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"ROYAL JONES ~YOU BROKE THE CIRCLE"

notes
from AM NEW YORK publication
ROYAL JONES ~YOU BROKE THE CIRCLE
You wouldn't guess it from the album art,but this guy is a MOTOWN soul
machine, and totally danceable.


- AM NEW YORK publication


"PrideSource-"

Between The Lines Newspaper issue#1336
PrideSource-
Hear Me Out
By D'Anne Witkowski
http://pridesource.com/print.shtml?article=15721

Yes, the strangely soulful falsetto of Royal Jones really does come from a middle-aged, blue-eyed, white guy. Think Nina Simone mixed with Mick Hucknall. In fact, much of the well-produced "You Broke the Circle" sounds like "A New Flame"-era Simply Red, especially on "Epiphany." .... he's a man doing his own thing, modern tastes and musical fads be damned.

- Between The Lines Newspaper issue#1336


"Cheer up Mr Jones"


By Jennifer Layton
...This CD has one of the most credible street vibes I've heard in a long time. When the music kicks in. Brace yourself. We're going underground ....

You Broke The Circle is a trip through dance clubs and time itself -- on "Echo," we fade into old-fashioned dance hall cha-cha-cha. On "Confused," Jones gets so incredibly Motown, I could swear I'm listening to Gladys Knight and the Pips. And I really mean Gladys Knight. Jones sings like a Motown queen. I could have sworn this was a female singer if it weren't for the occasional dip into bass territory.

My favorite track is "Ride Out of Control," a tribute to 70s funk, complete with a horn section and lazy, drawling rapping. The hook is the refrain, "If I ever come down, I'll behave, I'll be good." I can easily imagine Chef from South Park taking on this one. ....

The bottom line is that you will move to this. Yes, it's sample-happy and completely synthesized, but it's bursting with soul. Make it your soundtrack for a Saturday night

(exerpt from http://www.indie-music.com)
http://www.indie-music.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3404
- indie-music.com/modules


"Make Things Nice"

Posted by Wally Bangs
Make Things Nice

What would you do if you were blessed with a four octave vocal range? Royal Jones uses his to make some of the most off kilter, unique, and fractured funk and soul songs around. He cites Martha Reeves as a big influence and his vocals show an obsession with soul divas, but the New York City vibe of his music is light years away from the Motown Sound. It's electronic funk music for dancing in the clubs, but possessed of a chilled out ghostliness at times that makes you wonder who let the trip-hop in the door.

Skip the intro cut and head straight for the title cut and you're quickly swept up in a weird world that's like a kissing cousin to the stuff that Antony & The Johnsons are doing. "Echo" has a sort of creepy bossa nova ambience perfect for this post-modern film noir world. I dig the guitar riff on "Ride Out Of Control" which sounds like it could have been sampled from a Sly And The Family Stone album even if the spoken lyrics are pretty silly. I hope silliness is the point of the song, "Pain Stain" with its paranoid diva shtick reminiscent of dancier Frank Zappa grooves. Royal Jones manages to sound like Asha Puthli on "Love Like A Freak".

You Broke The Circle on MBIBE Records is well worth getting if you're into strange dance music, but I'd say Royal Jones would really shine and stand out if he started putting out 12 inch records. You can pick up some of his music either through his website or by visiting Amazon or CD Baby.
Blogcritics.org.

- blogcritics.org


"a throwback"

by ARTHUR CURRY of Babyman Entertainment

Royal is a throwback to the days of Sylvester. Eclectic sound, great production, it has a lounge sound at times, with no apologies. The dance tracks pop off the speakers. He saves money on therapy bills by purging himself in his lyrics. This is a fun album with some great arrangements. Royal will stick to you like grits

You Broke the Circle: Great production, nicely paced dance track, righteous keyboard licks, Jones' vocals are a throwback to the 80's when Sylvester ruled the dance floor.

Echo: Lounge lizard sound, relaxing beat, pleasing guitar and percussion on this jazzy track, white linen feel, Royal shows his versatility.

Ride Out of Control: Funky back beat, with a peppering of horns, laid on a Royal poem, again another song that can keep your attention through the thunder storm of life. Jones takes a chance with this one, but you can't help but like the punch of the horns.

Confused: Change of pace track where Royal has to show his vocal ability. He does a great job of staying ahead of the guitar lick chasing him to the finish.

Pain Stain: The most fun I have ever heard in a lover's quarrel, creative lyrics, and bass line lead to a nice crescendo. Wonder if they stay together.

Beware: Production has the sound that was used for early break beats in hip-hop. Reminds me of Level 42, not a bad comparison. Royal worked hard vocally on this track running between booths for lead and background vocals.

Make Things Nice: Nice production, funky stylizing from Royal on this track shows that he wants to be taken seriously. You hear the richness of his voice throughout.

Love Like a Freak: Hot dance track to push the envelope again. The strobe lights can't keep up with this one. Love the vocal arrangement.

Epiphany: Whoa, Royal it suddenly dawned on me... I think you have a winner. If I play the vocal track backwards is that Sam Cooke singing? I really DIG this track.

Reality: Eclectic sound, played loud you can really get the true measure of this track, there's a lot going on. I like the hard sound of guitar in battle with the drum tracks.

Bonus Track: You have to buy it to get it.
- Babyman Entertainment


Discography

Ruffle in a bag of plain 14 songs written by Mark Reilly and Steve Sandberg
You Broke the Circle and the ep Make Things Nice 11 songs produced and co-written by Eric Codee
A Dear in the Headlights produced by Janice Friedman and Royal Jones

Photos

Bio

somehow in the process of life itself I’ve become jazzy...“Royal Jones A Dear in the Head Lights”-
by Cherry Herring
mbibemusic

Somehow in the process of life itself I've become jazzy..."Royal Jones a Dear in the Head Lights"-

In the trendy east village of Manhattan you'll find the self anointed king of quirk' funk poet Royal Jones. He is going from door to door hanging his promo posters and giving away free CDs and eye catching business cards. All this in the hopes of garnering a sale or two of his new CD which was recorded in NYC in 2007 at East Side sound studios. Engineered by Marc

Urselli. It was released April 11 2008.No balloons, no fan fare. just a few novenas from the Salesian sisters of e12 st and Avenue A"Yes that's me in the Royal Jones Tee shirttrying to enticeI wouldn't say I'm desperate but I'd hate to think I recorded this wonderful CD in vain. I simply have no management or promotional skills. I am no spring chicken either"Jones stresses

Assisting Royal Jones on this eclectic acoustic funk set produced by

Janice Friedman (who also plays all keyboards as well as collaborating on 5 songs)is legendary Buddy Williams on drums: Soulful Leo Traversa on bass: Rhythmic Rogerio Boccato on percussion: Melodious William Galison and powerhouse Lily White all shining big time on their guest spots. Completing this well rounded original offering of jazz/funk are Myoshi Marilla and Chevis Packer who add their great harmony spice to the mix for 5 of the 11 songs. 9 of the 11 songs were written by Jones with

Various collaborators. The new set also features two cover songs written by Dennis Belfield 'Smokin' Room' and Alee Willis and David Lasley's 'Come What May'

Indescribable and full of surprises and originality..."somehow in the process of life itself I've become jazzy....a 1st for me.... performing with a live band is so thrilling and Ms Janice is such a true 'Jazz Pro' having worked with Woody Herman , Milt Hinton as well as Marian McPartland ".

I finally have arrangements like a Tony Bennett or a Tiny Tim might....

Jones quips" they told me to get down.....and I did"....

What is the genre? It's been called acoustic acid funk...trip hop jazz a flava alternative

The jury is still out on this...I pray there's an audience for it -whatever classification it may happen to fall under.

The musicians on this CD are all top notch. I can't wait to get us on the road and deliver the funk fun...so Git your Jones as he pleads to the passers by in Tompkins Square Park .

..Release party to be announced shortly in NYC...Royal Jones has recorded 3 CDs since arriving in NYC in the 80s

Jones quips" they told me to get down.....and I did"....

.. Have a listen at Cdbaby or digstation or indie-music or myspace.com.

Originally published on SearchWarp.com for Cherry Herring Friday, May 16, 2008
Article Source: somehow in the process of life itself I’ve become jazzy...“Royal Jones A Dear in the Head Lights”-