Vancouver based Dirty Bottom is a collaboration of reggae, jazz and soul, born out of the diverse musical backgrounds (and widespread geographic histories) of Langston' Bella Coola Reggae' Raymond, Brennan 'Vancouver Jazz' Saul and Shawn 'Toronto Soul' Hall.The trio names Al Green, Massive Attack, Sly Stone and the Meters as major influences. Langston Raymond includes '70s musicals on his list (his favourite being 'All That Jazz'), Shawn Hall lists the entire Stax label catalogue and Brennan Saul—the only band member without an alias—cites jazz drummers Mel Lewis, Gene Krupa and Stevie Wonder as inspirations..This diversity is the backbone of their unique sound. Shawn Hall is a Peace Corps kid who grew up in Toronto. The multiculturalism of his neighbourhood exposed him to a wide range of world and ethnic music..Langston Raymond was born in Jamaica and raised in the tiny BC coastal valley of Bella Coola. Even in the wilds of BC, Langston grew up on diet of reggae..Brennan Saul attended North Texas State and graduated with a diploma in Jazz Studies. After graduation, he toured Asia and North America with several jazz combos before forming Dirty Bottom with Hall and Raymond..The self titled 'Dirty Bottom' studio album dropped in October of 2007. The album immediately met with fantastic reviews across the board. From Victoria to New York, critics were raving. A tour to promote the album took the band all over Western Canada where their energetic live shows filled dance floors in every venue.Latest news and touring info: Dirty Bottom will be a showcased performance at the world-renowned New Music West festival in Vancouver in the Spring of 2008. The band is currently fielding offers from festivals all over North America and will be updating their 2008 tour schedule as dates are confirmed..Guest artists on the album and during live performances include:.Poet Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm - lyric contributions.
Kilo Cee - DJ, Scratching, Strange sounds.
Serwan Yamolky - Oud (Middle Eastern Guitar).
Chad Makela - Baritone sax.
Edan Armstrong - Percussion.
Mike Ackhurst – Vocals, animated lyrics and stage antics.
Bianca Carli – Vocals, suggestive themes and performance art.
Laura Crema - Vocals, smoky stage-presence and jazz diva 'oomph'.What the critics are saying:."Funky fusion heads digging on albums such as Guru's Jazzmatazz would do well to check out this mega-smooth, super-tight and tasty local crew. Shawn Hall, Langston Raymond and Brennon Saul lay down dynamite grooves while an assortment of singers, players and MC/DJ Kilo-Cee layer on the love for songs such as the Middle Eastern tinged "Feel" or spliffed-out "Beep-Beep." With no shortage of ideas, textures and styles, it just kills live." - Stuart Derdeyn – Vancouver Province."Vancouver band Dirty Bottom are working on their Bachelor's of funk, soon to be graduating with honours. Big, fat basslines and fluid, rolling beats make up the backbone of their incredibly tight, danceable, sexy sound. These guys are insanely funky.The album plays like a live recording, but with impeccable levels and a few nice effects chucked in over the jam. It's raw, but it's not rough; smooth—with a capital "smoo. When you see them live, expect to dance—this is not chair music, it's dirty funk full of bottom-shaking grooves." —Matt J. Simmons – Monday Magazine.The vibe is like King Tubby meets Blue Note at an East-Vancouver BBQ with celebrity chef James Brown. A template of call and response playfulness embodies their live show. - Global Rhythm Magazine.Dirty Bottom is also available for weddings, bat-mitzvahs and funerals..
View Dirty Bottom's EPKAlbum Available in Toronto @
Criminal Records 493 Queen Street West
Slinky Music 442 Queen Street West
Sonic Boom 512 Bloor Street West
Soundscapes 572 College Street
Album Available in Vancouver@
Neptune Records Main St
Zulu Records 4th Ave"Inside" Live Clip from the Hennessey
Lovin'Stew Live@ Hennessey
View Dirty Bottom's EPKFirst Dirty Radio Interview
