In 2022, I started work on arrangements for a new Instrumental Afrofunk Septet, but the project morphed into something a bit different. I still had these arrangements hanging around, so I decided to clean them up and release them. The album includes three original compositions and five cover songs.
I hope you enjoy them!
Playing keys and bass, helping mix and produce, and hangin around in the great vibes of Electric Larryland, for the local group The Geminis – happy to share in their first single, “Kentucky Gone / Monkey“.
Red Spot Rhythm Section brings you a two-sided single of broken-hearted soul, in these renditions of hits from 1980s Britain, featuring Claire Liparulo and Erthe St. James.
The tracks have appeared on KPCR, KCBP, WLUW, WNUR, WHCM, CHIRP Radio Chicago, Southern FM (Melbourne, AUS), and syndicated shows such as This Is Ska among others.
Cover art by Shannon Belock.
Released May 6, 2022.
Red Spot Rhythm Section presents “Won’t Back Down”, a loving tribute to the music of Tom Petty. The Chicago musical collective and rhythm section has re-imagined hits and deeper tracks from every era of this beloved American musical great, rendering them in roots rock, reggae, and ska arrangements. The album features immense vocal talent and teems with groove, heart, and, of course, incredible songs.
The album features the talents of Akasha, JC Brooks, Todd Kessler, Angela Peel, Jaik Willis, and more.
It has received airplay on WBEZ, WNUR, WLUW, WCGO, CHIRP Radio, KPCR, and KCBP, as well as syndicated shows such as This Is Ska and The Music Authority, among others.
Released August 6, 2021
In March of 2020, the Red Spot Rhythm Section went into the studio to begin recording a new two-song single, but unfortunately the studio’s doors had to close – along with most businesses – before the end of the month. Undaunted, the group continued to work with the engineer and guest artists remotely, while recording additional parts at their home.
The single debuted on The Deli Magazine, and has been featured on Alternate Root, WLUW radio, CHIRP radio, WZRD radio, and WCGO radio.
The single features the guest talents of Shane Jonas (Akasha, Lowdown Brass Band) on vocals, Mike Bruno (Spare Parts) on drums, and Michael Bizar (AJ Croce) on lead guitar.
Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Percussion – Red Spot Rhythm Section
Vocals – Shane Jonas
Lead Guitar – Michael Bizar
Drums – Mike Bruno
Engineer – Doug Bistrow
Master – Rollin Weary
Cover Art – Shannon Belock
Words & Music by Red Spot Rhythm Section
Produced by Red Spot Rhythm Section
I created this soundtrack for the Solar Shrine fundraising video to support their architectural installation planned for Burning Man 2020.
The Solar Shrine is a large-scale Afrofuturistic art installation for Burning Man 2020 that is inspired by the architecture and art of the Ancient Egyptian and Nubian cultures. It’s a holistic space of healing, spirituality, and wonder designed to help connect people of all cultures in the present to their pasts and futures together. The Solar Shrine is positioned precisely so as the Sun rises in the East, it illuminates the solar discs on the tower and the solar barque inside the shrine, connecting us with the cosmos and the energy of our Earth. This is a sacred space, a refuge, a place for sharing art, music, healing, and ideas. It is a space for people of all cultures and backgrounds to commune and express their histories, experiences, and visions of what lies ahead.
To donate and find out more information: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-solar-shrine-community-arts-project
Win For Losing is a protest song EP recorded at Audio Bistro, with some guest performers from around the Chicago reggae scene.
The EP contains a Nyabinghi mix and a dub mix by Cale Wilcox.
The tune features Ted Sirota on drums, Chris Paquette on percussion, Shap on saxes, Andrew Zelm on trombone, and Robert Hubbard Alonzo on trumpet.
The song has been appeared on CHIRP Radio Chicago and was featured on the Reggae Vibes show on WLUW FM.
Worry: Songs of Homan Freed is a collection of songs and journals recently discovered from a future broadcast leaked back in time. The Red Spot Rhythm Section, along with some special guests, have recreated these temporally homeless songs in this brief retrospective.
The Opposition Party is a project I cofounded along with Jason Kaulas, Michael Weimann, and Bryan Resendiz, which has grown over the years to include 10 musicians. The Opposition Party delivers vintage afrofunk sounds with energy and fidelity driven by 4 horns, multiple percussionists, and a tight, grooving rhythm section. Acclaimed vocalist Mark Ford leads the show.
The Morphtet is a piano trio based around the concepts of acoustic interaction and melding barrlehouse with polyrhythms.
