Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
One of the most promising bands...the trio mixes hard rock, funk and reggae into exhilarating pop as bassist, Felice Rosser, sings in a voice both plangent and wailing. - The New York Times
Bands run by women typically exude distinctive moods and 'tudes, but none more subtly complelling than the Delphic aura given off by the tall and tan young lovely who straps on her ax to deliver tunes that are not rock, not funk, not R&B, so much as deeply soulful tone poems backed by multiculti dream pop. - Village Voice
Even though it's instrumentation is electric and its approach is rooted in rock 'n' soul, Faith has more in common with the emotive strength of Tracy Chapman or Joan Armatrading than, say, Mother's Finest or the Bad Brains. At the heart of Faith's sound is bassist/vocalist Felice Rosser, whose down-to-earth presence imbues Faith's music with warm sensuality and emotion in every vocal line. - CMJ New Music Report
For a soulful, far-reaching melange of reggae, rock and just plain magic, you can't do any better than Faith - Time Out
Faith deserves an underlit nightclub of their own as the only New York band who understands that psychedelia is more mood music than Roger Corman themes, their vibrant songs are just soulful enough to remind us Phoebe Snow couldn've been the real acid queen. - New York Press
If Nina Simone had a power trio with a rock/soul and reggae flair, it would sound something like this. A five song EP that I still play regularly, it is one of the most unique sounding voices I have heard this whole year. It is very acccessible and radio friendly, but that shouldn't deter any low fi and/or indie enthusiasts. Her voice, her bass playing, and the punch her band mates hit you with will win you over. I know this is a contradiction of terms but her demeanor seems both mature and innocent. That unique balance only adds to the allure of her tunes. One of the best live acts I saw this year. - Southpaw
Discography
Like Springtime - 7" - Ludlow Records
Time to Fall in Love Again - Track on "Blacker Than That" - Black Rock Coalition Compilation CD
Time to Fall in Love Again - Boom Boom Records
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Felice Rosser is a singer/bassist with a bluesy voice and a deep tone on her bass. Naotaka Hakamada came to New York from Tokyo full of blues, rock and soul. Scott Hartley is a punk funk drummer, who set the urban music world on fire with his powerful roots style drumming in seminal NY band Liquid Liquid. Together, these three passionate people make music as Faith. Defying the musical trappings of the alternative genre, Faith has carved out its own special place in the downtown New York City music scene.
Faith has formed a musical style unlike virtually any other sound out there (J. Lien-CMJ). Faiths unique blend of psychedelic rock, reggae, African music and groove has been praised by some of the toughest critics, earning rave reviews in The New York Times, Time Out and The Village Voice. With Felice Rossers golden throated androgynous vocal tones, beautifully memorable songs, a refreshingly diverse cultural line-up and an immensely colorful sound, Faith represents an East Village interpretation of indie rock. Blend the likes of Hendrix, Betty Carter, Massive Attack, Sly and Robbie and The Police, and you might have an idea of the dynamics involved. Faith has opened for artists such as Youssou NDour, Toots and the Maytals, and Meshell Ndegeocello. Felice Rosser also sang with guitar virtuoso Gary Lucas group Gods and Monsters. Faith have released their own 7 single Like Springtime, which was favorably reviewed both in the U.S. and the UK, a CD Time to Fall in Love Again on Boom Boom Records, and their second CD A Place Where Love Can Grow will be released on Cool Baby Music in April 2007.
contact:
Emily Jones
Emilyjones147@hotmail.com
www.faithny.com
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