WHIRLWIND SESSIONS POST 2:

i have 10 new songs recorded and 3 cover songs.  the main vocals for the album are complete.   it has a raw and personal and confessional vibe to a lot of it.   there are moments of fun though and it's reminding me the most of the 'holy water' sessions... workin on some vocal editing today and learning about native american chants which i'd like to incorporate on this album.

WHIRLWIND SESSIONS

Surprisingly over the last couple of days I have recorded a ton of vox demos and it looks like I'm creating a new album.   It's all very very rough stuff so it'll take a while to go over all of it, but i think it's a unique and different way of creating a record than i've done in the past.   Binge lyric singing and then work everything around that.   Dubbing this the "Whirlwind Sessions" because it really has been!   I'll take my time on the rest of this record as there is still one more single to be released from "Book of Goals" and January will be full up with the release of "The Closet Tapes Vol I, II, and III."   Dang, that's alot...

LOVE CAN BUILD A BRIDGE (Tribute To My Mother Xmas 2011)

a video homage to my mother.   i miss you so much.

HARD CANDY XMAS

my annual christmas recording is my first official new recording released out of BC-Studios-Sacto (BCSS), sacramento, california.   it has been released as a download bonus track for "Songs From the North Pole."   Happy holidays everyone

CLOSET TAPES UPDATE

Finished all the recording for the early years project... 44 songs total!   Album art has been finalized and I'm just working on the liners and the 3 volume set will be released as scheduled on 1.1.12.  

EY UPDATE

The official title of the early years set to be released on 1.1.12 is "The Closet Tapes 1992-1995 Vol I, II, & III" and will have a total of 44 rough cut tracks on it from the early years.   2 more songs to record for the project and then I'll be working on the artwork throughout the rest of the month.  

"FORGIVENESS" SINGLE RELEASED!!!!

The 3rd proper and 4th overall single from "Book of Goals" has been released.   One of the last tracks recorded for the album, this one started out as a demo called "day 1."  not much has remained from that original demo but the "let go and let god" mantra.   I was having a hard time with some rude people at work one night and not only did others around me stand up to the "bullies"  but it all opened my eyes.   Hopefully we can take other people's attacks on us and recreate something good out of it, or at the very least and this is not small, but we can just let what happened to us go.   Let it not become good or bad, but just leave us alone.   We are beautiful.   And to forgive stops the cycle of violence.   I am proud of this song and proud to have it as my new single.

As i mentioned before there are 2 different remixes of the track i recorded and they will both be released on the 13th for the anniversary date of the "NOH8" project to sound cloud and maybe also to youtube.  

REMIXXINGIT

using hammerhead tools to do some remixes as promised for the "forgiveness" single which is scheduled to release on december 13.   also messing around with some of the tracks from "me and the moon."   is a remixxit 2 on the horizon?  

"BLUE CHRISTMAS" PROMO SINGLE RELEASED

One of my mom's favorite songs that I recorded last year on my old trusty casio keyboard that I've had since who only knows when... for the "Songs From The North Pole" album so I am releasing it as a promo single in her honor.   Warm holidays to all.  

PROJECT UPDATES AND NEW SINGLE ANNOUNCED!!

"Forgiveness" will be the next single from "Book of Goals" and though it is killing me to not release it now, I am waiting for December 13th which is the 3 year anniversary of the NoH8 project.   The song is inspired by the project and is about not letting bullying change who you ultimately are inside.   Don't succumb to hate and lose your beauty.   The plan is to record a video and release a remix.  

I've been doing a lot of work on the Early Years project this last week and a half to get caught up on that and i've recorded i think 4 more songs for it.  What a project!   Admittedly worth it to have all of those songs back into my catalog.

Just finished the cover work for the "Forgiveness" single today.  It's gone through 2 different covers so far.   And speaking of single art work, i've also just uploaded all of the single covers since 2009.   You can check them out on the Lyrics page as you scroll through each of the lyrics.  

I think that is all for now.   Light & love from BCSS  - j.

100 VIEWS FOR "WE COME FROM LIGHT" AND EARLY YEARS UPDATE

my first video to hit 100 views on youtube!  that's kinda cool.   a blip for sure in the universe of youtube but 100 views for me!  so, yay!  

recorded a few more songs for EY project.   about a month and a half away from the planned release for this project and SO much work to do still on it....  updates to come.

EARLY YEARS PROJECT UPDATE

the re-recording of songs i recorded from 92-95 is tentatively set for release on january 1, 2012 in a 3 volume box set.   the recording has been ongoing throughout the year.   it's just a side project to get those old lost recordings back in2 my catalog.   there are 33 demos for the project recorded so far.   rewriting the songs from memory.   and this week it's back to the project using the handheld and the hammerhead tool.  unsure of any single release from the project as i'll still be promoting 'book of goals.'

'we come from light' seems to be generating some sort of attention on youtube and is receiving a bit of positive feed back.  

"WE COME FROM LIGHT" SINGLE RELEASED!

2nd proper Single from "Book of Goals."   Dedicated to my mother who passed away on October 12 of this year.   The light from where I came.

'BOOK OF GOALS' RELEASED!!!!!!!!

ok ok ok... so, it's about a week earlier than i thought it would be but i couldn't wait any longer!   the album has been officially released!!!!!!!    I am so proud of this effort and i am in love with the vibe.   A beautiful new era! WELCOME TO IT!

"3 WISHES" SINGLE RELEASE!

THE FIRST PROPER SINGLE FROM 'BOOK OF GOALS' HAS BEEN RELEASED!!!!!!!!  

ALWAYS IN SEPTEMBER (ALBUM VERSION)

"Always In September (Album Version)"

BOOK OF GOALS ALBUM COVER!!

Official album cover for the new record!!!!!!

studio diary 10:

went back in2 the studio 2day to do some last minute work.    i ended up with what i feel now to be a complete record and a new track listing...   this one is final (i swear!)

1. Out There...
2. Always In September
3. Daylight
4. Forgiveness
5. 3 Wishes
6. Book of Goals
7. Remember Me
8. We Come From Light
9. Ardas
10. The One I Love
11. Kiss It Goodbye
12. The Ocean

Photo shoot for the album later 2day so i gotta go!!!!!   almost done!

studio diary 9:

happy to announce the recording sessions for this album are now fully complete!!!   since demo stage this album has taken about a month and a half so far to create.   i'm pretty sure the tracklisting is final but i need to sit on it for a minute or two before i publish it as final.  i know i've got a long ways to go in my learning process but i am very very proud of this effort.

studio diary 8:

back from break, i think i have a pretty good concept for the art design.   reviewing tracks today and seeing what needs to be done.  a week and a half be4 release date.  in the studio 2day doing final mixes and edits on some of the tracks.   so, off to work... and oh yeah, the first single officially will be, "3 Wishes."

Trying out Sound Cloud

"Always In September (Remix)"




addded the soundcloud widget to the right under my profile pic.   a far better way to upload trax.   can also link so this is a very cool thing.

studio diary 7:

taking a week off from the project to relax a little bit and catch up on school and all the other things in my life.  will be thinking about the final track listing and any edits or mixes that need to be done...  also, gotta figure out this little crazy thing, being the album's art design.   eek.till then...  enjoy the promo track "always in september." -jb

studio diary 6:

recording is complete for the record!!!!!!   now it's all about the final cut, mixing, the track listing, and the art work.   the record has a very spiritual/orbital vibe.   a theme of letting go and growth is throughout.  i know my recordings are an obvious portrait of a guy who is learning how to do all this and it's all a work in progress but i think this is a nice place sonically to bliss for a while at.

ALWAYS IN SEPTEMBER (REMIX) (2011)

Promo Single from upcoming "Book of Goals" record.  Alijah makes his world wide debut in the beginning of the video!

studio diary 5:

had piano lessons 2day.   the top of my right hand hurts man!   went into the studio with the m-audio equipment/audacity and the dog (haha he keeps trying to duet) and laid down 2 trax for the project.  school tomorrow and maybe hit the studio again...

studio diary 4:

i think the demo recording stage is complete.  now to go back over and re-write and edit (eek) and get ready to hit the studio...

studio diary 3:

i now have more demos than i need and knowing myself, way more will come.   moving to california in october and i really wanted to have this project complete by then but i don't think it will be.   don't even know what the first single will be yet.

studio diary 2:

10 pretty rough demos have been recorded for the new album so far.   the official title for the album will be "Book of Goals."  and should be released late September.  

PURPLE RAIN (2011)

released as the second and final single from "And If It Wasn't For The Music..."   The video pays homage to v and his love for the EverQuest 2 game.

studio diary 1:

writing for the new project has begun.   a couple half ideas...  working a lot with the piano.   was thinking a mix of a very organic sound vs. a techno-folk idea... sounds ridiculous.  we'll see how it all pans out.

CLOCKS (2011)

jBLOG goes live. "CLOCKS" released as promo-single.

today jBLOG goes live.   what follows are the blog entries before it went live.


jBLOG:   W H U T   U P   W H A T ' S   G O I N   D O W N

8/5/11 - "Clocks"/"Shivya" has been released as a promo single from "Vault Pt 2" also updated the live blog.

8/4/11 - back in the studio.  workin on some early years stuff and even a few demos for the new project!

7/14/11 - "AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MUSIC..." is released today.  my long awaited cover album and also the single "Last Night A Dj Saved My Life."   I am stoked about this album. I used audacity and m-audio and also experimented with a prog called Wavepad Sound Editor.   From my piano playing to the production of the album to the cover art and visual concept of the project.   this is the proper follow up to the "Generations: A Musical" album.   My favorite project so far of my career.   So proud! Cheers!  Drinks up!

7/9/11 - "VAULT. PT 2" the album is released today.  Lots of goodies from the recording sessions of each album.   Also includes the "NyEq Mix" of Generations.

7/7/11 - The title of the cover project to be released late july is to be called "AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MUSIC..."

7/3/11 - "Generations (NyEq Mix)" official video has been released.   A terrific celebration to end the "Generations" era.   A happy ending, infact =)

07/01/11 - "Generations" has been released as the newest single from "Generations: A Musical."  Along with "NyEq Mix" of the song in honor of New York legalizing marrage.

6/27/11 - just finished recording the demo for the radio remix of generations.   the single release date is scheduled for this friday, the first of july.   played around with echo and reverb and slowed down the tempo of the original beat and it's turned out pretty damn hot.

6/26/11 - got some new sound recording equipment again.  working with recordpad and a few other progs.  the first song i've tried is a demo of martika's "broken heart" for the covers album.

06/18/11 - i have recorded over 20 demos for the early years project already in the last month and a couple of cover songs.  i am going to take a studio break to re-write a few of the older songs and work on the tracklistings etc of the other projects i'm working on.   it's all kind of a big confusing mess right now, so i'm taking a break to step back and check out what i'm doing here.   one last plan however to re-record 'generations' for the single release.  so, till then...  

06/15/11 - up to my knees in the recording studio working thru the demos to put together for the early years project.  i'm announing today that i am working on a covers album.  it'll include all the covers i've done previously plus maybe one or 2 new ones!   looking at an august release.

06/05/11 - "happy me/happy you" has been released as a promo-single only today.   in the process of putting the audio up on youtube.   about ankle deep right now into the recording of the "early years" project.  also piecing together the songs for the unleased tracks and bsides album as yet untitled.   plans for a new record for fall release are also in the works.   a lot going on here, so let's dance with this latest promo single!

05/30/11 - 2012 is the 20th aniversery of the release of my very first album, "night life" back in '92.  to celebrate, i've decided to re-record a selection of tracks from the early years and that album will be released in early 2012.  the recording of the project will be ongoing.

05/24/11 - released the wr "things 2 do be4 the world ends" today.

05/23/11 - "god is love" is the 2nd official single release from "generations: a musical."   any video release will come later.

05/05/11 - 4:16pm.  bccharts have been updated and with "alijah's" 32 plays on youtube counted, it has jumped from it's debut at #14 to the number one spot with 97 total plays!  that's all the news for now!

04/12/11 - 706pm.   "alijah" has been uploaded to youtube!  eeek!  well, that's a first!

04/12/11 - 2:11am.   vodka and diet cherry in my hand.  about to record the offical press release video for the album.   the album has just been released and so has the 'alijah' single.   this album means sooo much to me!    WELCOME TO THE 'GENERATIONS' ERA!

04/05/11 - the new record is now 100% recorded.    remixed with m-audio sessions studio.  to say i am proud of this album is an understatement.   i am so excited to get into this new record and new era.  the new official release date for the album will be tuesday april 12.

04/1/11 - the official title of the new record will be "GENERATIONS."   it is the musical concept album i have been working on.   the album is roughly 90% recorded. 

03/31/11 - the musical concept album is nearing completion.  it's been an intense project and so far i'm very very proud of it and i cannot wait to share it.  the release date for the first single and album will be somewhere around the 15th of april if all goes well!!!

03/26/11 - over the past week the album has turned into a concept album for the musical.  about joseph and alijah.   joseph meets alijah who is struggling to come into his own.   joseph is a hustler who gives alijah the idea to go to war for love.   expecting a release sometime in april with the finished project... we will see.  it certaintly keeps growing.

03/21/11 - i think it's time to admit that i may be working on a new album here...  i think i'm shooting for a release around may 1, 2011.  that is my moving date to phoenix.  i'd like it 2 be my last tucson record...  but who knows... we'll see.  the project is being recorded under the phoenix rising title.

03/19/11 - have been recording some fun demos over the last couple of days.   a cover of dylan's "mississippi" and 'joseph' finally.  am i recording an album?

03/07/11 - looking for an autotune prog for work on the musical.   i'd like to use it to create different voices for different characters.   no such luck thus far on a free program but when i find it, i'll comission a remix of 'alien love song' as a tryout.   the musical is def a challenge but with so many releases latley, i think i'd like to take the time to create something really powerful for myself.   an album of rejected songs and experiemental trax is expected as a side release. 

03/01/11  - new music tuesday!!   "alien love song" has been released as the new single from remixxit.   also released the WR "troubled water" today.   keep on dancin!

02/05/11 - released new WR "no diamond" today.  first of '11  contains lyrics for 'alien love song'

2/01/11 - 'rockstar' has been released as the latest promotional single.  yay!  taking a bit of a break from recording.  got some new equipment i'm trying to figure out and just basically taking a much needed break from my music life.   late 10/early 11 had a lot of creative output.  i'm a bit exhausted.   i'm sure that wont last long.  until then, enjoy "rockstar!"

1/24/11 - all musical backing on the 'holy water' revisitation is complete.  no offical release here.  just clearing the table for whatever is next.   looking back i realise that there were 2 albums i had recorded here.  one of course would be holy water and the second...  "nowhere ep."  

1/14/11 -  just released the 'remixxit' album yesterday.   it was such an incredible leap forward for me in my recording.   i had learned about a prog called 'hammerhead' online that lets u create loops during the 'northpole' sessions.   i think the first time i used it was on the single 'what a difference...'  i liked it, but it wasn't until i got experimenting and created "seasons of love" that i knew i was onto something pretty big.   

i instantly began taking the old acapella tracks from the holy water volumes and began mixing them up with the hammerhead program.   it was too good, so i took a couple tracks from 'me and the moon' that i wasn't so into how they turned out on the casio and mixed them up and re-recorded some vocals to see what i could come up with.    

i was obsessed!   i realised what i had going was the formation of a bonafide remix album.   'remixxit' is pieces of the first 3 records in the new bluchest deal blended up and spat out in what i consider, better forms.

to go back and re-record 'no more love' is a true highlight of this album.   to revisit 'shine like crazy' and give it the proper verses and body it deserved was another!   i had the vision of recording one new track for the album, a cover.  other than 'shine like crazy' i stayed true to that.  i recorded a couple of different covers... the 3rd or 4th maybe effort on madonna's 'crazy for you' and tiffany's 'you and me.'   of course, it turned out, and always really was a cover of ace of base's 'beautiful life.' that made the album.

'beautiful life' is a song i revisited on my ipod over the summer.  i recorded an earlier very rough demo on my cellphone of the tune for my 'me and the moon' album.   in the end i felt the album had enough tracks on it, and i scraped that first demo.   but since i really feel that the remix album is a companion of the 'me and the moon' record, i thought why not?  why not finish what i had started.   and so, i did =)

my creative output in late 2010 and into early 2011 has been insane.  3 albums and 6 singles (including 'island of misfits') since october!  wow...     i've also created the 'vault' a place for songs rejected from my recording sessions will go.   not exactly sure what will happen to those.  maybe when i have an albums worth of material, i'll just release it...  or perhaps it is just a holding place until i find a home for them.

i have plans for a possible covers album and another studio album in 2011.   i think there's enough material i've released for now that i can take a bit of a break...  take some lessons, do some writing, focus on some other things.

till then...  jb.