>> Vinx
bio: Once upon a time (1990) in Santa Monica, CA, a famous musician (that would be Sting) wandered into a club to wait out the rain and was so enthralled with the performer on stage (that would be Vinx) that he signed him to a record deal and helped produce his debut album (that would be Rooms in My Fatha?s House). Although he had a gig back in 1978 as a percussionist for Taj Mahal, Vinx was a world-class triple-jumper. In fact, in 1980 he posted the second best jump in the world, but the United States boycotted the Moscow Olympics, and after an injury at the 1984 Olympic trials in Los Angeles, Vinx embarked on his musical career as a vocalist and percussionist. He recorded and toured with the likes of Ernie Watts, Rickie Lee Jones, and Toni Childs before forming his own band of drummers and hitting Europe, where he played the Montreux Jazz Festival between Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter. Returning to L.A., he continued his lucky streak with the fortuitous Sting meeting. Following the 1991 release of Rooms in My Fatha?s House, Sting further extended his courtesy and had Vinx as the opening act on his year-long world tour. A couple of quick follow-up albums came in 1992 and 1993, I Love My Job and The Storyteller, respectively, which landed Vinx a spot on stages next to folks like Herbie Hancock, Baaba Maal, King Sunny Ade, Me?shell NdegeOcello, Cracker, and others. He has also traded recording favors with Cassandra Wilson and Stevie Wonder, two of the many high-profile guest musicians to grace his albums. In 1996, Lips Stretched Out was released on his own Internet label and Vinx formed a side project, Jungle Funk, with ex-Living Color rhythm masters Will Calhoun and Doug Wimbish. The group was signed in 1998 to the German ESC Records before being picked up in North America by Zebra Records. A different project, Big ?n? Round, also came together that same year and released a self-titled album in 1999.
The new ?Through Colored Folks Eyes? record:
Elephunk's debut artist full-length comes from the veteran artist Vinx, with the release of his fifth long-player, "Through Colored Folks Eyes". Vinx's rich and diverse musical background has found him working alongside such luminaries as Taj Mahal, Rickie Lee Jones, Herbie Hancock, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Hornsby, Stevie Wonder, Cassandra Wilson, Lou Reed, BB King, Branford Marsalis, Teena Marie, Toni Childs, and The Bus Boys. Three of previous releases were released on Sting's Pangae label and his own internet based record label.
Travelling the world, performing with prominent musicians in a variety of genres and styles has given Vinx a wealth of experience and influence to draw from; as heard in the depths of his heartfelt lyrics and intricate musical tapestry. "Through Colored Folks Eyes" features songs that are socially conscious and brutally honest, as Vinx tackles topics of the racial insensitivity and inequality that continues to exist in the 21st century. His poetic tales of injustice are set upon an understated groove that fuses elements of jazz, soul, folk, Afro-beat, dub reggae, blues, funk, and R&B. Vinx is supported by all-star backing band that includes Gary Hudgins, Fedrico Pena, Lonnie Plaxico, Irvin Madden, Greg Howe, Wayne Cooper, Mark Stewart, and Victor Williams. The New Jersey Mass Choir provides backing vocals. Following in the tradition of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway; Vinx will no doubt find favor among fans of the Neo-Soul movement, modern jazz circles, and in club-land.
As an added bonus, the album contains the remixes critically acclaimed single "Tomorrow", available for the first time on CD.
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