**ATTENTION**
WE HAVE JUST SIGNED A NATIONAL DEAL WITH LIGHT RECORDS FOR THIS PROJECT. GLORY TO GOD! WITH THIS BEING SAID WE CAN NO LONGER SELL THIS CD AS AN INDEPENDENT. TO PURCHASE THIS CD PLEASE GO TO OUR WEB SITE AT -- WWW.SOULMUZICK.COM -- and we will direct you to the appropriate site. EXPECT GOD TO DO GREAT THINGS WITH THIS MINISTRY.THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT. AS WELL WE THANK CDBABY FOR ALL OF THEIR HELP IN TAKING THIS PROJECT TO THE NEXT LEVEL...
Be sure to make your collection complete by purchasing Vol.2 of the N.E. X-Perience. Go to WWW.CDBABY.COM/MAYES2
After three years of closed doors and disappointments, Gary Mayes finally gets a chance to give his testimony with the release of his first album "The N.E. X-perience Vol. I."
Houston, TX. - - - -Gary Mayes and his group Nu Era aim to redefine what Gospel music is all about on their inaugural release via hot contemporary Gospel Indie SoulMuzick Recordings. A true musician at heart, Gary has played drums for some of Gospel 's biggest names including: Kim Burrell, Kathy Taylor-Brown, Southeast Inspirational Community Choir (Former home of Grammy Award Winning Yolanda Adams), The late Rev. Paul Jones and John P. Kee protégé Shawn Mclemore. He infuses youthful energy with contemporary Praise & Worship which sets the tone for the style he calls Holy Hip-Hop Ghetto Gospel.
The N. E. X-perience is Gary's story of the grace and mercy that God has shown him. While being incarcerated for one and a half years, Gary had a life-changing encounter with the most high God that ultimately leads him to surrender his talents. The temptation to do "worldly" music was great, as Gary had the opportunity to appear on the Conan O'Brian show with popular rap star Juvenile, as his drummer, as well as many opportunities to work with other secular artists. " I just could not do it" Gary states " God has given me this gift to reach the world for him."
During the three years it took to record the project, many trials and tribulations occurred. " I was promised the world," says Gary " and nothing materialized." Broken promises and shady contracts was the norm, which started to take its toll on Gary as he fought panic attacks and mild occurrences of depression. "I almost gave up," but God had other plans."
One day while sitting at home Gary got a call from members of a former R&B group turned Gospel called The Truth. They said that they had met him at a function, and was calling to confirm his commitment to produce some songs for them. As the talks progressed, they found out that this was not the same Gary they had met; in fact, they did not even know this Gary. "We just dialed the number and this Gary picked up," Cindy from The Truth stated. Gary went on to tell them that even though he was not the Gary that they were looking for, he did in fact produce music. One thing led to another and soon Gary was at the Soulmuzick studios laying down a song for them. While tracking out one of the songs, Gary struck up a conversation with Crazy C., (a successful rap producer of many national hit artists) who had recently given his life to Christ, and began telling him about the project he had been having trouble getting released. Soon after that, Gary let Crazy C. hear some of the material he had been working on and a year later the N.E. X-perience was released to the public.
The album shows off Gary's immense talent, as he is able to shift between praise & worship, hip-hop, testimonials and traditional Gospel with ease. His style is similar to Kirk Franklin in that he is not a singer but an exhorter, that's where the similarities end however, because his song writing technique is totally unique. Various highlights are featured throughout the album as he enlists the support of many established and upcoming soloist such as: Shawn Mclemore, Gene Moore Jr., Ken Smalls, Nakkita Clegg (member of hot group Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers), Brian Nelson (son of Bettye Ransom Nelson of COGIC fame) and the acclaimed vocals of Nikki Ross. The testimonial song " It didn't work" is Gary 's anthem of overcoming everything the devil threw at him by just trusting the Lord. "This was nothing but God" states Gary as he looks back on how everything came together; "what are the odds of me getting a phone call from complete strangers, which would ultimately lead up to my record getting released? "That just doesn't happen."
The N.E. X-perience is destined to become a best seller with the name Gary Mayes to become an industry staple. One listen is all it takes for you to realize that another star has been born.
For additional information or Booking :
NuWorldMuzick, Inc.
PO Box 833
Stafford, Texas 77497
(281) 565-5442
(281) 565-5442 fax
nuworldmuzic@msn.com
or amhall42@hotmail.com
Gary Mayes & Nu Era " The N.E. X-perience" (In Stores Now) check out review on Gospelflava.com
Company History:
SoulMuzick Recordings was founded in 1999 by Simon "Crazy C." Cullins Jr. and is owned as a partnership between Simon and Benjamin Thompson III. The label grew out of a desire to bring the un-churched and the everyday common person into a personal relationship with Jesus the Christ and not a religion. "Religion is of man, full of rituals and traditions which God never intended" States Simon. Our Goal is to present Christ and his love, not condemnation, through songs that deal with real situations and provide Jesus as the solution. "All of the artists on the Soulmuzick label understand this vision and were led of God to sign with us" states Simon. The label strives for excellence, and while not being perfect, is constantly moving closer; something that religion doesn't offer but a personal relationship with Christ will. The current roster includes: The Truth, Sounds of Urban Life, Gary Mayes and Shei Atkins.
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Gary Mayes & Nu Era
The N.E. X-perience, Vol. 1
They say that everything in Texas is big. That goes for the city of Houston as well, a metropolis known for its immense talent, skilled vocalists, and great songwriters.
Enter Gary Mayes who impacts hugely on this, his debut album titled The N.E. X-perience Vol. 1. Gifted artists show themselves to be wise when they surround themselves with equally talented others, because it creates a situation where the whole is greater than the sum of their parts.
Mayes certainly knows where to turn, enlisting the support of Shawn McLemore plus a host of upcoming Houston vocalists and psalmists to bring an album that is sure to make waves in the Gospel community.
Mayes is not a vocalist, but rather follows in the footsteps of peers such as fellow Texan Kirk Franklin and also William Becton. He's an instrumentalist, he writes the songs and produces the album, sometimes throwing in exhortations much like Franklin does. But don't get it confused, Mayes' Kirk-esque adlibs are tribute, not bite.
This is best shown in the straight up Gospel jam, "He Keeps On," which Mayes bluntly states is 'inspired by Kirk Franklin.' Ken Small is on lead vocals, with Nu Era, James Fortune and Fiya tossing out the vocal groove.
Newcomer Gene Moore, Jr. lends his pipes to the house music styled, I'll Serve Him." The energy, lyrics and tempo of this song makes it a great aerobics song. Those who like to "get it crunk" will go wild with the hyped "When I Think (Holla
Holla)," a sizzlingly-produced track with N.E. up front and background vocals from,The Fountain of Praise Young Adult Choir.Shawn McLemore lends his chops to the hand clapping, foot stomping "Nu Creature," a song where Mayes pays
homage to the style of John. P. Kee. The H-Town Fellowship Mass Choir is featured here as well.
The sheen of this album is brightest on its heavy dose of slow urban jams and down home Gospel songs. Shield your eyes as Nakkita Clegg (a member of Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers) takes the lead on the encouraging, "He'll Make a Way." Clegg, known for her "power singing," gives a smooth delivery over Rick Marcel's and Glenn Piper's lush guitars and Mayes's smooth track. Gene Moore showcases his vocals again on "Where Would I Be" and also on the smooth rhythm 'n praise of "Unconditional Love." This latter song features the background vocal of both Moore and Nikki Ross. Their voices blend perfectly as they explain that "this world can never understand this love," in reference to the unconditional love of God.
Ross also stops in to lead "Thank You." Supported by Luke Austin's excellent keys work, she starting off smooth and jazzy, and then lets her vocals build into a growl that shows her versatility and lets us know that she's very thankful for everything that God has done for her. Powerful.
Pastor Brian Nelson, son of COGIC favorite, Bettye Nelson, leads the intense "We Made It," which explains that through everything that we as saints have gone through, we've made it. With Nelson's strong vocals, The H-Town Fellowship Mass
Choir and the organ of Leon Lewis, you have a song that is an anthem for saints everywhere.
While not taking away from the album's other strong points, perhaps the strongest song on The N.E. Experience Vol. 1 is the vertically-directed "We Worship Thee." A straight up worship song, it features the melodious leads of Dana Brown and Cedric Ballard, the sweet keyboards Piper and the tight harmonies of N.E. and Strong Souljahs. Warning: if you don't want to get into God's presence, don't listen to this song!
This N.E. X-perience is an unforgettable one. Gary Mayes is masterful with both his production skills and as songwriter. Throw in the mixing of C and you have a winner. The album is anointed and I will go out on a limb to say that it's one of the best albums of 2002. Prepare to be blessed.
Producer: Gary Mayes
album release date: June, 2002
SoulMuzick
- reviewed by Dwayne Lacy -
All content in GospelFlava © copyright 2002.
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