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Release date: 12/16/2007

To mark the one-year anniversary of James Brown’s passing, Public Enemy’s Chuck D is releasing a tribute album that pays tribute to the music, legacy and enduring influence of one of the most important figures in music. Tribb To JB, in stores November 27, features vocals by Chuck D as well as the artists from his own SLAMjamz Records, including Kyle Jason and the baNNed, EEYCS Posse, Dirty North, Crew Grrl Order, Jahi, Most Hi-Fi, Heet Mob, The Scallions, The Impossebulls and Kendo The Almost Famous. The album was helmed by longtime Public Enemy turntablist DJ Johnny “Juice” Rosado and includes a special appearance by Professor Griff.

“’Say It Loud I’m Black And I’m Proud’ was a benchmark in my life,” explains Chuck, “as I was born in 1960 with ‘negro’ on my birth certificate. By the mid-sixties we were classified as “colored” and after the murders of Dr. King and RFK along with the flipping opinion on the war in Vietnam, by the end of the decade “Black” was beautiful and we were damn proud to scream it. This was because of Mr. JB, at least to myself.”

On Tribb to JB, artists from Chuck D’s own SLAMjamz record label reinterpret 10 of the Godfather’s classics, including “It’s A Man’s Man’s World,” “Superbad” and “Say It Loud I’m Black And I’m Proud.” The CD comes with a bonus DVD filled with several videos of the album tracks, as well as liner notes that reveal the highly personal inspiration behind the album to Chuck and producer “Juice.” In addition to the SLAMjamz vocalists on the album, Tribb To JB was recorded with musicians Shawn Franklin, Mike Franklin (various instruments); Khari Wynn (guitar); Jason Metcalf (flute, baritone saxophone); Jeff Sheloff (saxophone, horns); Brian Hogans (alto saxophone); Matt Townsend (tenor saxophone); Marc Osterer (trumpet); Matt DePalma (trombone); The Depalma Horns (horns); Victor Burks (keyboards); Ricky Gordon (vibraphone, percussion); Brian Hardgroove (bass guitar); Rocky Bryant (drums); Johnny "Juice" Rosado (congas, bongos, percussion, turntables) and DJ President Ike (scratches).

Tracks from the album can be streamed and downloaded from www.beyond.fm. Further information on the album as well as the artists who appear on it can be found at www.SLAMjamz.com.

OTHER NOTABLE NEWS

In the one year remembrance of the passing of Mr James Brown, SlamJamz Records has jumped into the forefront in dedicating covers of just a few of the records hip hop and rap music was spawned from. Produced by DJ Johnny 'Juice' Rosado and associate produced by Brian Hardgroove tracks were replayed by SLAMjamz musicians The baNNed, and commanded on the lead vocals by soul artist Kyle Jason. In true manner and flow of Mr Brown and his recently passed long time vocal partner Mr Bobby Byrd, Chuck D plays off with a rap-styled approach to Kyles singing. Each Record has an additional guest rap vocal to further blend of relationships of Mr Browns music to the hip hop world which SLAMjamz supplies.

dusty groove america

A funky tribute to JB from Chuck D -- and a loose collective of vocalist, MCs and killer band -- with funky renditions of JB classics with righteous rhymes from Chuck & co! The band, along with vocalist Kyle Jason and guest singers & MCs for the most part roll with faithful renditions of the classics as a backdrop, and strident accent rhymes to bring a social consciousness into the proceedings -- as well as testament to the legacy of James Brown. The funk is always the core element, and the collective is wise enough not to get in the way of it! Titles include "Soul Power", "Make It Funky", "Get Up, Get Into It", "Get Involved", "Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud", "King Heroin", "Talking Loud, Saying Nothing", "Think Mama For The Soul Sisters", "Super Bad", Funky President", "and more. Comes with bonus DVD with performance footage, music videos, some "mockumentary" bits and more! (There is no indication, but we are assuming that the DVD is NTSC format, Region 1.)

Chuck D has forwarded the motion when it comes to payback in homage to Mr James Brown, who passed on Christmas Day 2006. In tribute to Mr Dynamite, The Hardest Working Man In Show Business , SLAMjamz artists collected under the moniker of The PEEPS OF SOULFUNK have re-performed 10 of the JB classics called 'TRIB TO MR JB'. Produced by DJ JOHNNY JUICE ROSADO the artist roster contributions include KYLE JASON, CHUCK D, music by The baNNed and that's Brian Hardgroove on bass, KHARI WYNN on guitar , ROCKY BRYANT on drums, VICTOR BURKS on keys, Matthew DePalmma and crew as horn section. The added vocals by CREW GRRL ORDER, MOST HIFI, KENDO THE ALMOST FAMOUS , PROFESSOR GRIFF, THE SCALLIONS, THE IMPOSSEBULLS, HEET MOB and DIRTY NORTH.

Personnel: Chuck D (vocals); C-Doc, Tirade, Ronnique "MsRo" Hakwins (vocals); Dirty North, Kendo The Almost Famous, Crew Grrl Order, HeetMob, Most Hi-Fi, Jahi, Professor Griff (rap vocals); Shawn Franklin, Mike Franklin (various instruments); Khari Wynn (guitar); Jason Metcalf (flute, baritone saxophone); Jeff Sheloff (saxophone, horns); Brian Hogans (alto saxophone); Matt Townsend (tenor saxophone); Marc Osterer (trumpet); Matt DePalma (trombone); The Depalma Horns (horns); Victor Burks (keyboards); Ricky Gordon (vibraphone, percussion); Brian Hardgroove (bass guitar); Rocky Bryant (drums); Johnny "Juice" Rosado (congas, bongos, percussion, turntables); DJ President Ike (scratches); Taylor Hairston, Tyler Hairston, Jacquelyn Richards, EEYCS Posse (background vocals); The Slamjamz Artist Revue.

Additional personnel: Kyle "Ice" Jason (vocals); and The baNNed, Public Enemy.

Track listing