Listening to the Sheila Landis’ latest recording with guitarist Rick Matle, I’m reminded of Simon Rodia, the architectural genius who spent three decades creating the fabled Watts Towers in Los Angeles. For it is that same entrepreneurial energy and ingenuity—the ability to build marvelous musical sculptures using whatever materials are at hand—that seems to drive the incredibly prolific (20 plus self-produced discs since 1981), Detroit-based singer-percussionist Sheila Landis.
Exhibiting the same assured yet easygoing professionalism as fellow Midwesterner Ann Hampton Callaway, she can swing through Goodman (“Don’t Be That Way”) and Ellington (“Caravan”), wander wordlessly through a gently scatted “Fool on the Hill” and unearth the sexual heat hidden within Hank Williams’ “Hey, Good Lookin’.” But Landis impresses most when, never straying too far from her Michigan roots, she serves up such delights (co-penned with Matle) as “Brotherhood of the Wheel” (a nod to truckers constructed to sound like an 18-wheeler snaking its way through local burgs), “Ma’s Coffee Pot” (about a roadside waitress who’s eager to vend more than just eggs and toast) and the deeply personal “She’s in My Bones,” a sweet, warm hug of an homage to her grandmother.
-Christopher Loudon
The Sheila Landis Trio
Rick Matle Sheila Landis Duo with "Summertime"
Sounds Like
Sarah Vaughn, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Astrud Gilberto, Flora Purim, Billie Holliday, Steely Dan, Carmen McRae, Motown, The Beatles, Betty Carter, Tuck and Patti, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock
Born and raised in Detroit, vocalist Sheila Landis knew singing was to be her career as she listened to the soundtrack of Lady Sings the Blues. The great Billie Holiday songs from that film galvanized her attention and emotions. Later, while an English major at Oakland University, she hung out at the Performing Arts Building meeting such Detroit jazz artists as Marcus Belgrave and Larry Nozero. So the stage was already set as far as music as a career was concerned when she entered the fray in 1973 with a Top 40 group called the Vineyards. In 1981, Landis formed her own record company, Shelan, and has been issuing an album on that label virtually every year since then. Much of her early work on LP is still available.
She met her musical soul mate, guitarist Rick Matle, in 1990. They have worked together ever since in a variety of combinations, duo, trio, and their six to eight member band Brazilian Love Affair. The latter is the main instrument to express Landis' long-standing romance with Brazilian music, bossa nova, and samba, captured on such albums as Where Jazz Lives and Colors of Brazil. Landis uses the trio, which includes Matle plus percussionist, to delve into the realm of jazz poetry. Two of her albums incorporating this technique are The Bird Inside and Where Jazz Lives.
Click above for a video featuring Sheila Landis and Brazilian Love Affair featuring Rick Matle
Landis has an extraordinarily flexible voice and an uncanny ability to use it to great advantage. She scats, sings ballads, loves Latin rhythms, and can swing. She does jazz, rock, bebop, as well as Latin with absolute equanimity. This multifaceted musical elasticity allows her to take part in any jazz scenario with ease and with excellent results. Landis has chosen to consider herself a Detroit artist, doing most of her work in and around the Motor City. In appreciation of this loyalty as well as for her talent, she has been the recipient of many area awards, including being named outstanding jazz vocalist for seven different years by Detroit Music Awards. She is a regular participant in Detroit music festivals, including the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival, and performs regularly at a number of spots in the Detroit area. Although having been on stage for more than 30 years, Landis has never fallen into a rut. Her work continues to exude vitality, excitement, diversity, and originality. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
Metro Times review from November 2006
Sheila Landis and Rick Matle "Blues in the Night"
An emphasis on bluesy and rootsy material on this collection, half new and half culled from the last dozen years of work by the vocal-guitar duo. They do "Fever" and Willie Nelson's "Crazy," but there's still room for whiplash hard bop, some jazz-meets-poetry material and a rockin' take on "At Last." Landis' 21st album is the place to start if you've been sleeping on this lightning bolt of a singer and her simpatico seven-string guitarist. —WKHeron
just passing by to let you know that i have two cool deep house singles around. and i'll be pleased if you take a listen. i'll paste here the soundcloud players, if html is allowed. If you prefer to listent to then in myspace player. they're allready there.
Jota Wagner - Rainy Ideas - Life After Beat Music (Stompy Exc) www.stompy.com/artist/jota+wagner
Jota Wagner - Savage - Illegal Ninja Moves Rec. (Beatport exc) www.beatport.com/artist/jota+wagner thank you for supporting underground house music. all feedbacks are welcome.
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
Just droopping by to say "hello". I'm really looking forward to sharing a show with you for the DMA benefit. It's about time, huh? It'll be a great one!
combo experience yellow bossa (good ear) nossa alma canta i belong to you (good ear cd-r) bungalove aphrodisiaco (funky juice) nossa alma canta sign your name (good ear cd-r) donati rosa vaidosa (cool d:vision) bossasonic too much (first floor promo) nossa alma canta what i am (good ear cd-r) soulstance special one (shcema) tape five cancun (chin chin/prominence) nossa alma canta in your eyes (good ear cd-r) fascinations fascinated groove (cool d:vision) sheila landis nightwalkin’ elaiza romero sei shagliaro e non lo sai domu/pete simpson come back around (cool d:vision cd-r) oh!penelope i’m gonna miss you
part 2:
pulp something changed prefab sprout cars and girls nossa alma canta/remix desire (good ear cd-r) aaron jerome angel lady (bbe) bcahama soul club late night bossa (cd-r) club de belugas frankie (chin chin/prominence) matelno chiguagua (resense cd-r) los tres bros marble latin theme (cast-a-blast) palov & mishkin ambiente tropical (resense cd-r) TRACK OF THE MONTH marc rae medicine (jalapeno/prominene/cool d:vision cd-r) bnc like that & like this (cast-a-blast d-r) discoettes yes we can can (bbe cd-r) rabbit rumba caramelos (lovemonk) black banda rio chega mais nossa alma canta kiss (good ear cd-r) fall in parts/cayetano domino master (cd-r) robert owens/ian pooley i’m chained (compost promo)
UPCOMING RADIO SHOW NEXT WEEK QUINTETTO LO GRECO
FORTHCOMING RADIO SHOWS UNCLOSED MINDS LONDON FASHION DISTRICT BREAK N BOSSA 8 ROBERT OWENS SOUL DESIGNER NICOLA CONTE
NOVA PLANET WEDNESDAYS 17:00 – 19:00 live @ www.rodonfm.net gtm + 2
MORE PLAYLISTS: www.myspace.com/djnova_novaplanet www.beyondjazz.net/viewforum.php?f=84 MoRNiNG SuNTouCH FREE DOWNLOAD RELEASES www.myspace.com/morningsuntouch
Dj Nova RODON FM 95 Merarhias 2 62123 Serres Greece
DOWNLOAD SHOW PART 1 & 2: www.sendspace.com/file/8zr8z4 DOWNLOAD SHOW PART 3 & 4: www.sendspace.com/file/5odcdc
part 2:
asa ferston/bossa for NOON remix maraga no himawari tape five can cun (chin chin/prominence) monta & rossini from day into the night (good ear) morcheeba enjoy the ride (ultra/giant step promo) etienne daho obsession (francophonic diffusion) steve evans quartet river man (schema) sky king why don’t you take us (bbe cd-r) kyoto jazz massive off and on TRACK OF THE MONTH the 4rce never shoulda (bbe cd-r) matenlo chic (resense/prominence cd-r) original tropicana steel band calypso rock (bbe cd-r) odd couple sunshine (swedish brandy) magnetic 4 surfing (good ear)
part 3:
tarantulas saiba ser feliz torbjorn langborn en estocolmo no pasa nada savannah soul nao posso te levan a serio (tru thoughts cd-r) dr.vodkatini it’s a shame (prominence) bamboos/marc mac i don’t wanna stop (tru thoughts cd-r) toshio mastuura group/jose james a night in tunisia unclosed minds/at jazz put it down (futuristica music cd-r) robert owens/at jazz now i know (compost cd-r) slowly/ET shining bright black seeds answer (cool d :vision) eico n/a sergio mallandro mas que idea
part 4:
mamani keita yelema (francophonic diffusion) five corners quintet willie the pooh quintetto lo greco steppin’ to bop (schema promo) salvador trio tristeza nicola conte impulse (schema) paulo mouro fibra (far out/prominence) sheila landris who will buy sono rhizmo my house (resense/prominence cd-r) omar/stevie wonder feeling you junior mendez copacabana sadia johan c schutrz passion georgia bellibasaki se tono ble mediterane erykah badu honey (giant step promo) dj kawasaki you can make it ikeda masanori/ET city lights
UPCOMING RADIO SHOW NEXT WEEK ANDREA CELESTE
FORTHCOMING RADIO SHOWS NOSSA ALMA CANTA QUINTETTO LO GRECO UNCLOSED MINDS LONDON FASHION DISTRICT BREAK N
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