The
word "uprising" is often used in moments in which a group of people
witness their strength in numbers and band together to seize an
opportunity. This embodies the time we are currently living in, where
people all over the world in art and politics are recognizing their own
power in numbers. It is prophetic as it deals with the different tenants
of survival within a world of mystery and ambivalence. From brotherly
love to the dangers of good intentions, these are all universal
occurrences to which we all seek advice.
This decree will further unfold on January 27, 2017 with the trailblazing release from Los Angeles' upright bass virtuoso, vocalist, composer and bandleader Miles Mosley. UPRISING
encapsulates the dynamic range of genres and expression that this
magnetic force has presented on stages across the globe alongside
saxophone giant Kamasi Washington and their cohorts in the West Coast Get Down.
Partnering
with Alpha Pup Records' imprint World Galaxy for the release, the album
was co-produced by drummer/engineer Tony Austin and their longtime
manager Barbara Sealy. Mosley showcases his skills as a truly
one-of-a-kind force on his custom built upright bass, manipulating its
voice into a weapon of soulful emotion, aggression and revolutionary
sound. The genre-defying and otherworldly core six-piece band consists
of the best musicians taking over the scene today-including saxophonist Kamasi Washington, trombonist Ryan Porter, keyboardist Brandon Coleman, pianist Cameron Graves, and drummer Tony Austin. On UPRISING they are joined by trumpeter Dontae Winslow and the late saxophonist Zane Musa along with a full orchestra and choir.
The
members all hail from Los Angeles as a family of musicians that Mosley
helped bring together during their formative years, and have imprinted
their stamp on the world unlike any other musical collective in recent
times.
As
the co-founder and voice of the West Coast Get Down, Mosley combines
his deep love of songwriting with his innovative, mind-bending,
effects-laced upright bass on UPRISING. The album is his
personalized take on the journey of his life and that of his musical
family. It stands as a statement of deep conviction and technical
prowess, following the influences of legends such as Otis Redding and
Jimi Hendrix.
"It
seems fitting that this new attention to our sound, and the impact that
we are capable of making across genres feels like our own uprising.
This is my piece of our story," says Mosley.
As the story of UPRISING unfolds,
the world will see the journey and influence of the West Coast Get Down
through their collective mission: to defy genre and combine musical
influence to make jazz dangerous and exciting again, while paying
tribute to the legends before them. Following the critically acclaimed
release of the album's first single, "Abraham," the follow-up single
from UPRISING will be released on September 16th; its title, "Young Lion," brings just that in the form of an introduction to equal parts vocal soul and instrument mastery.
"I
wanted to create a work that was natural and intimate, but still
maintained a sense of grandeur. As if you were best friends with a
giant," Mosley explains. "The West Coast Get Down, the strings, the
choir. All of these elements together create something with memorable
melodies and a message to the people that we are here for them. We are
and want to be the loudspeaker for their hearts."
