A.S.M (A STATE OF MIND) - Crown Yard

A State of Mind (A.S.M) is a Hip-Hop English collective, native of Canada, Germany and England which influences come from Funk to Hip-Hop and even Reggae. 

The main group members are: Green T, FP, and Flat. They are accompanied in studio and on stage by Ludivine Issambourg flutist of Wax Tailor, Marco Bernardis, Paul Burton and Mike Davis (saxophonist, trombonist and trumpeter of 6ix Toys) but also the "Rice Krispies" saxophonist Romain Alary, the trombonist Geoffroy de Schuyter and the trumpeter Alex Herichon.

They worked repeatedly with the French DJ Jean Christophe Le Saoût, known under the name of Wax Tailor. The first title arising from this collaboration is "Positively Inclined", then "Say Yes" and finally "Guaranteed", available on albums "Hope and Sorrow", "In the Mood for Life" from Wax Tailor and on "Platypus Funk" from A.S.M .

On 2007 the group brings out his first EP "Pre-Emptive Nostalgia", in March 2008 brings out to Japan the second EP "Cosmic Flavour". In 2010 went out the first album marketed in France:"Platypus Funk".

Their second album Crown Yard went out on October 31st, 2011. A new musical maturity, with the same Hip-Hop vibes, optimistic and 'true-school' found already in their first album "Platypus Funk", an enormous European success arisen from the collaboration with Wax Tailor.
 
What makes this new album different and unique, it's the sophistication of its arrangements and the depth, in which they investigate the musical genres previously only brushed: more specially the Funk, in its original version, but also the Motown Soul, the Reggae-roots and the Afrobeat.

 
This new album of ASM looks like a 70s movie Soundtrack. While their young and overflowing energy shines in each of the pieces, the depth of grooves, the precision of the rhythms and the musical complexity of highlighted "CROWN yard" send a very clear message… ASM is in the place!!!

Hypnotic Soul - Dajla - Soul Poetry & The Meaning Of Life

DAJLA is the Arabic translation of River TIGRIS, Mesopotamian river, soul sister of Euphrates River. Dajla is like this river: her spirit runs free and strong amongst the land of music. She's a lead singer, a songwriter, a pianist and a bassplayer.

 

Dajla grew up in the West coast of France, raised by a Soul and R'n'B loving dad originally from Tunisia/Kabylia, and an American-Gypsy rock loving mum in the midst of the cool 1970's... 

She started playing Jazz and classical piano at the age of 6 at the local music college. She picked up the bass at 17 deeply influenced by her encounter with Angelo Moore from Los Angeles band Fishbone in 1992.

After a few years playing bass and keys for various bands in Paris and London and several trips to the US, she meets producer/drummer/guitarist/keyboardist Benji "Blow" Bouton on her return to France in 2004. Together they found what they'd been looking for…

 

Their love for Hip-Hop beats, P-funk, Soul, Blues, Jazz took them to another space, where music knows no boundaries… 

Dajla writes and rhymes to transcend the frustration, “ego trips” and alienation of a money driven world gone mad… Through her poetry and lyrics she states LOVE as the ultimate concept and viable alternative.




French producer Wax Tailor introduces them to his label in 2006 and "Soul Poetry", their first LP was released with Undercover Records in 2006, then a second time in Feb. 2007 with two bonus tracks.
Dajla & Benji Blow now, got a band together, where she plays bass and sings and have already performed at various festivals and in many countries from Africa to America and Europe. 

 
"One of the few artists able to challenge U.S. soul singers." (Liberation) 

"This album -a miracle of hypnotic soul- brings us the same soothing and peaceful feeling as Jill Scott's first opus did."

(Groove/album of the year)

"Dajla is following the steps of Erykah Badu and Portishead..." 

(Rap Mag) 

"This young prodigy is the nu-soul revelation of the year."
(Longueur d'Ondes)

Bonus & if you  want a really good sound download her 2 albums (Soul  Poetry & The Meaning Of Life)...Enjoy, especially 'Hold me' :)

DAJLA "The Motherland feat. Metropolis"