Music
Press
WINNIPEG SUN, Winnipeg 4.21.2006
ATHAVALE- ATHAVALE
INDEPENDENT
FILE UNDER: A heartful of neo-soul.
SUBSTANCE: It's pronounced ah-TUV-lay. And it's the last name of singer-songwriter Erik Athavale, who shows off his creamy pipes and soothing songcraft on this four-track EP of smoky melody and black-velvet jazz-pop grooves.
STANDOUTS: The get-down funky workout Nothin' New (Under the Sun).
–Darryl Sterden
- WINNIPEG SUN
UPTOWN MAGAZINE, Winnipeg 3.31.2006
Local Heroes CD Review:
B+- Erik Athavale - athavale
Website: www.athavaleonline.com
Soulster Erik Athavale is back with a follow-up to 2005’s Quess Presents ReSOULutions V. 1.1. Athavale is only a four-track EP, but the frontman has enlisted the help of [bassist] Kevin Torgalson, co-writer/arranger [and keyboardist] Marc Arnould, multi-instrumentalist Joey Landreth and drummer Christian Dugas to take things further than his previous full-length did. Funky closing track Nothing New (Under the Sun) is a good example of the new sound as it puts backing vocals by Lisa and Natalie Bell to good use. The highlight, as always, is Athavale’s voice. He’s got a sweet, light tone that’s perfectly suited to the lyrics of Bounce. The next time you’re working your mojo for a prospective bed partner, let Athavale help seal the deal.
–Mike Warkentin
- Uptown Magazine
COOL FM ANNOUNCES PROJECT COOL 2006 WINNERS
June 21, 2006
Three local jazz artists have been chosen to receive $25,000 in funding support for recording, production and release of a new CD, it was announced on June 20. Athavale, Marianne D'Elia and Larry Roy are the three winners of 99.1 Cool FM's Project Cool 2006 contest which had a sole winner last year, singer Jodie Borle. The trio of winners this year are a diverse bunch. Athavale (aka Erik Athavale, pronounced ‘ah-TUV-lay) is known for blending jazz, soul, and funk. Jazz veteran Roy has spent two decades as a musician, producer, educator, and composer, teaching and the University of Manitoba's Jazz Studies program. D'Elia, a finalist in last year's contest, is a relative newcomer to the local jazz scene. The Project Cool 2006 winners will showcase during the Cool Concert Series at Assiniboine Park's Lyric Theatre on July 9, 16, and 23. - manitobamusic.com
There's something about Winnipeg, MB-based Erik Athavale's (pronounced Ah-Tuv-Lay) debut album that gets under your skin…The bottom line is that Devoted is at most times an irresistible collection of pop soul. Opening track "Beautiful" is a pleasant down-tempo jam that allows Athavale to stretch out and showcase his dry as ice vocals. The title track is a fine funk-lite jam that should rock a few hip house parties this holiday season…. the overall quality of Devoted will leave many a listener with a sense of anticipation.
- Matt Bauer
- Exclaim! Magazine
Erik Athavale knows how to lay down a groove. Devoted is the debut album from this soul/pop crooner, and this catchy collection of songs will appeal to fans of Maroon 5 and Jamiroquai. The title track is an infectious hip-shaker, and is the best example of Athavale's smooth-like-peanut-butter vocals - but it's his jazz leanings that make him an exiting local artist to watch…this record is a solid first effort. Hopefully, Athavale will become a mainstay on the jazz fest circuit….
- Jen Zoratti
- Uptown Magazine
On his debut album, Erik Athavale (pronounced ah-TUV-lay) proves why he deserved to win last year's Project Cool contest with nine-tracks that go down as smooth and easy as his vocals. Beautiful starts the album off on a slow-burning light-jazz groove before he shows off his love of contemporary jazz on the bouncy title track. He forays into electro funk on Nothing New and Raise Up and throws in some soulful R&B on Morning Groove. And groovy is just what this is, with enough stylistic divergences to keep Athavale from being branded a one-trick neo-soul/jazz pony.
- Rob Williams
- Winnipeg Free Press
Awash in funky electric piano doodles, sexy slow jams, and even cameos from former Much VJ Bradford How, Devoted is an auspicious debut that positions its creator as a force to be reckoned with. Opener Beautiful is a highlight, with Athavale (whose crooning recalls Jacko and Jamiroquai) picking up steam while a warm keyboard and drum bed slowly build behind him. Elsewhere, he finds room for bluesy guitar solos, flirty falsettos, and jazzy funk jams… we'll happily bliss out to Athavale's cultured grooves.
- David Schmeichel
- Winnipeg Sun
- For Immediate Release -
ATHAVALE GOES FOR MAXIMUM DISTRIBUTION!
…an auspicious debut that positions its creator as a force to be reckoned with…
Monday, June 23, 2008 (Vancouver, B.C.) – Maximum Music together with EMI Music Canada is proud to announce the release of "Devoted" the stunning full length debut by Erik
Athavale.
Pronounced "Ah-Tuv-Lay" – Erik Athavale spent much of the last seven years writing songs he
imagined no one would hear. When he began performing his original material in the fall of 2004,
he quickly developed a loyal following in his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
On the strength of the highly-personal tune, "Bounce," Athavale took home the top prize in local
Winnipeg radio station Groove FM's "Project Groove" in 2006. It was that honour that afforded
him the opportunity to record Devoted and after enlisting some of the industry's top players
including Marc Arnould (keys), Joey Landreth (guitar), Kevin Torgalson & Paul Yee (bass) and
Chris Sutherland (drums & percussion) Athavale emerged from the studio with a debut that is a
irresistible collection of pop, soul and rock gaining this exciting new artist immediate accolades
and direct comparisons to such luminaries as Jamiroquai's Jay Kay, Maroon 5's Adam Levine,
Sade, and Shuggie Otis.
Available in-stores across Canada September 9, 2008 via Maximum Music Group and EMI
Music, Devoted will also be available for digital download at maximummusicgroup.com and all
other major e-tailers worldwide.
The Critics Speak about Athavale:
Neo-soul singer Erik Athavale funded his new disc with cash he picked up in 99.1 FM's Project
COOL contest last year. That's money well spent. Awash in funky electric piano doodles, sexy
slow jams, and even cameos from former Much VJ Bradford How, Devoted is an auspicious
debut that positions its creator as a force to be reckoned with. Opener Beautiful is a highlight, with
Athavale (whose crooning recalls Jacko and Jamiroquai) picking up steam while a warm
keyboard and drum bed slowly build behind him. Elsewhere, he finds room for bluesy guitar
solos, flirty falsettos, and jazzy funk jams. Given the promise on display, it's hard not to be
reminded of Remy Shand, the last blue-eyed-soul sensation to stir up interest. But seeing how
Shand's disappearing act has now gone into extra innings, we'll happily bliss out to Athavale's
cultured grooves.
David Schmeichel – Winnipeg Sun
# # #
About Maximum Music Group Inc:
The newly minted Maximum Music Group Inc is an award winning label and management
company based in Vancouver, Canada and this young company has gone on to become an
industry leader of discovering new and innovative ways to connect, promote and deliver artists
and their music to the world; recently exemplified by the launch of the highly successful online
music website www.mymaxcast.com - a music community and content aggregator providing
valuable marketing resources and support for artists from around the world.
Maximum's artists and projects are distributed by EMI Music Canada and have been recognized
with:
6 Juno Awards
9 National Jazz Awards
6 Western Canadian Music Awards
5 Canadian "Indie" Music Awards
Web Links:
Label Site :: Maximum Music Group :: http://www.maximummusicgroup.com
Artist Site :: Athavale :: http://www.athavaleonline.com
EMI Music :: http://www.shopemi.com
For information and/or review copies please contact:
Brian Watson, Maximum Music Group
Tel: 604.671.6234
Email: Brian.Watson (at) MaximumMusicGroup.com
- Maximum Music Group
Discography
2007 OCTOBER- Devoted (LP)- first single, "The Night We Met" will be released to Winnipeg/ Western Canada radio in August 2007.
2006- athavale (EP)- includes "Bounce", on air at COOL FM, Cafe 100.7 and charted on UMFM 101.5 Winner of Project Cool 2006.
2004- quess presents: reSOULutions (EP)- includes "Maroon", on air at COOL FM
Photos
Bio
Winnipeg, Canada is never mentioned as a hotbed of soul music. So it stands to reason that vocalist and songwriter Erik Athavale who performs simply under his family name (pronounced "Ah-Tuv-Lay") brings a unique spin to the R&B genre.
Athavales debut album Devoted teases multiple genres with electro funk, rock and jazz sensibilities while staying firmly rooted in soul. For the recording sessions, Athavale enlisted some of the strongest players in Winnipeg, a scene renowned for its musicianship. As a result, Devoted has a live, off-the-floor foundation, resulting in an unselfconscious groove that rides nicely in the pocket behind his distinctive vocals.
Athavales arresting tone, clear and controlled, can stop you in your tracks. You think youve heard it before Adam Levine, Daryl Hall, Mick Hucknall, classic but then youve never heard it like this. He owns it. His art is his voice. The songs connect. The lyrics are personal. They humanize the singer and forge a relationship with the listener. No word is wasted. Athavales style can be playful, pensive,funky and charming, but above all, it doesnt follow a template. Its timeless, and anything but disposable.
Two tracks from the album, Bounce and The Night We Met, enjoy wide rotation on contemporary radio in Winnipeg. Athavale is also currently working on a video treatment for Bounce a tune about falling down and getting back up again for release in early 2009.
With multiple performances logged in Winnipeg, the national release of Devoted has Athavale looking beyond his hometown borders. The past year's schedule included a performance at the New Music West Festival in Vancouver, and the singer looks to become a fixture on the Canadian jazz festival circuit in the near future.
Athavales Devoted is distributed across Canada by
EMI Music Canada/ Maximum Music Group.
Links
