Aram has a huge wealth of experience in the worlds of jazz and funk, which he has used brilliantly in his new single EDT (Envie de Toi), released May 19th (iTunes, Amazon, Qobuz). The track takes his jazz influences and puts them in a funk / disco context giving the track popular potential beyond its appeal to 70s soul connoisseurs. In has the feeling of a Chic comeback track, a Bruno Mars disco revival number of even of a latter day Michael Jackson. Half way through, however, we get a taste of Aram’s jazz background with a hefty Rhodes solo played by Jason Rebello. It’s a solo reminiscent of Roy Ayers on the vibes or a George Benson guitar solo on one of his funkier numbers.
The rest of You and I follows similar themes whilst trying to stretch them in different directions. Very much a concept album: all music is heavily influenced by Stevie Wonder, even down to the artwork by Cyril Obadia used for the album. Tracks like ‘Stronger’ and ‘Stuck on You’ follow the soul disco revival route featuring some brilliant vocals and irresistible solos on each. ‘In the Air’ and ‘You and I’ slow the pace down and move closer to a soul ballad in the mould of Earth, Wind and Fire or even Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. ‘In the Air’ features beautiful vocals from Amy Keys and from cult American hip-hop artist Rootwords. ‘In the Air’ is particularly close to Aram’s heart as it was written for his wife who was suffering from breast cancer at the time.
There is a great feeling of fun and spontaneity in the album, which reflects the way it was made and thought up in the first place. It wasn’t originally planned at all. Aram and his band were on tour in the UK (London in fact) and had a gig cancelled so, realising he was still paying them, decided they might as well have some fun and make an album! Not all jazz quintets are this productive. They decided to make music which they loved but didn’t always get a chance to play: funk, soul, Motown, Stevie Wonder, which you will find on the bonus tracks of the album; material Aram had played with Phil Collins before and not had the chance to make himself. The full album did, however, take over a year to complete in recording studios all over the world, from New York to Switzerland, ensuring only the very best musicians were to be featured that fit the style of music that Aram wanted to create.
Get the album on iTunes, Amazon, Qobuz or any other digital platform.
Engineered and mixed by Yvan Bing at Kitchen Studio, Geneva
Location recordings by Yvan Bing, London and Geneva
Mastered by Mazen Murad at Metropolis, London
Produced by John Aram
(C) and (P) 2014 John Aram
Artwork and illustrations by Cyril Obadia
Have a look at Cyril Obadia’s illustrations here : Gallery
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1. EDT (Envie de Toi)
2. Stronger
3. In the Air
4. Stuck on You
5. Family
6. You and I
7. EDT (Remix Stéphane Chapelle)
8. Overjoyed (Bonus Track)
9. Just Good Friends (Bonus Track)
10. Too High (Bonus Track)
11. Superwoman (Bonus Track)
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[accordion title=”Digipack tracklist”]
1. EDT (Envie de Toi)
2. Stronger
3. In the Air
4. Stuck on You
5. Family
6. You and I
7. EDT (Remix Stéphane Chapelle)
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