Who are United Vibrations?

United Vibrations (UV) – UV are charting new waters in the ocean of British Music. Inspired by a wealth of different sources, ranging from Drum ‘n’ Bass and Hip-Hop to rock and afro-beat. They are re-establishing the LIVE element to “Urban”, dance music in the UK whilst re-establishing the Afro-Rock connections seemingly forgotten in these parts. Inspired by the Rock and Funk pioneers of the 70’s they are forging a new direction for Live music coming out of London. As comfortable in a squat rave as in Ronnie Scotts, these guys are obliterating the established boundaries between, jazz, Rock and dance music, forming there own brand of hi-tempo dance music. They call their music 12tone A play on words, combining the already established terms of 2-tone (80’s fusion of Jamaican and British music to form ska), and 12-tone (type of a-tonal composition formed by Arnold Schoenberg).

They are following in the footsteps of the Punk artists of the 70’s and the Drum ‘n’ Bass pioneers of the 90’s, in forming they’re own genre and their own box to categorise their own music. With heavy influences from the New York Funk movement and Afro-beat, pioneered by Fela Kuti, they have created a new identity that reflects 21st century, multi-cultural London.

The band consists of sax, trombone, bass and drums, with each member contributing to vocals in typical chant/singing style reminiscent of the large funk and soul ensembles of the 70’s. This allows them to deliver poignant cosmic lyrics in the popular song format against the backdrop of big beats, hypnotic grooves and intricate jazz style composition.

This band is going where no other has gone before. It has found a way to deliver the intelligence of Jazz through the medium of the popular song, maintaining a rawness more akin to an old skool Hip-Hop track or Punk Rock anthem. UV have built up their following by regularly performing on the streets of London, gaining a reputation for turning pavements into parties. This raw street energy is flowing through there music.

UV also have a distinctly “world” music sound about them, synthesizing the hypnotic 12/8 grooves (12Time) of northern and east Africa and the 4/4 grooves of west African afro-beat with established western grooves to create an afro-anglo hybrid.

Their debut single ‘RA!’ encapsulates this perfectly with its hectic tempo and busy beats. This is a song that Dj’s can mix in seamlessly with Rock, Indie, Hip-Hop, Grime, Funk, House, Drum ‘n’ Bass, Jazz, “World” Music and pretty much all modern dance music’s.

The single is an ode to Sun Ra, one of their major heroes. As well as celebrating Sun Ra it is a celebration of the Sun and all life. They are releasing it in December just before the Winter Equinox, to symbolize the coming back of the Sun and longer days.
The single is out on 12tone C.I.C, a co-operative label set up and run by a group of South London based musicians. All profits from the sale of this single are going to a Community Land Trust to build a self-sufficient, carbon neutral housing co-operative in London. All the band members are based in and around London and want to build for a brighter future in the face of pollution, climate change and general environmental damage that the city inflicts on to nature. They are hoping through the release of this record they can not only raise funds but, bring some much needed publicity to this community project. Much press is given to many negative aspects of urban youth culture, 12tone C.I.C is run by young people based in London who are doing there utmost to combat one of the biggest issues that faces our generation today, climate change and environmental damage, caused by human activity, this is an opportunity for the UK media industry to help promote the positive side to young, urban Britain.

Bio's

Yussef Dayes : Drums - At 16 yrs of age Yussef is the Youngest member of UV. Playing with his elder brothers since the age of 4, drumming is not a hobby but a lifestyle for this young prodigy. More recently he has had lessons from the legendary Billy Cobham, helping him to hone his raw talent into a dynamic cocktail of, jaw dropping technical ability, youthful energy and pure FIRE. His style of playing can only be described as ferocious. Think Tony Allen on steroids. Big beats and intoxicating grooves are the hallmark of this truly unique rhythm section. The synthesis of Afro-beat, Drum ‘n’ Bass, Rock, Funk, Punk and just about all modern dance music is made possible by the sheer audacity, imagination and natural flow of this rhythm section.

Kareem Dayes : Bass & Vox – If Yussef is the fire of the rhythm section, than Kareem is the earth. Less eye-catching, but equally proficient, with his technical ability, Kareem’s abilities are expressed equally through playing and composing. From Mahler to Marley, he his well versed in both the traditions of European and Afro music. Trained as a classical cellist, he has performed in the Barbican leading the London Schools Symphony Orchestra’s cello section. It is this broad musical heritage and seeing the polarized nature of the music scene, yet the unity within the underlying foundations of ‘good’ music, that has inspired him to appropriate the term ‘12-tone’ to describe the music he and his peers are making. This ‘united’ perception is expressed through his lyrics, composition and bass playing, which not only grooves, but sings.

Wayne Francis : Sax & Vox - Wayne is the newest member of the band, but within 2 years, he has developed an understanding and kinship with them that is equivalent to that of any life long brotherhood, such is the beauty of music. Not only has he gelled with the three brothers, he has improved them. His saxophone playing is second to none. It was whilst studying at the prestigious Trinity College of Music (where Fela Kuti, one of the bands main influences, also studied) where he met Kareem via the network of Jazz musicians in London. Introduced to the rest of the band, they immediately clicked. Not only is Wayne a Virtuoso saxophonist, but he is also a keen composer and lyricist, as demonstrated on the B-side, ‘Journey’ , where he astutely, and charismatically delivers a piece of spoken word in each verse. Through UV he has found a project through which he can express the full spectrum of his imagination, beyond that of a traditional "jazz" saxophonist.

Ahmad Dayes : Trombone & Vox – The ‘godfather’ of the band. Ahmad founded United Vibrations in 2004. Bringing together a group of musicians with the aim of bringing the LIVE element back to “Urban” and “Black” music. Inspired by Drum ‘n’ Bass and his love for Reggae, he wanted to start something that would bring a fresh take on the British music paradigm. Trained as an engineer, with his colleague Jesal Padia, he has built up his own studio in order to realize his dream. ‘RA!’ is a product of this studio, which promises to deliver many a great record for a very long time. Not only is Ahmad the facilitator of the band but, along with Wayne, he gives UV that authentic, uplifting sound of a wicked Brass section. Ahmad masterfully marshals the horns to great effect and combined with the big beats from his younger brothers, UV create a sound that is truly exceptional.

http://www.myspace.com/unitedvibrations

United Vibrations - Click on images