The inventive drummer/producer Stix Bones – who worked with the likes of Yasin Bey (Mo Def), Common, Q-Tip and Doug E. Fresh – releases his EP, Olimpik Soul; his amazing 21st century amalgamation of jazz and hip-hop. Backed by his ensemble known as The BONE Squad (an acronym for Brothers of Noble Excellence) the EP showcases Bob Beamon: the 77 year-old Olympic long jump champion, who in 1968 in Mexico City, leaped to the still-standing Olympic record of 29 ft. 2 ¼ inches, in his recording debut as a percussionist.
Beamon, who grew up loving music as a child in South Jamaica Queens, approached Bones’ bassist and cousin Albert Brisbane to work with the drummer on the record. Beamon’s percussive percolations accent Bones’ infectious moods and grooves, especially on the two singles “Leap,” and the mellow, midtempo “Be Thankful,” Bones’ reimagination make of William DeVaughan’s 1974 Soul hit, “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got,” lyrically laced by Khadejia Bass’ lovely vocals.
Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets, a childhood friend of Beamon’s who previously worked with Bones, delivers a stunning spoken word performance on “Price of Freedom.” The remaining selections, including the title track, “My Lady,” “Funkatonic,” “Monday Madness” and “Dreams Come True,” dance and trance with Afro-Latin rhythms, funky beats, driving hornlines and smooth jazz tenor sax and keyboard solos.
Olimpik Soul is Bones’ third EP’s that blends jazz, soul and hip-hop beats. His previous recordings include Breaks From the Soul, Vol.1 and 2 and Brooklyn Nights. Bones also released 3 albums, Bones Beats, Vol.1, Groove Like This and the Waiting For Mr. Wright Soundtrack.
Born Franklin Brown in Brooklyn, Bones was inspired to play the drums by musicians in church and local DJ’s. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance at SUNY-Purchase College. Bones worked with Rahzel The Godfather of Noise (The Roots), author/poet Jessica Care Moore, was the music director of The Lyricist Lounge, and was the drummer for the group Soulfege led by Take Back The Mic founder Derrick N. Ashong. The B.O.N.E Squad was the house band at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, where they opened for The O’Jays, Babyface, Charlie Wilson, Cedric The Entertainer, Chaka Khan and many other artists.
Bones, Beamon and The BONE Squad will perform at their CD release event at The Cutting Room, January 12, 2024 at 7pm ast 44 E. 32nd Street, New York, NY 10016 Between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, 212-691-1900. Come hear Bones transform jazz, soul and hip-hop together: one nation under a groove!
