funk/latin bands. Whereas debut album "Subdue Your Mind" was an experiment in electronica composition, 'Four Keys to Zen' and newly released full length album "Zen Conspiracy" are a collection of layered funk, drum n bass and downtempo grooves that allow for jamming keyboard solos.
SUBDUE YOUR MIND
Mashed Buddha's first album, Subdue Your Mind is an unexpected foray into electronic music from a keyboard player who started classical, discovered jazz, and ended up in another orbit with electronica. Mashed Buddha's creator John Corda decided to stop waiting for the band of his dreams and instead created his own album of original music. Attracted to the complex drum stylings of jungle and drum n bass, he used this as a rhythmic foundation for much of the music on 'subdue your mind.' Not content with creating just another drum n bass record, he added grooves that are at times hypnotic, dissonant, symphonic, emotional, or all of the above. The result is an organic approach to electronic music.
'Subdue your mind' was recorded in John's Western Mass home studio using warm analog synths, electric pianos, various percussion, and effects. Most of the mixing was done here as well, with additional mixing and final mastering completed by Myles Mangino at Planet of Sound Studios in Hartford, CT.
Buy SUBDUE YOUR MIND Today!
BUDDHA DIGS - Jungle/drum n bass with a melodic hook, tempered by ethnic percussion flavorings. (sample)
MARTYR - A sublime mix of distorted vocals, driving basslines, and warm analog synth pop. Catchy, danceable, memorable lyrics. (sample)
SPIKES - A descending drum n bass pattern that evolves and replicates. Spiky, like crazy Aunt Mable's cookout punch. (sample)
SPY HEADS - Cut n paste funk groove with clav, heavy bass, and funky ass drums. Second half of the piece is high energy mind elevation. (sample)
DIMENSION - Epic jungle fantasy that pokes you in the ear with constantly morphing synths and chaotic drumming. (sample)
VIBIN - Electric piano based groove interspersed with rhythmic words and jazz fusion soloing. (sample)
MORPHIN - Fast, relentless beat anchored by upright bass and analog synth attacks. Eventually morphs into a badass hip hop groove. (sample)
EDGE - Mahavishnu Orchestra as seen through a ghetto downtempo lens. (sample)
SLIPPERY - Trance inducing array of drums, synths, and effects.
YO MAN U GOT SOME GOOD SHIT! yer man can u get nething of urs wax or do i have to cut a dubplate? so love to do a rmx of summin of urs dammmnnn wb pz out
Mashed Buddha featured in this week's Cosmic Pulse and Independent Radio Hour programs on WCER. Come give it a listen if you would please...there's lot's more to come. Hope you are having a great week.
May the light of luck shine on u Like the sunlight setting in a cloudy sky As the colours stream and create a kind Of whipped mixed dream like mile And I hope love falls upon you Like leaves fall from the trees As daylight grow less but the moon beams To create twilight that always brings A magical glow to everything.
new release on TROORG: [TROORG#010] Ixtlan – VUKK 110011110
the two guys calling themselves ixtlan are pioneers of a new kind of electro-organic dance music and with this release they give an example, how rock music can sound in times of a galactic consciousness awaking in humanity.
