Today, Brooklyn-based poet and singer, Tai Allen, has released his premiere live performance project, Live Produce via Afrockin Entertainment.
Live Produce, produced entirely by Tai Allen, has its roots in soul traditions mixed with a bevy of disciplines, including blues, R&B, acid jazz, poetry and organic composition. Allen’s signature approach is reminiscent of Gil Scott-Heron — yet uniquely his own. He self-identifies as a poet and says his love for the stage, and for love, led to developing the album.
“I wanted to craft a release that discussed love for the community and people, yet still had that bounce to it. I chose to capture it all live to emphasize the organic nature of music,” explained Allen. “There is something special about music created by a band rather than a producer emulating or sampling sounds. And, we did our changes and dynamics on the fly. No retakes. No do overs. No re-recordings.”
From Georgia and DC to Atlanta and Massachusetts, Live Produce was captured during a series of performance dates over the past three years. Allen selected and curated a sampling of those performances at such venues as Apollo, DROM, Organix Soul, Bard College, Bohemian Caverns and Apache.
The album features a rotating cast of seasoned musicians: guitarist Dalmar James, bassist David Pilgrim, keyboardist Entrfied, saxophonist Rakiem Walker, drummer Granville Mullins and drummer Ivan Katz. James and Pilgrim also served as music directors. In addition, legendary composer Onaje Allan-Gumb contributed to the project with his New Vintage band, including a rework of “16 Tons” and guest piano on Tai’s ballad rework of “Home Is Where Is The Hatred Is.”
“I wanted to show dexterity with Live Produce,” explained Allen,” and create something progressive without being soap-boxy or boring. I think we tackled the songs with passion and earnest feelings. We made something special.”
Live Produce consists of eight songs, including the lead single, and fan favorite, “Strong”. It available today via Bandcamp and via all major digital retailers, including iTunes, March 2. For more information, visit www.taiallen.com.
Live Produce Track List:
- Strong (Radio Revolution Mix)
- Home Is Where The Hatred Is (The Redux)
- House Is Where The Hatred Is (acid jazz redux)
- St. James Infirmary (Bard College soundcheck)
- Jeanine
- 16 Tons feature with Onaje Allan-Gumb + New Vintage
- Strong / N##### at Night (extended version)
- POEM: That Fall w/Tulips
About Tai Allen
Tai Allen is a respected creative who excels in multiple disciplines. The Brooklyn-based creative director is a poet who sings over music he has produced. His poetry has been published in noted tomes (Bomb and African Voices) and his music has been heralded by such publications as SoulTracks, Uptown Magazine and CentricTV.
He has headlined BAMcafe Live in Brooklyn, Nighttown in Rotterdam and the American Jazz Museum’s Blue Room in Kansas City. He also co-hosted the main stages for Art of Cool Festival in Durham, with fellow artist Dasan Ahanu, and curated and hosted Brooklyn’s Restoration Rocks block party three times in the past five years.
In 2010, Allen’s album Easy Readin’ was awarded “Album of The Year” by the National Poetry Awards. He is a member of the National Black Writers Conference Steering Committee and has also served as the Conference’s Poetry Cafe host.
Allen is also creative director for Arts+Crafts, where he curates the annual Tap+Cork Brooklyn Beer & Wine Fest, and creates performance opportunities for emerging artists, deejays and poets.