Gift of Music

One of our services here at JAMBOX,  Gift of Song, allows everyone to get a professional, yet fun,  recording experience while creating something you will always remember. Recently, a gift of song client arrived an hour early for her session. While she waited she displayed her love for music through practicing her songs. She had no fear, and no reservations. She just went for it and enjoyed it.

Her obvious passion of music inspired the topic for this blog. It brought me back to the first time I thought about singing and songwriting. Picture an 8-year-old girl, singing with her friends in school, writing in her free time and dreaming about becoming a star.

Each music lover has a unique musical taste engraved in them from a young age. But even as music lovers we may not want to follow a musical career.  Instead of learning musical technicalities from a young age, I hid my love for singing and writing in the background. However, other creative people can bring out the hidden artist in you. For example, the client that arrived early caused me to desire no reservations in my singing. She inspired me to go for and enjoy the moment. Even if you feel like you don’t sound “right.” Because what is sounding right when we all have our own voice?

Had I been inspired this way while I was younger, I would have had no reservations; just like the practicing client and others who take part in Gift of song. It reminds people that they can do something they love even if it isn't their career choice. We don’t have to be famous stars like Beyonce, JayZ, etc. We have the gift of music in our lives and we can share that gift. If you decide to sing in a choir or sing at home for your own enjoyment, go ahead and follow that passion. It’s not about being perfect. Gift of Song is simply about ones love and enjoyment of creating a lasting memory and being able to share it with friends and loved ones.

It’s time to stop worrying about “what will people think?” No matter your career goals, Gift of Song is something every singer can gain something from. It makes you realize that you have had the gift of song in you all along. Here at JAMBOX, you can use that gift and let it blossom.

Throwback Thursday: Lee Evans 90's to now

Missing those sounds from the good ‘ol 90’s?

Lee Evans is a Gold Album/award winning Producer/Songwriter/Engineer/Musician and a long time veteran of the music industry. With over 30 years experience in the music industry our Founder and Co-owner has created masterpieces with many talented artists and explored many genres. With music from Alternative Rock to R&B, Lee shows off these artists great vocals and his fascinating production skills.

The work speaks for itself. Check out the SoundCloud and take a ride down the musical memory lane: https://soundcloud.com/leeevansmusic

Ill Tandem by R.e.a.P & B3B3'

R.e.a.P and B3B3’ are a perfect musical match, who together released Ill Tandem on May 24, 2014. R.e.a.P is an Artist, Songwriter, Producer, and Engineer. B3B3’ (pronounced BAY-BAY) is a Hip Hop artist, Performer and Songwriter.  R.e.a.P was inspired by Hip Hop culture and began writing at the age of 18. While B3B3’ started rapping and singing at the age of 14.

Ill Tandem is a 20 song project with many collaborations. R.e.a.P took part in the Recording, editing, mixing, and producing of the project. It was also recorded and edited by B3B3’, mastered by Lee Evans, and Produced by: Adrian Desmond, Drew Chap, V.I Musik Rayman, Peter Jorge and Ashlee Chanelle.

This mixtape continues to break barriers within the Rock, Hip Hop, Pop, and R&B genres. Recording took place at JAMBOX Entertainment and Mindmic Productions. You can learn more about both of their careers on: http://www.reap2mc.com/ & http://b3b3music.com/ or by following them on social media.

The songs on Ill Tandem  which can be found on datpiff.com are:

1. Znuff Starr intro
2. History (produced by Adrian Desmond)
3. Lonely People (produced by Adrian Desmond)
4. Going Under remix
5. The EX (produced by Adrian Desmond)
6. What’s Love (produced by Drew Chap)**

http://youtu.be/pDkxk1WKIaY

“Who needs a heart?” Seems like we’re just trying to understand what love really has to do with it. If you haven’t figured it out here goes. Its all about the fun without the extra emotions. “If you think I’m gonna fall,” for that time that one falls and the other doesn’t. the lyrics speak the brutal truth that there can be a side that doesn’t really care about love. You can’t confuse lust and love,  but you always have to say what you mean and mean what you say.

Have I mentioned I did not know I would enjoy the live music, you hear that so rarely.

7. Pain Thief Feat. Rayman (produced by V.I Musik Rayman)
8. I want it
9. Close ur Eyes (produced by V.I Musik)**

“Close your eyes,” and listen “You better get ready.” For all the dreamers that can’t stand to keep their eyes open. “Work for what’s mine… yea, Ima get it.” This big dreamer lets you know that the dreams you see with your eyes closed you have to see when their open as well. Many aren’t ready to see their dreams while their eyes are open. I know I struggle making my dreams become reality. But If I work for what’s mine, I can get it.

10. Gansta remix**

“So you a gansta, huh?” Yes, they just threw a little spanish curveball at you. “A mi no me ayuda nadie,” No one helps me so why are you pressuring me? This is for everyone who said they were big and bad and could affect you. “Lo hago todo sola” I do everything by myself so why do I need your help? I say everyone who has ever put us down or tried “helping” (not the real helpers)  should take this and understand that we don’t think they’re anyone important.

11. Lights on
12. Graveyard shift
13. Everyday I grind (produced by Peter Jorge)
14. Turn down for what remix
15. Partition remix**

Beyonce + B3B3’ + R.e.a.P = “took 45 minutes to get all dressed up,.” it’s officially time to “Turn UP.” If people thought Beyonce was explicit they aren’t ready for this. There is nothing wrong with letting others know what exactly you want. B3B3’ is done and getting to the point; she doesn’t want any more talking. And R.e.a.P doesn’t hold back either and let’s you know what’s going down when that partition goes up. *Covers ears*

16. Forever Hold you down (produced by Ashlee Chanelle)

http://youtu.be/JVYv5kru1p8

17. Unity feat Shana May**

“We need unity… Peace, Love, Unity.” If you couldn’t figure out where to start, start by uniting everyone. The lyrics try to reach out to the world and stop discrimination. Instead of judging each other because of our different point of views we can come together to bring peace and love to this world. Get people to live and stop speaking on how they can bring change without acting on their words, “Actions speak louder than words.” “We need more of this, Love, peace and all that,” start giving a little more to those around you and create real change.

18. Fly Remix
19. We are young remix
20. Airplanes remix
21. Runaway remix

I’ll give you this warning, this mixtape is Great. Go check it out for yourself, now.

Keep Music Fun

Music is something to be experienced whether in the comfort of your home or at a venue like  Rumsey Playfield or Madison Square Garden. Instead of worrying about how are we going to make it in the Music Industry, let’s talk about how we can enjoy it.

During the summer we can enjoy the company of other music lovers while enjoying free concerts. For the love of music we choose to camp out at the spot, lose sleep to get there early and try to navigate a crowd of other excited fans; I've done it, At the 2009 Today Show’s Jonas Brothers Concert,  all I got for souvenir was a guitar pick and a pre-signed Kevin Jonas picture, but it was worth it. There was a ton of bonding through pictures and loud singing and screaming. Some bonds became lasting ones and we could share our love of music with each other....kind of like here at JAMBOX Entertainment studios- without the screaming and screeching of fanatics. Each individual has something different to provide and a different input into the industry.

Making our own work takes time and patience; time that can be difficult to find as a full time student or employee. It’s amazing to hear about how the staff here finds time to do their own work. As the rest of us sleep, making music keeps them up until the sun comes up. That belief system, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” (advice not recommended for everyone; please do not try this at home.) We find a working system between our busy hours and our free hours to create balance we need to keep going. I sometimes think I’ll lose my sanity if I can’t get something creative into my week; even if its drawing a bad picture of a flower or singing off key.

We learn different methods of doing things and then create our own process. As a beginner, when working on vocals I prefer to work with a coach. It helps me concentrate on the details that make the bigger picture. When you have someone else willing to help build your focus and work with expanding your range you can focus on how you are feeling. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to sing and sound nasally or off key.

To make the music you need a beat, the lyrics and the talent. You focus on the key points you need and on all the mistakes you make; that’s why I don’t think my poems would go well for music. I can get too concentrated on the small details and how it doesn't feel a certain way. I don’t want to mess up with my work, and I don’t want to mess up at work either. That's the part of me that is detail oriented and keeps on wanting to write this blog over; instead of accepting there might only be a few tweaks to make. We all take our work seriously and lose track of what inspired you to be here in the first place. When you get inspired and have something to get off your chest, write a song. Seems like the best songs are made when the writer is feeling something out of the ordinary. Which may seem out of the ordinary now, but later on we’ll have a crowd of people sympathizing with the story.

That’s the fun part. Getting something off your chest and then sharing it with the world. Seeing people smile or tear up because  everything worked out positively. At first it may not feel as if it’s right or done. You never liked the way you sound to yourself with those home recordings. Then you hear the completed package and feel that much better. In that case, something I have recently learned is to  let what you’re working on sit. Wait a couple hours or a day and then come back to it. If it’s something you think is done, share it with the world. The best part of this was that we kept true to ourselves and we enjoyed it. A little something JAMBOX Entertainment is helping me learn, as they embrace all different types of artists.