L – Labels
Biography
With an emphasis on the eclectic, MKL’s ground breaking record label, Lion 1 Music has carved an indelible niche within the highly competitive dance music community. As evidenced by his releases thus far, such as 'Who Knows"(Various), "Tribe 1"(Various Artist) “Seven Times
Read more
With an emphasis on the eclectic, MKL’s ground breaking record label, Lion 1 Music has carved an indelible niche within the highly competitive dance music community. As evidenced by his releases thus far, such as 'Who Knows"(Various), "Tribe 1"(Various Artist) “Seven Times” (MKL Vs. Soy Sos), “Nothing Or No One” (3 Generations Walking) “Worth Your While” (Autumn) & "MKL presents Suits & Dashikis" (R2 records/Lion1music joint venture CD Album), you can rest assured that when you listen to a Lion 1 Music release, certain tenets will hold true: This will be a totally unique listening experience. Also, the degree of musicianship, songwriting and singing will be of the highest caliber. Label head MKL knows this is a bold statement to make but since forming the label in September 2004, he has strived to work with some of the best emerging musical talents, creating music that he, himself, as a world traveled DJ finds stimulating. Says MKL:” Being an artist I have to believe passionately in what I do and every record we release. Ultimately I want people to look at Lion 1 Music as having a catalog of really great music that may one day become collector’s items.” Born in Belize, raised in New York and now calling the vibrant, bohemian melting pot of Brooklyn home, MKL has been surrounded by a dizzying global whirlpool of musical influences from an early age, something compounded thus far by his international DJing treks. He is also known as one half of creative team behind innovative dance music aggregation, 3 Generations Walking of “Slavery Days” and “Midnight Bustling”. A slew of noted remixes with musical partner Soy Sos, such as Tom & Julie’s “Like Ours” (Yellow Productions, "MKL presents Suits & Dashikis)) and Femi Kuti’s “What Tomorrow Will Bring” (Spiritual Life Music), Fat Freddy's Drop "Hope" (Kartel, "MKL presents Suits & Dashikis") have only served to cement his increasingly impressive reputation. Lion 1 Music’s first release, “Seven Times” , an esoteric slice of blue-eyed soul is built around a heavy, laid back percussive African rhythm, laced with a mellifluous lead vocal from Heather Kropf. Conversely, its follow up, 3 Generations Walking’s “Nothing Or No One” meshes electronic house beats with tribal percussion, jazz guitar, Jamaican dub poetry and a sizzling guest vocal from noted jazz-soul chanteuse Monica Lynk.
“Worth Your While” by sultry NY based R&B siren Autumn, again swings the pendulum in the opposite direction, while keeping feet firmly planted on the dance floor. Infusing a hypnotic blend of blissful jazz-funk, African rhythms and sweet soulful leads it has proven to be the a DJ’s feel good favorite.
Collapse
© 2009