VICTOR BROOKS: Victor Brooks Samba Soul

Victor Brooks

Victor Brooks Samba Soul

© 2006 Victor Brooks (837101263399)

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A pure and sensual mixture of Soul, Jazz and Brasilian Samba.

notes

Like so many other artists Victor began singing in church with is family at the age of 6. By the time he was born, both sides of his family had gained a prominence within their national church community as musical pioneers. This passion for good gospel music was embedded in him at this young age through his mother’s side and the appreciation for the classics and spirituals was made available through his father’s side.

At a young age he was given the opportunity to hear the sounds of Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, The Five Blind Boys, Sam Cook and the Blend Wrights as well as be taught to perform the Hallelujah Chorus and appreciate the works of his uncle Charles Lee Brooks, Mendelssohn, Bach, and Mozart. Having the un-orthodox ministerial parents that he and his brother and sister were blessed to have, both parents were avid lovers of JAZZ. This basically put the icing on the cake for Victor’s musical foundation when Victor came to love the beauty and originality of the art of JAZZ.

At the age of 13 he and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Here Victor was exposed to the trueness and rawness of SOUL, BLUES, R&B, and FUNK. Having the Mecca of SOUL and BLUES right downtown was something that Victor was soon drawn to. Victor met and befriended Bernard Staton who at the time was the lead guitarist for Al Green and had formally been with the Vibrations. Bernard took Victor under his wing and taught him the basics of playing the guitar. This proved to lay the foundation for Victor take his songwriting basics to another level. Two other people who helped him with his songwriting basics earlier were Little Richard and Clifton Davis. Once the lessons from Bernard kicked in Victor was on his way to writing and performing cover tunes he taught himself to play as well as songs of his own.

With this new education now in his blood he was just a little older and that much more curious to know the “goings on” in the clubs of Beal Street and elsewhere. Once he was able to drive he would make weekly detours from the church choir rehearsals to the local music joints. Though he was too young to be allowed in some of the clubs, he was able to convince some of the local musicians he had befriended to let him in the back as long as he was out of the way. One of his favorite places to "get his feet wet" was MARMALADE'S in Memphis on 3rd and Vance. This place was run by the Smith family and to them Victor will always be gratful for allowing him to learn and practice his craft on their stage.

Victor would watch and learn from the likes of Al Green, Isaac Hayes, The Emotions, The Barkays, and others. Watching the moves, the vocal styles, the audience communication… everything. Some of the members of the church as well as his family began to hear a different and more soulful, funkier feel coming from his church renderings. Although his parents both knew of his detours, they allowed him to learn and for that he will always be grateful.

By 1985 Victor was assisted by one of his lifelong mentors and family friends Little Richard , to co-write a song with Richard on his upcoming comeback album for Warner Brothers entitled “Lifetime Friend”. The song they wrote was “I found My Way…My Father’s House”…It was Victor’s first published song. While in LA he was assisted by two other family friends Clifton Davis and Andre Crouch to be apart of the performance choir on the NBC television show “AMEN”.

Over the years, these people had watched and given various tips and words of encouragement, now they were helping him to the next level. In 1987 Victor was invited by Phillip Michael Thomas to come to Miami to be apart of the PMT Production family. This experience was one of pure education and lifelong respect and thanks to PMT.

Upon returning to L.A. Victor began writing with Brian McKnight for Brian's first album in 1990... the project went Gold in 1992 (release year) and soon enjoyed platinum status. By the end of 1992 Victor ceased any type of performing and writing due to a thing called…”LIFE”!

While working for Clifton Davis International Victor and Clifton made a trip to Brasil to search for bands to book in the U.S. There Clifton introduced Victor to a young Brasilian Soul artist by the name of Ze Ricardo. Victor and Ze became instant brothers and gained a total respect for the others love of Soul, Jazz, Funk, Bossa Nova and Jazz. Victor invited Ze to come to LA and meet other musicians and performers.

Victor took him to the house of two of his closest friends; Frankie and Irene Gaye. There Frankie asked Ze had he ever heard Victor Sing, Ze of course had no idea that Victor had at one time. Because the love and respect that Victor had for Frankie, he obliged and sang “Mr. Miracle”. From that time Ze and Victor have been performing throughout Brasil and Portugal since 1997 to audiences from 800 seats to 20,000.

The awesome arraignments by Ze Ricardo of both classic covers and originals seem to be the perfect satin sheets for the soulful sensual and Funky vocals from Victor. The press began to call the vibe of the show “a soulful type of Samba”…This being the reason for the name of Victor’s first solo album production…Victor Brooks…Samba Soul.

Victor will forever have the utmost respect and thankfulness to all of the people who had a part of teaching, scolding, and helping him throughout his lifetime, both famous as well as not. Victor will always be thankful to the following who have been a special part of his life and musical journey...Larry and Tina Graham, Billy Paul, The Emotions, Wayne Vaughn, John Wray, Jean Lucas, Screamin Jay Hawkins, Gayle and Bill Murphey, Ron Dickerson, Aunt Eleanore, Uncle Harold, his grandfather Snaggs Rice and the whole Rice crew from Dayton Ohio and so many others..You know who you are.

Your lessons will always be apart of his life and who he is today.

reviews

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  • Victor Brooks Samba Soul
    author: Clive Hamlett UK

    What a talent! Love this album,it's the perfect antidote to January here in the UK! Victor's album has a way of transporting you to a far and exotic land. All the musicians do a great job. A fine piece of work and a credit to all concerned.

  • SAMBA SOUL
    author: LAWYER

    BIG BRO...I DON'T HAVE WORDS TO DESRIBE THIS MASTERPIECE YOU HAVE PUT TOGATHER BUT I DO KNOW YOUR CD IS A MASH HIT...I'M PROUD OF YOU BRO AND THANKS FOR THE AUTOGRAPHED ONE YOU SENT ME! KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK BIG BRO...LIL BRO! LOVE YOU! LAWYER

  • SAMBA SOUL
    author: Lawyer Anderson

    BIG BRO...I DO NOT HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS AWESOME PIECE OF WORK YOU HAVE CREATED...FO REAL! I AM PROUD OF YOU!...TELL SHERYL AND THE BOYS I SAID HI!...LOVE YOU BIG BRO!....LAWYER...TALK TO YOU SOON! PEACE!

  • author: lawyer anderson

    Big bro....I do not have the words to describe this awesome piece of work you have created but what i do know you have a hit and I am proud of you...vic...I love you! Lawyer....My phone # is...(901)-258-8551...So I can tell you how i really feel about the album ...Tell Sheryl and the boys...I said Hi! Big bro... Keep up the good work...Talk to you soon! Lil bro...Love you vic...Lawyer

  • SAMBA SOLD
    author: KENNETH MCGOWAN

    GOOD WORK YOUR VOICE IS IN THE HOUSE KEEP THE GOOD WORK UP

  • SAMBA SOUL
    author: TAMMY ANDERSON WOODS

    I REALLY LOVE THE VIBE OF THIS ALBUM IT TOUCHES ON REAL LIFE SITUATIONS AND ALSO CAN BE VERY RELAXING TO SIT BACK AND JUST LISTEN KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK VIC WE LOVE YOU AND WISH YOU MUCH SUCCESS FROM YOUR FAMILY IN MEMPHIS, TN. THE ANDERSON'S

  • more comments
    author: russell Clark

    I agree with Fire Alarm's comments below. That said I haven't fully explored the intrinsic musicality in relation to the artist's projection of his voice combined with the instrumentalisation established by the musicians. When I have done this I will re-evaluate my dissertation.

  • outstanding
    author: farid alam

    great cd, great voice , outstanding music

  • Samba soul makes your heart breathe in life.....
    author: Woman of Jazz

    When I listen to artists, I listen with a full heart for what their expression is to the world. Victor brings the common denominator in life that connects us all and that is the spirit of love. Samba Soul is a spirit of music that envelopes you through rhythm, soulful voicings and carefully sculpted lyrics that release an air of sensual fantasy, yes I said it :-) its the kind of CD that you want to listen to over and over again. Victor Brooks has a style all his own...this CD is a ~must have~ as a backdrop for any setting that you chose to really look within and to feel what love means on a soul level. Bravo Sir Brooks...you are lifted....and most of all gifted...thanks for what you bring to the world...keep the channel open for what you bring from the heart, no one else can...your uniqueness shines through! God Bless YOU in your musical journey, your music will be a mainstay in my playlists. Jaijai Jackson Woman of Jazz Jazz Radio Host www.womanofjazz.com

  • Really good!!!!
    author: Leandro Weingaertner

    I'm a bass palyer from Brasil and I played with Victor in a Jam in Maresias SP, with Tomati, Léo, Mila and others, and I know what you can do with your voice.....Really good man!!!! Congratulations. Sorry my English!!! When you come back?

  • Victor is truly a brilliant world class stylist.
    author: David M. Fullerton

    I knew Victor way back in high school(Mid-80's)and he could sing his cover material better than the original recording artist. In fact, being the quick witted song writer that he is today, Victor is quite capable of rendering his own unique flavor of Gospel, Jazz, Soul and R&B hits. The world better look out because he is better than before --- more mature and sure of his talent. That is why this SAMBA CD is merely the tip of the iceberg of what he can really do and I would like to hear more from Victor. Victor is truly a brilliant world class talent. Great CD!!!

  • a tasty musical soup!
    author: jeff greenleaf

    Victor Brooks' talent is in full bloom here, with old skool soul intensified realism that mirrors the times. Brooks offers illuminating curiosity about what can happen in a song.

  • Sexy Sexy Sexy
    author: Linda Paul

    This man has hit my spot! These songs sound great!

  • author: Evelyn Strathairn

    I haven't heard anything like it! It's fresh and original. Victor Brooks is the next best thing!

  • This is what we need!
    author: Bill Steins

    Victor has been able to do what other's in this "NEW SOUL" geneation have been trying to do for a while. He has not only been able to combine the sounds of original soul, R&B and Jazz, but has mixed the soulful grooves of Brasilian Samba, Bossa Nova and Brasilian soul all in one...His vocals are smooth and true sexy soul... perfect for driving or being with the one you want!

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