Mike Harwood is a singer/songwriter and producer who resides in the West Coast of Cornwall (UK) and started in the music business as a Decca Records artist and session guitarist. His music described as “warm funk for a cold day” combines elements of fusion, smooth funk, R&B, soul, blues and acid jazz.
Booboo, now released on tidbit music, is aromatherapy for the soul, opening channels that have been blocked and enjoying the pleasures of blissful melodies.
Featured tracks:
Feal real bad - Mike Harwood on lead vocals - a collaboration between Markus Wagner and Mike - a raw bluesy feel with an old school RnB edge.
Moonshine - John Keenan on lead vocals - Lyrics by John Keenan. The story of a backstreet nightclub where "you can get anything", pinned together by funky guitar work and a slinky drum track - blues with a twist!
Booboo - instrumental groove, electrifying coils of fusion and acid/electronica jazz phrases.
Let me go - John Keenan on lead vocals - Lyrics by Alison Lancaster, it's all about addiction, the message is deep but profound.
Cry in the night - Mike Harwood on lead vocals - a chilling tale
Give 'em Something - John Keenan on lead vocals with Regine Watson on backing vox - a collaboration between John and Mike which was released on World AIDS day in 2006 as a single to promote the plight of children suffering with aids and available as a download from the HMV online music store - ALL FUNDS GOING TO WORLD VISION in support of their AIDS programme.
Someone like you - Dyan Burrell on lead and backing vox, a collaboration between Dyan and Mike - funky soul
Love is - Mike Harwood on lead vocals with Dyan on Backing vox - a collaboration between Melvis Long and Mike - old school RnB!
So complicated - Dyan Burrell on lead and backing vox - a collaboration between Dyan and Mike - a tear jerker! RnB groove
twenty seven - Instrumental chillout - just let it flow!
Some reviews:
'jazzreview.com'
"Booboo is an amalgam of jazz, funk, soul and blues-folk which manifest into waves of cool funk and trance jazz. The songs are sensuous with fluid movements and stimulating lifts that bring you in and free you of the burdens that weigh you down. The album commences with tangy guitar sequences and island beats on “Feel Real Bad,” wrapped by the raspy blues-folk timbres of Mike Harwood. The smooth jazz synth scapes of “Cruisin’ Part One” are pulsed by club beats giving the number a West Coast ambiance. The bluesy chillout tempo of “Love Is” has a cool island sway integrating urban funk raptures which excite the delicate keys of the momentum. The electrifying coils of fusion and acid/electronica jazz phrases on “Booboo” are captivating with balmy tones and stimulating patinas."
by Susan Frances: read the full review here
'Reese Gentle : Leeds Music Scene'
"Mike is a dream of a very talented singer/songwriter. Mikes songs are written and sung with, passion, emotion and delivered with strength and conviction. He is a true musician worth getting excited about, a true lyrical genius, Mike brings funk and blues back into the 21st century. A big talent, undeniably addictive, and is a big prospect whose talent has gone largely unoticed by the music industry, but surely not for much longer? Mike can put this genre of music back on the map and I wish him luck. He's like a Monét painting, priceless! and just what we need to keep this music we love so dear, alive, a true talent that's rare in this day and age of music."
"Moonshine - an excellent track" the David White Show
"When it was over, I wanted more.
- Sound quality was excellent.
- I liked the instrumentals particularly. They seemed freer, more loose and flowing - in a word - FUN.
One could tell you were enjoying yourself musically. I especially liked 'Cruisin' Part One" The bass line in it is "off the hook"
- My favorite vocal song was "Feel Real Bad." It moved fluidly and freely, like cold water flowing over pebbles in a mountain stream. It was COOL! Paul Racicot
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