Rays In My Voice

The House My Sister Drew...

2012-01-26T03:33:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone.....

WOW....It's been a long time, but I'm back! I've just been in hibernation for a while, like a little squirrel...and now I'm diligently searching through the soil under my feet to dig up buried thoughts and treasures that are ready, finally ready to be shared and most importantly HEARD!!

So I would like to reveal one of those precious, buried thoughts that has become a reality... Abimaro & The Free applied to a funding opportunity that PRS were running called Women Make Music, and the project was to help support and encourage the amount of women making music...Believe it or not only 14% of members of PRS are women....so in other words we need to encourage women to make music!

I am really aware of women in music who are constantly using their sexuality and their image to sell records, and I was finding it harder and harder to find women who made music which entirely spoke for itself,without the perfect body or perfect hair... Especially for 'Urban' women I was scraping the barrel to find popular artists who weren't playing the 'sex' card... so I proposed to write 5 new compositions with Abimaro & The Free, all based on the subject of female relationships that we never hear about...The relationship a woman has with her mother, her father, her brother, her sister...all these relationships that shape a women, and yet we never really hear about when we turn VIVA Hits on!!

So we found out a few months ago that PRS had accepted our application, and we are being funded to put on a showcase of our compositions!! I want to stress that this is a show inspired by women, but also written for men. We want to be able to offer both men and women a chance to hear a woman's story from a new perspective....so lads bring down your mothers, your sisters, your boys who want a different point of engagement...and lasses please bring your husbands, your brothers, your fathers, your uncles and your girls...Be inspired and hopefully encouraged to make music that gives a voice to the unspoken things that might not sell records, but have meaning that affects and resonates with us all.....

You can buy your tickets here friends... http://bit.ly/wjQiId Support & enjoy!!

Books...

2011-12-02T09:26:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

As some of you may already know, Abimaro & The Free are releasing 'Books' a collection of four songs, all inspired by the pages of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, on the 19th December.... and people it's FREEEEEEEE!!! Yeh yeh! I think it's going to be really special...check it out & enjoy...

Move...

2011-11-26T09:53:00.001-08:00

Thought you all might appreciate this gem.... 'Move' by Sean Carey...enjoy...

Shiny stones...

2011-11-24T06:36:00.000-08:00

Hey guys...I want to 'rays' my voice about a very rare musician I love....I've shouted about him before, and I'll make no apologies for doing so again...he is like a very shiny stone that you catch glistening in the corner of your eye....and as you walk towards it, it gets even brighter....keep shining Mikes....

Good'FOOD'...

2011-11-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

Some of you may know that I am a huge fan of 2morrows Victory... Here's a video of their tune 'Opposite Day' from their E.P. 'Food' Which you can buy HERE. Check them out people!!!!

New friends for Abimaro & The Free...

2011-11-04T02:50:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

I know, I know i'm slackin' on pumping these posts out, but I am here, and it really hasn't been that long!!! I've been very busy sorting lots of new projects that Abimaro & The Free are involved with this year, and early next year, so I can't wait to share with you all some very exciting stuff!!

First up, please check out our new look website : www.abimaro.com designed by the amazingly talented Lakwena Makiver!!! WOW Lakwena's done a GREAT job! Keep checking the website for updates etc...

So today I wanted to share with you a post that a new friend has written about Abimaro & The Free, Imade has a blog all about good music...you need to check her out and follow!!!! Imade's website is www.imadeintruth.com and you can also follow her on twitter @imadeintruth . Here's what she wrote about us:

http://imadeintruth.com/post/12250340527/the-musical-spirituality-of-abimaro-the-frees-so

Thank you Imade!

The Purple Rooms take 2

2011-10-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

Heya people!!

How are you all??!! Abimaro & The Free had a great time performing at The Good Ship in Kilburn on thursday! And, as promised we sang 2 new songs AND 5 lucky attendees got a FREE copy of our EP 'So I'll Boast'!!! If you didn't manage to make it down on thursday then we will have a whole host of other exciting incentives to get you down to our next gig soon, so don't fret!!

Now back to a gig that we had the pleasure of performing at in september... Some of you faithful followers will remember me talking about The Purple Rooms (www.thepurplerooms.co.uk) Well you guys need to watch out for these intimate living room gigs at The Purple Rooms, because they are mental, and I just know they're going to BLOW up!

We were so honored to be asked to share some songs, and we now have some footage of one of the songs we performed on the night....'Ginger Tea'... many thanks to the incredible Beatnik famalam for hooking this up, and much love to Josh Record for his support!! (www.joshrecord.com)

Enjoy folks, and please if you like this video, and this song, then TELL someone!!! If you can comment I'd LOVE to hear it, and if you can't be bothered to do the whole commenting thing then TWEET about Abimaro & The Free or Facebook or blah blah blah the list goes on....you know what to do!!! Enjoy!!....

Pacemakers & Tissues

2011-10-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

How are you all? Today Abimaro & The Free met up for a rehearsal and we had a fantastic time rehearsing for our gig on Thursday. However we were all a little under the weather, and lets just say there were more tissues than instruments being used!!! hahaha!! Nevertheless we managed to finish rustling up 2 new songs for your culinary delights, ready and willing to be performed on Thursday night's gig 'Pacemakers' at The Goodship, 289 Kilburn High Road, London. Doors open at 7pm and we will be performing at 8pm and it's £5 to get in. Not only do you get to hear 2 new Abimaro & the Free songs, but the first 5 people to say 'Abimaro & The Free' at the door will get a free EP!!! wooohhoooooo..... We do know how to spoil you don't we!!!! I really hope to see you all there, and in the meantime here's a little video of what Abimaro & The Free got up to today.....

Just For Now...

2011-10-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

Hey friends,

I've got a cold today, so I've got plenty of time to make a banana cake and talk a lot less than I usually do! Recently I've been trying to work out how I really want to sing...you know? Like how I really want to say what I have to say...do I want to shout it, or cry it, or whisper it...

I was watching this trailer for a movie yesterday, and there was a woman running in it, and she was blowin!! The way she was running made me want to run. I think that's how I want to sing, like how that lady was running.... I want to sing in a way that makes everyone who hears me want to sing...I don't know how to get there, but at least I know a bit more of what I'm aiming for... so I wanted to share this song with you called 'Just For Now' this is a song that makes me want to sing, I hope it'll have the same effect on you...enjoy the talented Imogen Heap...

Mary How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-10-03T04:08:00.001-07:00

Hello friends and faithful readers!!!

I hope this post finds you well, and that for those of you in London you are bathing in these unexpected rays we've been showered with!

Today I wanted to share with you a video that I can't remember if I've shared with you before or not...but its spoken to me today so I wanted to share it...

Abimaro & The Free always do this song knowing it could go 2 ways...really well or really badly!! We just improvise with it, and see where it takes us, and it is definitely one of the hardest songs we perform because you just don't know how it's going to go... It's like a bird that only flies when the wind is blowing in exactly the right direction...sometimes it flies and soars higher than you thought, and other times it just sits there, and misses the wind at just the most crucial point... I think we managed to record this tune when we were soaring....let me know what you think!...enjoy...'Mary How Does Your Garden Grow?"...

Poetry was my first love...

2011-09-23T03:13:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Sorry it's been a while, but I have to scatter some words across this blog today...I read something today that reminded me of where I started...does that ever happen to you? Do you ever walk down the street and get reminded by a smell or a sound, that you are very far from where you started? Sometimes it's a pleasant reminder about how far you've come, how much you've achieved, and sometimes it's like a forever ringing bell that reminds you of all you've lost, and how quickly you let it all go...

I used to read poetry all the time, I used to bathe in the imagery of Langston Hughes, or get up early to go and spend the afternoon in the South bank Poetry library, anticipating what great treasure of words I might find stored up in a dusty, forgotten book...My mind felt open and alive with how beautiful words can be, how language can make all the difference...well today I read something by a young, and it seems profound singer songwriter called Mide Oguns....Check him out on www.midesmusic.com, and don't forget to LIKE his Facebook page...Thank you Mide...enjoy...

Poetry is a gentle bird, with bright and colorful feathers, trapped in the cage of my mind. Occasionally I treat her to Keats or to Pope, sometimes even to Yeats but rarely Poe. I put her on display for the few who pass by but soon enough they protest that I let her loose. They think she might like to fly if given the chance. They mistake me for the cruel master, after arresting my beautiful bird, punishing her with use. They ask me, “Do you know why the caged bird sings?” I reply with a poem about my bird who ever returns to the cage because her love for singing was greater than her love for freedom. They look with pity at my bird because she is inside, I feel sorry for them – captives of the outside. They will never understand; not that the real wonder is that my bird built the cage and calls it home, or that I am the bird and poetry is the cage.

The biggest complement!....

2011-09-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I went on Abimaro & The Free's Facebok page today, and up popped a little video...a very special video...I must say it is such a huge complement to Abimaro & The Free, that we have to share it... Jumaane Adio Norman & Nancy Nwaka have done a cover of 'So I'll Boast' and it's such a blessing... it's so weird to hear someone else singing this song, but you smashed it Nancy! Many thanks for posting it on our wall!!! So here's the video guys, it's not a great quality recording but I HAD to let you all hear it, coz I am so flattered!!! Go to www.facebook.com/abimaroandthefree to view the video.... enjoy!!

Some Rays to share...

2011-09-09T02:59:00.000-07:00

Heya folks!

Hope you are all good and looking forward to that wonderful 2 day peace offering otherwise known as the weekend!!! Oh Yeah! Well I've defo got something to RAYS my voice about today... Abimaro & The Free have been given a lovely review on www.soulbounce.com, check it out & spread the LOVE....http://bit.ly/nXcabH Thanks Soul UK!

Abimaro & The Free Have Something To 'Boast' About
Abimaro & The Free are a London-based trio comprised of Abimaro Suit (lead vocals), James Beatt (bass and vocals), and Alex Montaque (keys and vocals). The three met at London's renowned Goldsmith's College three years ago and have been creating music independently ever since. Their first and only release thus far is So I'll Boast, a five-track EP recorded live and released almost a year ago. How we haven't heard about them in the meantime is anyone's guess. Musically they straddle soul, folk, and jazz, all tied together by Abimaro's smooth, sultry vocals. Take a listen to the gospel-tinged "Carry Me" and the reflective "Twenty One" below then bounce on over to Bandcamp where you can purchase either a physical or digital copy of the EP.

'Orin Meta' 3 songs...

2011-09-08T01:55:00.000-07:00

Heya people!

I have 3 songs for you today... well sort of, you'll see... I want to talk about an incredible musician today, his name is Femi Temowo and as well as playing with artists such as The Roots to Amy Winehouse to name only a few, Femi is also a force to be reckoned with in his own solo musical journeys...

I had the privilege of singing as part of a huge choir for the recording of his current album 'Orin Meta' which he is releasing on September 23rd 2011 from 6:30 pm @ Under The Bridge in Chelsea. To book your £10 tickets phone 08444 771 000 OR go to www.ticketweb.co.uk OR www.femiguitar.com. It's going to be a fantastic night people...Be there!!!

Here's a video which describes in a little more detail, the journey behind 'Orin Meta' or as English Folk would say it: 3 songs...

Today's Battle... 2morrows victory

2011-09-06T01:56:00.001-07:00

Heya people!

Hope this post finds you well... I have some music to share with you, but before I do I want to say a big thank you to all of Abimaro & The Free's supporters who have been faithfully coming to our gigs these last couple of months... we have had a great couple months of gigging, and we ain't done yet people, so watch outt!! We have really enjoyed playing at some great venues, and sharing our stories with you, so thank you... And to all of you who haven't yet swung down to see Abimaro & The Free play LIVE, your missing out, please come down and have a listen.

So I wanted to share a little about today's battles...I feel like the battle's I go through daily sometimes blur or tarnish my view and vision for tomorrow...and so when I heard the name of this group I was encouraged...They go by the name of 2morrows Victory and they are a special collection of 4 lads, making flippin' great music... I'm especially proud of the super-talented Rafael Powell on drums, because Abimaro & The Free once had the privilege of making music with him back in the day... Raf's drumming can be heard on our LIVE EP 'So I'll Boast' and that EP is all the richer thanks to Raf's drumming...

So if you like good music, support these guys, LIKE their Facebook page and follow them on twitter (facebook.com/2morrowsvictory / Twitter: @2morrowsvictory)

Enjoy, and remember that today's battles are just in preparation for 2morrows Victory.....

Sugarfoot

2011-08-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!!!

Abimaro & The Free are back at The Bedford tomorrow evening @20:00, supporting 'Sugarfoot' as they launch their EP...There are gonna be some great acts supporting 'Sugarfoot' including the wonderful Bianca Rose...

It's FREE people, so swing on down!!!! Abimaro & The Free met 'Sugarfoot's' Loretta Fenton, on the 'Unsigned' Premier Radio show Loretta does, so it's a privilege to be sharing the stage with her tomorrow..... Here's a video about the fantastic 'Sugarfoot'...enjoy...

Juliyaa...

2011-08-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!

For a while I have been meaning to post about a great night out happening tonight!! I've posted about my sister in law before, her name is Juliyaa and she is having a launch tonight for her new single 'The Rhythm'. People it is FREE!!! And she is being supported by some great acts...De'Borah and G.R.E.E.D.S. It's @ The Horse in Waterloo @ 7.30pm...Did I mention it's FREEEEEEEE!!!! Guys please come down and support...I'll be there as Juliyaa serenades the audience with her LIVE Band... A night NOT to be missed!! See you there!

Giving up...

2011-08-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

It's been a few days since my last post, and I wanted to share some thoughts with you... I post a lot about the things that look good , but I think it's only fair that I also touch on the reality of the struggles that I face so much... Giving up is one of those struggles!!!...

I have spoken to so many musicians over the years and I am always surprised when the musician I most want to be like, turns around and tells me that they constantly feel like giving up...like being in any other industry than music...I'm always shocked, but secretly comforted that I am not the only one who feels like all my efforts just aren't enough sometimes, like maybe I'm going to fail, and struggle to reach my full potential. So I wanted to encourage any readers who are going through that season, where what they're working towards seems further and further away, despite the fact that they've been running faster than their legs are happy with, and for longer than their heart can bare...Keep running... slow down if you need to, and take stock, but don't give up, persevere...

Here's a cheesy, but oddly inspirational video that sums this all up perfectly... enjoy...

Interview Time...

2011-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!

Check out this interview of me on my Jack Jones, representing Abimaro & The Free....check out the water that randomly gets chucked behind me halfway through!!! Many thanks to YBS for the footage...enjoy...

Today is my 100th post!!!

2011-08-05T03:17:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

Just realised that today is my 100th post!!! Many thanks to all you guys who have read them all, and to the newbies... welcome, welcome my little friends!!! hahaha!! Anyway, today is a little video filmed by Not signed TV outside Abimaro & The Free's gig at Barrio Central back a few months ago... Many thanks to Not signed TV for filming this... the sound ain't great, but I wanted to share it with you coz it gives a little more insight into who Abimaro & The Free are, and how we started... enjoy...

'Oh Miranda...'

2011-08-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

I wanted to share with you some lyrics to one of Abimaro & The Free's new songs called 'Miranda'... I wrote this song for my mum, who introduced me to Love...she is one of the best examples I've had of how to love... For those of you who haven't put two and two together, my mum's name is Miranda! haha!...enjoy...

Miranda

These three chords mean a lot more than I thought they'd do.
These three chords sing a lot more than I told them to.
These three words that I say to you,
I hope will mean more than I thought they'd do,
I love you , I love you...

Dear Miranda, she came to me,
She said she'd gone to pay, but found love was free,
ooh She said she'd found the way that Love's supposed to be,
I said 'Is that so, coz Miranda, Love still charges me...'

I wish I could play, a thousand more chords to say,
Something more like I love you,
I hope that'll do....

Love is, better than wine,
You take your fill, and I'll swallow mine.
Love is, all that will remain,
I'll search the world to find it, it won't be in vain.
Coz he paid the price,
Miranda told me, It can't be paid for twice,
I wouldn't believe her, that this Love's for free,
She said 'Darling, Let it be...'

Oh Miranda, I'll let it be
Oh Miranda, That's what she told me
Oh Miranda, You're wiser than a tree
Oh Miranda, I'll tell the world this Love's for free

And if I could write a better song,
With words to turn a tired heart from,
The emptiness of Love you have to earn.
Oh then I would sing till I turned blue,
I'd build the house my sister drew,
Sing from the roof so everyone could hear.

Oh and I would write a thousand more songs,
Like the one I'd sung before
And watch your heart begin to stand again.
I'd clap my hands in pure delight
As I'd watch you in Holy light,
And as you closed your eyes
I'd say Amen....

I wish I could play, a thousand more chords to say,
Something more like I love you,
I hope that'll do....

Love is, better than wine,
You take your fill, and I'll swallow mine.
Love is, all that will remain,
I'll search the world to find it, it won't be in vain.
Coz he paid the price,
Miranda told me, It can't be paid for twice,
I wouldn't believe her, that this Love's for free,
She said 'Darling, Let it be...'

Oh Miranda, I'll let it be
Oh Miranda, That's what she told me
Oh Miranda, You're wiser than a tree
Oh Miranda, I'll tell the world this Love's for free

Oh Miranda
Oh Miranda
Oh Miranda
Oh Miranda

'Something in the water...'

2011-07-31T15:08:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

I've found my favorite new artist for this week...WOW... LOVE this lady's style...LOVE this catchy little song...it's beautiful...you can watch the official video here:http://youtu.be/f0pMgzYUEwA

I am seriously inspired by this refreshing lady...can't wait to share more with you... She goes by the name of Brooke Fraser, and here is her BANGING tune 'Something in The Water'....enjoy...I needed this...

A few snaps...

2011-07-25T04:14:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!

Here are a few snaps courtesy of the wonderful photographer from the YBS lounge gig last Monday....

We gotta vote for this guy!!!...

2011-07-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I have a GREAT video to share with you today... A great friend of mine is in a competition to win £50,000 for his school and himself. Kenny Temowo is undoubtedly one of the best teachers I know, and he actually works at my old college... Big up to all the 'Christ The King Sixth Form College' readers!!! yehyeh!!

Please just take 3 minutes to register yourself here: https://www.o2learn.co.uk/o2_video.php?vid=1436 and then search for the video named 'Bebop 101' and if you refresh the page you can watch it up to 3 times. But please register guys, because otherwise your vote won't count!!! Kenny is currently in 2nd place, let's get him to his well deserved 1st place!!! Come on!!! Enjoy...

What I've been up to...

2011-07-20T02:59:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!

Well I know it's been a little while since I posted last week, but I've been up to some really exiting stuff... Abimaro & The Free had a great gig on Monday at The YBS Lounge, some great artists there just sharing and being creative! Hopefully I'll have some photos to show you from the gig later down this week.. we performed our new song 'Miranda' which is written after my mother who's name is... wait for it, Miranda!!! If you weren't at our gig on Monday then swing down to our next gig on August 1st at The Old Queens Head in Angel!!

So I also went to an opening of an exhibition last week at Belleville Boutique in Westbourne Grove, and I wanted to share with you some pictures of amazing pieces I saw...

More specifically I wanted to share with you the work that Lakwena Suit designed and made... Lakwena Suit is not just my super talented sister, but she is also the designer of the artwork for Abimaro & The Free's Debut EP 'So I'll Boast'... Abimaro & The Free are massive fans of this rising star, so please do check her blog and her website out: www.lakwena.com

So here are some pictures of these amazing 'Wedding Bells' she made...enjoy...

Twenty one...

2011-07-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!!

Hope you are well, and ready for the fast approaching weekend!!! Well today is a very special day because one half of 'The Free' from 'Abimaro & The Free' is 21 todayy!!! Oi Oi!! That's right, Alex Montaque the 'young buck on keys' is 21 today, and I just had to mark it somehow, so what better way to mark this momentous occasion in Abimaro & The Free's world, than to leave you all with a remarkably appropriate song written by yours truely.....here's 'Twenty one' for the boy who today has become a man!!!! YEH! Happy birthday little bro!

Photo time!...

2011-07-12T01:10:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

I hope you are well! Here are a few sneaky pics from Abimaro & The Free's recording last week... Big shout out to Andre on drums, who joined us for the day!...soooooo excited to show you guys the finished pieces shortly!! But for now a couple snaps will have to do...enjoy...

Songs for a rainy day...

2011-07-08T05:53:00.000-07:00

Hello friends...

It's been raining pretty much all day where I've been, and I kinda like that smug sense of pride and accomplishment that you get when you are warm inside, with a cup of tea, comfortingly sheltered from the dreary rain... so yeh I have that slightly smug feeling today, and my heart goes out to anyone caught in the rain!

So whilst I am all warm and wrapped up indoors, this next song that I want to share with you is exactly the kind of song that suits rainy weather like today's. It's that kind of reflective, still song that I like to listen to in certain moments... Here is the wonderful Bon Iver with his cover of Bonni Raitt's 'I Can't Make You Love Me'... enjoy...

'How She Sleeps...'

2011-07-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

Heya Guys!

Yesterday's recording day with Abimaro & The Free was amazing...it felt so good to be bottling up these songs that I've had lying around, and it was just an honor to work with the amazing team of guys who made it all happen...I ain't gonna lie though, I had a BANGING headache this morning after singing till 1am, so I had a well deserved SLEEP... which leads me nicely onto the song I want to share with you today... 'How She Sleeps...' by the incredibly talented Josh Record... Josh, I am officially a FAN... check out loads more of Josh's heart cries at www.joshrecord.com... with a name and a voice like that, it's only a matter of time before the world hears... enjoy & support...

p.s. I am LOVING the way everyone in the background just looks like they're chilling!...

Bottled songs...

2011-07-06T05:10:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Today Abimaro & The Free are recording!!!! Yayy!! This is the 1st time that Abimaro & The Free have recorded their tunes in the studio, so we are soooo excited. The wonderful Mikko Gorden & James Bulley will be making sure we sound nice!! I am so excited to see what comes form today's recording, to see what sounds we can trap, what songs we can bottle up... so watch this space guys, and support us as we share some of our bottled tunes... sip away... sip away...

Really, deeply, truly, lovely...

2011-07-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

Here's a beautiful rendition of 'Use Somebody'-Kings Of Leon by Muhsinah....I stole this from Bianca Rose's page...please 'LIKE' Bianca's facebook(/biancarosemusic) page if you haven't already....she's amazing, and I'll be telling you more about her soon... so thanks for this Bianca...So for today have a listen to this gem... Intoducing Muhsinah, really, deeply, truly, lovely!...enjoy...

Ginger Tea for 'The Free'...

2011-07-02T04:39:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Here's a little video Abimaro & The Free filmed yesterday during a break from rehearsing... I finally made some Ginger Tea for the boys to taste... check out their reactions... enjoy...

'Nobody's Fault But Mine...'

2011-07-01T01:58:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

Just a short one for you today because I've been ill this week, and am feeling a little 'under the weather' as my mumz would say!! I LOVE this next tune... it's real, it's gritty, it's raw, it's full up of every feeling that is trying to be communicated... in fact if it was a sandwich, it would be one of those sandwiches like a meatball marinara that can't help but feed your clothes too!!! So bursting with flavor and substance that it's just plain disgusting not to have a wash after eating it!!! HEY! Introducing Nina Simone with 'Nobody's Fault But Mine... don't forget to wash your hands!... enjoy...

The Arrows...

2011-06-28T02:24:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Abimaro & The Free had a great gig @ILUVLIVE yesterday... will hopefully share some pics etc with you later on this week...

But for today I needed some beautiful music with HEART in it, and WOW has this music got some heart... The Arrows hail from Durban, South Africa, and I love them... They are a duo which I love, because smaller bands have a special place in my ears... and they are 2 women doing their thing, which I love, because women in music are under represented... and they talk A LOT of sense, which I LOVE, because talking rubbish is over represented in a lot of music!!! So here they are with 'Lonely Soldier'...turn it UP, Turn it RIGHT UP!!

ILUVLIVE...

2011-06-27T01:22:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

Abimaro & The Free have a gig today at ILUVLIVE at Hoxton Square Bar, 2 - 4 Hoxton Square N1 6NU. Doors open at 7-8pm and Abimaro & The Free are on at 9pm... guys it's DEFO a night worth swinging down to... There are gonna be performances from up and coming UK artists, and BBC 1xtra's Ras Kwame and DJ Melody Kane will be hosting the night. Tickets are £10 on the door, or you can buy them for £5 here: http://www.fatsoma.com/abimaro/ I hope you can make it!!! Hopefully see you down there...

Radio Time...

2011-06-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!

Abimaro & The Free were on Loretta Fenton's Unsigned show, and our LIVE performances went out on air on Premier Radio today..I hope you caught some of the show and enjoyed what you heard! Here's a big shout out to Loretta for having us on her show....it was an honour! Here are some KIND words from her about Abimaro & The Free (Thanks Loretta!!!):

'Unsigned is all about introducing fresh, new talent and this week I am particularly excited about my centrestage guests who are possibly the best new unsigned act I've discovered this year! They are Abimaro & The Free. Lead vocalist Abimaro, whose vocals can be likened to Asa and Sade, says 'We want to make music that moves people not just impresses'. The song-writing does both with flavours of India Arie and their folk/neo-soul/jazz sound and story-telling lyrics make them a breath of fresh air in the current music scene. Plus, they are passionate about their faith as well as their music. Tune in to hear Abimaro & The Free this Saturday along with 2 live performances as I don't think they will be 'unsigned' for much longer! For more info see: www.myspace.com/Abimaro'

And here's a pretty picture of my old school radio, because we were on the radio...get the link??? Just an excuse to show you my pretty radio really!!!

Esperanza, esperanza...

2011-06-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

Guys, there isn't much to say about today's piece of inspiration that I have to share with you, apart from that it's flippin' BANGING!... I've blogged about this AMAZING woman before, and I am a HUGE fan...all of Abimaro & The Free are just hoping to be able to see her LIVE one day, and maybe slip a 'So I'll Boast' CD to her!! Hey!...Introducing Esperanza Spalding...

Premier Shenanigans...

2011-06-21T01:50:00.001-07:00

Hey guys!

As some of you might know, yesterday Abimaro & The Free were at Premier Radio, recording an interview and some LIVE music for Loretta Fenton's Unsigned Show, to be aired this Saturday from 6-7pm...Here's a little sneak preview of our shenanigans!...enjoy...

The Purple Rooms...

2011-06-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

Heya people!

Hope you are good! I HAVE to share an amazing piece of inspiration I was shown today...I've mentioned Josh Record before on this here blog, he's a super-talented fellow, with armfulls of talented friends it seems...He has started this LIVE gig in his living room called 'The Purple Rooms' and I am bowled over by the artist who joined him last week...Her name is Charlene Soraia and WOW, she's great...check her out on www.charlenesoraia.com....wow...wow...enjoy this talented lady...

Abimaro & The Free on Premier radio!

2011-06-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

Heya friends!

I wanted to let you know that Abimaro & The Free will be on Premier Radio this sat 25th from 6-7pm on Loretta Fenton's 'Unsigned' show! We cannot wait, and we would love for you to tune in to hear us perform LIVE! To listen it's on:

London:
1305, 1332, 1413 MW & on DAB Digital

RadioNational:
DAB Digital
RadioSky Digital
0123Freeview
725Worldwide

So make sure you put it in the diary people,sat 25th, 6-7pm...have a listen!!

Ginger recordings...

2011-06-16T03:43:00.000-07:00

Heya guys...

Hope you are well and dealing with this schizophrenic weather!!! Shining one minute, raining the next... anywho, here's a lovely pic from yesterday's rehearsal at Goldsmiths with Abimaro & The Free... We are recording in July my friends, and after yesterday's rehearsal with Mean Miko and James the Bully, I am officially EXCITED.COM! We will be recording 2 tracks and let's just say that one of them has 'Ginger' in its title... Abimaro & The Free friends know what I'm talkin' about!...whooo!...

Dimbleby & Capper...

2011-06-14T09:52:00.001-07:00

Hey guys,

Just want to show you this BANGING video and tune by Laura Bettinson A.K.A. Dimbleby & Capper...This talented young lady is a fashion designer, producer, singer...what doesn't she do ey! Check her out people, this video is VIDEO OF THE WEEK on BBC6Music!... Well done Laura!!!...

Move me...

2011-06-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

I want music to move me, to really move me...not to impress me, but to move me...If it can do both then great, because I'd love to be both moved and impressed, but if I had to choose one, I will always choose to be moved...coz that for me is music...touching people and sharing in a way that leaves the listener in a different place than they were before listening...

This amazingly talented musician moves me...Her name is Laura Mvula, and she both impresses and moves me so I don't have to choose one over the other!!...Follow her on twitter @lauramvula & check her out on soundcloud www.soundcloud.com/lauramvula...enjoy & be moved...

Diamonds by Laura Mvula

Introducing, Shivon Bailey...

2011-06-09T03:54:00.000-07:00

Heya friends!

I hope this post finds you well...It's been a busy few days, and Monday's gig as part of The Pentecost Festival with Abimaro & The Free was flippin' great!! It was a fam & friends night as I shared the stage with my good friends and sisters, Juliyaa, Mariam and Shivon Bailey... I'll be sharing some pics from the gig later down.

Today's post is all about Shivon Bailey, who I've watched develop as an artist since she was 16...She has such an endearing and likeable stage presence, and her songs are filled with hope and plain & simple truths that we all need to hear. Keep an eye out for her, and watch out for her mix tape soon to be released...I'll be letting you know when that drops...Follow her on TWITTER and Facebook - Shivon Bailey Music... Enjoy 'Good Day' by Shivon Bailey...Check out the Nina Simone intro....is that you Shiv!!! hahahaha.....

T.A. Craig...

2011-06-04T04:26:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!

I went out yesterday to the beautiful country side, and I saw this amazing little independent dealer & restorer of violins, violas, cellos & bows...and I thought of you...Here are some pics of the most beautiful music shop you'll ever see...reminds me of something out of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe...Wish I owned a shop like this!!!... take a peek...

Don't just sleep...dream...

2011-06-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Heya people!

I hope this post finds you well...it's been a busy few days, and I wanted to take some time out to just appreciate some of the work of the musicians that surround me... Anna Omack is one of those very musicians I have had a chance to appreciate this week, and she is truly inspired. Introducing her heart song which reminds me not only to sleep, but to DREAM!!'Endless Possibilities'...enjoy...

BBC...

2011-05-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

On Sunday morning Abimaro & The Free went on BBC london, on Jumoke Fashola's Breakfast Show 'Inspirit'... We had a fantastic time, and are so grateful to everyone who tuned in!!! If you didn't manage to catch us live on Sunday, then check the recording out HERE

And here is a lovely little photo of me and James Beatt outside the BBC...enjoy...

BBC for Abimaro and The Free!!!

2011-05-28T00:07:00.000-07:00

Heya guys hope you're well!!
I'm currently in a VERY shakey internet spot, so I'm gonna make today's post short but SWEET...Abimaro and The Free are on BBC london radio 94.9 on Jumoke Fashola's 'Inspirit' show, tomorrow, sunday 29th from 8.30-9am!!!! OH GOSH, we are sooooo amped, so please tune in because there might be a sneaky LIVE performance in store for you!!! Tune in guys, and support us, and I'll fill you in on how it all went...big love to Pentecost Festival and Spoken Groove! Enjoy the radio show people....

Jig away my friends...jig away...

2011-05-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

Hey friends,

Abimaro & The Free had a great gig yesterday...big shout out to all of you who came down especially SHERLOCK who walked around for 50mins, lost, only to arrive once we had already performed!!! And big love to Maz, Sandra and Vic, Philly, Mo, Naomi (&friend) and Daddy Beatt...and, of course Mr Gunnell!!! A massive thank you to everyone else who came to support as well, was a BANGING night. The fantastic Mr Dex was spinning some SERIOUS tunes (@Mr_Dex) and there were great sets from the likes of Cherri Prince, Mangaliso Asi, Nex and Mensa & dj illout...catch them all on twitter, you won't be disappointed!

Our next gig is on the 6th June at The Underbelly in Hoxton, so be sure not to miss us if you missed yesterday's gig! In the meantime here's a party tune to sum up how I'm feeling after such a great night listening to great music, and being given the privilege to be heard...It's a tune that a lot of you might know, and I LOVE it, it always gets played when I need to do that funky, uncontrollable, unrehearsed, never-to-be-seen JIGGGGG!!!...Jig away my friends, jig away...enjoy Vampire Weekend with Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa...

Did I mention it's FREE!!...

2011-05-25T05:02:00.000-07:00

Heya friends!

Tonight Abimaro & The FREE have a FREE gig in Soho @ 8:30pm (Barrio Central, 6 Poland Street)... It would be absolutely fantastic to see you guys down there! So here's a little clip of our rehearsal for tonight's gig, to show you what to expect...'Perish, Spoil, Fade'...enjoy...

'This time with a little dedication...'

2011-05-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Today I wanted to share a song with you that I really love...I heard it first sung as a cover by the wonderful Eska Mtungwazi... It's a beautiful song with powerful lyrics (' sing me another love song, but this time with a little dedication') and a chorus that I ALWAYS find myself singing along to in a wierd, low, gritted teeth sorta style!! Very strange...but a very good song...check her out, the musical Aunt of Tracy Chapman... Joan Armatrading...

When you define something...you can destroy it...

2011-05-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hey hey my friends,

So today I have a royal treat for you... make of it what you will... but a little birdie told me that this 'choreographer' happens to be a FRAUD!!...Or is he?... BIG shout out to Kevin McGlade. You my friend, are a genius! Follow Kev on twitter @kevinmcglade, I know I am!.. Enjoy...

If it's good enough for Dizzee...

2011-05-20T03:22:00.000-07:00

Heya people,

Just a quick one today... My future brother in law has had his 15 mins of fame, and I for one am proud to have him in the Fam!!! Check out this video of him cutting Dizzee Rascal's hair...AND check out my sister's paintwork on the barber shop walls...(www.lakwena.blogspot.com)... Good work slider!! Fellas, if you need a trim, go to slidercuts! If it's good enough for Dizzee...you do the math!

Homemade...

2011-05-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

So some of you may have seen the pics that we have put up on our facebook and website, but let me fill you in a little more...We wanted to do a photo shoot that captured some of what Abimaro & The Free are about, and we wanted to create images that, if they could speak, would tell the same stories as our music...so we did what our hearts and our wallets thought...we went HOMEMADE and used all our own (all my mums!)clothes, hair, make-up...props...everything!!

So here's a snap from our photo shoot, for those of you who haven't seen it... Go to www.facebook.com/abimaroandthefree to view more stories...

Remember one of these ?......

2011-05-18T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Just a quick pic that I wanted to share with you today...Mr Gunnell bought a smashing old school amp and turntable yesterday...He dragged it all the way home from hammersmith, so today's post is paying homage to that journey he made to bring me back the prettiest amp I've ever seen!! My Dad had one just like this when I was young... brings back memories of listening to Congolese music while my dad did his 'Jig' hahaha!... You just can't beat the old equipment for quality and class!!! Hope you like it...

Rays in My Voice for a Safer Media...

2011-05-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Today I wanted to share with you something revolutionary that I was involved in at the weekend...It's not blatantly musical but it's CREATIVE and inspiring and expressive, which is what music is all about!!

Safermedia is a charity founded by two mums, Miranda & Pippa, who wanted to help protect their children, friends and families from the increasingly sexual culture that the media helps to promote...the charities latest campaign has been trying to get internet service providers to block pornography, so that if you want to view Porn, you have to ask for it, rather than having to ask your internet provider to stop providing you with porn, which is what is currently happening!...

So to illustrate this campaign more effectively, Lakwena (www.lakwena.com) designed an incredible 10ft high wall of brightly coloured boxes, which we held in the wind and rain outside of the BT offices in St Paul's, saying 'BLOCK PORN'....AMAZING day, and so inspiring to see how we as creatives can help 'RAYS' OUR VOICES with our art, to say something really powerful... Go to www.mediamarch.org.uk/currentcampaigns.htm to Rays your voice...

Is this Love...

2011-05-14T08:10:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

I just wanna share a very special song with you... the original recording of this song is probably real familiar to you... First written and recorded by Bob Marley for his 1978 album, Kaya... It's called 'Is This Love' and has been covered amazingly by the great lady, CORINNE BAILEY RAE... It's so nice to hear a cover that actually does the original some justice, and Corinne really tells her own story through this recording... I hope you like it... I danced on a very special day to this song... enjoy...

Tell you a tale...

2011-05-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

Heya guys, hope you're good!

There's been a little bit of weirdness on blogspot, so on behalf of Blogger, apologies if there is some sort of technical hitch when trying to view my old blog!! Anywho, I have a treat for you... I've posted his music before, and he has continued to grow and flourish since then... MICHAEL KIWANUKA is his name (www.michaelkiwanuka.com), and playing darn good music is his game!! hay!

Abimaro & The Free have had the privilege of having him play on our EP 'So I'll Boast' and so it is so inspiring to see Michael in full swing, creating music that is timeless, classic and just great quality...

In this 'Vintage' era, where everything and everyone seems to be trying to hark back to some time when things were a little more authentic and sincere, I can get pretty bored with everyone rinsing the old vintage card.... but Michael manages to bring a real authenticity to his 'old' music, which somehow makes it seem new.... what a beautiful talent... play on Mikes.... enjoy guys...

Tuneyards...

2011-05-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

This is a BANGING tune that my sister LAKWENA flagged up for me...I'm sure you'll agree it's an addictive song with a refreshingly original video... so nice to see how a video can visually illustrate what the music speaks... TUNEYARDS is defo something to shout about...enjoy...

Friends of Friends...

2011-05-10T07:07:00.001-07:00

Hey people,
It's been a while since my last post, but I'm excited to share a couple gems with you that I've been storing up... I went to the first gig in a while which really and truly inspired me... The event was FLOCK run by One Taste and The Wheel, and I will let you know when and where the next one is, because it is a fantastic night for creative, out-of-the-box, live music... I was pleasantly surprised to see many friends of mine not only performing in the line-up but also older friends filming the gig... It's a small world, and a comforting one when you get to see older friends and newer friends all under one roof, CREATING! So here's a ray for you today... 'Documentation Of The Flock' filmed by an old friend FEMI26.

Mood for love...

2011-03-07T11:55:00.001-08:00

Heya guys, here's a quick post to remind you of those old classics that echo through the sound waves from years long gone by... A friend told me about this song, and how it was first an instrumental and then the lyrics were sung to it later, and it just has such a lovely gliding flow and reminds me that music is so old, so grown... enjoy 'Moody's Mood For love'...

Cut from the same suit...

2011-03-04T02:48:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, hope you are all well and enjoying the day... just want to leave you with a song from an up and coming singer songwriter who happens to share my surname...you gotta check her out and support people... She goes by the name of Juliyaa and is releasing a new track each week, so keep your ear on this one, she's going places...Find out more about her gigs etc on her MYSPACE...enjoy...

Here's one for my spring playlist...

2011-03-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

Hey y'all I know I've been kinda quiet... sorry... but as you know I've been busy touring with the amazing, inspirational-like nothing you have ever seen before show, that they call 'Drive , Ride, Walk'..... please come and support, or just sit in at one of our shows... tonight's our 2nd night at Stratford Circus... tickets are cheap... music ain't.... so holler!!!!!!!

Real quick, I was blown away by this little number.... im eatin my dinner right now so Ima have to make this short but sweet.....enjoy....how could you possibly not....big shout out to this guy...p.s. tomorrow I got a little family love for you all...gunna share some great music from home.....much lovexxxx

Tube Tunes...

2011-02-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

Hey friends!

A quick one for you all tonight... Just want to share a little video which gives a tiny bit of a whiff as to what the show 'Drive, Ride, Walk' has in it... we filmed this at Highgate Tube station, to the delight of all the early morning transport users ;-)... Hope you enjoy it. I'm the one on your far right, acting like it's normal to be casually singing a song with various other people on the underground... It's music people, don't judge!!.... enjoy...

Valentines rehearsals...

2011-02-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

Hey friends,

So Happy Valentines to you all... I hope you can all appreciate LOVE, regardless of whether it's a romantic day for you, or simply a quiet reminder of the gift of LOVE... what a beautiful thing...

So today's rehearsal went super fast for me. We are continuing to rehearse for the tour Drive, Ride, Walk, at a theatre near you as of next week... and today more of the show was solidified, apart from my voice which felt fragile as a leaf :-(... But an early night will hopefully sort that one...

MOMENT OF THE DAY- We all sang 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' in canon, and watched as a rainbow flew over our heads... lovely....enjoy this classic...

Drive, Ride, Walk...

2011-02-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

I know it's been a bit of a break since my last post... The last post was all about Abimaro & The Free's gig at The Spice Of Life... it was great...I guess sometimes there are those gigs that just 'work' it wasn't that there were loads of people or anything like that, it was just that special thing that happens sometimes when everyone on stage just meets in the air for a while, and the audience just 'get's it'.... so I am looking forward to more and more gigs just like that very soon with Abimaro & The Free.... But for today, for this week, for this next few months I have a project that I am excited to see how it affects the music I create with Abimaro & The Free....

I am part of a Musical Theatre Company called Filament theatre, and we are currently in our 3rd and final week of rehearsals for our London tour! Such an exciting project to be a part of... anything to do with transport in London is bound to get a reaction from me with all the flippin perils that come with TFL!! So when you mix transport in the city with 8 vocal harmonies virtually completely a cappella, and an incredible composer and director..... well then, that's when you get 'Drive Ride Walk'... if something a bit experimental and thought provoking is your cup of tea, then come and drink at one of our performances.... www.filament-theatre.com are where all the details can be found, and tickets bought...

I am going to try and blog every day ( maybe every other ;-) and let you know how rehearsals and performances are going... and I might record a few sneaky videos of some of our progress... hope you guys can come and support....

Spice Of Life...

2011-01-28T02:44:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

Abimaro & The Free have a gig tonight in The West end...we are first on around 8pm, Doors open at 7.30pm, it's £5, and it's at The Spice of Life, 6 Moor Street, Cambridge Circus, London, W1D 5NA. Nearest tube: Leicester Square (3 mins walk)....We would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see you there!!!! It's a nice chilled vibe, so swing down for a great Friday night out!! You can't beat live music!!... AND the first 3 people to reach get a FREE copy of Abimaro & The Free's Debut Live EP, 'So I'll Boast'!! oh yeahh........see you tonight xx

Still building...

2011-01-24T05:26:00.000-08:00

Hello freinds...

I thought I'd share with you some work in progress... Abimaro & The Free had a rehearsal on Friday for our gig at Shhh on Saturday... We were chuffed to play at this gig, and we saw some really great Folk acts who we weren't all that familiar with... definitely one of the more nerve-racking gigs for us though... anyway here's some footage a fly on the wall took in Abimaro & The Free's Rehearsal :-)... we are still building on this one... hope you enjoy the journey... introducing...'Mary How Does Your Garden Grow?...

Shhhh....

2011-01-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

I would like to tell you about Abimaro & The free's very exciting gig this Saturday 22nd @ Cecil Sharp House in Camden, 2 Regents Park Road, NW1 7AY, From 12 noon, .... come down!!!!! I would love for you to be there as this gig is very special, here's what it's about:

Shhh! is once again standing up against the noise mongers of the world and hitting back with an all day celebration of quiet music. Taking place in the beautiful surroundings of Cecil Sharp House in Camden, North London - the all-day event (proudly hosted by The Local and The Line Of Best Fit) is a chance for performers and audience alike to come together in quiet unison.
Of course the bands are not ALWAYS super quiet, but the audience is. We?ll be bringing in our expertly trained ShhUshers for the event meaning you?ll be guaranteed a perfect listening environment for some of the most exciting and innovative names in music.

So hopefully see some of you cats down at Cecil Sharp House on Saturday!! It's not one to miss and you can buy tickets HERE online for £20 (I know it's pricey but it's WELL worth it!)

See you there!xx

I realise that I am free...

2011-01-16T03:07:00.000-08:00

Hello,

Today I'm meant to be on my way out the house and starting the day, but I've had to put this show on hold for a few reasons... I realise that I am tired... I realise that I am free... I realise that I am young and in love, and I need to hold those things for a while and thank God for where I am right now... I think I need to stop trying to better myself and my music, and sit down long enough to see that where I am is good, and that no one's journey is ever easy or perfect... even all of those people that I compare myself too...

I realise that I am free... Let me hold such things for a while...

One way to find my biggest fan...

2011-01-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

Hey people!

A few words for you today... Abimaro & The Free are performing at a lovely venue called The Slaughtered Lamb Pub tonight... so here's the short story...

You have to buy tickets for this show, and I was eager to let people know as we are headlining, which is really exciting! But I promoted the wrong link for the venue!! hahahah... It gets worse, this link that I posted for a venue with the same name, is in New York!! Whereas the venue we are performing at is actually in Clerkenwell, London. So basically I have had a few confused responses from people, wondering what kind of budget I think people have to go to gigs!! My reasoning is pretty simple though... the way I see it, this little 'experiment' is one sure way to find Abimaro and the free's biggest fan... Just hope they bought a return ticket for next weeks gig ;-)

See you tonight!xxx

Christmas SALES...

2010-12-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

Hello all....

Hope you are well and had a blessed christmas...

I came to the computer today, ready & waiting to hear something special...to listen to a song that would feel timeless...not so easily thrown away like so much of the world today is... I started thinking about the boxing day sales, and how we have them every christmas, and suddenly those clothes or stuff that wasn't in the sale before, and that you couldn't afford before, suddenly goes in the sale and it totally changes how you view that item... you know what I mean? Have you ever seen a real expensive bag and thought that you would buy it if you could...and then you see it dashed on the floor in a sale 'frenzy' and suddenly it just isn't worth what you thought/felt it was before you saw that?!....same like how the rings in 'SWAG' (The poorly named jewellery store) are oddly sparkly, but then you go past the shop when the lights are off, and the rings just look ordinary...beautiful but just not as special as they seemed to make out when they stood there in the shop window, under lights brighter than the sun!....

Well I think I am the kind of person who likes those things in life that are more real, less deceiving...I like those things that aren't always so super shiny that they lose their natural appeal and beauty...I like those people who are refreshing...I like the mountains and how tall they are, and how it reminds me of how small I am...so when I saw this video of an old classic that I love, I was pleasantly surprised because after a while of looking through youtube a few too many times, I found this video, this 'performance' and this music, that seems a little less shiny...a bit more what I'm into, and hope to achieve through my expression...enjoy friends...xx

High Barn

2010-12-16T05:38:00.000-08:00

Hello friends...

Hope this post finds you well...I wanted to tell you all about Abimaro & The Free's next gig which is @ High Barn in Essex for their Unplugged Christmas Special Thursday 30th December !! This is officially a 1st for Abimaro & The Free, as we have never gigged outside of central London really, so we are excited to take a little road trip and we hope you will join us :-)...

Incase you need convincing to travel that far, a real treat which I am sure you will enjoy is that High Barn has a Grand Piano!Oh Yeahhhh! So people that means that you will be able to hear Abimaro & The Free in real acoustic loveliness!!

As if that isn't reason enough to come and join us, then here's another gem...we will be performing our new song 'Perish, Spoil, Fade' which we hope you will enjoy....

So there you go people, come down to High Barn for a night of adventure and acoustic-uplift with Abimaro & The Free!....Here are the details & where to buy tickets...

30th December
7:30pm -11pm
High Barn Limited
www.high-barn.com
+44 (0)1371 811291

xx

Luke...

2010-12-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Hello friends.....a huge good evening to you all...I'm afraid I've been a bit far away of recent... but I'm back and I hope you guys will like the song I've got for you tonight... Not the best quality recording but it'll do for now:-)...

Luke is a song I wrote over a year ago, and it was part of a project of 4 songs, each named after a different book in the Bible, from a group of 4 called The Gospels... Please if I've lost you already by saying the 'G' word(Gospels) or 'B' word(Bible), please stay with me because what I have to say IS relevant to you...

I was so inspired by this story told through the eyes of a man, who at one point in his life was not at all familiar with anything to do with the people we now call christians....a man who was, as many of us are today, more familiar with things like the pages of The FREE Evening Standard, than the pages of the Bible... But who became so affected by ONE man's life, and death, that his account of this man's life was written on the pages that were put together to make up The Bible....WOW

This man's name was Luke, his story was The Gospel, His reason was the 'J' word... Jesus... enjoy...

P.s.

Big up to Verb Swish for the 'J' word...;-) And many thanks to Judy's House for finding a place for this song...& StothaG for posting it :-)

Onwords & Upwords

2010-11-11T05:13:00.000-08:00

Heya people,

I am aware of my absence my friends, and all I can say is....I'm working on it :-) For those of you who are near London and love a good night out of quality music then I have good news for you!! Abimaro & The Free will be performing at Verb Swish's Album shin-dig, at The Horse in Waterloo tomorrow on the 12th November, 122-124 Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7XG. Doors open 7.30. Showtime: 8pm. Nearest Tube: Lambeth North (round the corner) OR Waterloo (short walk). Entry is £10 which I know is a little steep friends, but this comes with a free, brand-spamking-new copy of Verb Swish's Debut Album!! Guys this is not a night to be missed, Verb Swish is a fantastic spoken Word Artist who I have been blessed to know and work with so you will not be disappointed.

Also on the night you will be treated to a performance from Homecut, his critically acclaimed debut album "No Freedom Without Sacrifice" features collaborations with Grammy winner Corinne Bailey Rae, Mercury Prize nominee Soweto Kinch...etc...Are you mad! people you gotta be there!!http://www.myspace.com/homecut

So for those of you who don't know Verb Swish, he is a rare talent. A spoken word artist, who manages to wrap words in parcels of stories that leave your heart bursting with longing and your eyes full to the brim of colours...Here's a little preview of his work, but for those of you who want to hear a little more, see you tomorrow!!...enjoy...

Charlie Wrights

2010-11-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hey friends,

Abimaro & The Free have an impromptu performance tonight in Old Street...We are sharing a song with friends in a chilled out place alongside the incredible Eska Mtungwazi!! Yeh yeh Eska will be performing tonight so you have gota come and be blessed! Trust me! Here are the details:

Charlie Wrights, 45 Pitfield St, London, N1 6DA - 020 7490 8345, 8pm-12am, £6 entry.

See you there folks!...

Lullabies...

2010-11-02T03:31:00.000-07:00

Hey friends,

It's been a week since my last post, and I'm itching to put some new stuff up here to share with you what has been inspiring me...I'm going to challenge myself to create more this week... I'll expand on that more later down, but for now here is a lady that is busy creating great music... Ane Brun with 'Lullaby for grown-ups'... enjoy :-)...

Winter Coats...

2010-10-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

I hope that you are all getting over your colds if you've caught one due to the flippin freezin' weather!! Seems like winter's just crept up on us in London ey! Well it's defo the time to bring out the old winter coat, and what I love is that at least in Winter you can be sure of what the weather is going to be like in England, I can prepare for the cold, just can't stand not knowing...:-)

So I thought I'd share a lovely summery video with you guys to warm us up a little...I first saw this lady perform at 'Street Fest', and she was amazing, check her songs out here... Her name's Kerry Leatham and I reckon we are going to hear a lot more from her very soon... enjoy this people...

Esperanza Spalding

2010-10-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

I have a real treat for you today... My friend told me about Esperanza Spalding a while ago, but I've just started listening to her...WOW... All I can say is ...WOW... Please have a listen to this beautiful rainbow of a tune... It's like hearing a thousand raindrops all falling on a hundred old glass pianos... but better, warmer, smoother, more dynamic...HEAVY! Have a listen for yourselves, this is definitely one to rays my voice about...

Enjoy 'Inutil Paisagem' by Esperanza Spalding, featuring the amazing Gretchen Parlato...

Here Comes The Sun

2010-10-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Just wanna leave you with a tune now that is absolutely lov-erly...enjoy

Notting Hill 2008...

2010-10-20T03:19:00.000-07:00

Hey friends!

Hope this post finds you well...I am actually not feeling too good myself as I have caught this cold that I thought I had dodged... but hey nothing a good cup of honey, Lemon & ginger can't cure ;-)...So apologies for the slight air I've been giving you on this here blog for the past few days!!

Anyway, I have a treat to share with you today, and something that I really wanna raise my voice about...

I first saw and fell in love with this guy at Notting Hill Carnival in 2008 where he was performing...I was amazed at his music and the way it seemed so sincere in a genre that is often so much about puttin' up this prideful persona... Since those days in the summer of 2008 I've got to know this man's music as well as his character more deeply, and have been so inspired with how the two have been fluid and connected... How his music and his life reflect one another, and work together to create something so special... sincere... and refreshing, especially in a genre like Grime.

For those of you who don't know him, Sammy G is well worth an afternoon (or more!) of listening to. His album is available from all good major online retailers and here's the link to purchase it .

I should probably mention that I am going to be marrying this man next year :-) But please do not think that any of my thoughts on his music are bias... go check it out for yourself people!... Let me know your thoughts!

So let me Introduce you to Sammy G... he also gave Abimaro & The Free a much appreciated shout out in this here video, so you might see my little head popping up somewhere! Big up to Gospel Cypher for all their hard work...check out their youtube channel... It's ridiculous!!

Enjoy...

Inside Out (Abridged) by lordgokal

2010-10-14T05:16:00.001-07:00

Heya guys,

Just a quick one today to introduce you to a friend and inspiration of mine...If you don't know of her by name already, I'm sure you've heard her voice without realizing, and once you hear it you'll want to hear more...Eska Mtungwazi is an incredible musician and has taught me a ridiculous amount in the few years that I have known her, she is a huge talent and is always involved in the most amazing projects!...I will be posting more and more about Eska in the coming months, but if you want to keep yourself updated please check her out on www.myspace.com/eskaonline. She also has a gig this Sunday @ The Soho Theatre on the 17th Oct. Tickets are limited, and cheaper online: http://tinyurl.com/3aclvs8

In the meantime let me leave you with a treat of a link- a free, live & exclusive mp3 of Eska in action...enjoy!

Inside Out (Abridged) by lordgokal

Old-tin thought...

2010-10-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hey friends,

I heard broken notes echoing down the road while I was out from work today, I followed the trail and I found this old, brown man playing his trumpet in shoreditch park in the little bit of sun that peeked through the sky...what a delight,...so I thought I'd share a 'free-verse' poem that popped out after thinking on that beautiful sight...hope you enjoy it...

Playing blue notes to a grey sky
Just don't feel right.
But playing 'em to the deepest blackest night that hums with emptiness,
Now that seems more fitting.
Or punching them in-between notes that
dance between the cracks in your keys,
Into a sky so blue,
well now that seems more like it, more suited to an old eccentric like you
With rough hands,
Rough from makin' them valves jump so high,
Rough from picking up dreams that I let die,
From not letting go of that old-tin thought that to sing,
to sing might just be enough,
...enough for him...

Abimaro & The Adventures

2010-10-11T04:53:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

I hope this post finds you well! I'm sorry for the slight gap in my online presence over the last couple of days BUT I was doing some really exciting stuff that I can't wait to share with you...

On friday Abimaro & The Free were headlining at HOWL! That was both great and hard work at the same time, let me explain...

I think every band has had to perform at a gig where some of the crowd seem to think that the music is just very loud background music, and that they are somehow entering into a challenge, where they see who can be the loudest...their conversations, or the music!!...Well Friday was one of those gigs, and although the SHOUTING from the 'competitive' crowd was off-putting , there was also a core audience of listeners, who so kindly lent me their ears and their support throughout the whole set....they are what stopped me throwing my little black egg shaker on the floor, and shouting 'FORGET YOU MAN, ALL OF YA!!' ;-)

So that was friday, and Saturday was equally eventful...Myself and my guys, otherwise known as Abimaro & The Free, had a 'Home-made photo- shoot'!! WOW, we had a lot of fun, using all our old, borrowed and battered clothes to create some images that best symbolised what we and our music is about...I dressed up in all my mums old vintage dresses, and we all went down to the woods with photographer extraodinaire Alia Ahmed!!...I ended up barefoot in a river with floating tea cups and a golden tea pot, and jam jars with songs stuffed inside...!! Exciting stuff ey?! Ima let you guys see a sneak-peek of these enchanting images real soon, so keep checking the blog for them...

In the meantime, here's a beautiful tune that has the most incredible imagery...if I could take a picture of this song, it'd be incredible!...enjoy

HOWL...

2010-10-07T07:39:00.000-07:00

Heya guys!

I hope you are all very well...this week I have been getting ready for Abimaro & The Free's gig at the 'HOWL' event tomorrow at Mother in 333 Old Street from 8pm-3am...We are headlining!! Oh yeah, should be a lot of fun, and I am personally inviting you all to come down and support, and make it the best gig of October!!...Hope you can make it, I'd love to see you there!

For all those who can't make it, no worries, hopefully one day Abimaro & The Free will be at a venue near you, and if that isn't soon enough, some photos and MAYBE some sneaky footage from the gig tomorrow will have to do...FOR NOW...:-)

So today I'm asking you lovely friends whether you checked out Miles Davis 'My Funny Valentine' and what happened as you listened? Was it like a thousand winds came singing towards you OR was it more like one single rain drop fell slowly to the ground, and you watched as it disappeared into the soil beneath your feet?...Let me know your thoughts!

Anyway, whilst you mull over exactly how best to describe your listening experience of 'My Funny Valentine', I will leave you with a spectacular tune. I've got nothing against country, but I don't listen to much of it, but wow is this song worth a listen...simply a great tune 'Coat of many colours' by Dolly Parton... enjoy...

My Funny Valentine

2010-10-05T02:13:00.000-07:00

The very first time I heard this song I was sitting in a classroom, learning bout something called 'signifyin'...I was daydreaming of singing to an audience who were moved by my stories, not impressed, but moved- I think there is a very clear difference...

I was caught in this daydream until I suddenly heard the most haunting, painful, crying notes I think I have ever heard...I had listened to Miles Davis before, and I loved the way he played, I studied trumpet to grade 5 when I was younger and I had always wondered how to go from perfecting 'Pink panther' to perfecting that strange language called jazz! I was never satisfied by just playing tunes that were dead to me, I wanted to sing with the trumpet like how I would sing with my voice... and so when I heard Miles Davis play 'My Funny Valentine' I realised that it wasn't just about blowing a horn, that music was about connecting, pushing yourself to the limit, timing... vulnerability.

I'd say that 'My Funny Valentine' by Miles Davis is one of, if not the most favourite song of mine... ever! WOW, quite a claim, but I just understood it as soon as I heard it, and from this here tune I have learnt so much about my journey as a singer, and where I want my songs to take people...

Unfortunately I can't find the old video! ;-) So you are gunna have to go and check it out for yourselves on iTunes or amazon etc... There are different versions of 'My Funny Valentine' and the one that smells like fresh lavender on a dark, cold, autumn morning is the one that I love- It's the live version, lasts 15:10 minutes, and can be found buried under piles of brilliant tunes on the Miles Davis 'Greatest Hits' Album (originally recorded in 1969 I think)/ 'My Funny Valentine, Miles Davis In Concert' Album... do your homework people... prove me right... enjoy and let me know your thoughts...

Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/My-Funny-Valentine-Miles-Concert/dp/B00079I0CE

Awake my soul.....

2010-10-03T01:20:00.000-07:00

A beautiful tune for a beautiful day...I hope you all have a restful and most beautiful sunday...God Blessx

The Invisible...

2010-10-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I hope you are all so well... I've had a lovely day today, it's been so tiring but it's such a blessing to have a home to lay my head at the end of the day...

I wanna share a great tune with you today from a great band, these guys are seriously fantastic musicians, and I've been privileged enough to have been taught by David Okumo who is one third of The Invisible, when I was at Uni...a band to go and see live for sure!....I know you'll enjoy this :-)... Here's The Invisible with 'Monster Waltz'...

An old favourite of hers, A new favourite of mine...

2010-09-28T05:21:00.000-07:00

Heya guys,

Gonna share a tune that is an old favourite of my sisters for you today. This tune is a new favourite of mine, I love it, it sums up for me what music should be more about....you know, more about that joy that only a melody can even begin to express...I love it and I hope you do too... Enjoy how this guy manages to make his guitar speak in a way that words just couldn't...

p.s. listen from 30 seconds in to just hear the music...

What lies behind me...

2010-09-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

Hallo people!!

I am really well today, feeling over excited about the future and all the things that I will see and experience...All the seasons to come, that lie ahead of me, and all the seasons that have been...

An amazing season that lies behind me was the amazing opportunity to go on a World Tour with the group Zero 7 last year...an incredible time of challenge and growth...I wanted to share with you the other lead vocalist on the tour, Olivia Chaney...She has such a beautiful, delicate voice and this was by far one of my favourite songs from the tour...it's called 'Swing' and you can check Olivia Chaney out on her myspace - www.myspace.com/oliviachaney.

(Check out my moves on this here video, I've been giving myself a lot of joke from this :-)

Enjoy.....

Sounds like Autumn

2010-09-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

Heya there friends!

Can you believe it's autumn again!! Wow, I think Autumn is nearly my favourite month...I love the magic of the leaves revealing their true colours, and then spiralling to the ground to begin a new journey....love it!

Today I saw the first leaf fall, and I thought of hot chocolates and big coats and plum lipstick(dunno why but don't hate!)...Yeh Autumns a beautiful season, so bring it on coz at least we can expect cold weather, and not have to run around worrying whether we will be freezing in a barely-worn summer dress, or sweating like a pig in the old turtle-neck ey ;-)...hate the unpredictability of english summers!

Anywho, here's a wee little poem I wrote a little while ago about Autumn, I wanna share it with you, hope you like it.....

The First time I saw the leaves fall
My heart fell too.
I wondered whether they'd ever return at all.
I wept as I watched that last leaf fall...

Little Dragon

2010-09-24T02:30:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Hope this post finds you well! I've been a bit caught up this week with decisions decisions! You know those weeks, where nothing is quite as it seems, and you end up worrying about all these decisions to be made?!....

Well I say when that happens it's good to maybe take a step back and take life a little less seriously...so I heard about a banging gig that I couldn't miss and decided that was a nice way to losen up a little :-)...

Yesterday night I had the opportunity to go to see Little Dragon live at Koko in Camden! I packed my big bag after work, phoned around to see if anyone could come with me, and was so amped about going that even when noone could reach, I shuffled my big feet all the way to Koko by myself, and enjoyed a gig solo-style!!...Well toward the end I realised that a good friend was there too, so me and my gurl Ang shook our tired little legs along to Little dragons tunes!

They were fantastic, really good live actually, and I loved the venue-I've never been to Koko before. I think that it was more instrumental than I expected but when they played my favourite tune 'Twice' right at the end of the show as I was leaving, I was content... If you can, or want to check these guys out, the singer has an incredible voice, kind of Erykah Badu inspired...I think I wanted to hear a little more sincerity from the show, it was maybe more of a performance than an experience, but wow those guys make lovely, original,interesting music...and that makes a change...

So I recommend solo-gig-going to you all, takes a bit of confidence and a face set like flint(joking)!! Nah but seriously, I suspect this might be one of many gigs I go to solo...Here's one of Little Dragons tunes that I love, it's called 'Fortune' and it's deep...check it out, would love to hear what you thinkxx

Tell Him...

2010-09-19T03:00:00.001-07:00

Heya guys!

I've had a lovely relaxing weekend in my favorite other city in England...Birmingham! It's been beautiful just being away from the hustle and bustle of life in London.....Just feel like we all need a little bit of a break sometimes, and I rarely just take time to sit down and slow down, you know?...I think in today's culture we are always being encouraged to produce, and gain, and work and be busy...That's good sometimes, but I think it's just as important to sit, watch, reflect and be free.....

Sometimes I think that there are those people who never get what they should have and could have grabbed with both hands...but there are also those people who maybe grab too much and end up holding what should never have been theirs...

Hope that makes sense, just wanted to share about that balance that I never quite seem to get right, that beautiful balance between working hard and persevering to get what you should, whilst taking time to sit back and rest, being careful not to strive for something that was never yours.....

...bit of a deep one today ey ;-)...let me know your thoughts...Here's a video that reminds me to keep that balance...'Tell Him' by Lauryn Hill,

Just a little gem for the morning...

2010-09-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Sorry for the delay in this here post! Thanks again for all the support for the release of Abimaro & The Free's Live EP, 'So I'll Boast'!! Please continue to let me know your thoughts about it...thanks Si for your lovely words on my last post:-)

So I'm rushing here to post you a little gem before I leave for work this morning...want something that both you and me will be blessed by...so here is an absolutely beautiful song by my friend and fellow Ugandan, Michael Kiwanuka! Mikes is also on Abimaro & The Free's Live EP 'So I'll Boast' playing guitar before he moved on to bigger things :-)...He is definitely one to watch, please check out his myspace and support a brother...www.myspace.com/mikeksongs...what an amazing talent...enjoyxx

Monday 13th September looked like fruit...

2010-09-14T02:48:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

So I'm a little bit happy today :-) Feel a tiny bit like a farmer who has been planting seeds all winter, watering and tending those seeds, and then on Monday 13th September she looks out through her window, over her land, and she sees tiny green shoots dotted about all over the soil....

WOW! I'm talking about fruition, and yesterday when Abimaro & The Free's Live EP 'So I'll Boast' was released online, I felt as though it was some sort of fruit...however small it's not insignificant...fruit is fruit!

So I wanted to encourage everyone reading todays blog to enjoy their fruit, and just as there is a time for planting, there is a time for reaping as well....and your fruit may be bigger than mine, or I may have more fruit than you, but fruit is fruit and that's enough for me today...

Thanks for all the support guys!...Slow motion is better than no motion (Big up to 'S to the G' for that one ;-)...Oh Yeahhhhhhhhh!

Here are the links to iTunes & Bandcamp where you can listen and buy Abimaro & The Free's Debut Live EP 'So I'll Boast'!!

Itunes Download link: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/so-ill-boast-live/id386591155

Bandcamp Download link: http://abimaroandthefree.bandcamp.com/releases

The Final Countdown

2010-09-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hey people!

Just a quick post to shout from this tree top that today there is only 1 day left till the online release of Abimaro & The Free's Live EP 'So I'll Boast'!!!! Yes, yes that's right, only 1 day left!!!!

And for this special occasion, and the last song of our 'Countdown Mission' I have made an exception to the rule....KiloDilo in DC has suggested a fantastic song that doesn't have the number 1 in the title, but is just so darn fitting for the moment, that I have to post it....

Ladies & Gentlemen, introducing....'The Final Countdown' by Europe!!!!!!!!! Oh yeeahhhhhhh!....

p.s. This may very well be the first and last time that I post something that can be described as 'Glam Metal' ;-)....

It takes two....

2010-09-11T04:16:00.000-07:00

Hey hey guys!

How are you all doing today! I'm having a nice day today and am enjoying the weather :-) Feeling full of beans today, and like I have a little swing in my step ;-)....

So as you know there are two days left till the Online release of Abimaro & The Free's Live EP 'So I'll Boast'! Oh yeaaaah! And here at 'Rays In my Voice' we (dunno why I am talking as if there is a whole team here...it's jus me on my jacks!) have a little mission going on!!!!!!!!!! Introducing....

THE COUNTDOWN MISSION!...So I have had the most suggestions yet from Facebook pals who seem to have no google account to post their comments on this here blog ;-) Here are the suggestions:

From Maz we have 'Just The Two Of Us' by Grover Washington with vocals by the legend that is Bill Withers!

From Shaz we have a friend of 'Just The Two Us'...A remix/Remake of the original by Will Smith...Also named 'Just The Two Of Us'.

And lastly from Gee, we have 'It takes Two' by William 'Mickey' Stevenson & Sylvia Moy and recorded by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston!

Guys thank you for your suggestions!! I have loved listening to these tunes, and although my mind says 'Just The Two Of Us' I have to go with my heart on this occasion, and post the fan-flippin-tastic tune....'It Takes Two'! Thanks Gee!....Hope you all enjoy it, I just feel it sums up the mood for today, and you can't beat those vocals...great example of a great duet...

So just two days left to go...don't forget to post your suggestions for tomorrows tune of the day for the Countdown Mission...Must have the number 1 in it!

xxx

Three IS the magic number!!!!

2010-09-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Today I am happy to say that it is down to 3 days left till the Online release of Abimaro & The Free's Live EP 'So I'll Boast"!!!!

Oh yeah people! And to celebrate this day I have a great song that has been suggested for the 'Countdown Mission'....Please sit back and enjoy one of the most head-boppingly-infectious-feel-good- tunes....

Introducing.... 'The Magic Number' by De La Soul! Oh yeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!! 3 days left....keep the comments coming for tomorrows 'Countdown tune' (The number 2 must be in the title)......enjoyxx

4 Days to go!!!!

2010-09-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

How you doing? Well as promised here's a video with the number of days left till the online release of Abimaro & The Free's Live EP 'So I'll Boast', in the title! wooo, what a mouthful! Still need you guys comments on what tomorrows tune should be, 3 days left, can't wait for your ideas!!

But as for now, here's todays tune, an oldy, takes me back, and makes me smile....what a tune....hope you guys enjoy it...Here's '4 page letter' by Aaliyah....

Countdown continued...

2010-09-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hey friends!

So today I wanted to continue the countdown to the Online release of Abimaro & The Free's Live EP with a special mission should you choose to accept it!...I wanna hear a little more from you lot if you don't mind, and so I have a really fun task that I'd love you to be a part of...

There are 5 days till the Online EP Launch and so following yesterdays theme song all about numbers '123456789101112' I want you guys to comment by posting a link/the name of songs that have the same number in their title as the number of days left till the Online launch....get it?

e.g. Today there are 5 days left, so I could post that old classic '5 steps' by Dru Hill if I fancied a little bit of a throw back to a time when everything seeemed that little bit more simple :-)....

So today I will give you guys a helping hand and so I want to share with you 'Take 5' by Dave Brubeck!!!! What a tune......so I'll leave you with this, and I really do hope to receive some ideas tonight for tomorrows tune of the day which should have the number 4 in its title, as tomorrow there are 4 days left till the Online launch! I'll post the one that I like the most.......Post away people, post away!!!!