Album Notes

The inspiration for the third Screaming Souls CD, "Split Wide Open", began with Barry Kingston's love for Bob Marley and reggae music. The other main influence was Barry's interest in Hip Hop artist Wyclef Jean. Kingston said, "I love that Wyclef approaches Hip Hop not just as a rapper, but as a guitar player. I think that sets him apart from the rest. I just really love his music and message." When you Add Barry's natural rock instincts, versatile vocal ability and producer Danny Bernini's talent to interpret ----you've got the most commercial effort from this band to date.

Anyone of these songs could be a top the charts hit. Any music fan who sits with this record would certainly recognize this. More than anything it's the passion in the vocals that leave you wanting more and more of “Split Wide Open”.

"Big Yellow slide" opens the CD. It's the modern day "Young at Heart". It's got a groove in a class of its own. Kingston sings, "I need this groove like there's no tomorrow", and he means it. Danny Bernini was in the studio when Barry came up with the hook for this song and described it as "simply brilliant". "Eyes of Love" is a pop reggae gem. "Fire and Gasoline" has a dance hall Reggaeton groove. It also boasts an amazing vocal layer reminiscent of Prince's "When Doves Cry".

All of these songs ache with lost and found love but none of them more than "Breathe". One listen to this song and you will wonder why this artist/band is not a household name. It's as good as it gets in the modern music world----or any other world for that matter.

The second stage of the CD, with a theme of lost love, hits with the next three songs. "Wide Open", "Trippin’ in the Water", and "Why Can't I Let You Go" embrace and expand upon this universal emotion. The first two tunes take on a darker yet no less commercial appeal. "Wide Open", with its infectious reggae hip hop groove, "Trippin" with its intimate haunting vocal---both contemplating how love is lost. "Why Can't I Let You Go" takes off so fast, both groove and vocal leave you wanting to replay it. One can’t help but believe that Mick Jagger would love The Screaming Souls cover of The Stones "Waiting on a Friend". Its updated sound and groove do this gem of a song justice. Also on this track, Kingston's soaring falsetto shows just how versatile a vocalist he is. "Stay Awake" slows to a beautiful whisper and sings of love with such intensity you can feel the pain.

"Tahitian Brown Gypsy Girl", the CD's closer, brings it all back to the reason lost and found love really matter---a beautiful girl. This dance groove with it's almost Latino inspired flamenco guitar is the last of many surprises on “Split Wide Open”. The subject of this love story looks to the irresistible beauty of a gypsy girl for the answer to his quest for true love. He believes he finds it in the flowing movement of her dress as she dances.

It's all so convincing it will take you back down the "Big Yellow Slide" to ride again. "Split Wide Open", this unexpected gem, is a commercial masterpiece.