Bryn "Dusty" Griffiths - Production,
Wayne "Lotek" Bennett - mixing/production & musical Guru
Jake "the break" Stacey - Drums
Luke "Lucrative" Smith - Bass
Sophie Faricy - Vocals
Allonymous - Vocals
Juice Aleem - Vocals
More or Les - Vocals
HKB FiNN - Vocals
Lyric L - Vocals
Jocelyn Mukoyogo - Vocals
Andrej Sapic - Alto Sax
DJ Moyma - Cuts
Beat 13 - Artwork
Влияние
Sly Stone, Madlib, the Beatles, Dilla, Stevie, Marvin, Mr Scruff, Gilles Peterson, Quantic, ROY AYRES, Super Furry Animals, Dudley Perkins, PPP, Doom, Gift of Gab, Blackalicious, DJ Shadow, Massive Attack, N*E*R*D (the limited edition first album made with synths & drum machines...), Rae & Christian, Aim, TM Juke, Jill Scott, Jazzy Jeff, Erykah Badu, Andre 3000, Greyboy, Shuggie Otis, the Kinks, Nina Simone, James Brown, Lotek, Cinematic Orchestra, MJ Cole, Gil Scott-Herren, Jazzanova, Minnie Ripperton, Matthew Herbert, De la Soul, Tribe Called Quest, the Stone Roses, Donald Byrd, Roots Manuva, Amp Fiddler, The Flaming Lips, Steve Spacek, DJ Spinna...and so many more
***"It's FANTASTIC! All our friends love it too!" (Straight No Chaser)***
***Bryn Griffiths is the producer behind Unity Gain Theory with partner in crime Wayne Lotek, who you may remember for his work with Roots Manuva. Of course the production is exactly what you would expect from these guys: top quality and a great selection of styles around hip-hop and down-tempo beats. My favourite tracks feature Sophie Faricy on vocals, whether it's the lovely spoken word "Careless Talk", "Careless" or the duo with Juice Aleem on "Grown Up". Other vocalists include Allonymous, HKB Finn and Lyric L. whose tracks grow on you with every play. The instrumental tracks and snips make this the complete package.(Simon Harrison, Basic Soul)***
***"A Real Grower...perfectly formed...produced with the confidence & skill equal to the classics that inspired them" (Paul Clarke, DJ Magazine)***
***"has you reaching for the rewind time & again with its subtle, dreamy, sophisticated combinations of jazz, soul, hip-hop & funk...a diverse yet delectable document of beat led sounds that's bursting with colourful musicality" (Paul Sullivan, IDJ Magazine)***
***When a single hip hop producer has the capacity to craft an album
from the ground up, stringing beats and flows together to structure an
entire long player, it's an impressive feat. That being said, it's
rare that we see a producer-based record as solid as this one. Out of
the UK, Bryn Griffiths handles his beats stylishly, weaving unassuming
samples together with poise and precision. Wisely calling upon a
sublimely varied arsenal of talented rappers and singers to handle the
vocal duties, the songs maintain the feel of a group effort while
still sharing a common bond. R&B and soul are represented to the
fullest on the hooks, while the accented verse vocals add a sprinkling
of panache that can't be discounted. In a time when many artists are
proud to have different producers from track to track, it's refreshing
to hear the front-to-back solo approach and remember why it can be so
compelling.(CDBaby)***
***"A bonefide musical journey" (Out of Hand, Bristol)***
***I've really enjoyed this album, took a few listens to get into but very nice indeed (Simon Harrison, Basic Soul)***
***“Some nice bits on this, especially Grown Up” (Steve Nickolls, Kiss)***
***“listened to this all the way through. theres a nice mood the the album" (the Unabombers, Electric Chair / XFM)***
***“Quality album. Will feature on radio show.” (Darren Knotts, Ninja / Solid Steel)***
***“Some quality tracks on here which will be supporting” (Kev Beadle, Solar Radio)***
***"V good indeed. The UK lacks good soulful hip hop” (Kruger Magazine)***
***I really like the UNITY GAIN THEORY album - playing off the album on my show (Graham Clarke, Maximum FM)***
***"Unity Gain Theory is essentially producer Bryn Griffiths. Working with Roots Manuva mentor Wayne Lotek, Griffiths has brought in a mixed bag of musicians to help him craft a debut set that is impossible to pin down – and that, I guess, was Griffiths’ aim. If we pass on the obligatory short intro, the first real track, “Rocket Fuel”, is old school, scratchy hip-hop and there’s more serious rhyming on tracks like “Grown Up” (very Guru-influenced) and “Galactic Abstractions” (very progressive that one). But this isn’t just a hip-hop album. “Careless” is decent nu-soul groove with great vocal from Sophie Faricy, while “Careless Talk” and “Late” are almost gentle spoken word pieces. That leaves us with what I’d pick as the standout cut – “Dreamers Suite Parts 1 and 2”. This is a delicious sting-led cinematic sweep with hushed new age commentary. It is in two parts but the mix is faultless and watch the cut grace future chill out compilations”. 4/5 (Bill Buckley, Blues & Soul Magazine)***
***"Some smokin' grooves here! Great live drums sounds and depth of overall vibes...fresh and jazzy" (DJ Xander, Flux Magazine)***
***New Entry @ No.9 in the ZZUB chart on dmcupdate.com***
LEAVE YOUR OWN REVIEW...
A Symbol & A Sound is the debut album by the Unity Gain Theory, a collective of souls in collaboration with producer Bryn Griffiths.
A dazzling musical journey, Griffiths crosses jazz, funk, electronica and hip-hop. Through soulful spoken word, sultry singing and conscious rap the tracks are infused with the individuality of the talented vocalists.
More or Les, Allonymous, Lyric L, Sophie Faricy, Juice Aleem & HKB Finn collectively personify what the Unity Gain Theory is all about, life, passion & soul. The result is difficult to categorize evoking the sounds of a jazz club house band jamming on open mic night. Hints of Griffiths influences- Gil Scott Herron, Tribe Called Quest, 4Hero, Roy Ayres - are subtly discernible.
For this project, Griffiths conspired with Wayne Lotek, the gifted producer behind Lotek Hifi and Roots Manuva amongst others.
Initial composition was laptop based. The addition of live instruments blends effortlessly to deliver a distinctive authentic sound.
A Symbol & A Sound is a fine album. A true original with mass appeal, it possesses a depth and beauty rarely heard in the hard-edged modern world.
The album will be released on Vinyl & CD on 5th February 2006 on Trust in Dust Records through Timewarp distribution worldwide and will be available for download on the Internet.
INFO ABOUT THE TRACKS...
1. Sunshine (Feat. Lyric L)
- music written & produced by Bryn "Dusty" Griffiths
- Vocals written & performed by Lyric L
- Vocal recorded at Plan B by Wayne "Lotek" Bennett
- Alto Sax by Andrej Sapic
- mixed & engineered by Dusty & Lotek
2. Rocket Fuel (Feat. More or Les)
- Written & produced by Bryn "Dusty" Griffiths
- Vocal written & performed by Les Seaforth
- Cuts by Les Seaforth
- Drums by Jake Stacey
- Bass & Guitars by Luke "Lucrative" Smith
- Alto Sax by Andrej Sapic
- music recorded at Plan B by Wayne "Lotek" Bennett
- mixed & engineered by Dusty & Lotek
3. Careless (Feat. Sophie Faricy)
- Written & produced by Bryn "Dusty" Griffiths
- Vocal written & performed by Sophie Faricy
- Vocal recorded at Plan B by Wayne "Lotek" Bennett
- Alto Sax by Andrej Sapic
- Drums by Jake Stacey
- Bass Guitar by Luke "Lucrative" Smith
- mixed & engineered by Dusty & Lotek
4. Album Mega-Mix (just a taster of what's on offer)
just stopping by to see if you're interested in our project....
We've started a collaborative radio station - and we're looking for people to contribute to our output....have a look, have a listen and join up if you'd like to join in!!!
hi wass good hope all is well you have to check out new tracks on my page "mr mc" and "9 to 5 life" your feedback is very much appreciated u.k hip hops finest peace n luv shiv .one.
nice fam. like i said before your joints are hot and i'm gonna keep my ears pealed. i hope you don't mind i'm leave you a classic from my side of the pond, enjoy. peace,.... hubs.
Always great seeing u guys & ur smiling faces!! Hope u had a great time? No doubt ur back in London for Carnival [can't keep ur daam feet still!!]...would be nice to catch up n have din-din's?
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Stay gifted....
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Give us a shout if you dig it.
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