Brother Num
New York City, New York, United States | INDIE
Music
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Peace Signs by Num and Nu Afrika
This is the second album by Num Amun-Tehu (or Brother Num) on the D’Rastadub label, though I first heard him on Brian Jackson’s ‘Gotta Play’ CD. The music is not hard-edged reggae like you might expect, though Jamaica’s music is well represented on the lovely old-fashioned ‘I Beg You’ with it’s easy pace and sweet horns and vocals, the dub-style take on the classic ‘Nature Boy’ and the addictive ‘Thank – You’ – to name just three.
I also love the deep but nimble bass on ‘Ghetto’, which has that indefinable African horn sound that I’ve grown to love over the past few years. I’m also heavily into ‘Express Yoself’, based on the old Charles Wright tune but with a cheeky reggae bounce and some neat rap on the remix version. Outstanding. I’ve not mentioned Num’s gritty vocals so far, but I enjoy them hugely, especially when he growls on ‘Power of Jah’.
Wherever you see the classic ‘peace’ symbol you see on the album cover, you expect a political statement to be heard and the two short tracks ‘The Old Negro’s Lament’ and ‘New Orleans’, more poetry than music, hit hard.
This is intellectual music and though the title track is soulful, jazzy and gorgeous (it’s my favourite too) it’s still made to make you think as much as dance. Enjoyable on more than one level. You can also hear and buy downloads on Amazon. - smooth-jazz.de
Discography
"Lessons" LP - NUm and Nu Afrika
"Peace Signs" LP - Num and Nu Afrika
"Manic Depression" (single) Nov 13 2008
"Peace Sings" (single) Nov 13 2008
"New Orleans" (single) Dec 2009
Photos
Bio
Over the many years of playing Percussion with Burning Spear, I had got used to playing in front of crowds of 100, 000 or more in giant arena's. However, by far the most gratifying experience, is to be playing my self penned music in clubs and open spaces around New York City and State, witnessing people stop in their tracks, listen, begin to dance, staying for my entire set. One time we were playing in Central Park, it had began to rain as we began to play, the crowd stopped in mid departure, stayed through the entire set in the damp dismal weather. We lifted their spirits.
Brother Num
Musician/Actor
As an artist Num celebrates his culture by versatility, and his art is a reflection of his gift from the ancestors. Num has studied and worked in Theater, Film and Television. Num plays hundreds of Drums and Percussion instruments in styles ranging from African, Latin, Caribbean, Asian, Classical, Jazz, R & B, Blues, Gospel. Funk, Rock, Reggae, Hip-Hop and Spiritual Meditative Techniques; including Native American Rhythms.
Credits:
Num has performed with Roy Ayers, Clark Terry, Tito Puente, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Toots and the Maytals, The Wailers, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Third World, George Clinton and the P-Funk All stars, Bunny Wailer, War, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Sugar Minot, Baba Maal and the Ernest Ranglin, Maceo Parker, Brian Jackson, Burning Spear and the late Greats, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Rev. James Cleveland and Donny Hathaway.
Recordings:
Num is featured on:
Burning Spear’s 2000 Grammy Award Winning Album “Calling Rastafari,” Heartbeat Records;
Brian Jackson's, 2000 album “Gotta Play,” RMG Records (As a performer and writer);
Common’s 2006 Grammy Nominated Album “Be,” Geffen/Good Music, produced by Kanye West;
Burning Spear’s, 2006 Grammy nominated Album “Our Music,” Burning Music Records; and
CONSEQUENCE’s 2007 album “Dont quit your day job”G.O.O.D. Music/Columbia Records. (Num is a featured vocalist.) Num appears in the Consequence video “Disperse” singing background vocals.
Num recently recorded with funk legends BOOTSY COLLINS AND BERNIE WORRELL on Reggae Artist Burning Spear’s 2009 Grammy award winning album “Jah is Real”.
While working with Comedian Tommy Davidson’s Variety show “TOMEDY” Num performed with Gerald Albright, Al Jarreau, Cameo, Brian McKnight, Sheila E and Pete Escovedo, Howard Hewitt, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Fox, and Aaron Hall.
Film and Television:
Num has appeared on:
“Later with Jools Holland”, on the BBC in England; MTV and CANAL+ in France; the CBS Late Night Show “VIBE”; the HBO series “OZ”; and BET’s “PLANET GROOVE”
In 2004 Num recorded with India Arie, Toni Braxton and Maci Gray, for the Children’s TV Show “Blues Clues,” episode “Bluestock” on Nickelodeon.
Num’s music is also featured in the movie, “ King Leopalds Ghost,” Linden Productions winner of “ Best Documentary” 2006 Santa Barbara Film Festival.
Not only a committed performer and recording artist, Num is also a constant and disciplined student as well as a teacher of music. Num has studied with the Late Greats Babatunde Olatungi, Art Blakey and Tito Puente, and has given classes, clinics, seminars and workshops worldwide.
Num is endorsed by Latin Percussion (LP) as one of their Artist/Players.
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