NEW YORK (www.baseworld.com) - Under the banner of BASE (much-lauded as one of America's leading exponents of 'lifestyle' retailing) and building on the phenomenal success of the company's in-house CD listening BAR, BASE launches its very own indie label. The brief: make the kind of music our customers want to hear and buy, and make it under our own label.
The company's first project: the aptly self-titled LIFE PROJECT.
Produced by HiRO? under the executive and creative direction of BASE mastermind Steven Giles; LIFE PROJECT is Aussie-born prodigy Patrick Giles (aka HiRO?) a much acclaimed, and award-winning producer of electronic music (his credits include extensive TV and Film scores alongside a prodigious output as producer on a wide range of artists many of whom appear on his own label) and Angie Giles a legendary singer-songwriter (born in the UK but raised in the land down-under) an artist who has appeared with the likes of Julia Fordham and Michael Jackson and whose voice has populated a slew of albums and chart-topping singles. Listen as LIFE PROJECT carve out a brilliant new landscape, with uplifting soul-driven vocals and musical pyrotechnics that run from beautiful downtempo, chilled out beats to breaks beats and pure dance.
The Critics say:
The contagious electronic beats produced by HiRO? (Patrick Giles' alter ego), and executive produced by BASE mastermind Steven Giles, elevate Angie Giles' beautifully optimistic lyrics and commanding voice, to a higher level of achievement - the kind that creates change in the world. MARTIN HARO 'WIRE' (Miami)
A collaboration between a talented Perth duo linked by blood and by music, this is a Project of Life. Local producer, DJ and all round musical chameleon, HiRO? creates the beats and soundscapes for which vocal diva extraordinaire Angie Giles stamps her distinctive and powerful voice all over. Recorded in Miami, this debut is a fine sample of the classy international flavours cooking in the Life Project hotpot. On the whole their music is ambient, downtempo, lush and loungey, with themes of life and love (Me and My Tribe, Are You Ready, Breath of Life, Charmed), and world-class production. You could hear most of these tracks sitting comfortable alongside Lamb, Groove Armada and Moby on any given MoS Chillout album, but it's the ease with which they break out of this mould into more diverse territory that hints at the potential here. High Life is based on an infectiously tight tribal beat and vocal hook, Here And Now has a charming pop innocence and sweet melody, while current single Never Too Late reveals Giles' love of a good garage breakbeat. Elsewhere Giles' trained, pitch-perfect voice transports you to the Deep South, with the soul revival sing-along Love Rocks, Love Rules and Life Is The Messenger.
ALFRED GORMAN - www.xpressmag.com.au
Next up were the headlining Life Project. Comprising the aforementioned wunderkind HiRO? plus vocalist Angie Giles. Opening with their own Deuce compilation contribution - Me & My Tribe - it's fair to say imprisoning their sound on a little synthetic disc in no way does them justice. Their live act is quite breath-taking. Giles' powerful vocals swoop, soar and soothe in turn. One moment a glorious hum and whisper -the next a rising wail to blow your heart, mind and ear-holes as one. And all the while, the ever-energetic, ever-entertaining, ever- passionate HiRO? fiddles, twiddles and dances behind his little magic-suitcase - bearing his shiny sparkly moniker. If you've never caught a HiRO? live performance before - then do. In addition to his obvious musical abilities he is the consummate showman. Bopping. Bouncing. Pumping his fists in the air. Imploring you to feel the vibe in the same special way that he can. It's hard not to be swept up by his obvious energy and enthusiasm.
HERONIMOUS "IN THE MIX" AUSTRALIA.www.inthemix.com.au
"It's a family affair. Fresh, beautiful work from the Giles Clan. Vocalist extraordinaire Angie, glides effortlessly back and forth across nephew Patrick's landscape of seductive electronica. Upbeat, life affirming lyrics perfectly meshing with an inspired new groove.'
"Fresh, hip, seductive, modern and irresistible." Julia Fordham singer/songwriter
"Have you ever connected to something so instantaneously that you realized it's been a long time since you've had that sort of connection? That was my experience from the moment I popped "Life Project" into the CD player... With the potent combination of amazingly powerful while most comforting vocals of Angie Giles, hook filled tracks with meaningful lyrics, and the incredibly tight and creative production of Patrick Giles, you can't go wrong with this one.
"This CD is a must-have." DeAnna Cool, Roxy Re-Modeled, Madison Park
"It's global, but it's not world music. It's electronic but it's not electronica. It's organic and positive and sophisticated and fresh."
Ari K. Nu-Groove radio. Miami
LIFE PROJECT will be performing LIVE as a special invitee at the BASE 'Lobby' events at the DELANO hotel for this years Winter Music Conference march 24-26 inclusive.
