We are always searching for good music that more people should listen to. This funk/soul band definitely fit into that category. Have a listen to the track below.Kevin Turcotte : recorded and toured with Time Warp, The Mike Murley Quartet, Rob McConnell and The Boss Brass, Don Byron. Played with Tito Puente, Dave Holland, Kenny Kirkwood, Pat LaBarbera, Bill Grove, Kenny Wheeler…
Alana Bridgewater : voice of the 2008 Olympic Bid. In 2007 she was nominated for a Gemini Award for her contribution to The Gospel Christmas Project (CBC). Alana has a recurring role on Nickelodeon Jr.’s Dino Dan. In 2008 she played the role of ‘Killer Queen’ in the Toronto production of ”We will Rock You.
Award won (Funk Embassy alone, not with Ron Littlejohn):
International Songwriting Competition, 2012, Dance/Electronica Category, with the single ‘Unity’
Tracklisting:
< Websites:
Bio:
The project began with Thierry Matrat, who, after a long history as a hip hop artist in France, started the Funk Embassy project in 2009. He began composing music originally with the intention of creating soul/funk songs for rappers. After many collaborations, he decided to switch the project’s focus and hire the best musicians and singers he could find. Craigslist made this happen, and it was Craigslist Toronto that brought Thierry and Ron together.
Unknowingly, Thierry has found the perfect person to help him spearhead the ideal direction for his music. Ron Littlejohn had a long history in the Toronto soul/funk scene with his popular group Planet Earth, who Thierry listened to for “5 seconds before he knew Ron was the singer he was looking for”. Prior to finding Ron, Thierry has advertised in Montreal and found three very notable funk musicians in Olivier Babaz (bass), Joe Hackl (guitar) and Dwight Chase (drums).< Thierry and Ron recorded the initial music by communicating through emails as to what the song structures and melodies should be. Music was then recorded in studio in both Montreal and Toronto. After the initial demos, Ron recommended additional musicians to complete the collective needed for the debut album (Steve Donald, Kevin Turcotte and Alana Bridgewater).Fast forward to Fall 2013, and Ron Littlejohn & The Funk Embassy are preparing to see their album “Shining On” released (Oct 19).
About the inspiration for the title track “Shining On”, Ron says “When I was about to become a father, some friends actually became resentful at the idea of me having new priorities. This hurt me like a bitch. I wrote this song to my unborn daughter trying to tell her no matter how mean the bastards get, keep on shining. I think it’s the best song I’ve ever written. So I thank those negative folks for the inspiration.”
Inspired by their heroes such as Isaac Hayes, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and Al Green, the album was a labor of love, consisting of work and dedication from some of Toronto and Montreal’s best soul/funk artists, ironically brought together by a songwriter from Lyons, France.