BASS IS BASE is the soul alternative - a trio of Canadian
singers/songwriters set to mesmerize American audiences with "MEMORIES OF
THE SOULSHACK SURVIVORS", their
Loose Cannon debut. A beguiling mix of pop, funk, hip-hop, and soul, their
music reflects the diverse mix that is the music scene in Toronto, of which
the group is an integral part.
Equally as diverse is the band's heritage. Bassist/vocalist Chin (26) is
East Indian, keyboardist/trumpeter/vocalist Ivana (24) is a mix of
French-Canadian and Italian and rapper/percussionist Mystic (21) is
part-Trinidadian and part-Chinese. Each though, came from a musical family.
Mystic was steeped heavily in calypso, Ivana played in her father's band,
and Chin, whose father makes a guest appearance on the interlude "My Roots,"
grew up listening to traditional East Indian music. "People always try to
put barriers and boundaries on music, but we don't believe in this," says
Chin. "We use our cultural roots and different backgrounds to our
advantage. We're completely amalgamated."
Originally, in 1993, BASS IS BASE was just Ivana, Chin and two other.
Mystic had his own group, Maximum Definitve. After meeting at an industry
convention, Mystic began to sit in with BASS IS BASE, and by early 1994 was
a fully-fledged member of the group. The threesome played throughout
Canada, opening for other bands and soloing in local clubs.
As their popularity grew, after one especially impressive gig opening for
Jamiroquai, they decided to record an album. Having no label deal was only
a minor hinderance; they decided to start their own (SoulShack) and released
"FIRST IMPRESSIONS FOR THE BOTTOM JIGGLERS" in the spring of 1994. The single
"FUNKMOBILE" became a hit, and its video won a Canadian Music Video award in
the Best R&B/Soul category. BASS IS BASE also earned a coveted Juno award
(the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) for "Best R&B/Soul Recording."
Understandably, the major labels took notice. The winners proved to be
Loose Cannon (and in Canada A&M). Lisa Cortes, Loose Cannon's president,
had heard the buzz and ventured to Toronto. "She came and checked us out,"
says Mystic, "And then she came onstage and started singing with us. We
couldn't believe that the president of our label came onstage and started
singing with us. We felt this was a pretty good indication of the label's
enthusiasm," he laughs.
To create "MEMORIES OF THE SOULSHACK SURVIVORS" BASS IS BASE took up
residence in Toronto's Metal Works studio for six weeks with the production
team of Shane Faber and Mike Mangini (De La Soul, Digable Planets). With
six re-workings of songs from "FIRST IMPRESSIONS..." and six new tracks,
"MEMORIES OF THE..." is a bigger, funkier version of their initial effort.
"Funkmobile" survived the SOULSHACK, and its mean groove has grown deeper in
the process. One of the album's six new songs, "Floating," weaves low-key
lyrics into the smooth vibe of the song itself, becoming a celebration of
taking things slow and easy. Chin is particularly proud of "I Cry", which
challenged the band to try a new approach to their songwriting. "It injects
a hip-hop feel to a top 40 sound, and we used an acoustic guitar with vocal
samples of ourselves - a really cool mix. That's the kind of concept we go
for. We try to make pop interesting and give the listeners more credit than
they usually get."
"Diamond Dreams" is a funked up version of its former self, with Ivana and
Chin sharing lead vocals. The difference, says Ivana, lies in "the
spontaneously brand new groove" which underscores the song, making it a
personal favorite for the band. Other new highlights on "MEMORIES OF
THE..." include "Why" and
"Into My Heart" and the segues which introduce the songs themselves. Guests
on these flavorful segments include Sarah McLachlin, Brad Roberts of the
Crash Test Dummies and the Sesame Street gang, each setting part of the
album's mood in a unique way.
"We're all really proud of this album. The first one was our own creation.
We recorded in Chin's basement - sometimes we had to stop because the
washing machine would come on. With this album, we've had the opportunity
to take our ideas and join them with other peoples, from the producers, to
the people at both labels, to video directors, and I think it's made us
stronger" says Mystic, smiling broadly, his face framed by his signature afro.
The BASS IS BASE approach to music and their good nature has helped them to
share the stage with many diverse talents: as an opening act for The
Pharcyde, Jamiroquai, The Crash Test Dummies, and on a national tour with
The Barenaked Ladies. "All in all, it's the same," explains Ivana of the
lack of difference in their show, regardless of the musical genre of the
bands for which they've opened. "We don't change what we're doing live, and
we always try to bring the same spirit to all the crowds we play to," says
Ivana.
It is this special spirit that often makes people forget that Chin walks
with crutches because he had polio as a child and was wheelchair-bound into
his teens. "I just started walking after high school. The physical
therapists and doctors all told me I couldn't do it, but I did," he
explains. "My will is very strong. I feel that illness is all in the mind.
The minds of BASS IS BASE's listeners will be opened and expanded by both
"MEMORIES OF THE SOULSHACK SURVIVORS" and the group's impressive live show.
Their combination of soulful expression defies you not to dance. The
combination of pop, R&B, rap and funk, the band offers something for every
musical taste. The soul alternative is BASS IS BASE.
Jan 17,18/96 Bourbon St. W., Montreal
Jan 20/96 The Bamboo, Toronto
Jan 23/96 Palisades Room of the Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
Jan 25/96 U of T, The Hangar
Jan 27/96 Stephen Leacock Theatre, Keswick Ontario
For more info :
Nora Injeti c/o Ba-Sik Entertainment Group @ 416.650.1109