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Mr. Something Something : Mr. Something Something
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"Afrobeat fans, it's all here: punchy horn riffs, jazzy drums, percolating guitars and percussion galore. ...these guys rank with any Afrobeat in the world today." - Exclaim Magazine
Genre: World: African
Release Date: 2004
Mr. Something Something
Mr. Something Something
Record Label: World Records
  • Buy CD - $8.97
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Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. The Prize 9:30 + MP3 $0.99
2. The Invitation 7:03 + MP3 $0.99
3. The PowerNarcotic 9:18 + MP3 $0.99
4. The Contender 8:20 + MP3 $0.99
5. The Dis 9:03 + MP3 $0.99
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Album Notes

A little something for the body. A little something for the mind.

Mr. Something Something represents two years of composing, performing, risk-taking, improving and ultimately mobilizing the original vision of founding members Larry Graves [drums/percussion] and John MacLean [saxophone/voice]. 20 years of playing, studying and traveling passed before these two childhood friends settled on the unbeatable dance rhythms of Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Ghana as the most natural gathering place for the elements that would ultimately make up the Mr. Something Something sound.
Western instruments and concepts of improvisation are explored and layered over what used to be called afrobeat; but the term strains to contain the innovations happening in the rhythm section at every show. It also fails to express in fiery-enough terms the contributions of notable and electrifying vocalist/performance artist Johan Hultqvist. Breaks and basslines are designed to induce and sustain a state of ecstatic dancing. The horn section strikes with power and uplifts with melody. And above it all, acting as a lightning rod for the combined energies of a Mr. Something Something event, is the lyric statement of the case for change and consciousness. And dance.

Mr. Something Something's self-titled debut album was released in July 2004 to critical acclaim. VIEW Magazine called it a "great debut from a solid band" and in EXCLAIM David Dacks wrote "these guys rank with any Afrobeat in the world today." This self-promoted album was also very well received by CBC Radio as well as college radio across Canada, a fact which was confirmed by the National Campus and Community Radio Report in November 2004 when the album climbed high on two of the !Earshot Specialty Charts, reaching number four on the jazz chart and number six on the 'International' ditto. Not bad, considering that the majority of tracks on the album exceeds nine minutes!

At this point the band has toured as far east as Charlottetown no less than 4 times and westward as far as Victoria/Vancouver twice for a total of over 200 shows. Along the way they shared the stage with top Canadian artists including Sarah Harmer, The Trews, Joel Plaskett, The Creaking Tree String Quartet, Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Eliana Cuevas, Cuff The Duke, and The High Dials.

Wildly energized and unpredictable live shows have brought Mr. Something Something a hard-earned, solid reputation as an act that really gets through to people. The fresh sound and powerful message of The Edge, the band's second album, promises an action-packed 2006.

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REVIEWS

A Taste of Nigeria
author: applewood
                            
Mr Something Something is an all white dance band from Toronto sounding like a seasoned group of Nigerian descendents of Fela Kuti.... but as Canadians they come across as a kinder-gentler Fela, playing with verve and singing about injustice, peace and unity but emphasizing the groove and the joy of playing. I had the pleasure of seeing them on their current zigzag tour of Canada, enjoying watching how they work as a team laying down the simple parts of a complex polyrhythmic whole, accompanied by their lovely, talented dancer (doing a nonstop undulation of traditional Nigerian moves with modern dance sensibility - first time I've seen a band have a member playing a visual lead with her body). The rest of the band is hot too; charismatic front man/lead singer Johan Hultqvist, sax player John MacLean, guitarist Paul MacDougal, bassist Liam Smith and drummer Larry Graves. This is the current band; the lineup on this CD is a little different, but the sound is the same. In fact, as a first CD it has that rough edge that gives it a live quality, and live is definitly a good thing with this band. This is a fun, jazzy, groovin' Afropop recording, a great debut!
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A Taste of Nigeria
author: applewood
                            
Mr Something Something is an all white dance band from Toronto sounding like a seasoned group of Nigerian descendents of Fela Kuti.... but as Canadians they come across as a kinder-gentler Fela, playing with verve and singing about injustice, peace and unity but emphasizing the groove and the joy of playing. I had the pleasure of seeing them on their current zigzag tour of Canada, enjoying watching how they work as a team laying down the simple parts of a complex polyrhythmic whole, accompanied by their lovely, talented dancer (doing a nonstop undulation of traditional Nigerian moves with modern dance sensibility - first time I've seen a band have a member playing a visual lead with her body). The rest of the band is hot too; charismatic front man/lead singer Johan Hultqvist, sax player John MacLean, guitarist Paul MacDougal, bassist Liam Smith and drummer Larry Graves. This is the current band; the lineup on this CD is a little different, but the sound is the same. In fact, as a first CD it has that rough edge that gives it a live quality, and live is definitly a good thing with this band. This is a fun, jazzy, groovin' Afropop recording, a great debut!
Read more...
impossible to stand still to
author: Heather
                            
If you like to move your body to music, you need to pick up this album, period. The beats are absolutely impossible to stand still to, especially on 'Power Narcotic'. I keep this album permanently in my kitchen, so I can dance and cook at the same time. Although the album is great, this a band you MUST see live to truly appreciate.
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author: LasseM
                            
Monotoni at it's best; groovie, african influenced, brassorientated,storytelling,colourfull music - digital music go F. yourself
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