"Supernova" the jazz/fusion CD from Ajamu Akinyele, formerly MARCEL, is musically inspired by various artists including Jon O'Bergh, Miles Davis, and MeShell N'degeocello just to name a few.
Ajamu Akinyele, pronounced Ah-jah-moo + Ah-kin-yay-lay, recorded as MARCEL on the Bombay Recording Company Label from 1998 to 2004 and has had independent success with several releases in the San Francisco Bay Area, Europe, and Japan. As MARCEL, he released five CD's ranging from Funk to World, but as Ajamu Akinyele, he embarked on his first jazz CD. He changed his name on his 32nd birthday, June 21, 2004 from Andre Marcel Wilson to Andre Marcel Ajamu Akinyele to reflect a more African heritage. Ajamu released his last CD under MARCEL titled, "Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2," in 2004. His career as MARCEL has always been a struggle finding his true musical style, but he has found his true unique identity producing what he calls "Cyber Jazz - Funk Fusion," trying to redefine jazz for a new generation.
Recording as MARCEL, he arrived on the scene in 1998 with his debut CD titled, The Diary of Marcel. His follow up release was Spice : The Alternative Hip-Hop Experience (2001), which helped him to establish a loyal independent following in Japan and Europe. With the releases of his third and fourth CD's Uptown : 2025 A.D. (2003) and Uptown : 2025 E.P. The Remixes (2004), he developed a true sense of artistry and a vision of being dedicated to his musicianship. These releases also gained him radio airplay on the "Upper Room with Joe Kelley," a radio station in Connecticut that was featured on pop icon PRINCE website, and gained him attention on MTV Germany. Uptown : 2025 A.D. was a self-awakening and now he is aware of who he is and where he's going! On "Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2," his fifth and final release recording as MARCEL, he displays funk in a way that makes you think of bands like Parliament/Funkadelic. "Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2" also gained him distribution, radio airplay, and exposure in Australia.
"Supernova," his first cyber jazz release, is filled with elements of futuristic sounds combining funk and fusion while maintaining a sense of an R&B feel. Some of the new material on "Supernova" includes the title track "Supernova," "2704 Shane Drive," "Orbiting The Universe," "Starwalkin'," which features Timescape recording artist Jon O'Bergh on piano, and "Pearl," a tribute to Ajamu's grandmother. There are nine gems including an extended version of the title track. Every song was produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Ajamu Akinyele. Ajamu Akinyele states "I don't know where this new adventure is going to take me, but it sure feels right! Exploring is how we grow, never stop exploring. Experience Cyber Jazz!" ~Ajamu Akinyele
Gemini Soul feat. Ajamu Akinyele Upcoming Shows:
Sunday - May 10, 2009 @ 1 PM
EON Coffee
24970 Hesperian Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94545
Saturday - May 16, 2009 @ 8:30 PM & 10:30 PM (2 Shows)
The Hedley Club Lounge
Hotel De Anza
233 West Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Saturday - May 23, 2009 @ 3 PM
Sunday - May 24, 2009 @ 3 PM
Monterey Bay Spring Festival
Sponsored by the PacRep Theatre
20 Custom House Plaza @ Fisherman's Wharf
Monterey, CA 93940
Friday - June 12, 2009 @ 12 PM
De Anza College
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. (Campus Center)
Cupertino, CA 95014
Sunday - June 14, 2009 @ 1 PM
EON Coffee
24970 Hesperian Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94545
Saturday - June 20, 2009 @ 1 PM
Laurel Village Summer Solstice Music Festival
ACE Hardware Stage
4024 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94619
Saturday - June 20, 2009 @ 8:30 PM & 10:30 PM (2 Shows)
The Hedley Club Lounge
Hotel De Anza
233 West Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Also, available at CDBABY & I-Tunes:
Gemini Soul f/ Ajamu Akinyele – Dark Skin Babies : The Movement (2009)
Gemini Soul f/ Ajamu Akinyele - The Nefertiti Xperience (2008)
Gemini Soul f/ Ajamu Akinyele - LIVE : The Liquid Soul Tour (2007)
Gemini Soul f/ Ajamu Akinyele - Liquid Soul (2007)
Ajamu Akinyele - Black Magic : The Gold Edition (2007)
Ajamu Akinyele - Black Magic The Cyber Jazz Experience (2006)
Gemini Soul f/ Ajamu Akinyele - A Cyber Jazz Holiday (2005)
Ajamu Akinyele - Supernova (2005)
MARCEL - Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2 (2004)
MARCEL - Uptown : 2025 E.P. The Remixes (2004)
MARCEL - Uptown : 2025 A.D. (2003)
MARCEL - Spice The Alternative Hip-Hop Experience (2001)
MARCEL - The Diary of Marcel (1998)
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