Member Since: 5/31/2006
Band Website: http://www.myspace.com/cantinamusician
Band Members: Larry: Compositions, guitars, bass, background synthesizers, sound effects, production. Featured Musicians: Otmaro Ruiz: moog synthesizer, Fender Rhodes comping. Paul Goldberg: drums & percussion. Jimbo Ross: 5 string viola. Steve Tavaglione on tenor saxophone. Paul Grace on drums/percussion, background vocals, and production where noted. Les Lake on lead vocals, background vocals, and production where noted. Jeff Chapman on midi keyboards and synth solo on Akajazzo. Nancy Lake on background vocals on 'The Fence.' Songs 'Akajazzo,' and 'The Fence,' Music by: Contreras, lyrics by: Grace/Lake.
Influences: All musical styles. Thanks to Digidesign, Sonor, Roland, and Mac/PC computers for allowing me to turn these demo songs into a reality, and within the comfort of my home digital studio.
Sounds Like: Composition notes of the featured tune "FLYING" from the composer Larry: 'Flying' took me a little over 1 year to compose. I wanted a tune that was in the earlier jazz fusion styles that I grew up listening to while in my early teens: The early Return To Forever recordings with Bill Connors on guitar, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra with Jan Hammer ..boards, are, in my opinion, the two most influential jazz fusion bands that laid the foundation for all of the later composers to build on, and to take it to the next level. From the first time I put my pencil onto manuscript paper, and with the help of my old Roland W-30 keyboard workstation, I thought about featuring fiery unison lines between the distorted guitar, Mini Moog, and tenor saxophone. That soon changed when I decided to omit the sax, and add the violin instead. But later, I called on a longtime friend, Jimbo Ross, and he told me of his 5 string viola, and how it could hit the higher register similar to that of the conventional violin. Once I had the instruments finalized, I went to work. I put my first ideas into my workstation, and once I was happy with the results, I then committed the final notes to paper. The dynamics of this tune begins quietly, and features Jimbo Ross on a haunting viola solo. At approx. 2:04 into the song, the snap of Paul Goldberg's snare drum launches 'Flying' into high-gear, and never lets up until after Otmaro Ruiz' burnin' synth solo (5:03)
There is some dynamic rest, and finally the tune continues to build in volume until the conclusion. I chose not to end in the primary key of E minor, and I was satisfied with the results that you will hear. Thanks to Jimbo, Otmaro, and Paul, for their input, and ideas. And thanks to the the guys for improving my typing skills, and putting up with my trivial emails!...:-D.-Larry-
Composition notes on the tune, "SIMPLE SAMBA." I wrote out the basic changes to this tune within one hour. I was influenced by the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim on this tune, but that's where the influence ended. Again, I chose a more modern ensemble of L.A.'s finest players, and decided on a Mini-Moog type of solo. The string pad overdub was completely improvised by Otmaro Ruiz in just two takes, w/ a few overdubs. Musicians are: Larry Contreras- guitars/ electric bass, midi drum enhancements. Otmaro Ruiz-Fender Rhodes, Mini-Moog lead soloing, and Roland W-30 string pad. Grammy award winning percussionist Ray Armando-Snare drum, hi-hat, cymbals, congas,
shaker, and maraccas. 'AKAJAZZO.' Music:Contreras-Lyrics:Paul Grace/Les Lake. Akajazzo was recorded way back in 1991, so some of the sounds are 'dated,' but the song still rocks. Features Larry on guitar/bass, midi-brass-stabs, Jeff Chapman on midi-Rhodes, Les Lake on lead/background vocals, Paul Grace on drums/percussion, and background vocals. The tune was inspired by Jeff Beck's 'Freeway Jam.' Once again, thanks to all the musicians for their input and contributions. "THE FENCE' features Larry on guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, guitars. Les Lake on lead vocal, and background vocals. Paul Grace on drums, background vocals, and percussion. Nancy Lake on background vocals. Guest artist: Steve Tavaglione on tenor saxophone. Music by: Larry Contreras. Lyrics by Paul Grace/Les Lake. Produced by Larry Contreras. Co-production by Paul Grace, and Les Lake.
Record Label: Indie
Type of Label: Indie