Hailing from a city of timeless innovations in jazz, blues, gospel, footwork, and house music, Shannon Harris created his own musical imprint, Urbanicity Recordings, to showcase Chicago's dynamic artistry. In early 2000, he was introduced to a band named Ascendant and another perfect collaboration was born. Years later Kael Mboya, Ascendant's bandleader and keyboardist, became one of the few session players recording on many of Shannon's recordings. Gyenyame, originally written and performed by Ascendant at shows around Chicago, became one of Harris' favorites. He eventually approached and invited the band to do a collaborative recording of it for Urbanicity. The original recording session was over 20 minutes with repetitive melodies, hooks, and a funky, thick bassline layered over Shannon's provocative drum programming and auxiliary percussion.
The versions released on vinyl in 2005 were shortened, trimmed, and rearranged by Shannon with percussion overdubs by Michael Lockett and extra keyboard arrangements/solos by Kael. The sweet DooWop style vocal harmonies were sung by Aleata Holloway, Kael, and Michael into one microphone... together! To expand the sonic quality and create an even richer listening experience, Shannon decided to multitrack the arrangements on 16 track reel to reel. Can it get any better than that?! Unfortunately dozens of copies of this recording were destroyed in a flood leaving only 40 copies for the public. Here's your final chance to own an original 12 inch of an eclectic jazz/house dance classic. Get them while supplies last! Once they're all sold, that's a wrap. All copies are hand signed by Shannon Harris himself. Come feel, hold, and embody another classic Chicago historical music moment!
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Hailing from a city of timeless innovations in jazz, blues, gospel, footwork, and house music, Shannon Harris created his own musical imprint, Urbanicity Recordings, to showcase Chicago's dynamic artistry. In early 2000, he was introduced to a band named Ascendant and another perfect collaboration was born. Years later Kael Mboya, Ascendant's bandleader and keyboardist, became one of the few session players recording on many of Shannon's recordings. Gyenyame, originally written and performed by Ascendant at shows around Chicago, became one of Harris' favorites. He eventually approached and invited the band to do a collaborative recording of it for Urbanicity. The original recording session was over 20 minutes with repetitive melodies, hooks, and a funky, thick bassline layered over Shannon's provocative drum programming and auxiliary percussion.
The versions released on vinyl in 2005 were shortened, trimmed, and rearranged by Shannon with percussion overdubs by Michael Lockett and extra keyboard arrangements/solos by Kael. The sweet DooWop style vocal harmonies were sung by Aleata Holloway, Kael, and Michael into one microphone... together! To expand the sonic quality and create an even richer listening experience, Shannon decided to multitrack the arrangements on 16 track reel to reel. Can it get any better than that?! Unfortunately dozens of copies of this recording were destroyed in a flood leaving only 40 copies for the public. Here's your final chance to own an original 12 inch of an eclectic jazz/house dance classic. Get them while supplies last! Once they're all sold, that's a wrap. All copies are hand signed by Shannon Harris himself. Come feel, hold, and embody another classic Chicago historical music moment!
lyrics
Gye...Nyame,,,Gye...Ny...A....me.....
credits
from Gyenyame (Only God),
track released March 23, 2023
Written by Kael Mboya for Darkest Shade Music
Arranged by Ascendant for Darkest Shade Music and Shannon Harris for Urbanicity Music
Produced by Shannon Harris for Urbanicity Recordings
Recorded and mixed at Groove Entourage Studio Chicago by Shannon Harris
Copyright 2005 Darkest Shade/Urbanicity Music
Vocals, piano, strings and additional keys by Kael Mboya
Vocals and electric bass by Aleata Holloway
Vocals and congas by Michael Lockett
Drum programming and tambourine by Shannon Harris
Supporter of global crusades for 15 years spanning his reach to audiences on 6 continents, he has honed his skills as a
professional DJ for 28 years and world touring DJ/Musician/artist performing in 5 continents globally for the past 10 years. He has worked as a international recording artist for 15 years & sound healer for 7 years with releases on labels in Japan, London, Kenya, and Italy....more
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