Gravity 180
Los Angeles, California, United States | INDIE
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Gravity 180
Gravity 180
Reviewed by Elaine K. Miller
Urban Jazz News
June 26, 2009
Gravity 180, the trio of Clydene Jackson (vocals/keyboards), Harold Payne
(vocals/guitar) and Oliver C Brown (percussion) has just released a self titled CD. The
disc, intended to be new music for baby boomers, consists of a blend of light rock,
sophisticated pop, contemporary jazz, Caribbean rhythms/reggae and a Motown R & B
soul sound. Gravity 180 is co-produced by smooth jazz guitarist Nils and Eddie Brown
of the famed folk duo “Joe & Eddie”. Nils brings his fresh guitar sound and edgy style
that is a combination of an R & B groove, pop melody, song awareness with a jazzy
sound, rock and roll energy and blues emotional intensity. Brown lends his distinctive
blend of gospel, folk, and blues, with a jazz-influenced theme. This combination lends it
self to a well crafted album of outstanding quality with really nice, well played
arrangements by a talented line up of musicians/vocalists. While capturing the ‘West
Coast’ contemporary jazz & pop feel, Gravity 180 has managed to avoid the risk of every
track sounding identical by changing up and varying the tempo, rhythm and sound.
Gravity 180 is a terrific CD that is very sophisticated. When played it sounds loosely
familiar with its popping grooves, soulful ballads, jazzy undertones and hints of reggae,
yet is still very uniquely fresh. Once you hear Gravity 180, with its catchy, interesting
and memorable melodies, you will find the songs entering into your mind and the verses
and choruses having you burst out in song.
The tracks that stand out on Gravity 180 are the evocative California Blues showcasing
beautiful vocals by Jackson and amazing electric guitar pieces by Nils. With hints of
reggae, Moonlight On The Water with the deep vocals of Payne and again notable guitar
work by Nils. Standing On The Shoulders, the upbeat, worldly social conscious tune
featuring brilliant percussion by Brown. Two tunes of lost yet memorable love, Never
Stopped Loving You, a strikingly exquisite tune with a beautiful melody that is deeply
expressive and Somewhere In My Heart, a soulful slower ballad with lustrous vocals by
Jackson. Finally, Dancing On The Wind a notable cut with a more traditional
contemporary jazz feel.
The CD's six remaining tracks on Gravity 180 are solid cuts that round out a superb
album. The catchy Latin themed, Vamos a la Playa; I Wanna Make Love to You with a
smooth urban feel; the light rock vibed American Tourist/Touriste Americain; Perfect
One a slower ballad again of love and the popish I can Dream and My Love.
Gravity 180 is aimed to be new music for baby boomers, yet its target will be not only
boomers but generation x-ers and all those to follow. As Payne puts it, “Noomer Musicnew
music by baby boomers, for everyone”. So let Gravity 180 keep you spinning not
only back into the sphere of great music of memories past, but into the future of a new
musical horizon.
- Urban Jazz News
Just Plain Folks is a community of over 51,500 Songwriters, Recording Artists and Music Industry Professionals — and host to the world's largest independent music awards. We are proud to announce that the new Gravity 180 CD was nominated for best Smooth Jazz Album for 2009. Also nominated were Moonlight on the Water and Vamos A La Playa for best Smooth Jazz song and Standing on the Shoulders for best R&B song. There were over 42,000 albums and 560,000 songs entered. The awards ceremony will be in Nashville, TN on 8/29/09 and Gravity 180 will be there. Go to www.jpfolks.com for more details - Just Plain Folks
Clydene Jackson brings an exquisite, soulful elegance to every note she touches…Harold Payne's stellar songwriting, sterling musicianship and passionate vocals shimmer….and Oliver Brown's playing is filled with drama, as he uses his hands to conjure up the pulse and accents that make listening to GRAVITY 180 a very physical experience.” - The Gardena Valley News – Arts & Entertainment
“Effortlessly switching styles from pop, blues, gospel and jazz, Jackson’s voice has a rich, dark, throbbing emotional quality that is soulful and compelling as much as any of the great singers from this era. Payne is a good balance for her on harmonies and a being a very animated singer in his own right.
Sally Klein (Reviewer) - Music Connection Magazine
“In concert, GRAVITY 180 packs a melodic and rhythmic wallop that is so wonderfully original it almost defies description. Every moment of their performance carries a special sense of excitement.”
Entertainment Guide Review
- Easy Reader Magazine
“The friendship of the three members of Gravity 180 is evident in the exciting but relaxed manner of their stage presence. From the friendship springs music that begins with a crisp sizzle and builds into an exhilarating explosion of song.”
Feature review - Los Angeles Sentinel
Discography
Music Available on Affinity Records, CD Baby, itunes
Gravity 180- Gravity 180
Positively Live - Harold Payne
Sparrow- Clydene Jackson
Power of Positive Music - Gravity
Love Comes Back - Gravity
Gravity - Gravity
Photos
Bio
Within this circle is magic. Gravity 180, three master musicians: Clydene Jackson, vocals/keyboards, Harold Payne, vocals/guitar, and percussionist Oliver C. Brown. On their new eponymous CD the band distills their sterling song craft and illuminated performances into a stunning suite of songs that honors the significance of a shared history as it redefines their signature sound. Melodic pop is framed with classic soul; global grooves are polished by smooth jazz with Jackson and Payne’s patented vocal blend creating what one inspired scribe dubbed “sandpaper and silk.”
A brief history: Jackson and Payne met when both were solo performers in clubs on the Redondo Beach pier. As a team, their first gig was at The Tijuana Inn in Gardena, California where they invited Brown down to hear them. “I had just come off a national tour with Leo Sayer,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to work a club. I went down there and heard those songs and said, ‘Please, just let me in.’’’
Since that night, over twenty years ago, Gravity 180 has released a series of CD’s on both major and independent labels, launched tours from their home base in Los Angeles to Hawaii and Japan, and endeared themselves to a worldwide audience. All three members maintain separate career identities. Jackson is a first-call session singer for film soundtracks and recording projects including “Avatar”, “The Lion King”, “The Wolfman” and “American Gangster”; Brown, an original member of KC and the Sunshine Band, has toured with artists ranging from Al Jarreau to Fleetwood Mac, and Payne, a solo artist, is a songwriter whose credits include Patti Labelle, Snoop Dogg, Rod Stewart and long time collaborator Bobby Womack. Instant recall is the touchstone when the three convene. “First off we’re family. We can read each other’s mind,” surmises Jackson. “Even though we do things individually, we’re always a part of one another.”
While the core of the band remains solidified, other family members also contribute. Brown's brother, Eddie Brown of the famed folk duo, "Joe and Eddie", is a frequent collaborator on songs with Payne and Jackson. Eddie and smooth jazz guitarist, Nils ("Pacific Coast Highway" and composer for the Showtime series, Weeds) are credited with co-producing Gravity 180's newest project. Nils adds his lustrous guitar and Payne, his husky, heartfelt vocals to an evocative reggae-tinged, "Moonlight On The Water.” Oliver’s potent percussion propels the conscious world grooves of "Standing On The Shoulders", and Jackson's soaring take on the soulful ballad, "Somewhere In My Heart" are among the highlights on the new tracks.
By updating their name from Gravity to Gravity 180, the trio confirms their legacy while noting the positive pulse of change. “A new name signifies a new turn,” says Payne. “But Gravity is still the force that holds everything together.”
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