4th AVENUE JONES’ ‘Hiprocksoul’ is a flavor that defies conventional songwriting with a combination of energy and precision as found on their potent new album STEREO: The Evolution Of Hiprocksoul (LookAlive/Gotee/EMI), due out March 29, 2005.

Fronted by vocalist/producer Ahmad Jones, the Los Angeles-based band also consists of guitarist/producer Timmy Shakes, vocalist Tena Jones, bassist “Phat” Al Parker, drummer Dee Calloway and the “illest violinist” Gailybird. Their sound–based on air-tight musicianship and bracing lyrics–is a distinguished brew of rock, soul and hip-hop influences with energy reminiscent of the glory days when music was art and innovation were king. 

The album’s first single is the title cut “Stereo”, penned by Ahmad as an homage to many musician’s first love, a stereo. Clever lyrics, teamed up with happy-go-lucky raw rock melody, make for an infectious ‘stereo-ready’ tune. A video from the new animation/illustration company Sumasian Films is due out soon.

Other songs on STEREO: The Evolution of Hiprocksoul touch on a variety of themes based on the band’s life experiences and personal feelings. “Fabulous Dramatics” is an example of the Jones’ reality-based tongue-in-cheek lyrical style. The song is about the “drama” that an ex-girlfriend brings and its theme is captured in the first few words with Ahmad Jones singing “She used to call me baby, then she stopped calling me at all. This girl was kind of shady.” The title track “Stereo”, “Sorry” and “Unhappy Birthday” all share a similar story-telling style.

Vocal range and musical depth is shown on the gospel-laced rock track “Who’s Watching Me?” Timmy Shakes’ guitar parts and Gailybird’s string arrangements add weight to the music, while Tena Jones, wife of Ahmad Jones and co-lead vocalist in the group, sings “Scared, trapped, my life has got to change. I won’t complain but I need some thangs.”

Complete track listing for STEREO: The Evolution of Hiprocksoul is:
1. Jenny- Intro –interlude 
2. Stereo
3. Fabulous Dramatics
4. Unhappy Birthday
5. Overloaded
6. Take Me Away
7. Sorry
8. Monumental Continental
9. Who’s Watching Me?
10. Caesar
11. Why
12. Rush
13. It’s Over Now

STEREO: The Evolution Of Hiprocksoul Coming March 29th!
First single “Stereo” available now!

Submitted by: admin