UPGROUND
Feel the Vibe
© 2006 UPGROUND (890269001128)
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UPGROUND is an exciting fresh musical blend of reggae,ska,cumbia and funk that translates into pure, raw musical energy. Their EXPLOSIVE "live" performances display their dedication, pride and commitment to their music.
tracks
- 1 Skanking Monkeys
- 2 Recumbia
- 3 Oye Chica
- 4 Feel the Vibe
- 5 Night Stick No
- 6 Hot Fudge Sundae
- 7 Big Mistake
- 8 Sol Azul
- 9 Irie Eyes
- 10 Accept it
- 11 Mr. Duran
- 12 Suerte de mi Muerte
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notes
Every decade or so, a great new band based out of L.A.’s Eastside crosses cultural boundaries and language barriers, and merges into the mainstream music scene as a talent to be reckoned with. East Los Angeles’ youthful UPGROUND are clearly this decade’s band from the barrio to cross that divide. Their music is an exciting fresh musical blend of ska, reggae, cumbia, rock and funk. The “Latin Ska” music scene has embraced their music; however the material they are releasing on their first full length CD is too diverse to be limited to any one genre. It is indeed a variation of many sounds sure to appeal to all.
UPGROUND began their musical journey early on, first at home and then at school. Participating in the school jazz band and orchestras these young musicians began to hone their skills. At home, the mix of traditional Latin music ranging from salsa to regional Mexican and everything in between began to fuse with the classic rock, blues, reggae, ska, and jazz they were listening to on their own. Undoubtedly, this eclectic range of music played an important role in developing into a delicate fusion of sounds that we now know as UPGROUND. The members are Adolfo Mercado Jr. – Drums, Danny Estrada - Vocals & Guitar, Chris "Bolillo" Manjarrez – Bass, and what has been introduced as “the best horn section coming out of Los Angeles": Everado Garcia - Vocals & Trumpet, Chris De Los Santos - Tenor Sax & Keyboards, Eric Carrillo - Alto Sax & Timbales, Joseph Quinonez - Trombone, and Aaron Perez - Alto Sax
UPGROUND has been playing locally for over 4 years and through their music these young men have developed a bond that translates into pure, raw musical energy. Their explosive “live” performances, displays their dedication, and pride not only to their music and the band as a whole, but to the communities they live in. This has transformed them into one of the most sought after young bands in Los Angeles’ competitive Latin music scene. In a short period of time they have shared the stage with such acts as Ozomatli, Tom Morello(Rage Against the Machine), Tierra, Malo, Quetzal, Voodo Glow Skulls, Go Betty Go, Quinto Sol and The B-Side Players to name a few. On the other side of the fence, they also had the privilege to open for Alternative bands like The Killers and The Chemical Brothers at the The Shrine Auditorium.
Critical acclaim and recognition greeted UPGROUND’s first EP and their live performances as time went on, culminating in a surprise April 22, 2006 Los Angeles Times review. Writer Agustin Gurza wrote a glowing review of their show called “They’re Younger than they sound” and said: “Despite their age, they seem to channel artists many of their peers have never heard of Bob Marley, Glenn Miller, Arturo Sandoval, Tower of Power. And they play with a surprising mastery of complex harmonies and time changes”. The review led to Nationwide attention including an offer to play Hollywood & Highland (Kodak Theater)’s Fridays by the Fountain, and interest from the Reality TV show “Jammin” (on SITV).
UPGROUND releases their debut full length CD titled “Feel the Vibe” in summer of 2006. Over a year in the making, it was Produced by Rudy Salas of Tierra, Mixed by David Salas (who produced La Sinfonia (Sony), Don Abusivo (Universal), El Pecador (Universal), and La Epidemia (EMI)), and Mastered by Brian Springer/ Precision Studios, who has produced/recorded Pink, Christina Aguilera, Mya, Snoop Dog, J-LO/Ja Rule, Ashanti, Alicia Keys, Michael Jackson, Fat Joe, Mariah Carey, and many more. Watch out for UPGROUND, this is only the beginning.
reviews
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Sol Azul
author: GizmoI saw this band live on tuesday @ House of Blues in Anaheim, This band rocks for being such young guy's their awesome.
aussie's like it..
author: michaelthis cd combines the best elements of funk, latin, swing, jazz, etc... such a diverse band - luvin' it over here Down under!!! sheer brilliance... keep up the good work... hope to see them out here sonn!!
great album!
author: isaac cardenasi loved the song feel the vibe. you can hear their inspirations when they play. great guitars, and great instrumentals. They are even better onstage!! this is a band to get your feet moving!!
Across the ocean we are grooving to this fresh sound!
author: Jennifer"oye chica" perked my ears, but this whole album is well worth the buy. Here in Hawaii there's Jawaiian music...my friends that hear this CD ask about it thinking it's a new Hawaii based group...UPGROUND has a fan base in Oahu tambien!
Awesome. I loved it.
author: Jorge DeLaTorreI just recently had a party and played the CD. Everyone was asking about it and wanted to know where to get it. It was a hit. I would like to know where I can obtain a copy of the new album.
...an achievement in music that will be recognized as one of the pivotal Latin F
author: C.J. Arenivar“Feel the Vibe” is the name of Upground's debut full length CD and it does not disappoint. In fact, it is one of the best “Latin” albums of the year, and I hesitate to refer to it as a “Latin” album as much of the music is influenced by styles not necessarily associated with “Latin” music. Reggae, Funk, Afrobeat rhythms, jazz, and Ska clearly influence this CD yet there is a bit of Cumbia (oh yeah there’s the Latin part!)thrown in. In addition, nearly 2/3 of “Feel the Vibe” is sung in English. This is just not another Latin album, this is a CD that encompasses the essence of music and carries an ability to cross age groups, races, and musical styles. Don’t be deceived by the hard rockin’ ska opener, “Skanking Monkeys”. The very next song is “Recumbia”, an almost totally cumbia song. Almost yet all those other influences pop in. Songs like the Spanglish“Oye Chica” and “Feel the Vibe” encompass the best of what Upground does. A nice bouncing reggae beat filled with horns and sing along choruses. Much of the album lyrically is lighthearted, but Upground does take on serious issues on songs like “Night Stick No” and “Big Mistake”. No matter what they are singing about, they are delivering it with a notoriously tight horn section, soulful vocals and a beat that makes you want to dance. Upground’s “Feel the Vibe” is an achievement in music that will be recognized as one of the pivotal Latin Fusion music albums of this decade. There is no where to go but up for this band of amazingly talented 17-22 year olds. I look forward to a nice long career of more solid music from Upground. Once you hear “Feel the Vibe”, I think you will too.