What is at the 'Top Of My Brain'?

Top Of My Brain, talks about the state of affairs in this day and age. I talk about the economy and how people need to understand that this whole meltdown is just a phase...That after every storm there IS light! The song brushes upon my best friend being in the service, based in Korea (while I, myself am in Amsterdam) and trying to make the best of these tough times.

The work directly encourages listeners to "be proactive, NOT procras-then-hate", and how they need to be grateful for what they DO have left. Even if it means just waking up in the morning!

This is all under a more general concept of what is on the 'Top Of My Brain', (referring to the cerebrums of listeners). Also, my own at times!!

It is a very uptempo song for the clubs, definitely a winner as far as being commercial goes. I can easily say it is comparable to a message and musicality that Janelle Monae might put out.

Top Of My Brain is a very diverse song. I almost didn't recognize my own song at first...hahaha. Nonetheless, it is a vocal 4-minute song, full of color and soul. The instrumental is mixed of Urban Electronica, Techno and R&B sounds. I even get a my voice "TrAnSfOrMeRed-out" (wink) towards the end of the track to make a protruding statement.

The instrumental is a very playful yet intricately-made beat and melody by a producer I was introduced to a few months ago at an Amsterdam club. The audio mastermind is named Humphrey "Prince Of Beatz" Themen. A polished young chap, (like myself :P) however, of Suriname roots. He is HIGHLY versatile in that he can create a story with almost any genre of music. He has a Euro-American sensibility with regards to music, is very rhythmic and attended SAE school of Audio Arts and Engineering. This brotha is definitely easy to work with, knows what he is doing and is simply FAYA. The Prince has taken my sound to a brand new level.

'Top Of My Brain' is a journey inspired and TRULY produced by Humphrey, The Prince Of Beats himself... Lyrics are all my own along with vocal rhythms, harmonies and arrangements.

'Top Of My Brain' is due to release as an EP track on a greater Dutch project sometime in in the early summer 2009. This song can also be found on my up and coming album 'Stay Tuned'.

Dispose Of Me and The Sequel

Today, I am proud to have recorded part two to 'Dispose Of Me' a special featured song on my Stay Tuned Album. The sequel is called 'Ventilation' produced by Jermaine 'Funktional J' Pinas in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Before I get into details about my sequel, I will give you a background on the original concept.

Originally, 'Dispose Of Me' was a collaborative effort between Nelson&Djosa and myself. Interestingly, I have never had direct contact with the Rotterdam musical duo. However, they do know who I am and that I have laid vocals and my own melody on their track and love it! The track was introduced to me by two gentlemen, Henk Wielzen and Noah over a year ago. Dispose is a chill Brazilian-influenced mid-tempo song which is lead by Drum and Bass instruments. It is NOT D&B music however, falls with under Bass Culture and contains a Latin Jazz twist.

'Ventilation' is versitile and has both an American and Latin-American sensibility to it! What inspired the Part 2? It is my first time ever feeling like a song was incomplete so I actually already had the lyrics for Ventilation. I simply sat on the lyrics up until now!

It is a story about me feeling betrayed by a friend (YES, here in Holland)...someone I thought really cared about my best interest. It turned out the individual didn't care and was only interested in his own agenda. It FUCKED me up and I just couldn't about a year! I won't name names but the day will come...

So, now I get to bring ACTUAL closure to this chapter of my life. In this 3-minute track, Funktional and I have compacted elements of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul and Latin-style vocals combined with very Pop yet, timeless texts.

Check it out on www.myspace.com/jahofyork

Bless,
JahOfYork

JahOfYork in the 'Four' Feature Film

I am proud to announce that the Trailer to a special feature film project called 'Four' is now online. Written/Directed by Chicagoan, Patrick Wimp, FOUR is an intricate story of various life-troubled characters in yes, four very contrasting cities, Amsterdam being one!

PREMIERE OF 'FOUR' THE MOVIE (FEATURING JAHofYORK)
Wed, June 10th
Doors Open - 7:00 PM
Program starts - 7:30 PM
Ends - 9:00 PM
Admission: $5.00

The Venue/address:
Musicbox Theatre
3733 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL

I invite you all to view the trailer:

http://fourthemotionpicture.com/trailer.htm

Enjoy!!

Me, going for the Directors-look...even though I'm no director...lol!

You're invited to THE reception of 2009 @ Melkweg Gallery, Amsterdam June 4th

Save the date!

"The JUMP Project Exhibition" showcasing at the Melkweg Galerie in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (featuring ME, JahOfYork!!)

Reception party: June 4th, 2009 (4-6PM) - Meet mastermind, Photographer and Visualist, Leyla T. Rosario and I in person. Catch me in mid-air starting June 5th.

Exhibition dates: June 5th - July 5th, 2009

Melkweg Galerie
Lijnbaansgracht 234a
1017 Amsterdam Netherlands
Entrance is via cafe Marnixstraat 409

Hours of operation: Wednesday-Sunday, 13:00-20:00

Phone: +31 (0)20 531 8181
Website: www.melkweg.nl

About The JUMP Project:

"The JUMP Project is a travel/portraiture series in which Leyla Tatiana Rosario utilizes her camera to represent individuals expressing a high level of energy, happiness, strength, grace, and/or agility within their environment. The intention is to build an atmospheric visual record that will connect the viewer with subjects of various ethnicities and professions from urban to remote settings. Skewed from photographing current economic and political conflicts, Leyla works to capture a different perspective of life. This project is created in order to galvanize a country/city's historical landmarks, architecture, landscapes, and to encourage the public to see a distinctive side of someone. The vision is to exhibit a global collection of images that will convey the human elements, which define a person's disposition and self-expression. This body of work is a growing thesis that dignifies the everyday luminary, such as our nurses, artists, herdsmen, activists, musicians, lawyers, teachers, students, children, etc. Over 20 people living within Amsterdam, Hawaii, London, Morocco, New York, California, Philadelphia, and Seattle were photographed so far."

SEARCH ON FACEBOOK FOR: 'JahOfYork features in the Melkweg Gallery Amsterdam' TO RSVP!

STAY TUNED The Album: First Frontier

Theme and Meaning:

Stay Tuned...In the midst of all struggles and pursuits of happiness, stay tuned to yourself, your family, your God, hiphop, jazz and soul. -JahOfYork

Staying tuned means staying focused on that which you love, you hope for and work towards whatever it may be. Doing whatever it takes to motivate you, keep you motivated, proceed and ultimately succeed at your goals!

This album is the story of ONE young expatriate from the Bronx, New York, who was bound to complete his own album and survive in the face of common, everyday adversities, many distractions, heart-wrenching moments, severe devastation and tough choices. Not forgetting to mention, that he had to do it between TWO continents, Europe and America!! He speaks through the voice of others, what he has seen and personally experienced.

The Music and Sound:


The first frontier in JahOfYork's musical mark...The album shall include fusions of Jazz/Soul/Hip-hop vibes within the realms of Urban Electronica. Certain elements of Latin Jazz, Bossa Nova and Classical techniques are also integrated into the compilation. Stay Tuned, is bringing fourth constructive vocals and lyrics to fill your ears with bold, soothing, modern-sounds. The sound has been explained to be a blend of old-skool and nu-skool, pop of timeless proportion with various sensibilities with regards to genre. Stay Tuned is definitely distinct in many ways, yet each song shares links of a larger and fresher unified fusion ideology.

How The Concept Began...

"Year 1 in Eindhoven city in Holland shortly after the reuniting of my biological father's family and I...

One late night after visiting some family in Eindhoven, I found myself chilling at a house gathering hosted by a young gentleman named Shine (via another friend ShockNSuprise).

Shine, a local and familiar Hip-Hop rapper/producer to the south of Holland was cracking jokes along with some other folks that evening. Of course, I was not aware or knowledgeable of how much Hip-hop and Soul influenced the Netherlands in the 80's and 90s, being that I was still fresh out of NYC. Somehow, after a few beers, cigarettes and other enjoyable Dutch amenities, Shine decides to trudge up to his attic. He invited Me and some other folks upstairs to just vibe on music. If I remember correctly, another rapper/cool-kat name Jamie Flexx (from s-Hertogenbosch city) was present that night. It transitioned into a listening to Shine's-beats-session and it was seriously moving. HOT STUFF!! I wasn't really expecting the type of high quality lyrics and rhythmic variety that he spun. Especially, because there is soooo much garbage and imitation rap abroad (AND in The States!!). So a few more beers, whiskey and such, and before I knew it, Shine spread love and passed dat mic to ME!


Now, it was my first time grabbing a microphone in almost five years so, I totally didn't know where my vocals would land. I lent my voice to two tracks that night if I remember correctly, 'What If Featuring Jamie Flexx' and 'Hold The Key Featuring PashThaMC'. From then on, it was all a compatibility of clicking chemistry. I found myself spending a lot of time, almost every weekend at Shine's until the birth of my first solo song with him, 'NY2Amsterdam'. This was the birth of the Stay Tuned concept..."

Collaborators and Producers:

Shine (Eindhoven, The Netherlands) - www.myspace.com/shinysfood
Charlie "Skaikyboom" Blender (Boxtel, The Netherlands) - www.myspace.com/shaikyboomblender
Funktional J (Eindhoven, The Netherlands) - www.myspace.com/jermainezmuzik
Mikula (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) - www.myspace.com/mikulamusic
Chilli (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Nelson&Djosa (Rotterdam, Netherlands) - www.myspace.com/nelsondjosa
PashaThaMc (Brooklyn, NYC, USA) - www.myspace.com/pashatheemcee
StepOne (Paris, France) - www.myspace.com/steph1music

Other Supporters:

Shirley Spoor (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Jordie van Toornburg (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Jasmine Morris (Brooklyn, NYC, USA)
Henk Wielzen (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Zawadi Noel (Brooklyn, NYC, USA)
Ebony Fay (Los Angeles, USA)

Photograhers:

Leyla T. Rosario (The Bronx, NYC, USA) - www.thejumpproject.com

Remi Ferrante (Montellier/Paris, France) -
http://lestudyo.carbonmade.com
http://lunettesfrance.com
http://lunettesfrance.blogspot.com
http://trend-e.tumblr.com/
http://www.myspace.com/idibiandhop
http://twitter.com/Remiferrante
http://nightbooth.tumblr.com/
http://ffffound.com/home/jojolaguitare/found/

Florrie Beasley (England, United Kingdom)

Background and Credits...

JahOfYork, born in the region of the Bronx on New Years Eve was originally raised in New York City. As rare as it may sound, this American of African descant and Antillean heritage was adopted to a Latino family at the tender age of three years. After the diagnosis of his biological mother’s mental instability to care for him, and absence of his birth father, young Jah was voluntarily adopted and welcomed into the home of a loving Puerto Rican mother, Dominican father and their three children. In his earlier years, he sang for the CityKids Repertory Company which is known for their collaborations with Disney, Jim Henson and the American channel, Nickelodeon. He has trained with New York's Harlem School of the Arts founded by world-renowned soprano Dorothy Maynor; and received private lessons from the coach of Making The Band 4. His aunt Jacci McGhee always provided him with words of inspiration as a vocalist from day one. Jacci was the original duet voice in Keith Sweat's "Make It Last Forever", SaltNPepers "Expressions" and also contributed to rock group Toto and Family Stand.

In summer 2000, his choir won a first place title in the McDONALD'S U.S.A. NATIONAL GOSPEL COMPETITION. Later that same year, JahOfYork was a principle voice in the Millennium Italian nationwide tour celebration, which the DVD ‘All-Star Christmas - From the Vatican’ derived from (released in 2004).


In recent years, Jah has been constructing an intricate musical endeavor between his hometown, New York City and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. All of his own original songs have been built up and developed with the support of Dutch and international musicians, singers, engineers, lyricists, and residents. Signed, sealed and delivered with care for those embracing Urban Electronica sounds and fusion, the "Stay Tuned" album and concept contains all of JahOfYork's own original works lyrically, melodically and harmonically. Yes, every layered vocal IS his own!

Some might only know this Nu-Yorker as a vocalist/performer but you MAY have formerly seen him on MTVs 'Boiling Points' playing an innocent trick on his bestfriend at a New York Delicatessen, some years back. Perhaps in 2008 when he co-presented in a worldwide National Geographic documentary called 'Ultimate Taboo'. More recently, his image was featured in an exhibition called ‘The Jump Project’ at the Melkweg Gallery; with yet another appearance in a promo-clip for the new and improved Heineken Experience Museum, both in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Download masterpieces and ‘Stay Tuned’ to JahOfYork as he makes his first official musical mark on Apple’s iTunes platform on August 10, 2009.

Stay Tuned...In the midst of all struggles and pursuits of happiness, stay tuned to yourself, your family, your God, hiphop, jazz and soul.” -JahOfYork

Who is JahOfYork?

(EN) JAH, a true vocalist at heart, was born and raised in The Bronx, New York City. JAH began nurturing his gift of singing at the age of 12 on the 24th floor of a middle-class co-op apartment. Through dedication and perseverance, JAH developed constructive vocals and lyrics to fill your ears with bold, soothing soul-sounds. Based on true-life scenarios and personal experiences, JAH undoubtedly bangs speakers, eases, and pleases to keep you tuned! YORK, A diverse & dynamic initiative by a collective of musicians, vocalists and MCs contrasting in musical disciplines yet sharing the same common loves for great music. YORK composes and adapts Hip Hop fusion containing elements of Jazz & Latin Jazz, Soul, Bossa Nova, House, Gospel, Blues, Classical and Contemporary sounds. YORKs objective is to bring fourth a hot-ass cipher that down-to-earth folks can dig all over the world. Together they are JAHofYORK, promoting a Nu-soul vibe up against Hippity Hop/Neo Soul/Bossa Nova symphony. Sporting original and pop lyrics that are fresh out-the-box and keep crowds WOWed, JAHofYORK takes an unconventional stance to solidify soul power.

(NL) JAH, een echte vocalist, geboren en getogen in The Bronx, New York. JAH begon zijn muzikale gave te ontwikkelen toen hij pas 12 jaar oud was, zijn studio was een appartement op de 24ste verdieping van een middel-class gebouw. Door toewijding en doorzettingsvermogen kon JAH constructieve klanken en teksten creeeren die de oren van toeschouwers met gedurfde en toch kalmerende gevoelens zouden vullen. Gebaseert op levensechte belevenissen kan JAH zonder twijfels de speakers laten “bangen” en het publiek blijven boeien! YORK heeft een divers & dynamisch initiatief gecreeerd door met een groep van muzikanten, vocalisten en MCs muzieke disciplines te contrasteren maar tegelijkertijd de gemeende liefde voor geweldige muziek te delen. YORK componeert en past Hip Hop fusie toe op Jazz, Latin Jazz, Soul, Bossa Nova, House, Gospel, Blues, Klassieke en Moderne muziek elementen. YORKS doel is het voortbrengen van "hete" muziek waar alle mensen over de hele wereld van kunnen genieten. Samen zijn ze JAHofYORK en promoten ze een Nu-soul vibe tezamen met een Hippity Hop/Neo Soul/ Bossa Nova symfonie. Door eigen en pop teksten te gebruiken die origineel gecomponeerd zijn, houden ze het publiek in een WOW toestand, JAHofYORK neemt een vernieuwende en niet conventionele positie in om de macht van "soul" te bevestigen.

(ES) JAH, un cantante verdadero en el corazón, nacio en el Bronx, New York City. JAH comenzó a consolidar su regalo de cantar desde 12 anos en el 24to suelo de un edificio de apartamento. Con el esmero y perseverencia, el voz de JAH presenta desarrollados y líricas constructivas para llenar sus oídos de los alma-sonidos en negrilla, calmantes. ¡De acuerdo con decorados de la verdadero-vida y experiencias personales, el voz de JAH indudablemente llena sus locutores de las explosiones y satisfacen para mantenerle templado! YORK, es una diversa iniciativa dinámica por un colectivo de músicos, cantantes y MCs con contraste disciplinas musicales compartiendo los mismos amors comunes para la gran. YORK componen y adaptan la fusión que contiene elementos del jazz, el jazz Latino, soul, bossa nova, house, el gospel americano, blues, classica y musica moderna. El objectivo de YORK es a traer una cifra que la gente sobre el mundo entero pueden identificar con. Junto, los dos son JAHofYORK, promoviendo un vibe del Nu-Soul contra una sinfonía de hiphip/neo-soul y bossa nova. Compartiendo líricas originales y líricas frescas de pop que son fuera-del-RECTA'NGULO y manteniendo muchedumbres sorprendidos, JAHofYORK toma una postura poco convencional para solidificar el “soul power”.

(FR) JAH, chanteur américain engagé, est né et a grandi dans le Bronx à New York City. Jah commença à travailler son don du chant à l’âge de 12 ans dans son modeste appartement au 24ème étage. A force de détermination et de persévérance, JAH a développé sa voix et sa façon de chanter ainsi que ses paroles pour remplir vos oreilles de sons soul, calment et appaisants. Basé sur des histoires vraies ou même sur ses expériences personnelles, Jah tient sans aucunes difficultés des foules en ébullition grâce à son tempérament de feu et à ses textes. New York, ville réputée pour sa diversité musicale avec les plus grands musiciens, chanteurs et rappeurs du monde, partagent tous la même passion pour la bonne musique. NYC est à l’origine de la composition et de l’adaptation de la fusion HIP HOP contenant des éléments de jazz et de musiques latines comme la bossa nova mais aussi de la house, du gospel, du blues et même du classique et de la musique contemporaine. Le but de YORK est de construire une base musicale exceptionnelle avec laquelle n'importe qui dans le monde peut l’identifier dès les premières notes. Ensemble nous sommes JAHofYORK, revendiquant une nouvelle soul contre la hippity hop, la néo-soul et la bossa nova. Ses textes sont originaux mais sont aussi d’un style pop très flashy qui se montre être un style relativement nouveau et innovateur. C’est cette caractéristique qui fait de lui un artiste à part entière capable de tenir des foules en extase, ainsi JAHofYORK prend une position peu conventionelle pour solidifier la beauté de l’âme.

(IT) Jah, un cantante vero fino in fondo , è nato e ha vissuto nel Bronx, a New York City. JAH ha scoperto la sua passione per il canto all'età di 12 anni, al 24esimo piano di un appartamento popolare. Con dedizione e perseveranza, JAH ha sviluppato armonie, melodie e testi per riempire le Vostre orecchie con audaci e calmi suoni provenienti dall'anima. Basato su un vero scenario di vita e su esperienze personali, JAH senza ogni ombra di dubbio, riesce a far scoppiare i tuoi altoparlanti! YORK , una diversa e dinamica iniziativa creata da alcuni musicisti, vocalist e MC's diversi per le discipline musicali ma che condividono gli stessi ideali comuni di amore per la grande musica. YORK compone e adatta Hip- Hop fondendono con elementi di Jazz & Latin Jazz, Soul, Bossa Nova House, Gospel, Blues,Musica Classica e Contemporanea. L'obiettivo di YORK è quello di costruire una base musicale eccezionale con la quale non importa chi nel mondo lo possa identificare dalle prime note. Insieme sono JAHofYORK, promuovendo una Nuova Soul rispetto alle sinfonie del Hippity Hop del Neo Soul e della Bossa Nova. I loro testi sono originali e pieni di uno stile pop nuovo e fresco, che riescono a creare uno stile completamente nuovo e innovaturo. Queste caratteristiche fanno di lui un artista a parte, capace di tenere la folla in estasi mentre JAHofYORK prende una posizione NON convenzionale per solidificare la bellezza dell’anima.

(PT) JAH, um vocalista do fundo do coracao, nasceu e cresceu no Bronx, em Nova Iorque. JAH descobriu a sua paixao pelo canto ao 12 anos, no 24 andar de um apartamento social de classe media. Com muita dedicacao e perserverancia, JAH desenvolveu o seu talento vocal, as suas harmonias e melodias, bem como as letras, para encher os seus ouvidos com sons ousados e calmos, com um fundo de Soul. Baseando-se em cenarios reais e nas suas experiencias pessoais, sem duvida que JAH rebenta com as suas colunas, com as suas letras e o seu temperamento fogoso. YORK uma iniciativa diversificada e dinamica de um colectivo de musicos, vocalistas e MCs, oriundo de diferentes horizontes musicais, mas que partilham o mesmo amor comum pela grande musica. YORK compoe e adapta musica com bases de Soul e HIP HOP, com fusao de elementos sonoros de Jazz e Latin Jazz, Bossa Nova, House, Gospel, Blues, tanto classicos como contemporaneos. YORK procura construir uma base musical excepcional, com a qual todas as pessoas, por esse mundo fora, se podem identificar, desde as primeiras notas. Juntos, eles sao JAHofYORK, promovendo uma onda Nu-soul por contraponto, sinfonia Hippity Hop/Neo Soul/Bossa Nova. As suas letras sao originais e plenas de um estilo Pop fresco, novo e inovador! Estas caracteristicas fazem dele um artista ?parte, que deixa as multidoes em delirio, assumindo, ao mesmo tempo uma postura nada convencional para solidificar o Soul Power.