September 2005

The summer has gone and we’re in the last quarter of 2005 already. Groove4dayz has been with you for nearly a year and has brought a lot of new friends and music our way. Mamayo has not been gigging much through the summer. We had to cancel our last 2 directly due to the terrorist activities in July and for the same reason, we have had to add a new guitarist. John Robertson is known to some as co-writer and band member of St Jude. He has been a complete life-saver and will bring some much appreciated input to our sound. We already have some Mamayo gigs pencilled now we have a new full-time member ready to play live, it’s been a long, long road……..

During the summer, Miles began working for a short spell with Ms Dynamite whom he played percussion for at the Live8 concert. It was a unique collective experience for all the performers and Ms Dynamite was really well received. Her new album is sounding pretty good and it’s great to see an artist getting some attention despite not following the tired party, sex an’ bling formula. We need more music from people who actually think (and can write a decent tune)..

Miles also played percussion on the new Carleen Anderson album ‘Soul Providence’. It’s definitely funkier than her last 2 releases. The tunes are un-mistakably Carleen, but Mark Edwards and Colin Walker of Orange Room Music have added some modern flavours that fans of her 1st solo album ‘True Spirit' will enjoy.

In the studio at The Nam’ Shed where we do most of our recording, Miles has nearly completed his solo album which is now re-named ‘Evolution’ The list of guest musicians has been increased to include Mike Mainieri of Steps Ahead and Scott Kinsey. Mike and Scott both love the tracks and have agreed to appear, making this album an even more exciting prospect for fans of Fusion.

I will be appearing at the London College of Contemporary Music. They’re having a 'Bass Day' so I’ll be there with Mamayo (Miles & John) on October 29th to play a few songs and talk a little about some of my experiences as a session musician. Contact www.lccm.org.uk for tickets to the event, which includes a clinic with Gary Willis with performances from Laurence Cottle and Ian Thomas amongst other guests.

Skye Edwards ex-lead vocalist in Morecheeba has just finished recording her debut solo album and will be gigging through November with Miles on drums. The album is a very different affair from any Morecheeba album and has a very contemporary sound. The maturity of Skye’s writing comes through and will place her amongst the U.K’s leading female artists of 2006 when her album is released.

That’s it for now, I’ll update you with news of our groove4dayz weblog when it’s ready, in the meantime, those of you who haven’t yet added any words to our Mamayo weblog please check it out and start a thread about any topic you think others may like to comment upon. Miles and I can also answer any questions you may have or just say hi if you want to.

See you at the next bunch of Mamayo dates and love to you all for supporting our efforts….

Yolanda