LOUISIANA RED HOT RECORDS

Posts in the BLUES category

GREGG MARTINEZ: Soul of the Bayou

Gregg Martinez: Soul of the Bayou

“One of the most powerful, knock-the-paint-of-the-wall vocalists South Louisiana has ever produced” – Offbeat Magazine

A premier, powerhouse vocalist from the Spanish Creoles of Bayou Lafourche of Louisiana, the sensationally soulful Gregg Martinez was recognized early on in local churches and bars with comparisons to Sam Cooke and Luther Vandross. The young Martinez rapidly ascended all the way to an exclusive contract with billionaire Donald Trump in Atlantic City, and a seven- figure recording deal with multi-platinum Philly producers Victor Carstarphen and Keith Benson. When the bubble burst on the brink of stardom, Martinez found himself returning to his native Bayou, crooning the Blues and Soul of his roots, ultimately bringing him the recent incredible honor of singing for the funeral of the great Percy Sledge.

On his latest collection, Soul of the Bayou, Gregg Martinez delivers the deep, healing kind of soul that only this veteran baritone knows how to conjure. Produced and engineered by Grammy award-winning Tony Daigle (Hunter Hayes, John Cleary), Martinez’s 11th studio album showcases his astounding versatility as a vocalist and performer. While the blues-driven grooves of “I Can’t Stand the Rain” and “If You Want Me to Stay” prove that Martinez can still pack the dance floor, the mournfully piercing ballads of “Who’s Loving You” and “You’ve Got to Hurt Before You Heal” remind listeners that this is a voice of a man who has lived through it all. With stellar, standout performances from Charles Ventre on keyboards, Gregg Kingston on slide guitar, and Pat Breaux on sax, not to mention all the grit guitar titan Sonny Landreth offers on “That Old Wind,” Soul of the Bayou soars out of the swamps and onto a plain untouchable by time.

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MARC STONE: Poison & Medicine

Poison & Medicine cover“Poison & Medicine possesses catchy hooks, compelling introspection and songs that are simply fun to sing along to, marking perhaps a watershed moment in the already locally adored and internationally in-demand 45-year-old Stone’s career.”
– Frank Etheridge, Offbeat Magazine, New Orleans

New York City-born, New Orleans-adopted guitarist Marc Stone has become one of the most respected Blues and Roots artists in the Crescent City, earning him a “Best Blues Artist” nomination from Offbeat Magazine. Stone has spent the last 20+ years backing such an astounding litany of Louisiana Blues, R&B and Zydeco legends including Eddie Bo, Ernie K-Doe, Marva Wright, Tommy Ridgely, Marcia Ball, Henry Gray, Rockin’ Dopsie, C.J. Chenier, and Grammy winner Terrance Simien. Stone original music weds an impressive roots-music pedigree with red-hot slide playing and outstanding storytelling.

Stone’s impressive roots-music pedigree, red-hot slide playing and outstanding storytelling are all on fine display with his Louisiana Red Hot Records debut. The album features a stellar cast of New Orleans guests including percussion wizard Mike Dillon, the Bonerama Horns, the late great tenor sax master Tim Green, members of Galactic, Honey Island Swamp Band, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Add to that a host of legendary vocalists including Big Al Carson, Benny Turner and Tanya and Lillian Boutte, the “family-affair” assembly drives a ground-breaking offering that spans the Southern musical spectrum from gospel to R&B and haunting Delta Swamp Blues.

2015 saw a breakthrough year for the New Orleans blues veteran that included two European tours, a Northeast tour in the fall, and the Marc Stone moniker added to Louisiana Red Hot Records’ powerhouse roster that includes the Honey Island Swamp Band, Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk, Glen David Andrews, and the New Orleans Suspects. Poison & Medicine is a grit and gristle collection of contemporary roots and blues with a seasoned and skillful architect at the helm.

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COLIN LAKE: One Thing That’s For Sure

Colin Lake - One Thing Album Cover“Songs as sturdy as his fleet-fingered, blues-based guitar skills”
– Keith Spera, Times Picayune

While scores of talented young musicians have flocked to New Orleans in the years following Hurricane Katrina, among the most outstanding is Pacific Northwest native Colin Lake, whose passion for life and innate feel for roots music makes him perfectly suited to the culture of the Crescent City. Lake quickly established himself as a subtle yet dynamic slide guitar master, performing at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Austin City Limits Fest, Hangout Festival, the Key West Songwriters Festival and French Quarter Festival. His soulful vocals and searing touch on the lap steel reveal an affinity for the works of countless blues greats, but his knack for original song craft truly sets him apart.

Lake shines in his Louisiana Red Hot debut, One Thing That’s For Sure. Produced by Eric Heigle (Arcade Fire, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Givers, Dr. John).He is joined by the cream of the young crop of southern musicians; including Luther Dickenson (North Mississippi All Stars), Maggie Koerner (Galactic), jazz vocalist Sasha Masakowski and actress/singer Topsy Chapman (12 Years a Slave). Paired with a band that includes veteran keyboardist Marc Adams (Eric Lindell, Tab Benoit, Marva Wright), bassist Bill Richard, and drummer Erik Golson, Lake delivers an album that moves from sunny summer jams to powerful love songs, haunting instrumentals and dark, scorching rockers. Fans of roots music, blues, soul and jam bands will find much to love here.

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JOHN LISI: Shut the Front Door

D3001“One thing blues ain’t is funny” – Stephen Stills […Obviously Mr. Stills has never sat in with John Lisi…]

Since bursting onto the scene in 1998, John Lisi has been hailed as one of the best guitarist slingers in Louisiana – a major rave for the most musical place in all the world. Indeed, Lisi is a master of the Dobro, mandolin, resonator and Stratocaster, as well as offbeat portrayals of everyday life turned into funky-bluesy-body-shakin’ music that just makes a person feel better.

Lisi not only thrives on the work…he loves what he does with “an unshakable belief in [his] original songs and being able to deliver them live, as well as honestly enjoying creating and performing.”

“Shut the Front Door” is Lisi’s brand of “delta funk” – that Big Easy blend of blues, rock, boogie and deep-fried funk – complete with the all essential ingredients: sassy female background vocals, kickin’ horns, in-the-pocket rhythm section, topped with stunning guitar riffs. If you have a taste for Delta cooking, then this, my friend, is your genuine, finger-lickin’ chicken on the bone!

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CONGRATULATIONS KEVIN SEKHANI! SOLO DEBUT “DAY AIN’T DONE” AVAILABLE NOW!

Kevin-Solo-Promo-2013Lafayette, Louisiana native Kevin Sekhani returned to his roots in 2010 after 20 years playing on the Austin, Texas music scene, determined to release his first solo album and combine the influences of two of the best musical regions in the world. He has succeeded in spades with “Day Ain’t Done,” his solo debut for Louisiana Red Hot Records. His songwriting was honed from years of collaborations and jam sessions with the legendary wordsmith Bill Carter, who wrote hits for Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Counting Crows, Waylon Jennings, and others, so the time was right for an album that No Depression called “…one of the best debut albums I’ve heard in years.” With backing from members of the backing bands of Son Volt, John Mellencamp, and Patty Griffin, it’s layered with Americana staple instrumentation.

Taking the earthy tones of violin, mandolin, accordion and acoustic guitars, it exudes the feeling of back porch jam on a Louisiana Saturday night. The album’s track “Oilfield Tan” has found its way into regular rotation on local Louisiana and Texas radio stations, resonating amongst an area all too familiar with the demanding industry of oilfield work.

As a 20 year veteran of the Austin music scene playing in bands like the Radio Thieves and Two Minute Sinatra, Kevin Sekhani has done it all. From blazing rock-n-roll to holy ghost honky tonk in the Mercy Brothers, for years Sekhani has entertained crowds with heartfelt enthusiasm and poignant lyrics. In Austin, Sekhani spent his time working with Michael Ramos (John Mellencamp, Patty Griffin), Andrew Duplantis (Son Volt), and string player extraordinaire Warren Hood. In 2010, Sekhani moved back to his home town of Lafayette, Louisiana to front The Mercy Brothers, a Gospel group walking the fine line of sinners and saints. Since his return home, he has won over the hearts of Jazz Fest and Festival International audiences and landed a top 5 spot on the Americana charts in Europe.

For promos or more information contact Heather West, Western Publicity, 773/301-5767.

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