Although they're considered new artists, Fertile Ground has seven
years, countless performances, and dozens of recordings to their
credit. After 2 years of extensive touring, writing and recording, the
group unveiled their fourth full-length masterpiece, simply entitled
Black Is... The highly-anticipated CD, is the sequel to the acclaimed
2002 release Seasons Change. This fourth full-length album, contains a
range of ethereal classics such as "Yellow Daisies", a soulful jazz
waltz ballad full of affirmation, the joyful noise of "Live In the
Light"; and the introspectively revealing song "Naked," which gives us
an example of how to truly connect with and reflect each other. Selling
more than 125,000 albums , Fertile Ground has created the modern
blueprint for independent music sales and become the leader of a
movement. With a rebellious freedom and an undaunted genius Fertile
Ground's founding leader and keyboardist, James Collins, started
Blackout Studios to help get the band's music to listeners the best way
possible. Where many artists believe the hype and opt to stand in the
longest line waiting to be scooped up by a label, Blackout Studios
recognizes that good music can be transmitted through the effective use
of the underground. Fertile Ground has shared the stage with such
multi-platinum heavyweights as Cassandra Wilson, Hugh Masekela,
Me'Shell N'Degeocello, India Arie, Wynton Marsalis, Jill Scott, Chaka
Khan, and even Run DMC. The band is often classified as Soul-Jazz, but
they spill out of any genre as a cross-cultural fusion of all things
spiritual and funk-ridden. In this realm called good music, theatrics
never replace integrity, nor does experience and success replace a
creatively fresh approach to each project. Messages are heart-felt,
conveying an unashamed spirituality, a firm political stance, or
whatever the moment requires, and everything is heavily supported by
raw, organic, often danceable compositions in the tradition of Fela
Kuti, Stevie Wonder, Santana, and Earth Wind & Fire. With the
requisite strength, depth and energy to electrify crowds, musicians,
DJs, journalists, and promoters not just once or twice, but over and
over again, Fertile Ground has been cementing their place as musical
and social innovators.
Links:
Official Website
Fertile Ground on Myspace
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