Music
Press
Live band hip hop groups (ones that feature actual musicians providing the backing tracks) are at an instant disadvantage when it comes to putting out a record, because there's not much of a chance that a studio recording is ever going to equal the energy and spectacle of their live show. While it must be endlessly defeating and frustrating, it didn't seem to stand in the way of these cats. Focusing on tight knit grooves and vocal approaches that toggle between lyrically timeless raps and smooth soul singing, this record comes across as fine tuned and controlled, but not holding anything back. Wisely, the bass and horns are in the forefront for the majority of the tracks, laying thick lines for the vocalists lock in with. The drums and keys here, unassuming at first, really become essential in adding those little nods to hip hop that makes these songs really go over. These are some accomplished musicians, so they're also given space to solo and improvise, which cant help but add to the legitimacy and intricacy of these already well crafted songs. It's this impressive playing that really opens up their sound and lends it to accessibility from a wide audience. The playing is spot on and unpredictable, the raps are intelligent and filler-free, and the hooks and melodies are pure soul. - Brad at CD Baby
Live band hip hop groups (ones that feature actual musicians providing the backing tracks) are at an instant disadvantage when it comes to putting out a record, because there's not much of a chance that a studio recording is ever going to equal the energy and spectacle of their live show. While it must be endlessly defeating and frustrating, it didn't seem to stand in the way of these cats. Focusing on tight knit grooves and vocal approaches that toggle between lyrically timeless raps and smooth soul singing, this record comes across as fine tuned and controlled, but not holding anything back. Wisely, the bass and horns are in the forefront for the majority of the tracks, laying thick lines for the vocalists lock in with. The drums and keys here, unassuming at first, really become essential in adding those little nods to hip hop that makes these songs really go over. These are some accomplished musicians, so they're also given space to solo and improvise, which cant help but add to the legitimacy and intricacy of these already well crafted songs. It's this impressive playing that really opens up their sound and lends it to accessibility from a wide audience. The playing is spot on and unpredictable, the raps are intelligent and filler-free, and the hooks and melodies are pure soul. - Brad at CD Baby
"The funk-infused soul music created by the three saxophones, stand-up bass, keys, and drums was, for a lack of a better word, dazzling (I hate even typing the word, but truly, it was), and proved to be the perfect backdrop for the two vocalists—emcee and singer—whose engrossing tales of youth and warnings of modern pitfalls made the audience feel as though they were taking part in a lively conversation with a couple of guys far more cool than their other friends." - Village Voice
"The funk-infused soul music created by the three saxophones, stand-up bass, keys, and drums was, for a lack of a better word, dazzling (I hate even typing the word, but truly, it was), and proved to be the perfect backdrop for the two vocalists—emcee and singer—whose engrossing tales of youth and warnings of modern pitfalls made the audience feel as though they were taking part in a lively conversation with a couple of guys far more cool than their other friends." - Village Voice
Discography
C Phineas - Released May 2007
Album can be purchased on itunes and CD Baby
The Breakdown- Released December 2008
Album will be available on itunes and CD Baby
Photos
Bio
Live in New York City, C Phineas is the new sound of soul music. Never before have elements of The Roots, John Coltrane and James Brown come together to create this powerful sound. In a world that hypes stars that create behind computers, this band is dedicated to performing and recording their own live music. Blending rap, improvisation and old-school soul, C Phineas ignites the future of popular music with an energy that could never be produced by machine.
Drummer, composer and producer Chris Smith started C Phineas with the goal of making creative music geared to the ears of current pop culture. He didn't have to look far to find musicians excited about the concept. Jonathon Celestin (vocals), DiMaggio (EmCee), Landon Knoblock (keyboard), Josh Paris (bass), Vito Chiavuzzo (bari sax), Chris Shade (alto sax) and Sam Ryder (tenor sax) add a wide range of personal and musical aspects to the bands unique sound. Each musician is as diverse as New York City itself. The fictional creation of C Phineas the man can be envisioned as an Irish, African, Italian and Mexican descendant who loves football, Disney music, Xbox, Jazz, Hip-Hop and 20th century German Literature. Living on a sheep farm in Holland, he has a phobia of oranges. If this man actually exists we may never know, but surely he is at every C Phineas show. In a society desperately seeking common ground on anything, the members of C Phineas find their common ground in creating original soul music.
With their second album, The Breakdown, C Phineas has created the perfect mix of Hip-Hop and Jazz. Featuring three saxophones, a soulful singer and Brooklyn's finest emcee, each song is a tour de force of smart lyrics and timeless music. The album is an instant classic that is accessible to every age, gender and race. The Breakdown proves C Phineas is not afraid to take Soul music places it's never been. Visit www.cphineas.com to buy the album, meet the band and get the latest C Phin news.
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