Check out this nice interview on LA2Day and listen to the special mix that I made for them:
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GREAT NEWS: Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts, remained there for several weeks, and is still riding high. Even better, it cracked the Billboard Top 200, debuting at Number 117.
NEW RELEASES IN 2009:
It's here! EASY STAR'S LONELY HEARTS DUB BAND is in stores, both retail and digital. This reggae re-imagining of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper album features guest vocals from Steel Pulse, Michael Rose, Luciano, U Roy, Bunny Rugs, Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul, Matisyahu, The Mighty Diamonds, Ranking Roger, Max Romeo, Kirsty Rock, Menny More, and Junior Jazz. I had a blast producing this one, and I think that fans of reggae and the Beatles will really appreciate it. Get it here:Link Text Description
NEW RELEASES IN 2008:
EASY STAR ALL-STARS: "UNTIL THAT DAY"
I produced this EP of originals written by members of our touring band. Theses songs are staples of the band's live sets and a great example of the diversity that manifests itself when many different musicians come together as a unit. This EP also includes a bonus dub from the RADIODREAD sessions.
EASY STAR ALL-STARS: "BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE AGAIN"
Yes, it's the Steve Winwood song! I produced and arranged this reggae version for Expansion Team Records' compilation of covers entitled Souvenirs. It features Daddy Lion on vocals.
NEW RELEASES IN 2007:
HATIKVA 6 (self-titled)
I produced this debut album from Israel's leading reggae band. It is out now on Hed Arzi in Israel. They sing in Hebrew and in English, and it features guest appearances by Luciano (featured above) and Elan. The first single "Im Efgosh Et Elohim" has been one of the biggest songs on Israeli radio for the last few months.
COREY HARRIS: "ZION CROSSROADS"
I produced this album for the highly acclaimed blues/roots artist, Corey Harris. It's his first reggae album, and I'm really happy with the way it came out. My homeboy Victor Rice also contributed some bass work and mixed the album with me. It was released on Telarc Records and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. You can order on amazon or telarc.com.
TICKLAH: "TICKLAH VS. VICTOR AXELROD"
I did not produce this one but it was released on my label, Easy Star Records. Many of you know Ticklah from his work in Antibalas and as my co-producer on DUB SIDE OF THE MOON. We have been friends since high school and he also played keys in my R&B band, Special Request and in several incarnations of the Easy Star All-Stars. The album has garnered a lot of critical acclaim.
MICHAEL G BIO:
In a nut shell - born in West Virginia, the son of a rabbi, graduated from Columbia University and started a reggae record label, Easy Star Records with three childhood friends.
Michael has been a staple in the music scene for a while. His bands, The Feds (high school) and Special Request (college) were favorites among the NYC live music crowd. It was with these bands where he honed his skills and opened for several major acts. In 1996, he co-founded EASY STAR RECORDS with three friends, and they have since released nineteen albums and counting.
He has produced, arranged, played, and written on many of Easy Star Records' releases, including EASY STAR VOLUME ONE, EASY STAR VOLUME TWO: DANCEHALL CULTURE, and the wildly successful DUB SIDE OF THE MOON (a reggae version of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon) and RADIODREAD (a reggae version of Radiohead’s OK Computer).
Artists that Michael has worked with include Matisyahu, Steel Pulse, Third World, Luciano, Sugar Minott, Toots & the Maytals, Sister Carol, The Meditations, Ranking Joe, Frankie Paul, Morgan Heritage, Israel Vibration, Horace Andy, Sister Nancy, and Half Pint.
Michael has stopped touring with the ever-popular Easy Star All-Stars, only playing about five shows a year. He is concentrating on studio work, both for Easy Star and for outside projects.
His songs have been featured in television shows on ABC, CBS, FOX, E and in films including the hit film FAILURE TO LAUNCH (2006) starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey, the Woody Allen movie CASSANDRA'S DREAM (2008), and in the independent films HUMBOLDT COUNTY (2008) and GOODBYE SOLO (2009).
