Album Notes

HIPMOTISM's first CD is an open love letter to the music and city of New Orleans. Much of the music is strongly influenced by it's sounds, players, flavors and influences. There must be a true affinity there, Allen Toussaint has called Erik and Steven "All the horns anyone needs!"

When baritone saxophonist Erik Lawrence conceived of this project, he had been collecting favorite songs and favorite players for quite some time. Slide trumpet master Steven Bernstein and Erik are playmates in several bands already, including the Levon Helm Band and Steven's own Millennial Territory Orchestra. Steven has an original voice not just on the slide trumpet, but on its more conventional cousin as well.

Drummer Allison Miller is a force of exquisite nature! Her playing and presence bring hope and insight and joy and passion to the music she plays. Bassist Rene Hart is well known for his incredible sound, deep and solid rhythmic sense and insightful interplay.

Together this band explores Soul, Funk, Blues, Jazz in many forms and does it deep listening, deep ideas and deep grooves.

*Check out Erik, Allison and Rene as well with MERGE (also on CDBaby) a creative collaboration with poet Cassandra Cleghorn*