|
welcome
Hello, and welcome.
I've created this site to chronicle the
development of my Smooth Jazz CD which is titled, HAVEN.
I must admit to being a bit lax with my posting, due to 'unforeseen
challenges' that incurred a lot of frustration and I refused to write
anything in that frame of mind.
Since finishing that project, there has been some interesting feedback.
HAVEN has been categorized as Smooth Jazz, Bebop, Feel-Good Instrumental,
New Age, Cool Jazz, World Music, Film Soundtrack and Classical.
All we did was record some songs that I'm
very proud of . . .
Below, you will find the, haphazard
updates, as we all tried to maintain our sanity . . .
RJ MAR '08
HAVEN is now available at
CDBaby!
Check it out on the Music page!
EPILOGUE
We entered SURF RECORDS studio during OCT,
2005 and put down the drum tracks for HAVEN.
The CD was completed and delivered to my door the final week of OCT, 2007.
Below, you will find the sporadic chronicle of the project.
There was a great deal of frustration involved, and I didn't post anything
for weeks at a time.
Didn't want to, 'go into a negative headspace' . . .
The truth is, we kept a positive attitude; everyone played great, and I'm
very proud of the work.
RJ NOV '07
The HAVEN Chronicles
We are now entering the final phase of
rhythm tracks for HAVEN.
A good number of the solos have finally arrived.
Sadly, there have been a few players, because of their schedules, drop out
of the project.
But that's how it is, and onward we go . . .
I will be posting some samples on the
music
page.
Also, there will be some audio placed on the
bands
page, from Cover Groups that I have worked with through the years.
RJ SEP 06
I will be another year older in a few days,
but we are much closer to finishing HAVEN! We began mixing last night, and
I'm getting excited again, because Dan Metro(Co-Producer/Engineer) is
working his magic.
At the end of the session, I came home with
3 Studio Roughs for; A DULL DAY, SRB(Brent Murphy composition) & INSIDE.
Never was happy with my Bass track for INSIDE, so I'll be laying that down
again in a day or so . . .
Can we possibly have this finished by
Christmas?
I really shouldn't jinx myself by posting a 'finish' date like that . . .
My new & dear friend, Tomas Howie, has
submitted his first draft for the CD artwork, which I have posted on the
PHOTOS page. He's doing an outstanding job.
RJ NOV '06
Yes, I jinxed myself.
I knew better than to post a finish date for my CD . . .
Just picked up a copy of,
'The Indie Bible'.
Being familiar with road-work, and all but done with it, and not really
trying to 'break-through' with an original Rock Band, there really isn't a
lot of info for someone who wants to promote a Smooth Jazz CD.
There are only a few songs
awaiting solos at this time.
Everyone is on Christmas/New Years break, and we will be hitting it hard in
mid January.
Most of the songs now have
a, 'preliminary mix', and I'm cool with everything except the bass player .
. .
RJ DEC '06
Okay, I've been very bad, and neglectful
here recently.
Let's do a little updating . . .
I've created a
MySpace Page and it is
somewhat time consuming.
Also, I joined a Hard Rock Power Trio and have been learning a lot of
material I wasn't familiar with.
Then Trace mentioned we'd better start planning our vacation to Puerto Rico.
The MySpace page is something that seems to
require constant attention, unless you want to get involved with the
'automated Bots', which is something I plan to stay away from.
I don't mind browsing through the Top Jazz Artists and asking them to be
pals.
It's all about traffic and elevating your profile.
You can't sell your CD if nobody can find you . . .
I've been playing 3 or 4 nights a month for
a number of years now.
That isn't going to keep your chops up.
I also will need a good chunk of change to pay for mastering & manufacturing
of my CD very soon.
That brings me to the Hard Rock Power Trio I've joined(Check my
GIGS page).
We're playing THU-FRI-SAT, so that will help with my chops, and it will also
take care of the necessary CD expenditures within a couple months.
Not to mention the other 'musical toys' I have my eye on . . .
Alright.
We have set a completion date of JUNE 1st for the mixing of HAVEN.
I have yet to decide who will handle the mastering, but I have 3 companies
in mind.
I've already decided to use DiscMakers for the manufacturing, because they
do offer so many free promotional bonuses.
Okay, that should do it for now . . .
Oh yeah, I did mention vacation.
Trace & I will be spending our 7th Puerto Rican visit on the small island of
Vieques, at EvaMer Oceanfront
Villas.
RJ APR '07
Alright, it's been 3 months
since an update, but who has time to count?
The MySpace page is doing
well, with some decent traffic.
The Mixposure site has recently risen from the grave, but I'll wait a bit
before putting any more eggs in that basket.
Our vacation was absolutely
wonderful.
Lots of lying poolside, in the sun.
Cooking on the grill, and visiting numerous great restaurants.
Well, to the business at
hand . . .
Since April 1st, up to today, July 31st, I have had only 9 mixing sessions
in the studio.
I was planning to have the finished CD in my hands by this time . . .
My co-producer has been
very busy lately.
But we are back on track, and we should finish sometime in August.
RJ JUL '07
Okay, I know it may be hard to believe . .
.
We actually have finished mixing, and I have sent the song files off to be
mastered.
There are 3 companies that I am using.
One in LA, another in London, and another in Berlin.
This is truly turning out to be an 'international CD'.
Hopefully, I will hear back from both
of them in a few days . . .
RJ AUG '07
After listening to the
masters from all 3 companies, I've decided to use a gentleman I met on
MIXPOSURE.
His name is DICARLO, and his company is called
ONLINE MIXING
& MASTERING.
All 13 tracks are now
mastered and the RED BOOK CDs are being shipped.
Hopefully they will arrive from Germany by next week.
I will then send one off to Disc Makers in New Jersey.
There is a 2 week period
for the CD manufacturing, and I'm fairly sure there will be another week for
shipping.
I am NOT going to set
another date for the completion of HAVEN.
Suffice it to say; "It's done, when it's done . . ."
RJ SEP '07
After numerous emails as well as phone
calls with Disc Makers, the CD is now in production.
I have been given a completion date of OCT 22nd.
At that time, I am told, we will discuss shipping.
That's funny, I've already given them $185 for that . . .
I have been researching 'CD Marketing', and
let me tell you, it looks as if the REAL WORK is all in front of me.
The work over the past 2 years is a cakewalk compared to the hoops of fire
one must jump through to get your work noticed . . .
RJ OCT '07
Okay, I've uploaded the
music, pics & liner notes to TuneCore.
They will now submit all of that to 10 of the biggest online music
distributors on my behalf.
So, in 6 to 8 weeks, HAVEN will be available, worldwide, through
ITunes, Rhapsody, Napster, etc . . .
RJ OCT '07
I'm waiting to hear from CDBaby, any day
now.
I have a few ideas for promo, but until the music is available, all I can do
is sit tight . . .
There are quite a few people that still enjoy getting a CD, rather than
download the
the digital format.
A lot of the musicians that played on HAVEN
have received copies of the CD,
and seem to be happy.
That's a relief . . .
RJ NOV '07
 |
