TIM MOTZER

There are few working musicians who have the ability to move in and out of multiple genres while still retaining a sense of their own identity. Tim Motzer is one of the talented few who finds little trouble when it comes to touching on the many different facets of music production. Over the years, this versatile and imaginative Philadelphia-based guitarist, artist, composer, producer and songwriter has kept his musical palate colored with downtempo, Hip-Hop, electronic, nu jazz, nu-rock, and totally improvised sonic experiments and soundscapes. He's long been know for his musical diversity with always an ear on pushing a musical boundry to some next sound. Besides his revered original productions, remix work and live performances, Motzer also devotes much time to his own 1K Recordings label. The label is in a period of growth and recently released tilomoâ€™s Soft Lunch and Secret Voices No Time For Silence. Completing 1Kâ€™s 2007 triple play is the much anticipated June release of Nu Cultures â€“ Butterflies, Zebras and Moonbeams.
Influenced early on by pretty much everything since picking up the guitar at age 11, Motzer continues to explore the edge and listen to everything he can get his hands on. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio, Motzer moved to Philadelphia in 1985 where he studied bebop & improvisation with jazz guitar legends Jimmy Bruno and Pat Martino. Over the years Motzer has worked in collaboration with a who's who of Philadelphia and international artists including poetess Ursula Rucker, King Britt, Sylk130, the French duo Les Nubians, and former Ornette Coleman bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma. Over the last several years Motzer has co-produced (with King Britt) a number of classic remixes for artists including the Ojays, Curtis Mayfield, Chic, George Duke, Everything But The Girl and Plant Life, among others. Motzer along with Britt also contributed scoring to Michael Mann's film MIami Vice.
In 2005, Motzer and King Britt released the truly ambitious and critically acclaimed Ropeadope album King Britt presents: Sister Gertrude Morgan. The album featured compelling re-imaginations of her stunning 1970 gospel/folk album Let's Make A Record and it was featured widely in the worldâ€™s top magazines and media outlets. Overseas, Motzerâ€™s guitar playing collaborations are featured on albums by Burnt Friedman and Jaki Liebezeit (Can) Secret Rhythms 2 and Nine Horses Snow Borne Sorrow (featuring David Sylvian.)
As a solo artist, Motzerâ€™s produced the ambient world vision of Global illage - Sushi Love Sessions, his award winning 1999 Jazzheads - Avant Wot Not sessions, and Nu Cultures - a 1k sampler which featured many of his creative projects 1999-2002. Most recently, Motzer has produced an ambient record of laptop vs. guitar entitled Soft Lunch under his tilomo moniker and the mesmerizing challenge of the Secret Voices project. Entitled No Time For Silence, the Secret Voices CD features international poets + musicians including Ursula Rucker, Rich Medina, Elliot Levin, Kalaf, Enrico Marani and Gloria Justin, among others.
Now back in Philadelphia after an extensive spring 2007 European tour with Ursula Rucker, Motzer now devotes all of his focus and energy towards the release of what just might be his greatest work - Nu Cultures Butterflies, Zebras, and Moonbeams. This double-disc release is a song-based downtempo album featuring collaborations with Ellie Perez and Barry Meehan, among others.
Much more to come. Keep your eyes and ears out for more from this muso.
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NEW RELEASES FEATURING TIM MOTZER:
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NUCULTURES â€“ BUTTERFLIES, ZEBRAS, AND MOONBEAMS (1K)
Not only is it becoming increasingly hard to find an album that runs the gamut of several different musical styles, but all-encompassing double albums are even more of an anomaly in this day and age. But the Philadelphia collective Nucultures is not your average, ordinary band. On their 2007 two-disc set, Butterflies, Zebras, and Moonbeams, the group (which is comprised of lyricist Ellie Perez, guitarist/producer Tim Motzer, and bassist/songwriter Barry Meehan -- all of whom also contribute vocals) issues a true musical potpourri. With a largely laid-back feel throughout and a mixture of electronic and acoustic instruments (additional players lend a hand), many of the songs sung by Perez are equally jazzy and sultry -- and slightly Portishead-esque -- especially such standouts as the album opening "Night Is Beautiful" and "Behind the Moon." But even Nostradamus couldn't predict the group's next move, as they manage to touch upon electro-acoustic-folk ("Think I'm Losing It"), breezy meditations ("Mind Dunes"), and soundscapes ("Amorphous Lake") -- all the while managing not to lose the listener. If it's laid-back but unpredictable pop that is equal parts jazz and trip-hop that you're after, Nucultures' Butterflies, Zebras, and Moonbeams will most definitely not disappoint. -- ALL MUSIC GUIDE Review by Greg Prato

ECHOES TOP 25 AIRPLAY--ESSENTIAL ALBUM OF 2007-JOHN DILIBERTO
TOP 25 on ECHOES - a nationally syndicated radio show hosted by John Diliberto on over 130 radio stations across the United States and streaming on the internet. Sept 2007
www.echoes.org
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itâ€™s a masterpiece that sets up us nicely for the third cometh of Portishead later this year.
STRAIGHT NO CHASER UK

it holds a top spot on my list of phenomenal down-tempo albums of the year.
...a truly sublime aural experience. â€“Ross Solomon -- SLUG MAGAZINE

At times, Butterflies, Zebras and Moonbeams could stand as a testament to the budding mystique of a great Miles Davis masterwork such Kind of Blue. But it exists in a post-Portishead era, encapsulated in its own time and entity. There's that gorgeous block piano chord tinkle on the standout track, "Babylon is Crying (Tigris)." Like a good Davis cut, "Babylon is Crying (Tigris)" fills the room with its ubiquity, changing everything in the room with its seismic wake. -- NIKKI STYLE

Silky smooth but never sleepy, Nucultures have arrived to fill the gap left after Kruder and Dorfmeister failed to follow-up their landmark K & D Sessions. This is unabashed trip-hop, a descendent of Tricky, Morcheeba and, on the more bootilicious bangers, Deee-Lite. Where Nucultures expands on their ancestry is in the bedrock musicality and undeniable melodic grace of this ultra creamy double-disc offering, an endlessly shifting landscape spread over 21 tracks that never drags or falters. Nice. -- JAMBASE

It's a strong outing in the downtempo realm and boasts one of that subgenres more distinctive personalities of late. -- review by Kristofer Upjohn -- RAVES.COM

At times evoking images of Portishead, Postal Service, and even Pink Floyd... Unlike other releases flirting with the trip-hop sound, however, "Butterflies, Zebras, and Moonbeams" transcends existing as sheer ambience, or a hot bedroom soundtrack. Songs like "Head," "Babylon is Crying," and "Think I'm Losing It" all prove the serious chops behind the songwriting talent. -- RIFFIN

available in Philadelphia exclusively at:
AKA MUSIC
27 N 2ND St
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2214
(215) 922-3855
in Cincinnati:
SHAKE IT RECORDS
4156 Hamilton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45223
(513) 591-0123
www.shakeitrecords.com
ORDER NUCULTURES ON-LINE:
Available now at
CDBABY
and
DGM Mail Order
once there-- simply search for 'NUCULTURES'
Available for download at I-tunes, emusic, and other digital sites August 7, 2007.
If you'd like a signed copy of "Butterflies, Zebras, and Moonbeams" --
they are available direct from us -- through this site --
contact us here.
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burnt friedman - first night forever (nonplace) "Veteran producer and master of electronic kraut-funk, Burnt Friedman returns for another solo album after his acclaimed collaboration with David Sylvian, Stina Nordentsam and Arve Henriksson on the Nine Horses project. First Night Forever finds Friedman recruiting a number of vocal contributors, including Australian singer Steve Spacek, Funkstoerung collaborator Enik, Berliner Barbara Panther and Daniel Dodd-Ellis. The productions themselves are the real stars here though, Friedman's multi-layered studio excursions sewing together detailed drum edits, misty horn sections and even the odd burst of strings when needed. musicial support from tim motzer, joseph suchy, jochen rueckert, mandjao fati, hayden chisholm, and many others... =======================================================

nine horses - money for all (samadhisound)
22nd January 2007 will see the release of an extended play cd from David Sylvian, Steve Jansen, and Burnt Friedman's band 'Nine Horses'. It will feature two new tracks, 'Money For All' (the title of the ep), co-written by David and Burnt and 'Get The Hell Out' by Steve and David. The ep will also feature remixes and interpretations by Burnt of 3 tracks from the Nine Horses album 'Snow Borne Sorrow' (The Banality Of Evil, Wonderful World, and Serotonin) and alternative versions of the two new tracks plus the Japanese only released bonus track 'Birds Sing For Their Lives' with Stina Nordenstam... musical contributions by Keith Lowe, Tim Motzer, Joseph Suchy, Hayden Chisholm, Morton Gronvad, and others... =======================================================
miami vice original motion picture soundtrack (atlantic) 2006 OUT NOW!
KING BRITT and TIM MOTZER scored 6 scenes for Michael Mann's MIAMI VICE motion picture starring Jamie Foxx, Colin Ferrel and Gong Li...in theatres now...
the MIAMI VICE original motion picture soundtrack contains two BRITT-MOTZER compositions from the film: a haunting guitar and synth interaction titled Ramblas, and the bluesy cinematic Sister Gertrude Morgan track - New World In My View.
the film is in theatres now. soon on directors cut dvd!
the soundtrack is available everywhere, and at i-tunes. ======================================================= secret voices - no time for silence (1k) 2006 OUT NOW! epic compositions and improvisations from this world collective of poets and musicians--conceived by producers tim motzer and enrico marani (reggio emilia)--colliding ambient, dub, free jazz, classical, and electronics laced with guitar feedback and loops along with the eclectic and sublime poetry of ursula rucker, rich medina, elliott levin (philadelphia), kalaf angelo (lisbon), and adriano englebrecht (rome) with mesmerizing results. musicians elliott levin, tim motzer, enrico marani, barry meehan, jeremy carlstedt, and gloria justen all contribute tremendous musical expression to this momentous dark cinematic vision.
cover paintings by stefano ricci.
mix translation by jeff chestek with tim motzer.
design by benjamin langsfeld at eneone.com
executive producer: tim motzer
SECRET VOICES - NO TIME FOR SILENCE
is available in Philadelphia exclusively at:
AKA MUSIC
27 N 2ND St
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2214
(215) 922-3855
ORDER ON-LINE FROM:
DISCIPLINE GLOBAL MOBILE (DGM)
once there-- simply search for 'SECRET VOICES'
CDBABY
AMAZON.COM
and in the UK from
BURNING SHED
NEW! Download secret voices - no time for silence @ i-tunes
======================================================= tilomo - soft lunch (1k) out now!
"Tim Motzer has made some pretty noisy shit...Ursula Rucker and King Britt's Sister Gertrude Morgan CD-not to mention contributions to David Sylvian's Nine Horses and Jaki Liebezeit's Secret Rhythms. Yet, on this new solo excursion, this Philadelphian finds solace in silence.
Tilomo, Tim Motzer's guitar/laptop solo project, benefits greatly from the sloe-gin-y liquid soul of his work with Britt-you can hear it in the way his fuzzy jazz-foink chords ooze through the title track. But there's a sputter, beep, whoosh and clink to the proceedings that make it happily irksome and decidedly un-neo-soulful. The sawed, strained string samples of "Blue Samari," the thickly blown wind sounds that trace the development of "Embrace" from autumn chill to winter storm, the cheery tinkling of "Chi Moto"-there are eight million moody stories to be told in this ambient jungle."
--A.D. Amorosi (City Paper)

Tilomo's "Soft Lunch" is both jagged and soft, smooth and abrasive. And the sum total is greater than its parts. With the touch of the play button on your CD machine, you are launched into realms beyond moral thought. In this CD, mankind symbolically achieves transcendence. Dark and light, sharp and blunt, smooth and rough - dichotomies merge in a mind-soothing sort of rapture experienced by minds on the fringe. Intelligent and informed by dadaism (at the same time that it seems to be couched in meaning), "Soft Lunch" is an exploration of the beyond, transcendence for the brave.
Four stars-(djfix.com)
Not purely ambient and not purely dance-oriented, guitarist Tim Motzer's latest effort, Tilomo is a project that speaks volumes by stating things subtly. Released on his own 1K imprint [a name that may or may not be paying homage to the undisputable kings of subtle click'n'pop, 12K], "Soft Lunch" sees the man turn it down a notch and still come out miles ahead of the competition. For a man who's been involved with projects such as Nine Horses, Ursula Rucker, Burnt Friedman, Jaki Liebezeit and King Britt, Motzer is one busy individual. Here, he shows off a more docile approach to music, where the details make all the difference in the world. Halfway through "Spellbound", he uses what could pass for pan-flutes to induce moments of tranquil glory, while "Gelid" is heavy on percussion - real and manipulated - that moves the piece along in some interesting directions. When they make an appearance, beats are hushed and delicately strung out. "Chi Moto" features just a tinkering beat that is on high-end of the spectrum and features the mandatory soothing triangle. Closing number "After They've Gone" is a droopy, drooling and float-in-space concoction which features the sounds of slide guitar being tuned in and out. Sounds perfects to keep your mind occupied for the voyage into the nether regions of your own consciousness. (Gazeta)

produced by tim motzer for one k music group
BUY tilomo- soft lunch here:
CDBABY
DISCIPLINE GLOBAL MOBILE (DGM) online mailorder
DGM MAILORDER SHOP
once there-- simply search for 'tilomo'
NEW! Download tilomo - soft lunch @ i-tunes
more info at www.myspace.com/tilomo
=========================================================tim motzer - starship (5-6) is currently available as a download on i-tunes, or in the shops on the album 'this is what radio should sound like' (5-6).
======================================================== nine horses - snow borne sorrow (samadhisound) this album is a global collaboration of david sylvian, steve jansen, burnt friedman, and a world collective of amazing musicians including ryuichi sakamoto, morton gronvad, tim motzer, hayden chisholm, arve henriksen (supersilent), stina nordenstam, keith lowe and others...
"The (London) Guardian's best and worst of 2005 DJ Nick Luscombe selects Snow Borne Sorrow as the best album of 2005. High: The best album was Snowborne Sorrow by Nine Horses. I've been a lifelong fan of David Sylvian, and this album features songwriting and production that is light years ahead of pretty much anyone in popular music. Low: The death of synthesiser pioneer Robert Moog. The past 40 years of music would have sounded completely different without this electronics genius." ======================================================= king britt present sister gertrude morgan (ropeadope)
produced by king britt and tim motzer
check it out on a local listening station near you. top 10 college radio. top 10 on cmj rpm charts. best of 2005 philadelphia inquirer. featured on david dye's world cafe, npr all things considered, and whyy radiotimes. check out the sister!!!! get it at a store near you (tower, borders, etc) or also available at itunes!
APPEARING LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK NEW YORK CITY AS PART OF SUMMERSTAGE ON JULY 28TH featuring King Britt, Tim Motzer, Chuck Treece, Barry Meehan, Jim Lint, and Live visuals by Dan Pothast. 8pm showtime.=================================================== ==== burnt friedman + jaki liebezeit - secret rhythms vol. 2 (nonplace) jan 2006
the ex-CAN drummer jaki liebezeit and sonic scientist burnt friedman team up with a stellar cast of musicians featuring morton gronvad (vibes), tim motzer (guitars)and hayden chisholm (reeds) and vocalist david sylvian. don't miss this record.
All Music Guide
"As the title indicates, it's the second full collaboration between the two performers, or at least the second in the series, following on the first from 2002. Working with a number of other guests, most notably Burnt Friedman's Nine Horses bandmate David Sylvian, the duo create eight tracks which are enjoyable if not always immediately stunning. But the subtlety is actually Secret Rhythms, Vol. 2's strength -- coming here for the second coming of, say, "Halleluwah" is missing the point. Jaki Liebezeit's skill as a hypnotic drummer remains strong, as the deceptively low-key performance on "The Sticks" makes clear -- quick fills and careful shifts between drums and cymbals revolve around the central beat, with Friedman's keyboards ably creating the core textures and melodies which other performers add to. (Special notice should be given to Tim Motzer's acoustic and electric guitar parts throughout.) "Fearer" is another standout, with just a hint of dub echo at points expanding the reach of both Liebezeit's steady beat and Friedman's equally important -- almost relentless -- single piano note. At times the two lead performers almost seem to disappear behind their guests, but the results are often quite intriguing -- thus, on "Niedrige Decken," Liebezeit's drumming is initially barely there, with Hayden Chisholm's clarinet playing lead, until at two minutes in Liebezeit begins a killer groove that transforms the song. Sylvian's guest turn is on a song originally done with Nine Horses, "The Librarian." It's interesting to hear just the first signs of a rougher, older Sylvian starting to surface in his voice, but it works perfectly nonetheless, while Liebezeit's background cymbal fills, treated more as texture than rhythm, are a beautiful touch."
Ned Raggett
The follow up to 'Secret Rhythms', 'Secret Rhythms 2' eschews any fancy appellation adjustment in favour of reacquainting the protagonists Burnt Friedman (Scape) and Jaki Liebezeit for more percussion pressed goodness. Having earned his stripes as Can's drummer, Liebezeit is no stranger to the skins; coaxing a cavalcade of percussive elements into a cohesive whole that doesn't rely on its existence to keep things propelled forwards. Opening with 'Sikkerhed', Friedman and Liebezeit allow a fog of waterlogged atmospherics to slowly breach the almost tribal rhythms, acoustic guitar and lazy horns; leading to a sound highly reminiscent of Friedman's Nu Dub Players (even if it does share a melody with Girls Aloud's last single...), albeit stripped clear of the overt shrugging that characterised their output. Next up is 'The Sticks' (re-recorded here after it's 12 appearance in 2005) wherein cut+sliced acoustica is given a wash of sun-set soundscapes and gradually toughening percussion, before David Sylvain contributes a tobacco stained vocal on 'The Librarian'. Fermented further by the discrete funk-guitar of Tim Motzer, tracks like 'Niedrige Decken' and 'Caracolas' rattle along with a sense of jovial intent that never descends into frippery, whilst the micro-sound creases found on 'Broken Wind Repair Kit' and 'Mikrokasper' suggest Jan Jelinek with the window open. Your new best kept secret...(boomkat) ======================================================= ursula rucker - ma'at mama (k7) philadelphia poetess ursula rucker is back with her third album. With maat mama (named after an ancient egyptian kemetic principle, the foundation of universal order and balance), Ursula shows a new level of maturity in her writing. "maat mama is pure poetry, sensuality and poignant social criticism, uniquely blending hip hop and funk with sparse beats. productions by anthony tidd, tim motzer, rob life and others. Released in the US Feb 07.
Produced mostly by Anthony Tidd, along with some help from past collaborators Tim Motzer and Rob Yancey (all of whom have deep ties to fellow Philadelphians like King Britt and the Roots), Ursula Rucker's third album doesn't have any big names associated with it -- as Supa Sista and Silver or Lead featured 4hero, Louie Vega, and Jazzanova -- but it certainly doesn't suffer for its lack of star power. In fact, it turns out to be a good thing: Tidd and company are allowed to stretch out and provide Rucker with her most varied set of backdrops yet, from muscular funk-rock to spare soul-jazz, with the electronic programming as crucial and effective as the African percussion. The productions are secondary (as they should be) to Rucker, who hasn't lost a step as a poet-MC and covers a wide range of subjects with remarkable precision and depthless passion. Some of the high points: "Miseducated in a class room with no room for art or the truth" ("Children&..39;s Poem"), "Why am I so raw?/'Cause I don't fu*k with protocol or property/I may not be high society but I'm still a f*cking lady" ("Poon Tang Clan"), and "It's a tactic of the regime to lull us into complacency/Into thinking everything's is a'ight/While they fight for crude/Kill and be killed for crude/How Roman Empire/How first world/How crude" ("Rant [Hot in Here]"). And "Libations," with its percussive echoes of the Last Poets' "Niggers Are Scared of Revolution," is partly a recitation of names that weren't scared of revolution, and it's one of the most poignant tracks on the album. Don't be surprised if Rucker's albums keep getting better, as she continues to sharpen her voice and gather more wisdom (and furthermore, it's not as if the issues that concern her have shown any sign of improving). ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide ======================================================= les nubians - echoes chapter one (triloka) featuring poetry and les nubians with live + studio tracks w/ tim motzer, pete kuzma, queen godis, and others ======================================================= late night with king britt - (swank) a mix cd featuring new tracks by ellie perez (la vida) and tilomo/scuba 'love is the answer' as well as sought after plant life remix featuring eliptical guitar work by tim motzer. one of kings best mix cds. ======================================================= king britt - this is (v2) european import - 2 cd features the long lost rose + tim track 'call me' as well as the final recording of grover washington jr. on king britt and tim motzer's 'for love' from sylk 130 remembers.. ======================================================== tim motzer - punctured() this upcoming debut vocal release is long awaited, and just may be a bit longer. look for it in late 2006/2007. fingers crossed. featuring starship. =======================================================
secret noises. 2006 produced by tim motzer and enrico mariani featuring ellie perez, tim motzer dance floor constructs for hope and peace.====================================================== == jazzheads - avant wotnot (1k) 2007 release.
jazzheads, the 1999 philly/nyc nu-jazz/funk band erupted before the entire jamband scene exploded. remastered with additional studio and live tracks. featuring ari hoenig, tim motzer, chris cuzme, ben bocardo, and barry meehan. mixed by brian boland.===================================================== === fractured reverb underground (1k) electronic studio experiments began in 1997, a decade ahead of their time, this music sounds more relevant and of it's time now. this album long out of print, will be available once again. produced by tim motzer and barry meehan. 2007 release. ========================================================++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ more info at www.1krecordings.com
full discography available at www.1krecordings.com/tim.asp
contact tim: [email protected]