In the wake of September 11th, New Jersey's rich and fertile music scene wanted to find a way to provide hope in the face of fear and anguish. Musicians, artists, producers, photographers, journalists, music businesses, media outlets and dozens of generous New Jerseyans have banded together for "Jersey Jams, Jersey Cares" a compilation of 15 music acts all of whom contributed songs relating to September 11th. All profits from the CD and several benefit concerts go to the Jersey Jams Fund, a charity effort distributed by Bergen County's (New Jersey) United Way. The funds will be distributed to the New Jersey families who lost loved ones; all profits go directly for music scholarships.
"This album represents the best of the local music scene, in more than one way. Its 15 contributors include some the most impressive new bands New Jersey has produced in recent years, as well as some of the scene's elder statesmen." *** Jay Lustig, The Star-Ledger, March 10, 2002
Track 1 Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors "Thank Ya" Led by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Bernie Worrell (as part of Parliament-Funkadelic), "Thank Ya responds directly and eccentrically ... over a slinky funk beat." (Star Ledger 3/10/02) Bernie has toured with 2002 Hall of Fame inductees Talking Heads and has toured and recorded with The Pretenders, Bootsy Collins' Rubber Band and most recently, Mos Def. www.bernieworrell.com
Track 2 Robert Randolph and the Family Band "Pressing My Way" After the success of opening for the Dave Matthews Band, Robert is currently headlining his own tour. Along with his cousins Marcus and Danyell Randolph and NJ Hammond organ wizard, John Ginty, Robert combines the joy of gospel with the rich roots of The Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix Experience and Stevie Ray Vaughan. "Steel guitar whiz Robert Randolph and his Family Band offer words of inspiration (and some dazzling instrumental solos)..." (Star Ledger 3/10/02) www.robertrandolph.net
Track 3 The Matt Angus Thing with Levon Helm "Understand" Matt Angus, owner of Black Potatoe Records and Atomic Productions and founder of the popular Black Potatoe Festival, contributes a "country rocker" featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Levon Helm of The Band and former From Good Homes members fiddler Jamie Coen and saxophonist Dan Myers. www.angusmusic.com
Track 4 Glen Burtnik "Window of the World" Currently a member of Styx, Glen started his career in the Stone Pony house band, Cats on a Smooth Surface, and has played Paul McCartney, opposite Marshall Crenshaw's John Lennon, in Beatlemania. Glenn co-penned the hits "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" with and for Patty Smyth and "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man" for Randy Travis. His annual Xmas Xtravaganza at New York's Bottom Line, with dozens of all-star guests, raises funds for organizations that combat hunger. "His sweet power-pop song ... evokes pre-9/11 innocence." (Star Ledger 3/10/02) www.glenburtnik.com
Track 5 Railroad Earth "Seven Story Mountain" One of the country's fastest rising jam-grass sensations, "Seven Story Mountain" was inspired by an enlightening trip to India. "There are some gems here particularly a cut by the progressive band Railroad Earth." (Press of Atlantic City 3/17/02) A follow-up CD to their debut album "The Black Bear Sessions" is slated for release on Sugar Hill Records this year. www.railroadearth.com
Track 6 Lo Faber Band "Miracle Time" Lo Faber is the former frontman of Geffen/Mercury recording act God Street Wine, one of the late 1980's New York jam band scenes. "Miracle Time" was taken from his rock opera "Henry's House" a children's fable that is a cross between C.S. Lewis' "Tales of Narnia" and The Who's "Tommy". www.lofaber.com
Track 7 Barbuda "For the Love of the Children (Part 2)" A slammin' jam n' groove unit that masterfully combines Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Miles Davis into an intoxicating blend of socially conscious fun, the spirited septet is touring the Northeast behind its independent debut, "The Highest Fi." www.barbudaful.com
Track 8 TA-TA and Friends "If You Can (You'll Be A Man My Son)" Joined on a hip-hop version of Rudyard Kipling's "If" by popular New Jersey artists Alvin Madison, Lenny Lawson and The Cicada Brothers, TA-TA is the winner of the 2003 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (for Hip-Hop, awarded in January 2004), the 2003 Best Rap Album (Just Plain Folks), the first Queen Latifah Award for Hip-Hop and was chosen by Billboard/BET as a featured "New Artist" in 2001. Her debut CD, "Never Forget" on Q-Vo Records, is getting airplay throughout the Northeast and is available on CDBaby. www.ta-ta.com
Track 9 Seth Alexander "Back To You (Chris' Song)" "With its soaring melody, heart-tugging strings and simple, sentimental lyrics, Seth Alexander's "Back To You (Chris' Song)" may be the perfect post-9/11 ballad." (Star Ledger 3/10/02) Owner of S.R.A Studios and Q-Vo Records, singer/songwriter Seth wrote and produced this track as well as TA-TA's track. q-vorecords@ta-ta.com
Track 10 Kathy Phillips "Angels Never Sleep" "Promising singer/songwriter Kathy Phillips offers the catchy "Angels Never Sleep" featuring former Spin Doctors guitarist Anthony Krizan." (Press of Atlantic City 3/17/02) Kathy's debut album, "Sway," was recently released on Black Potatoe Records. www.kathyphillips.com
Track 11 The Alice Project "11" From a pop-smart, song-driven group, "11 (is) a bit of Radiohead-like moodiness." (The Times of Trenton 3/17/02) The Alice Project also donated "Goodbye Old Friend" from its independent debut album, "The Big Number," to "The World Will Remember" charity compilation for disaster relief. Led by Alice Leon, the band also includes guitarist Jimmy Leahey, son of jazz great Harry Leahey, and co-author of "11." www.thealiceproject.com
Track 12 John Eddie "American Thing" One of New Jersey's most popular live attractions, John's good-time, well-rooted pop-rock has brought him international fame with his self-titled debut's hit singles "Jungle Boy" and "Pretty Little Rebel." "There are some gems here, particularly ... veteran rocker John Eddie's rebel hoot ..." (Press of Atlantic City 3/17/02) www.johneddie.com
Track 13 Swampadelica "Water" A soulful, experimental roots unit that recently completed its second album with Phish engineer/producer John Siket, the vocal tracks were recorded on the evening of September 10th. "The sessions went until 8:30 a.m. on September 11th. We went to bed unknowing of the burning skyline across the river and how the world was about to change in one morning's worth of sleep." www.swampadelica.com
Track 14 The VooDUDES "Master's Ship" A veteran "Jerzydeco" outfit mixing roots rock and good Caribbean vibes, the VooDUDES have a following that extends from New Jersey to New Orleans. Their contribution comes from their fourth album "Block Party." www.thevoodudes.com
Track 15 Scrap Daddy "Never Again" "Never Again" inspired Jersey Jams, Jersey Cares and the Jersey Jams Fund. Scrap Daddy is a group of family and friends who combined a variety of musical styles to symbolize the events of September 11th and the unity that resulted. scrapdaddymail@aol.com
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