The Nonsemble
OK. Listen: SO MANY personal buttons tapped with this one.
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Intensely imaginative blend of musical mediums and box-busting genre jumps [also - a dope MC - well-played]!
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From a Venice, CA Born x Raised [1960's+], former Punk AND a multi-discipline Hip Hop head who ALSO has a 'thing' about Jazz and Jazz-related art, passed down through my family.
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I just had a quick sprint through this before putting my moolah where my mind is.
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Fave Track - TBD.
Drummer Gary Novak's influence came from his parents. His mother, pianist Carol Novak, played with her trio at the London House. His father, Larry Novak, the famous Chicago pianist, not only encouraged the career of his son but also put him to work. His credits read like a who’s who - from George Benson to Alanis Morrissette, from Lee Ritenopur to Alan Holdsworth.
Keyboardist and producer Scott Kinsey is a world-class improviser and music conceptualist. Widely known as one of the most capable jazz synthesists of his generation, Kinsey’s unique and original sounds continue to rapidly evolve. Scott has been privileged to work with many of the world’s great musicians, a growing list which speaks volumes.
Bassist Tim Lefebvre has amassed a reputation for being one of the world’s most innovative bassists. The Foxboro-native’s creative playing style is an addictive blend of jazz improvisation, rock undertones, and electronic grooves that can be heard on his appearances on over 150 recordings, ranging from Grammy award-winning albums such as David Bowie’s Blackstar to the soundtracks of classic films such as The Departed. From 2013 to 2018, Lefebvre was the bassist of the dynamic blues rock ensemble Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Ego Mondo is a group effort of these three seasoned and spirited musicians from various roots and influence. Gary Novak, Tim Lefebvre and Scott Kinsey started a weekly gathering to record improvised music. After a few sessions an identity appeared that carried a wide spectrum of influence from early hip hop, punk, EDM and jazz. The addition of Featured Guest vocalist Kokayi brought the perfect element of intellect, intrigue and content to the band. Other guest performances by Jason Lindner, Mike Landau, Rachel Eckroth and Troy Zeigler
Ego Mondo is set to release End Of Daze on November 15, 2019. It takes about three seconds to get excited about the music; the opening track is fraught with anticipation and nervous, joyful energy as Kokayi channels some sort of supernatural energy. End Of Daze then proceeds to cover a lot of ground in seven tracks; eerie landscapes behind powerful haunting vocals, subterranean longing vocals from special guest Rachel Eckroth, humorous party vibes, and cutting social commentary. All with the feel that this is 100% Ego Mondo.
credits
released November 15, 2019
GARY NOVAK // drums, percussion, programming, vocals
TIM LEFEBVRE // electric bass, effects, vocals
SCOTT KINSEY // keyboards, programming, vocals
KOKAYI // vocals
MICHAEL LANDAU // guitar
JASON LINDNER // keyboards
RACHEL ECKROTH // keyboards, vocals
ALAN HERTZ // vocals
TROY ZIEGLER // DJ
Tracked and Mastered by Scott Kinsey at Wishbone Recording, Encino, CA
Overdubs recorded by Gary Novak at Kronos Recording, Burbank, CA
Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 mixed by Alan Hertz
Tracks 3 & 7 mixed by Alan Hertz & Gary Novak
Tracks 2, 3, 4 & 7 produced by Gary Novak & Tim Lefebvre
Track 5 produced by Gary Novak & Scott Kinsey
Assistant Engineer: Eric Issacson
Psychedelic Jazz Rap with extra kitchen sink! This is audio bliss! The album is live and energized! Easily one of the more fun experimental bands I've heard in a while. VUKARI
A story of sadness, confusion, and despair ending in hope and certainty that the cosmos is not a random and meaningless jumble of atoms populated by mindless mechanical men, but a world of meaning, beauty, and truth. Emotions and the heart are not everything, but they are an essential part of being human. ianjworsomething
The Funky Knuckles have come out with their Senior Album bringing their tasty improvisations to a new plateau! Everybody brought in amazing results but special shoutout to Wes who put out some of the finest bass work on this album! Props to the whole band on a mouth watering closing on the Bombastic Groovy Acid Fusion Suite Digital Compromise where I had my face melted and sold to the finest chef for how thoroughly cured it was by this album. Second fave is Stormcrow. Dylan Slattery