I have always been rather keen on Indian and Egyptian music. I have aimed to reflect these influences in some of my music. Although my roots have been firmly planted in R&B and funk, I have been more and more influenced by the new electronic wave. I feel that there is a massive platform for eclecticism in the world of Electronica - not only for meshing together the ethnic atmospheres of eastern folk musics, but also as a meeting place for different world-genres. For example, I love the sound of electronically fashioned reggae, as well as 80's retro synth-pop influences (Michael Cretu/Sandra/Jens Gad/Frank Peterson and Erasure in particular, and also Harry Baierl for the wicked programming and synths on Jennifer Rush's album). When I listen to what is happening with synth-pop now, I become more and more convinced that they were not only solid foundations for the genre, but they were ahead of their time. Wicked artists like Sam Sparro are really utilising the psychedelic funkiness of our musical forefathers. I am also very impressed with the amount of Electronica that is being employed in new-wave rock.
I was weened on Vangelis and this would offer some explanation as to why I revere the power of the synthesiser. That was definitely the first impulse, but I would say that my greatest influence to date is the stunning electronic revolution (aided largely by phenomenon-esque masters such as William Orbit, Patrick Leonard, Marius De Vries & Mirwais Ahmadzai) that has richly moved Madonna's music. I am thoroughly elated by the lush atmospheres and sound effects that have emerged from albums such as "Ray Of Light", "Music", "American Life", and "Confessions On A Dancefloor". I have in no way intended any of my vibes to infringe on any of those, yet they have been an immeasurable inspiration to me. Along with these, I have been very inspired by Alabama 3, and in particular, their "Power In The Blood" album.
Having said all that, I love pretty much all music, but the things that influence me the most are things that sound unique and allow maximum self expression. Folk music is a winner for this, and I consider Electronica to be the folk expression of the future. My musical mantra is: "Respect the past, but keep up with the times". I hope you enjoy these tunes as much as I enjoyed making them. Peace, love and light to everyone.
ADDITIONAL INTERESTS: Massive Attack; Portishead; Leftfield; Mike Oldfield; Jean Michel Jarre; Loreena McKennit; Danny Wilson; Enya; Tori Amos; Kate Bush; Mariah Carey; Sinead O Connor; Andreas Wolenweider; Enigma; Peter Gabriel; China Crisis; Depeche Mode; Prince; Pink Floyd; Eric Serra; Stevie Nicks; Fleetwood Mac; Siouxsie And The Banshees; The Mission; Pet Shop Boys; and the list continues....
I started in the music world from a very early age. I grew up in a very
musical family and was soon singing with them in songs which were arranged
by my mother into four part harmonies. As the interest in music was so
diverse in my household, I grew up listening to many different genres. My
mother was a music teacher and along with my father, sang in and produced many
musicals and some television programmes. My brother is an extremely talented and
all-rounded musician with whom I have spent years writing and composing.
I taught myself a bit of piano as I was growing up and shortly after that
began to compose instrumental pieces. In my juniour and seniour school
days, I took part in many plays and many musicals, playing lead roles in a
few. Like most teenagers (I am sure) who love music - I followed the
charts with keen ears.
When I moved from South Africa to England, I ran karaoke’s and did live
singing and DJ gigs all over Greater London. I was also the vocalist in
two rock bands.
I consider myself to be a visionary artist - I see pictures and I try to
paint them with my music. My partiality towards eastern musics is apparent in many of my 'paintings'.
For the vocal pieces - I have lent inspiration I can imagine from anything
and everything I have ever heard, consciously or subconsciously, and my
keen and avid interest and appreciation in Electronica, R&B, Reggae, Hip-hop
and Rock have steered me through the styles that these pieces produced.
I adore music. It is to me of the same importance as my blood and my
breath.
A cover version track titled "REFUGEE FROM WAR" by THE SAGITTARIAN, sampling pieces from my track WORLD PEACE is currently in production with a video for it which has been filmed in India.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Thanks so much for the Add–and your friendship. We enjoyed your music very much. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. It's a pleasure having you among our friends!
We've just added two new blogs about Umano, plus four more new compositions, making ten on our space. We hope you and your friends visit us and enjoy our music, too.
We wake up every morning and play the music of the new MySpace friends who have arrived at our site during the night. It occurred to us that these friends (you are among them) are almost universally positive, whether they be novices or legends, and without regard to their station in life or the country they occupy.
Although it's not an original thought, it also occurred to us that we couldn’t hold a verbal conversation with most of these friends, but we have bridged that gap by expressing our art honestly with each other.
We all have been filling the world with our music and art, in the hope that our messages of love and human understanding will have an impact on the world at large.
What a gift and what an opportunity we have received from this technology!
