Kwame Binea
New York based Rock/Soul group Kwame Binea Shakedown has recently released a full length album titled "Roots Rock n Universal love". The well written collection of songs is sure to draw you into a body boppin' groove. The songs are fully road tested and they make you want to boogie on the dance floor. There are very catchy music, as well as vocal hooks, that hold your interest as the CD plays through. They had help from musician legend Vernon Reid of Living Colour fame. He not only co-wrote the song "Love Surreal", but also produced the entire CD. As Kwame explains " Vernon is not just a fantastic musician/producer, he is a great person and a lot of fun to be around." I recently asked Kwame some questions about the process of making the new album and about his rising musical career.
R.V.B - Congratulations on your new album release "Roots Rock n Universal Love". It has a good fluent feel and flow to it. The title has a good message. Is this how you wanted to project your vibe to the listener?
K.B. - Thank you, my band and I are very proud of the album it took a long time to get it finish but very happy with it. Yes the title and the overall message on the record is meant to groove and enlighten the listener in a positive way. I believe music should move you as well as make you move.
R.V.B. - Are the original songs relatively new or were some of them road tested and then recorded?
K.B. - The songs on the record are all tunes that have been road tested, its very rare that we record a tune that has just been written. There is something about a tune that has been tried and tested.
R.V.B. - I noticed a solid rock feel to the songs but I can hear other influences as well. Do you try to mix it up?
K.B. - Yes at the heart of my sound is Rock and roll, which in ts core has elements of soul, funk blues ext. My writing partner (Guitarist Justin Wilcox) don't consciously set out to write tunes to fit any particular style, we write music that feels good to us and that typically has rock, soul, funk flavors. My rhythm section (Medley Shabazz- drums and Phil Bass – Bass) who have been playing together for almost 15 years along have a synergy that help set the foundation.
R.V.B. - Who were some of the people who helped out on the Album?
K.B. - The album was a labor of love from my talented band The Shakedown, Adding Vernon Reid was the icing on the cake.
R.V.B. - I understand Vernon Reid produced the record. How did the production process work?. I hear lush horn layers on some tracks, that really bring the songs to life.
K.B. - Yeah working with Vernon was a dream come true, Living Colour had a huge impact on me growing up. Vernon is not just a fantastic musician/ producer, he is a great person and a lot of fun to be around. As to the recording process we wanted to capture what makes us a dynamic act, our live shows. We set up in a big live room and tracked most of the songs live, then over dubbed a few things such as my shakedown horns( Kengo Yamada- sax, Red Varneke- trumpet) to complete the recordings. Yes horns are an important part of the sound, I'm fortunate to have amazing players who create a great wall of lush horn sounds.
R.V.B. - I love the word play in "Love Surreal"... it's very catchy. Do you write the lyrics after the melody is written? How does your writing process work?
K.B. - Love Surreal was written in about 20 minutes during my first writing session with Vernon, the word play came about during a phone convo with Vernon the day before our writing session. He happen to mention Love being Surreal. It sparked the groove in my head and when we got together to write it just poured out. Typically the idea for lyrics comes to me during the configuration of the melody but there are many occasions when the lyrics come before & after the melody. One of the beautiful things about songwriting for me is there is no set process, it comes in different ways.
R.V.B. - Track 10 "Universal Love" has an almost avant garde/jazz feel to it. I love your approach to this song. What's your thoughts on it?
K.B. - Universal Love was a tune that Vernon brought to me, originally written by Jimmy Cliff. I instantly feel in love with the lyrics and message, my rhythm section and members of NYC group Burnt Sugar Arkestra who were brought the avant garde jazzy feel. We wanted to put a modern twist on the classic and with Vernon's guidance and leadership we achieved it.
R.V.B. - How was the CD release party in NYC?
K.B. - The CD Release was held at American Beauty in NYC our home and it was amazing. It was a packed house of family, friends, long time fans and new fans. We played a 2 hour set and at the end audience and band felt like we had run marathon. Lots of sweaty happy people, just the way I like it.
R.V.B. - What kind of personal influences brought you to this place in music?
K.B. - Some of my personal musical influences are Sam Cooke, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, Rolling Stones, James Brown, Led Zeppelin, Robert Johnson, Michael Jackson, Bill Withers, Black Crowes, Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Seal, Living Colour, Prince.
R.V.B. - Did you have formal music lessons?
K.B. - My music training was singing in church as a child, I took some guitar lessons as a teen while singing in school Choirs. Mainly I dove into performing live in clubs and coffee shops during college and had vocal coaches.
R.V.B. - What are some of your favorite live performances up to this point in your career?
K.B. - My favorite live performances have been in NYC, though we have been able to play across the US and Europe nothing like having your name in light at The Apollo and playing to a packed house BK Bowl.
R.V.B. - What are your plans to support the album?
K.B. - The plan is to tour, starting with the Northeast then Mid west and working on a southern and west coast tour as well as heading back to Europe.
Thanks for taking the time to check out my music, love to invite you to a NYC show.
Interview conducted by Robert von Bernewitz
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For more information on Kwame Binea visit his website www.kwamebineashakedown.com
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