Published: March 03, 2007 9:09 AM EST By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
The one thing that we love about this record label is that they are the independent company with big productions and bigger talent. B.O.N.E. Entertainment, an independent record label, has made it their mission to present some of the most talented Jazz Artist in NYC. The music of BEs artist can be described as soulful, spiritual and inspirational. BE, who is always committed to its artist, provides each artist with the best resources needed to assure the success of the artist’s albums. The main goal of BE has always been to continue the level of excellence found in the music of great artist before them. Franklin Brown, from BE, was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to talk to us about music. Check out this great spotlight now:
MUSIC NOW: When and how did you first become interested in music? Franklin Brown: I’ve been interested in music since my childhood. Although I didn’t have music playing in my house, I was influenced by the musicians at the church I went to in Brooklyn, NY and my older brother jamming with his friends. Both of these played a part in my musical influence.
MUSIC NOW: How long have you been playing music? Franklin Brown: I have been playing professionally for 10 years
MUSIC NOW: Who are your musical influences? Franklin Brown: DJ Scratch of EPMD, Church musicians, old school Hip Hop artist and Elvin Jones
MUSIC NOW: Does anyone in your family play music? Franklin Brown: I have a few cousins that play instruments & sing. My brother used to play drums then he passed the baton over to me.
MUSIC NOW: When you are making music, describe how you are feeling? Franklin Brown: I feel empty with no emotional connections during the writing process and as I start building the song. When I’m finished, I’m charged with energy and excitement saying “I can’t wait until the world hears this!”?
MUSIC NOW: Why did you write or decide to play any of your songs? Franklin Brown: I want to spread love. I want to set a mood where people in love can enjoy themselves, where people in general can feel good whether they are at work, in the car, or hanging with family. Now a day you hear a lot about divorce, parents fighting and kids suffering. So I wanted to create something that will set a relaxed atmosphere where couples can lounge, cuddle, and laugh with each other or with family and friends.
MUSIC NOW: Why did you choose to play this kind of music? Franklin Brown: I wanted a long career as funny or weird as that may sound. The other genres have a lot of pressure on artists. In urban music, for an example, due to the pressure of selling records a large majority of those artists have short careers.
MUSIC NOW: What do you feel is missing in the music industry today? Franklin Brown: Mentorship, I would love to have Herbie Hancock, Chick Cornea, Boney James, Bob James as a mentor on an artist perspective. Then the executives on the business side as a mentor to guide us upcoming musicians/artist/businessmen.
MUSIC NOW: Do you feel like you are a role model to others? Franklin Brown: Yes. The people I inspire are the people that look to me as a role model. I am very grateful to them.
MUSIC NOW: What keeps you going even when times you feel like giving up? Franklin Brown: My WIFE!!!. She encourages me a great deal.
MUSIC NOW: What are some of the big projects you are working on? Franklin Brown: My tour and my next album.
MUSIC NOW: What can we expect from you in the next several years? Franklin Brown: A catalog of good music, businesses that will cater to musicians and family such as daycare centers and music studio’s for rehearsing and recording.
Description: Inobe is soul like India, funk like James. Her music is a blend of artistry and commercial appeal. Perhaps Eric Jerome Dickey said it best in his NY Times Best Seller Naughty Or Nice - "I sped down Robertson, my Inobe CD playing as loud as I coul
Biography: Inobe-
(eye-no-bee)
"The Inobe Monologue - An Urban Fairytale "
Prelude
My story's a sort of urban fairytale. You know the kind that starts off "once upon a time " and you expect it to end with "happily ever after. " In the middle, of course, ugly stepsisters get left behind, dragons are conquered and a prince sweeps me off my feet.
My story opens like every other Soul singer's tale: Once upon a time in a small town far, far away in the South, Inobe sang gospel in her grandfather's church. She attended a high school for performing arts. She went to college and graduated with a degree in Music Management. Musical theater, talent shows, showcases, yadda, yadda, yadda. I'm sure you've heard this part before.
Every story is summed up by the who, what, when, where and why. But the most fascinating part of any artist's story is the why. Why did Billie sing Da Blues? Why does Maya's caged bird sing? Why am I Inobe?
"Someday My Prince Will Come " - Snow White
It's funny; when friends look at my scrapbook they say I'm all smiles. Birthdays, recitals, family reunions graduations: all the Good Old Days. But I'm looking at some of the same pictures and remembering a Bittersweet drama. Some days were Summer Time, but most days I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I usually chose laughter because at least it kept people from asking questions.
Behind some of those photos there was abuse. Behind most of those photos there was a casual neglect. Behind all of the photos there was self doubt and fear. You see, I grew up a preacher's kid and it wasn't right to sing secular music. They'd build me up to "sing some Tina " at family reunions but then Break Me Down before they left. I grew up with a mother who wanted to sing when she was young. But her unrealized dream became my forbidden passion. If I wanted to sing, I had to be my own coach, promoter and fan club. I grew up in the 80's and 90's when it wasnt in style to be dark-skinned and natural. A little girl never knew there were so many synonyms for black.
Sure there were good times too, but the weight of the disappointments lulled me into a coma over the years. What if they were right about me? But somehow I knew Lyfe wasn't over for me. I'd close my eyes and sleep for a while, but someday my prince would come and wake me with an Impressionable kiss. At my lowest point, someday finally became Today and my prince stepped on the scene. He was there all the while; I just had to open my eyes. When everyone else had given me up for dead, Jesus came into my life. He loved me with a Love For All Seasons. He assured me I was beautiful and my story wasn't necessarily meant to be sung in church but out in the world to shine light on dark situations.
"If The Prada Fits" - Cinderella
Suddenly I understood my life's purpose, doors began to open and I could Find A Way. You know the whole mice and pumpkin become horses and carriage story? It's true! God sent the unlikeliest of angels and made things happen. When I moved to Atlanta, I found myself surrounded by people that believed in the vision and were willing to help. Musicians, producers, DJs, promoters, web designers, stylists you name it, they were sent my way. To my surprise, I was even featured as inspiration to the fictional lead character in Eric Jerome Dickey's best-selling novel "Naughty or Nice". Of course this part of the story isn't complete without a few ugly stepsisters, haters as we know them. But you know what? I grew up with professional haters who could actually hurt me so these trifling amateurs weren't about nothing. Even when people I trusted would Do It Again and turned their backs on me, I knew I had to Go On without them. I was determined more than ever to get my story out.
"Tis Thousand Pities, Anything So Good Natured Should Be So Ugly. " - Beauty and the Beast
Most independent artists would describe their relationship with major labels as David and Goliath. I see it more like Beauty and the Beast. While I love The Way the independent community has nurtured me, I understand that the majors have the gold necessary to tell my story beyond my little village. It's definitely a love-hate thing. The beast is repulsive, but I know under the thick callous hull of corporate greed, there still beats a heart that loves real music and artistry. However, like a black widow, the beast would only know about me if I made enough noise in the web. So I decided to do it myself and take the show on the road.
"We're not in Kansas anymore " - Dorothy
I wish this part of the story was as simple as "Ease On Down the Road ", but it's not. It's "Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain." Releasing my own records has been a series of dogfights with musicians, promoters and execs. Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!
But through it all, I've sold records on every continent. My records are played regularly on college and community stations throughout the United States and internationally on internet radio. I've been blessed to have shared the stage with India.Arie, Ashanti, Nivea, Vivian Green, Roy Hargrove, Musiq Soulchild, Donell Jones, Kindred the Family Soul, Tony Rich, Debra Killings and Donnie. I've been even more blessed to have toured U.S. military bases around the world and sing for our brothers and sisters in uniform. I've sang my songs in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greenland, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Djibouti, Qatar, Korea, Okinawa, Guam and Kwajalein.
Growing up I didn't know why trouble loved to Jump On My Back. But now I know why and I know why I Am Inobe. When I mentor young girls at a group home in Atlanta I can share my stories of neglect and assure them they are beautiful when I sing "Sista Sista. " When I meet with soldiers who are risking everything for a cause they're unsure of, I can tell them my stories of being left hanging but assure them they are not forgotten when I sing "Come Home. " When I encounter other artists who are discouraged with the mainstream diet of marginalized talent served over homogenized beats, I can assure them their story has purpose when I sing "Do What You Do. " When I get emails from fans as far away as France, Korea and Russia who say they've been waiting for something positive in today's music, I can assure them the sun also rises when I sing "Front Porch. "
There's one truth I've learned about music; people like your music if they can stretch to identify with it, but they don't fully appreciate it unless your music stretches to identify with them. As for the "happily ever after " part, the story is still unfolding so I guess we should say "and Inobe lived happily every day by day. "
-Inobe
Copyright 2006 Modest Music
Press
Release:
"You can say it's 'Billie Holiday meets funk-jazz,'" says cocoa beauty Inobe of her musical style. "Which everybody always says, because my music has that funk edge to it."
The latest musical diva on Atlanta's "neo-soul" scene has already appeared on "Good Day Atlanta" and played the V103 stage at Music Midtown. She has shared the stage with India.Arie, Nivea, Ashanti, Kindred, Donnie, Roy Hargorve, Musiq Soulchild, Donell Jones and Erykah Badu.
In the past year and a half Inobe has completed 4 USO tours of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Greenland and Asia.
Instead of waiting on a major label to scoop her up, she decided to go the independent route for her albums now in stores.
The St. Petersburg, Fla., native got her start in her grandfather's church, where she wrote her first song. Later, she headed to Atlanta because "at the time, LaFace was here [and] So So Def .... it just seemed like it was blossoming as far as the music industry [went], and it wasn't far from home." Her stage name doesn't stray far either. "It's my name backward," she explains. "My [real] name's Ebonie, and it's like you guys are seeing a reflection of who I am."
These days, Inobe says that her "relationship with the Lord has grown so much" that her sound has taken a new direction, into what she calls "spiritual soul." As for singers she admires, she cites Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan. "I love the emotion that they have when they sing. I can relate to that," she says, "because I'm an emotional singer."
You can download Inobe at www.inobe.com. Please visit her at www.myspace.com/inobe and www.sonicbids.com/inobe.
Everyone who has heard our radio station on the live365 network knows we love music. The best music comes from the independent artists trying to carve their niche in the music industry. If you are an artist, join and share upcoming dates, new releases, and other information with your fans on this community. If you are a fan or someone who enjoys listening to and learning about new great artists, then this site is for you. And don't forget to check our Internet Radio Station for the best music on the WEB: JC Internet Radio Station on Live365
Description: High Energy, Dance, Club Bangers, Smooth
Biography: DJ Smooth4Lyfe Joey Ofori is DJ Smooth4Lyfe, Maryland's up-and-coming DJ hitting fans hard with delicious dance beats and urban flavors that embrace the best of hip-hop and R&B instrumentals. Pumping your car speakers or tearing up the dance floor, DJ Smooth4Lyfe will leave an impression and it's bound to be a good one. His powerfully addictive beats, deep textures and potent melodies all combine to make music that captures your mind and body and has its way with you while you just give in to the ride. Live Music gives DJ Smooth4Lyfe everything he needs to live (outside of air and food and water and such). For DJ Smooth4Lyfe, life means nothing without music. “I would probably be retarded if it wasn't for music,” he jokes. “Music calms me down in every way; it makes me feel relaxed, happy and relieves my stress.” Great music has that gift for all comers and it's this DJ's goal to be a contributor of such escape and entertainment. His pure talent and devotion to music enable him to craft songs that send beats to your brain that hit all the mind's happy sensors. Everywhere According to DJ Smooth4Lyfe, music is a part of the very fabric of existence. It's everywhere and that's exactly why it's an important part of all cultures. And DJ Smooth4Lyfe takes music's universality one step further by making tunes that have such huge appeal for a wide audience. “Music is everywhere. It doesn't have to sound musical to be music. You just have to have a musical ear to hear it.” But while DJ Smooth4Lyfe's music does boast intricate artistry, it also reaches out to every listener with completely accessible music that leaves its effect on all listeners. Every Sound Every sound is a potential inspiration for DJ Smooth4Lyfe. His belief in music's omnipresence allows him to take any sound that inspires him and mold its influence into the next great hip-hop or dance track. “New music artists, new sounds and beats I hear inspire me. Also, any sounds from car alarms to cell phone ring tones help me think of new beats.” Work DJ Smooth4Lyfe has been handed honors a number of times, including track of the day props at www.garageband.com three weeks in a row and top 20 status at American Idol Underground. He is hard at work on new tracks for his upcoming album, “Dance Beats & Club Bangers Vol. III”. DJ Smooth4Lyfe is currently working with A&R Select, the leading independent A&R firm in Hollywood, CA. Review “ 'Fresh' is an overused, tired word but it applies in full force to DJ Smooth4Lyfe.” - A&R Select
Press Release: View my EPK (Electronic Press Release) online: http://www.sonicbids.com/djsmooth4lyfe Joey Ofori a.k.a DJ Smooth4Lyfe is making the beats to keep you moving and grooving all day, everyday !! He has been working with beats for a while because of his passion for music. Joey would not be able to live straight without music, because he listens music everyday, and not just a specific genre but all kinds. Joey produces Dance, Electric, Hip Hop, and R&B music. Many people have reviewed his tracks from other dance producers to dance music fans, and they all enjoyed his music. Even one reviewer who doesn’t really listen to dance music said he enjoyed some of the tracks. Joey plans to have his music heard in clubs and stereos all around the world. Hope you enjoy Joey’s Music DJ Smooth4Lyf‘s CD‘s: http://cdbaby.com/all/smooth4lyfe DJ Smooth4Lyfe Homepage: http://www.soundclick.com/djsmooth4lyfe
