black i profile picture

black i

About Me


Layout Created at KillerKiwi.net
..<"FOR YOU" is their debut release from PWI ENTERTAINMENT, ...OMAR himself shares an uptempo w/Brown on "family affair"; Grammy-nominated trumpeter Russell Gunn(who also tours with C-Lo) rips on two songs, as well as a catchy co-write and backing vocals by Philadelphia's own R&B royalty Kenny Whitehead.><"BLACK  i  is our way to express our love of just performing", says bassist Michael Griot, "through our instruments and our lyrics".>FACTOIDS: ERIC BROWNFamily of musicians: dad-singer…..mom: singer/piano…brothers: drums and bass….raised in a neighborhood of musicians…regular rehearsals of local bands in the garage!Started on drums at age 7, jamming w/brothers……added piano at 16, playing both drums and piano in church…occasionally sung in church and directed choir…started writing music at 17.ERIC BROWN has had the pleasure of working with: EDWIN HAWKINS SPEARHEAD DWAYNE WIGGINS(TONI TONY TONE) COMMON OMAR JULIE DEXTER MICHELE SHOCKED ALLISON CROCKETT MAURICE WHITEFACTOIDS: MICHAEL GRIOTRaised in Northern, NJ…Started on classical cello at age 7…quickly gained skill through recitals, orchestra, and private lessons….mother was a strong recreational singer and music oficianado: everything from classic r&b to Broadway showtunes were heard in the household…father was a fan of the blues and jazz, and an all-around supportive spirit…..started electric bass at age 13; immediately began organizing other neighborhood and church musicians into bands, and having rehearsals in his basement on occasion……placed 7th chair All-North Jersey in cello that year….started r&b cover band at age 14, playing localtalent shows and competitions in Orange, NJ….added trombone and tuba at 15 while captain of marching and stage bands….graduated from high school “Most Musically Inclined”….got songwriting tips/mentoring in Philly from the late Harold Melvin…MICHAEL GRIOT has had the pleasure of working with: COMMON OMAR QUEEN LATIFAH RUSSELL GUNN LAURYN HILL JULIE DEXTER GURU’S JAZZMATAZZ N’DEA DAVENPORT CARTER BEAUFORD(Dave Mathews)

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 22/11/2005
Band Website: www.blackimusic.com
Band Members: ERIC BROWN lead&backing vocals, drums, keys MICHAEL GRIOT backing vocals, 5-string electric and upright basses, keys, gtrTOUR BAND: TEDDYCROCKETT guitar CHRIS FISCHER keys/samples
Influences: .. width="425" height="350" ..
Sounds Like:

..
Record Label: PWI ENTERTAINMENT
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

OMAR TALKS ABOUT BLACK i STUDIO COLLABO w/SOUL JONES

OMAR & BLACK I FAMILY AFFAIR IN SESH! UK LEGEND OMARS ON THE BLOWER WITH SJP HQ. YOU MUST KNOW WHO OMAR IS & HIS BIGGEST UK HIT STARTS WITH B...
Posted by on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:40:00 GMT

DEMONOID.COM REVIEW: Family Affair  Black I Feat. Omar

Expansion Records (in conjunction with Dan Dodds/Soul Jones of underground-soul.com) present a showcase of extraordinary independent soul from New York City. The album focuses primarily on new arti...
Posted by on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:11:00 GMT

WE NEED YOUR HELP


Posted by on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:19:00 GMT

Soultracks.com Review...

Singer, songwriter and drummer Eric Brown was birthed into a family full of musicians. Both parents were vocally inclined while Eric's brothers played the drums and bass. At the age of 7, Eric began r...
Posted by on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:53:00 GMT

WWW.SOULSITE.DE (germany) -- FEB 2007 REVIEW (english translation)

"This Is Serious!" Huge grooves & beats (and quality interludes) melt together... as only they can blossom in New York City. Heavy bass lines prance majestically in an easy trotting rhythm -- then add...
Posted by on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:27:00 GMT

SOUL BROTHER RECORDS UK -- FEB 2007 REVIEW

NY band make a very interesting album that includes Teddy Crockett (Alison's brother), and Russell Gunn with Omar and Kenny Whitehead on vocals. 'Please U' , 'For You' are big beat mid tempo funky gro...
Posted by on Sat, 17 Feb 2007 22:28:00 GMT

WWW.SOULSITE.DE -- REVIEW (in German)...FEB 2007

This Is Serious!" Heavy Grooves & Beaz (und feingliedrige Intermezzi) wie sie so nur in New York City verschmelzen und gedeihen können. Tonnenschwere Bass-Trümpfe schleppen sich majestätisch und in le...
Posted by on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 18:50:00 GMT

DUSTY GROOVE REVIEW...FEB 2007

Snapping drums, heavy bass, but both used in a really warmly-wrapped approach to soul music! The album's an extremely fresh debut from Black I -- done in a style that's got a richly organic approach o...
Posted by on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:30:00 GMT

Black i ROCKS the CANAL ROOM/NYC opening for OMAR!!

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 25th, 2006 will be remembered by many for a long time to come. In front of a PACKED house, the soulful sound of ERIC BROWN & MICHAEL GRIOT provided the perfect appetizer for the fier...
Posted by on Sat, 28 Oct 2006 17:37:00 GMT

LIFE&SOUL UK pre-release REVIEW(2006)!!! (read more...)

This arrived before my holiday and got repeat plays on my journey, taken me a while to get back to the review for which I apoligise- but theres only me!I have sensed quite a bit of Drum and Bass influ...
Posted by on Tue, 16 May 2006 22:15:00 GMT