Exchange Bureau

Detroit-based collective EXCHANGE BUREAU is poised to step loudly onto the international scene with a unique and masterful fusion of sample-heavy funk, soul and electronic music perfect for the dance floor or lounging. The upcoming remix “Spookie Dookie - EXB Meets John Arnold” has already found its way into the hands of heavy-hitters like Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, and Mark de Clive-Lowe well before its scheduled release on London’s Third Ear (on the Detroit Beatdown Volume Two compilation) in Spring 2008. With a dynamic and versatile core group of fi ve members (El-Mahdi Obeid-keys & vocals, Josh Crilley-drums, Mike Leonard-guitar, Paul Katcher-synth & samples, Omar Taji-keys) and help from a roster of Agents, EXB leads the way with a fresh sound that stands to change the face of ever-evolving dance music. EXB cites diverse influences, from the atmospherics of Pink Floyd and Kraftwerk, the live energy of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, to the evolution of the bridge between Detroit’s soul and techno sounds. On record, the spirit and energy translate from beginning to end, but EXB are musicians with plenty of miles on their road cases, and the group thrive in the live experience, too. “Our perfect show is a sweaty, hot, packed house party, culminating with an open dialogue between the band and crowd,” they say. “Our sound is based around recording and manipulating improvisation to create songs that don’t sound too polished, retaining the raw elements in the tracks, while contrasting them with an enhanced sound scape,” EXB elaborate on their unorthodox writing process. “Recording and producing in-house gives us full control of balancing spontaneity and meticulous songwriting together. It also allowed us to record more than 100 hours of archived material that we are constantly developing.” Impossible to categorize, yet incredible to experience, EXCHANGE BUREAU unites the past with the future, paying homage to the splendid and diverse musical history of Detroit while incorporating an original and modern identity. Releases: Via Air Mail-Red Eye Flight - LP - ExchangeBureauMusic (Detroit) (Nov. ‘06) “Spookie Dookie/Everybodymakeyobodymove” – 12”(Promotional White Label) – ExchangeBureauMusic (Detroit) (Mar. ‘07) Detroit Beatdown (Volume 2) – Exchange Bureau Meets John Arnold – “Spookie Dookie” – Third Ear (London) (Spring '08) Members: El-Mahdi Obeid (keys/vocals) Josh Crilley (drums) Mike Leonard (guitar/vocals) Paul Katcher (samples/electronics) Omar Taji (keys) Contact: [email protected]
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