Granddaddy Mack: Press

Grand Daddy Mack's, "Just a Note" album is a splendid marriage of electronic beats and jazzy compositions. While the theme may fall onto the easy listening shelf, that label is misguided here. The complexities of the tracks are far more engaging than most artists in the easy genre. That section in the record store has been inundated with sleeper albums aimed at the uninspired. Just a Note is much more than that. Mack has crafted an exquisite journey of ethereal rhythms, airy horns and funky down beats. The title tracks horn arrangement should satisfy any Kenny G fan looking for a little soul with their performance. He lets his chops on the bass go for "Lucky for You", then adds a fantastic change that leaves you with little doubt about his keyboard mastery. Vocals are utilized as a compliment to his instrumental prowess, and are tastefully executed. His mysterious and inventive cover of Donny Hathaway?s "A Song for You" is gorgeous and unique. Top all that off with a homage to another influence in "Miles away" and you?ve been given an education in this artists musical roots. MM

Those familiar with Grand Daddy Mack's signature sound should embrace In the Box. This record showcases the groovier side of this multitalented artist. While remaining loyal to his jazzy roots, there are shades of deep house throughout Box, and it compliments his compositions wonderfully. Make no mistake, Grand Daddy would not release a tedious album of 4/4 beats and simple horn structures. By choosing to liven up the music with more a techy, drivy, and house-like vibe he widens his audience without alienating his dedicated listening base. "Blowin My Mind" is a classic example. Here we get classic Mack with new flavor: A jazzy feel, yet the track is driven by its drums and intricate samples. The rhythm is infectious and smooth, bouncy yet tightly composed. The growing popularity of "Now you Know" (this cut has been a favorite of late here at earbuzz) exemplifies his ability to capture new fans without diluting the formulaic groove that has worked for him in the past. The main hook in this cut is the sample, but he doesn't let it take hold of the song. In the Box is an album that actually jumps outside the box for Granddaddy Mack, and proves he can bring the funk with a dash of jazz. MM

Fans of LTJ Bukem and Herbie Hancock will undoubtedly gravitate to Grand Daddy Mack. This multifaceted artist has the goods to excel at any musical endeavor he chooses. His style lends itself to many given classifications: Acid Jazz, R&B, Easy, but most of all his delivery is atmospheric and spacious while remaining musically coherent. The Best of GDM is a looking glass into the many layers of Grand Daddy Mack. Tracks like "I don't Care" and "Ur Killing Me" are sophisticated jazzy numbers that pulse with electronic beats and claps. These cuts bear a striking resemblance to the beautifully crafted Journey Inwards record by Bukem, with their cascading sweeps and smooth sonic signature. "Wake Me" drops a softer side of Mack, driven by piano licks and electro blips and bleeps. The composition is focused and soothing without getting monotonous. If you enjoy smooth jazz or ambient music (which can encompass many differing types of easy listening) you must give this compilation a listen. Grand Daddy has selected some of his greatest works for Best of GDM, and the sequencing makes for a grand tour of his musical arsenal. MM

Just a Note

A modern musical treat of jazzy and soulful tunes that range from the acoustic bass,"Lucky for You" to an excellent example of this artists rendering of a Miles Davis-sounding piece, "Miles Away". Mack gives a concert grade performance on his version of the only cover song on this CD,"A Song for You". Complexity, creativity and composition is the next tunes forte, "Progressive", which undeniably is referring to the many various chord progressions in this track. Nice. The popular hip-hop sounding,"Got to Have It", is similar in beat to, "A Tribe called Quest". The title track on this wonderful CD is a smooth jazz smoothie, "Just a Note", that takes one from the kick drum and fingered bass intro of a smoky club to the funky scratching of a turntablistic deejay moving the crowd on very full dance floor. Uh Huh. "Yes", its a "Mystery", how this talented artist continues to bring quality, thought-provoking, intriguing mini masterpieces to the table. Enjoy.

Where has this guy been?
author: Scott Minor
I really loved this CD. Its creative, imaginative and different. His style is like Herbie, Stanley and Wayman all rolled into one. What a great find !!

HOP HIP is not backwards or a misprint, its simply my version of jazz meets hiphop. I was told that the two don't mix, well I beg to differ. I believe both genre can co-exist and even rise to its own level. You have the best of both the funky broken beat of hiphop, drop some sub bass, the melodic chords that change on time, offbeats and syncopation of acid jazz. I like this a lot. Creating and mixing it up like this allows me unlimited latitude as to different chord changes and riffs. I can start off in a Ebmin and add 9ths or whatever variations work. Strings although are powerful instruments, they can be almost a quiet whisper then creep up on you and then faded out while a synth takes the lead. I see no boundaries as far as what the context or length of a piece will be, I try to keep them around 4 but no more than 5 minutes.
These tracks will always be full of instrumentation though, I love horns, flutes and rhodes.
The hip hop beats will keep your head bobbin and your feet tappin, just don't pat your foot while driving. Its contagious..

As time goes on, certain things get better, wine, cheese and now Granddaddy Mack's latest CD, Smoothest..and it is very smooth. The compositions are well thought out, pacing is superb, the micing of instruments are professional.

It is customary for many artist to play certain circuits to gain recognition and credibility. The performance of "Nighttime", jazz on the waterfront is such. The crowd is receptive, the music, calming. Excellent vibes, strong bass, scatting trumpet makes this track one of my personal favorites.

"A Magic Moment", here GDM walks you through what sounds like his very believable own experience with an obvious loved one. Nice.

The catchy "Scratch and Sniff" goes right into the drumset with hot brushes and a synth type arpeggio. The guitar echos the verses which make way for the common theme that is played almost invisibly on the keys. Good selection of instruments. Dynamic flute work here.

This by far, is the "Smoothest" from this up and coming artist.

RM Young, San Antonio, TX

NOTES
This CD Granddaddy Mack 5 is the fifth CD produced by GDM Music Studio Productions. The previous 4 were testbeds for sound and mastering techniques, having found the exact formula for near perfect tracks, what you hear will be as original as the tracks were actually played then produced. This will be the standard for all following CD's coming from GDM Music Studio, the home of "LA North".

The first track, "Other Souls" is about past and present artists and their musical influences interpreted by GDM. Their various styles are cloned, rehashed rewritten then masterfully produced with a special touch, add a dash of ghetto sauce, 4 lbs of funk, smooth it all out. You got it !

"Liquid" is an example of this process. A very smooth laid-back groove that will relax your senses, pause the stress, make everything uptight go away. Using a vocoder running thru a synth to distort and add a different flavor to this one, you can almost hear every note spoken.

"LA North and Let the Drummer.." are D & B jams, I just let loose, in other words, I went wild. These tracks were the most fun on this whole CD.

"My Only Love and What About Me?" are just what they imply, love ballads. The notes do all the singing.

Finally, I have to give credit to my friend and very talented artist on the last track, Mos Def. What a gifted and impressionable person. "And this is how we do".

OUTSTANDING!
Reviewer: Tamera
This cd is proof that music soothes the soul! A must buy

Louis Johnson
Owner at GDM Music Studio Productions
Mr. Louis Johnson is the new "Hardest Working Man in Show Business" with his dedication to making a unique sound combining jazz, R&B, funk, hip-hop, old school soul and techno. Not only is he talented and driven, he is very professional in his approach to his craft and in doing business. If you are looking for music for indie, major or corporate video, this is the man to talk to. February 1, 2007

Phil Peretz (Owner at CDDVD Now) was a consultant or contractor to Louis at GDM Music Studio Productions

I thought Granddaddy Mack was just another here today and gone tomorrow type. Boy, was I wrong. I phoned Mr. Mack to setup an over the phone interview. At first, he was reluctant to discuss his operations, after all, he didn't know who I was. After assuring him that this was a legitimate session, I got him to briefly talk about GDM Music Productions.
I discovered that he truly is a one man show, I mean that literally. Not only does he play the music (rare these days for producers) he edits, masters his own sounds. Then he sends the package to his manufacturer here in NY, where the whole CD is further scrutinzed before actually pressing for distibution/release.
I asked about his fantastic creative artwork that is featured on every one of his CD 's, of course , I discovered he's an amateur photographer (I should have known). Places that he visited, now become CD covers, how truly clever. Now I'm hooked. I took the plunge and asked about marketing plans etc. Well, Mr. Mack has the usual sources for distribution, CDBaby, Kunaki, Earbuzz, Real Music, and so on, but what truly impressed me was that fact that one of his albums is dedicated to the families of Virginia Tech (Wishing), without GDM receiving one dime. I know it took resources to create, publish, manufacture this wonderful CD. Generosity Mack should be his name. His aim is to present the check personally to the families when the goal amount is met. I have no doubt this will be soon. There is something his company is working on though, and I swore I would not reveal it here, (its debut is coming soon) that will blow everything else he's produced away. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I think I'm in enough trouble already so, I'm out. I can't reveal my name or he promised to KILL me. Until next time....TH

Hey.. Your music is amazing. I loved it!!

Island of Dreams
earBuzz Review: Granddaddy Mack's 10-track CD, "Island of Dreams", is a relaxing electronic and jazz based collection of instrumental tunes that weave smooth jazz with techno sensibilities and sound effects. The record begins with "Deep" - a slow grooving track that features wind-ish sounding lead instruments with panning space sounds from envelope modulators. Strings swell and the percussion reverbs into a dream-like nearly new age genre. Track 3, "Miles Away", is a tribute to the iconic legendary trumpeter resulting in a smokey moving island lushness. Track 5, "Born Again", is more up-tempo to dance level. Mack utilizes the trumpet in a Herb Alpert flavor while the electronic rhythm section pushes the music along. Track 7, "Time and Space" is a refreshing mastered mix that forgoes the deeper bass and instead leads an acid/jazz set that gives a more narrow frequency dynamic. Nice. Track 9, "Skys", has soundtrack written all over it. .well done. The deep jazz guitar melody reminds us of background dramatic beds from sultry soap operas. Relaxing CD that could be put on repeat for hours.
Funkamatic
earBuzz Review: Granddaddy Mack's record, "Funkamatic", compared to the other 2 CDs here at earBuzz, is exactly what the title foreshadows. .funky. The tunes are a mix of instrumental and dance based compositions - and the dance tracks run from party R&B grooves like "Let's Dance", to reggae rap R&B moves like "Get Down That's Right". The CD, however, opens with an atmospheric jazz ambiance in "Grass on the Road" - DX7 sounding key pads support wet saxophone parts. The long track here, "No Frets", refers in part to the sliding bass lines in the tune. The key/guitar sounding lead lines remind us of Metheny's voicings. The bass lines are the highlight of the tune, though, as they move all over the fretboard - frets or not. The ninth track is aptly named, "Fun". Mack must have had a blast recording this concoction - the jazz/instrumental horn section mix approaches Zappa-ish qualities in the left-field and in the pocket fun of the song.
Now I Remember
earBuzz Review: GM's CD, "Now I Remember", is a funk/groove based record. Similar to "Island of Dreams", Mack employs electronic instruments and lush mixing/production techniques to come up with wide-ranged dynamic instrumental pieces. He begins with "City" and "Cool". Both offer dance-based funk arrangements that have both AC and R&B appeal. Track 6, "Phenomenon", begins with key swells and locomotive-like percussion that is trance-like. Female vocals complement our favorite track, "Twenty". The laid-back quality reminds us of Sade and Basia. The final track, "Aerobics", is an 80's sawtooth keyboard throwback with wah-wah rhythm guitar and strong 2/4 beat.

You did an awesome job on your new CD. We feel you are an exceptionally talented Jazz artist!!