THE WALTER EARL GROUP: Fillmore Connection

The Walter Earl Group

Fillmore Connection

© 2004 Lemmonhouseproductions (659057915722)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

jazz underground meets hip hop soul

notes

The driving force behind Walter Earl Music is performer/producer/composer Walter Earl.

Earl began his career in Dallas, Texas, where he studied with some of the best jazz musicians around, including Kenny Kirkland, Claude Johnson and Ken Boome and in San Francisco with Si Perkoff and Mark Little. Earl performed with Paul Quigg, Big Phazz, J. "Diamond" Wright and Freddie Jones. Earl moved to San Francisco in 1996, ready to take the city by storm. Demand for him grew quickly as a studio maven, and he shared his talents with producers at Radical House, Bayview Productions, Frisco Studios and Tarpan Studios.

Producing his debut album "Fly" in 1997, it quickly became clear Walter was not just another studio musician. His sound was a welcome addition to a new genre of music, "Bay Area Cool," a seamless blend of jazz, hip hop and retro soul.

A year later, Earl produced his second album, "In the Middle of the Crowd," demonstrating even greater musical maturity. With this album Earl maintained the motion and unique spirit of "Fly," while drawing from classic jazz elements, hip hop and R&B. The result was refreshing and sophisticated.

Earl's sound attracted the notice of Grammy Award-winning producer Narada Michael Walden, Felton Pilat of ConFunkShun, Ritchie Havens, DJ Scott Hardkiss, DJ Rasoul and DJ Henry, all of whom invited him to work with them. Over the years, he has also collaborated with Ron K, Bernard Wright, Victor Blackman and Kenneth "K-Phlx" Manning.

Earl's third album, "The Walter Earl Group: Fillmore Connection," is an eclectic mix of smooth jazz and hip hop soul. Vocally, Earl brings to mind musical greats like Leroy Hutson and Joe Sample. His lyrics, written from the heart, are an emotional appeal for a better world. The song "Peace of Mind" is particularly soulful, speaking of a need we have all felt at some point. Whether you're looking for ambiance or inspiration, "Fillmore Connection" will take you there.

Earl's musical appetite is insatiable. He composed the soundtrack to an award-winning full-length feature film, "underdogs," in 1998. As a record producer, his name has appeared on a dozen albums from 1997 to 2006. Earl's group was featured in a live Webcast on the entertainment site Luminary.tv in 2006, performing standards and Earl's original compositions at Fantasy Studios.

Earl's current projects include collaborating with Victor Blackman and with Big Phazz, providing vocals and as coproducer on a single for the album "When the Smoke Clears." His sound, passion and talent have enhanced each new project. Give Earl a try, and let his groove move you.

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Delicious! Like Sunday Mornin' Breakfast
    author: Lady KikiC.

    Alright, imagine sitting in your most comfie house attire, it's Sunday morning (pick the season, each fits), you have one more day before you go back to the grind, what do you do, what do you want to do? Flip the switch and listen to Walter Earl fill your earwaves...a man of an ingenious style of music, thought provoking and simply just beautiful. Imagine a voice whose sound is as delicious as IHOP pancakes with extra butter and warmed syrup...Ladies/Gents, my man Mr. Walter Earl is a nice start for a Sunday morning or any time of day...Enjoy, I promise you, you will!

  • Genius on Display!
    author: Bill Hamilton

    Walter pops with the chops on this album! His own compositions should become classics, with lyrics and soul that will touch your heart. I'm giving the Fillmore Connection CD to all my friends.

  • Hot Melodic, Soulful,Hip Hop jazzy Funk,smooth,romantic,peaceful
    author: cocto entertainment

    This Cd is totally well produced and is ready to compete on the ultimate professional level as in George Duke,Neo Soul, and Jazz at every universal level. No Doubt. Keep going Walter Earl. You are there. Cocto entertainment.

  • WoW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    author: Barry

    I had never heard of Walter Earl before this CD....I found it on cdbaby's website an decided to try it......the best decision I made this year..........I could not believe I had missed out on a talent so true......Man may you continue to make it do what it do..........I too can not wait for the next one.......from a true fan in Texas

  • The future and past of smooth jazz
    author: marQue Mesa

    I played a show with Walter Earl, and he was incredible! The CD is great. It captures that smooth jazz soul vibe. Take a listen and become a fan. Keep it coming Walter Earl.

  • fantastic
    author: Myles Mendelson

    This is a real artist, with great talent. The Walter Earl group will one day be known as a ledgend. I cannot wait to get my hands on his next CD.

  • Production is "Off the hook". Walter's Style is very unique.
    author: Ron Ford

    I've been in the music Industry for years & I critiuqe good music. I am very impressed with Walter Earl style. I strongly incourage every Jazz Lover, Soul Listener, Promoter, ect. . To support Walter Earl. I look forward to future events or CD's. See you over the top Walter. . .

  • Real jazz!
    author: Texas Jake LEE

    This guys got it all together!A real treat for jazz lovers.He has a unique sound I can only discribe as compelling!Highly recommended!

  • This is an album for true jazz lovers.
    author: Dr. Micaela Dartson/CEO, A Little Texas Entertainment Co. Inc.

    Amazing is an understatement! Walter Earl has hit some notes the jazz world has been missing for a long time. He takes his listeners into a world that's so melodious and grippingly harmonic one can barely stand it. Who would'nt love it?

  • Sexy....Sexy as the creator who put it together.....
    author: Victoria Jewell

    I am really blown away by the smoothness of the whole album and how great it flows....it's very "Walter Dunson"...it's off the hook....something that brings together a very long, or tiring day.

  • author: CD Baby

    A half-light haze, half-deserted club at 2 a.m; sticky floors, the clinking of glasses and the air perspires with 70's Soul. This is one silky meeting of Jazz and Soul with vocals that seem to float upon the wafts of cigarette smoke. Use it for romance music, for candelight music, for decompression music, for heightened consciousness of the room around you... but whatever you do, don't miss this smooth, seductive album. A modern trip back to the 70's never sounded so sexy.

  • real musicians playing real instruments
    author: keithe

    This is a very good jazz-soul mix cd, it has a 1970,s sound to it with the real instruments, almost like d'angelo meets george duke. for fans of real live bands and not computer bands this is the cd to get.

  • author: Lady Soul

    I think the music is off the hook! Their music has a jazzy, soulfree vibe to it. It just sends you floating away from your surface and before you know it, you have drifted from the planet. I love the cd, and my fav song is "Crazy". Peace, that lady

  • it makes you feel a little bit of everything...deep down in your soul
    author: jmcnicol

    this collection of songs reminds me of the sounds that used to permiate the airwaves back in the day....except these guys have blended contemporary beats and melodies into a distinctive sound that makes you......feel...real good!!! this needs to be overseas in a hurry....

  • In the pocket soul.....straight from the 70's!!!!!!!
    author: Ray Macklin

    I enjoyed the tracks, vividly written, mellow soul with jazz impressions, yet the groove is steady!!!

  • very smooth
    author: lark
  • impressive!
    author: bigg lee

    keep doin yo thang mane! Out BL

email

Please log in to email this artist.