NEWS: (05.19.08)
Eclecto Groove Records is pleased to announce the signing of yet another cutting edge, contemporary musician whose styles are grounded in the essence of the roots of African American music. The Soul of John Black is John “JB” Bigham, an adventurous artist who isn’t afraid to take risks while pursuing his musical vision. JB draws his influences from musical pioneers such as Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jimmy Reed, Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin, Earth Wind & Fire, Prince, Iggy Pop, Bo Diddley, Blind Boy Fuller, Al Green and so many others.
JB’s music is a true testament of the dynamic beauty of music, which he strips down to the core –guitar, instrumental funk, vocals and exposed human emotion all muddled together and spit out in attention grabbing performances wrought with raw and spontaneous power. Bigham’s mastery of the genre and its stylistic range is verified through his amalgamation of wailing, field hollars, Latin rhythm suggestive of the Caribbean sugar plantations, sanctified harmonies, uptown Memphis soul, playful, sexy style, hauntingly, swampy backbeat, and down home grit all polished together with the stroke of studios today.
The Soul of John Black is a name shrouded with an element of darkness and mystery, inspired by the 1976 cult film J.D.’s Revenge. JB declares, “I tend to like artists who lean toward the shadows and walk the edge and wanted my music to reflect that….There’s no one-way to play the blues, it’s just a feeling.” And JB’s music sure has left many with quite an impressionable feeling, earning rave reviews for his freshman and sophomore releases, the eponymous debut album, The Soul of John Black, and The Good Girl Blues from such publications as the Wall Street Journal, Interview, Blender, Billboard and New Yorker magazine. Rolling Stone magazine touts JB’s music as “amazing (the harbinger of)… a whole new brand of soul.”
In addition to rave reviews, JB boasts a mighty impressive resume. He’s written songs for Miles Davis, played percussion with the group, contributed the track “Jilli” to the trumpeter’s last studio album, Amandla, and appeared with Davis on the recently released DVD, Live in Paris, which was recorded at the 10th Annual Paris Jazz Festival. He played with the pioneering rock-funk-ska band Fishbone for eight years and went on to tour as a side man and session player with artists such as Eminem, Dr. Dre, Rosey, Joi, Nikki Costa, Bruce Hornsby, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Garcia and Everlast.
The Soul of John Black is back in the studios currently, recording the debut album on Eclecto Groove Records, with JB driving the machine, self-producing and writing the music. We are thrilled with the rough cuts and are confident that this impending album will further prove the eclectic nature of all roots music, which is contributory to the sole purpose of the formation of Eclecto Groove Records –to bring blues and roots music to the mainstream market. Stay tuned for more information on JB and The Soul of John Black.
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