(Dub) Avatar - Like River To Ocean - 2009, MP3 (tracks), VBR 190kbps

Avatar consists of James Kennedy on bass guitar and guitar and Tony
O'Flaherty on sax, flute and keys.
The Avatar Massive consists of:
Martin Leahy (Drums); Laurie Hedger (Drums); Dick O' Shea (Drums);
Donie Moore (Drums) ; Dan Walsh (Drums on Live Shows ); Paul Dunlea (Trombone);
Roy Kelleher (Trumpet); Paul Frost (Bass Trombone); Nick Kirwan (Trumpet);
Martin Scharer (Percussion); Eamon Cagney (Percussion); Aine Whelan (vocals);
Pat Johnson (Vocals); Mary O'Regan (Vocals); Phil Wheeler (spoken word);
Nick Moloney (Keyboards and Guitar on live shows); Gary Keane (Guitar on live
shows).
Genre:
A unique blend of 70's Dub Reggae and Jazz ;both relaxing and
uplifting (Bass Guitar Magazine).
Hometown: Tralee
Kerry born natives, James Kennedy and Tony O Flaherty are the force behind one of Ireland's most unique and exciting groups Avatar. The duo write, arrange and produce all their own material, while enlisting the services of some of the finest musicians Ireland has to offer - also known as The Avatar Massive. Avatar produce a fusion of 70's Dub Reggae, Jazz and Ambient Sounds which are uniquely their own. Their music has been described as being simultaneously relaxing and uplifting. Their debut album Summa Iru (2005) earned them substantial critical acclaim and was followed up by, what has been described as a tour de force : Like River To Ocean. Both albums are the direct result of writer Kennedy's interest in and fascination with "the wild and rugged Kerry landscape" and in his own words "years of sitting quietly". The music has been particularly influenced by the exquisite landscape around Fenit harbour in north Kerry.
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Like River To Ocean was released in 2009. Below is a track by track
desciption of the album by the writer James Kennedy
Track 1: Sunrise Dub
The first track on Like River To Ocean is called Sunrise Dub and
features a chant from Seancara. Fishing boats sailing out early on a
clear morning from Fenit Harbour reminded me of India ;people on two
different continents getting on with their lives .The 75 Jazz Bass
features once again ,but this time I used my Gibson SG Standard for all
the guitar parts.
Track 2: Joyful Dub
The second track is called 'Joyful Dub'and was inspired by watching a
group of dancers at a gig -strong Ska and South African vibe here !75
jazz Bass and Strat with Reverb/Delay n' whammy all the way -great fun
writing and playing this track-I love Ska and Township sounds !!!
Track 3: Loving Kindness Dub
Loving Kindness Dub was inspired by a Buddhist prayer(The 4
Immeasurables) . The groove is laid back and deep but still forward
moving.The brass arrangement came from my love of old 70's American
detective tv shows and movies !In the face of all adversity The Buddha
offered this approach of 'Loving Kindness'!75 Jazz bass and SG.
Track 4: Restful Dub
Restful Dub features a Trombone melody and is influenced by my Love of
Rico Rodriguez and Don Drummond -Paul Dunlea really nails the vibe and
has tone to die for!Strong jazz influence here .Used the Jazz Bass and
SG guitar on the front pickup for a Jazzier sound !
Track 5: Kingdom I Dub
Kingdom I Dub is inspired by my life long love of Roots music and the
teachings of Rastafari. Pat Johnson does a superb 'toast' over the track
-it's one of my favourite Avatar tracks - Fender 'Pino' Customshop
Precision Bass and Fender Strat make an appearence on this .I also did a
one off Dub Plate of this track for I... Kingdom Soundsystem operator
Eamonn Costelloe.
Track 6: Mellowness Dub
Mellowness Dub is the oldest Riddim on the album .The Bass line came
some years ago when jamming -I pared down the bass line and had fun with
the track -Paul Frost played a cool Bass Trombone solo !It is a mid
tempo groove which is fun to play and dance to !Jazz n Strat feature on
it.
Track 7: Heart of Wisdom Dub
One of my favourite Avatar tracks is Heart of Wisdom Dub.I love Áine
Whelan's beautiful voice singing the Mantra 'Gate Gate Paragate
Parasamagate Bodhi Sattva'.Nick Kirwan plays one of the most stunning
trumpet solos on the album.The Jazz and SG feature here
again.Inspiration from The Heart Sutra. Track 8: Like River To Ocean Dub
It was inspired by reading Buddhist Text known as :The Heart Sutra and
also by the Landscape around Fenit beach in Kerry.On the album track of
the same name I used a Fender Jazz Bass (US 75 Reissue) and a Fender US
Strat guitar for the melody ,solo and rhythm.
Track 8: Like River To Ocean Dub
It was inspired by reading Buddhist Text known as :The Heart Sutra and
also by the Landscape around Fenit beach in Kerry.On the album track
of the same name I used a Fender Jazz Bass (US 75 Reissue) and a Fender
US Strat guitar for the melody ,solo and rhythm.
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