NEW YORK (www.aoa-music.com) -
Music can give birth to explorers- true artists who search rhythmic possibility until a sound bursts forth that is so original, it can only be defined as a prototype. To listen is akin to the thrill of experiencing movement in a concept car; it's futuristic and a blueprint of something new to come.
Right now, New Yorkers can witness such genesis between two unlikely yet complementary forces: the electronica hip hop collective Astronauts of Antiquity and wordsmith extraordinaire Cee-Knowledge, aka DoodleBug, of the Grammy-winning hip hop jazz camp Digable Planets. They've been collaborating in the studio for a forthcoming release, so their live performances in Brooklyn and NYC during
September and October offer a sneak preview of these songs as well as others from Astronauts of Antiquity.
Astronauts of Antiquity, or AoA as they are better known, gained praise from URB, DMA, Time Out London, and many others for their self-titled release's seamless mix of trip hop with world beats. Formed by musician Bradd Weinberg and his wife India, AoA's LP featured soulful vibes infused with rich dub, tablas, raga-rock, and mezzo-blues background vocals swirling around India's folk-influenced lyrics in English and, at times, Sanskrit. Their words, imbued with thought and wisdom, often draw inspiration from ancient knowledge. The group has, consequently, caught the attention of major music figures, including producer and Def Jam founder Rick Rubin and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters.
Present day finds AoA maintaining their organic roots, but amplifying the urban element, the result being a chillout juxtaposition of electrolounge hip hop trip hop pop. Their evolution has also found new joint efforts, including one with Cee-Knowledge and his silky stream of conscious rhymes. Being no stranger to genre-fusion, Cee-Knowledge is recognized for his contribution to the innovative trifecta Digable Planets, whose 1993 jazz hip hop release Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That) won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
Along with the accolade, Digable Planets gathered respect for their unflinching ability to communicate deep concepts, like politics and social commentary, within a natural rhythm. Although Cee-Knowledge is now solo, he's kept his fundamental mind-set and is sharing it with that of AoA. Both Cee-Knowledge and AoA are currently managed by Ernie Dozier.
During the summer, AoA has also assembled a talented band of musicians that includes Jimmy Lopez who plays an array of electronic percussions and organic rhythm instruments, Taylor Ryan on the Fender Rhodes and a tweaked out Korg Triton, bass player Jesse Graham, background vocalists Bernie and Tanisha, and the soulful voice of Gnomia who accompanies Cee-Knowledge's live flow when he joins AoA onstage. The group will be performing throughout the NY metro and finishing an upcoming album. To find out more about the Astronauts of Antiquity and their projects, visit https://aoa-music.com. For booking, contact Ernie Dozier at Ragg Tyme, 877-570-5821.
AOA w/CEE-KNOWLEDGE UPCOMING DATES
September 15, 2004
Galapagos Art Space
70 N. 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY
718-782-5188
www.galapagosartspace.com
8PM
Additional guests: Gnomia and Scavone of The Resource
October 1, 2004
PIANOS
158 Ludlow Street
New York, NY
212-505-3733
www.pianosnyc.com
10PM
