A brief history:
Back in 1998 Peter Pasqual from Creative Vibes Records in Sydney approached Rick Robertson the saxophonist/composer from internationally acclaimed Sydney acid jazz group DIG with an idea to do a funky jazz record.
DIG had decided to take a break and Rick was looking for a new project. Hed been working with Lex Wilson on the last DIG album and they’d developed a great working relationship hence the partnership was forged. Lex had been producing dance records during the 90's and wanted to work on something that had a bigger live element. The record opened up his ears to the funky jazz scene and the potential production possibilities. Rick and Lex composed and Lex programmed all of the tracks for the first EON album "Spin" in his home studio at Kings Cross in Sydney.
The cream of the local funk and jazz scene were recorded to capture the original Sydney sound.
Twelve months later ten tracks were ready for mixing. Jeremy Allom (Massive Attack and Incognito) was called in as mix engineer and "Spin" was mixed at Creative Vibes Studio and released in 2000 on Creative Vibes Records.
The release of Spin" resulted in healthy record sales, great reviews and a publishing contract with Universal Music. The success of "Spin" guaranteed a live following and a big demand for the EON sound live.
The live band was formed and boasted a formidable core of the funkiest and most accomplished musicians in town. The band played a range of engagements from jazz festivals to dance clubs and performed as a nine piece on the big stage at many events.
The second album from EON "The Great Indoors" (released June 2002) was produced in much the same way as the first apart from Rick having his own studio in which much of the live recording was done and files transferred between the two studios.
Jim Sherringham was also employed to lend his production expertise to the project and his work is evident on many of the tracks. Jeremy Allom again mixed the project. A vocal element was needed and the exquisite Jade MacRae, now a rising star on the local scene, wrote the lyrics and performed them on three of the tracks, Rest Your Mind, Bought and Paidand the very soulful Femme Fatale.
The Great Indoors" was immediately seen as a breakthrough on the Australian music scene and many tracks have since appeared on compilations including, Long Grain, Vibes on a Summers Day, Summer Sojourn, Private Lounge 5, and the Petrol Records release Sydney, The Sex, The City The Music The live band also went from strength to strength playing at Vibes on a Summers Day (Sydney / Perth), the Sydney Festival, Aroma Fest and The Basement.
Tragically Lex Wilson passed away only two months after "The Great Indoors" was released. Rick continued with the project released the album "See the Light".
EON Beats Today:
From the first note to the closing groove, eon worked its way through two sets of extended jams that had the packed out basement up and dancing almost immediately and screaming for more when it was all over. Jasmine Crittenden Drum Media (30.8.05)
EONS GLOBAL GROOVE:
Sydney is an international city which brings together people from all over the world.
The resulting mix of diverse nationalities often results in something entirely new and exciting be it art, theatre, dance or music. Eon Beats Project are a truly international band with members from as far apart as Ghana, Morocco, The United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Norfolk Island.
The music they play is a powerful modern blend of funk and soul and jazz but its also music infused with the beats and rythmns and melodies of a half dozen different musical cultures.
Since their formation by leader and saxophonist Rick Roberston (originally from Norfolk Island) back in 1999 the group have featured an evolving lineup which has finally consolidated into the solid nine piece outfit that exists today.
The most recent addition is vocalist Evelyn Duprai whose Ghanian background mixed with her Australian upbringing brings a dynamic and truly soulful dimension to the group.
With the exotic percussion or Moroccan born Aykho Ahkrif, the keyboard wizardry of Kiwi Gerard Masters and the rock steady beats of Brit Ian Mussington one can appreciate just what a happening United Nations of funk the Eon Beats Project truly is.
The new kid on the block, and Eons youngest member is DJ Huwston (aka Vinyl Jonny). Huwstons huge knowledge of music and the finer arts of djing put the icing on the cake when it comes to the very live sound of the Eon Beats Project. His day job sees him ordering in the latest vinyl from the UK and he is regarded as the "one with the very hot box". Huwston brings his unique turntableism to the band, cutting up acapellas, spoken word, raps and sound effects with the sensibilities of a jazz musician.
With such a talented live outfit and an ever increasing fan base its little wonder that the newly formed BBQ Republic label snapped up Eons latest album About To Blow for release this year. A bubbling and diverse mixture of soul, funk, reggae and jazzy dancefloor grooves its the classic summer album and a culmination of eight very exciting and innovative years for Eon Beats.
