Tessera by Christos DC
Christos DC’s fourth album release Tessera (the number four in Greek), mines the deepest wells of reggae’s talent pools, while highlighting a diverse range of styles. The heavyweight first single from the album, “Speak the Fire,” features up-and-coming Bulgarian artist Zafayah and the production powerhouse unit The Skankin Monks. It was released in April and the video, which premiered on Reggaeville, was filmed entirely in Goa, India. Christos also teams up with Akae Beka (Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite) on the impassioned tune “What is Happening,” and leads the powerful anthemic collaboration “Communion” with Harrison Stafford, the voice of Groundation, and Kenyatta Hill, son of the legendary Joseph Hill of Culture. Paying homage to musical inspirations and heritage beyond the reggae world, he offers an emotional cover of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold;” a rocksteady rendition of the obscure Nina Simone gem “The Desperate Ones;” and a roots reggae take on the classic Greek tune “Ρολόι κομπολόι (Watch Rosary)” embellished with epic horn and flute arrangements.
Other standout tracks include the lyrical, bass-rich “Say What You Want” and “Pressure” – both of which were mixed by Dub mixologist Tippy I Alfred of I Grade Records and Zion I Kings collective. The last tune on the album and the only instrumental, “Boots and Tie,” features Christos playing talk box guitar over a rare Sly & Robbie / Taxi Gang track originally recorded at Channel One Studios in 1980.
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Tracklist
| 1. | feat, Zafayah, The Skankin Monks - Speak The Fire | 4:25 |
| 2. | feat. The Skankin Monks - Human Dignity | 3:13 |
| 3. | Life | 4:06 |
| 4. | The Desperate Ones | 3:46 |
| 5. | Come Along | 0:56 |
| 6. | Ρολόι κομπολόι | 3:09 |
| 7. | Say What You Want | 4:24 |
| 8. | feat. Akae Beka - What Is Happening | 3:37 |
| 9. | Pressure | 4:48 |
| 10. | Heart Of Gold | 3:43 |
| 11. | feat. Harrison Stafford, Kenyatta Hill - Communion | 3:31 |
| 12. | Boots & Tie | 3:27 |
Credits
SPEAK THE FIRE Zafayah, Skankin Monks
(C. Vrenios, P. Zafirov, Skankin Monks)
Vocals: Christos DC & Zafayah, Drums & Percussion: Chris Elandt, Bass & Guitar: Mike Knabe, Keys: Sander Baas, Chant by Sadhu Ananda
HUMAN DIGNITY The Skankin Monks
(C. Vrenios, Skankin Monks)
Vocals: Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Chris Elandt, Bass & Guitar: Mike Knabe, Keys: Sander Baas,
Sax: Rob Berends, Trombone: Obed Brinkman, Trumpet: Ruud Kleiss
LIFE
(C. Vrenios)
Vocals: Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Joslyn "Speckle" McKenzie, Bass & Guitar: Christos DC, Keys: Earl “Mitch” Michelin, Sax: Brian Falkowski, Trumpet: Joseph Brotherton
THE DESPERATE ONES
(E.Blau, G. Jouanest, M. Shuman) * Inspired by Nina Simone’s rendition from the album “Nina Simone and Piano.”
Vocals: Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Joslyn "Speckle" McKenzie, Bass: Dwayne Clunie, Guitar: Christos DC, Keys: Earl “Mitch” Michelin, Sax: Brian Falkowski, Trombone: Brian Priebe, Trumpet: Joseph Brotherton
COME ALONG
(C. Vrenios)
Vocals: Christos DC, Drums: Joslyn "Speckle" McKenzie, Drum programing & all additional instruments
by Christos DC
ΡΟΛΌΙ-ΚΟΜΠΟΛΌΙ (WATCH-ROSARY)
(A. Bakritzi, G. Bithikotsis)
Vocals: Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Kenneth Joseph, Bass: Pierre Stone, Rhythm Guitar: Christos DC,
Acoustic Guitar: Gregory “Tanash” Tanyi, Keys & Drum Programming: Darryl “Trane” Burke, Flute & Sax:
Brian Falkowski, Trombone: Brian Priebe, Trumpet: Joseph Brotherton
SAY WHAT YOU WANT
(C. Vrenios)
Vocals: Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Leslie “BLACKSEED” James Jr., Bass: Dwayne Clunie, Guitar & Talk Box: Christos DC, Keys: Darryl “Trane” Burke & Earl “Mitch” Michelin, Sax: Brian Falkowski, Trumpet: Joseph Brotherton
WHAT IS HAPPENING Akae Beka
(C. Vrenios, V. Benjamin)
Vocals: Akae Beka & Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Leslie “BLACKSEED” James Jr., Bass, Guitar & Organ Guitar: Christos DC, Keys: Darryl “Trane” Burke, Organ Bubble: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred
PRESSURE
(C. Vrenios, Jah Pelikaho, L. Dunbar, R. Shakespeare)
Vocals: Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Leslie “BLACKSEED” James Jr, Bass, Guitar: Christos DC, Keys: Darryl “Trane” Burke, Organ Bubble: Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred, Sax: Herb Scott, Trumpet: Joseph Brotherton
HEART OF GOLD
(N. Young)
Vocals: Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Leslie “BLACKSEED” James Jr, Bass: Stephen "Big Yard" Samuels, Guitar, Harmonica & Juice Harp: Christos DC, Piano & Organ: Darryl “Trane” Burke, Clavinet & Organ: Earl "Mich" Michelin, Sax: Herb Scott
COMMUNION Harrison Stafford, Kenyatta Hill
(C. Vrenios, A. Hill, H. Stafford)
Vocals: Christos DC, Kenyatta Hill & Harrison Stafford, Drums & Percussion: Joslyn "Speckle" McKenzie, Bass: Pierre Stone, Guitar: Christos DC & Eduardo G., Keys: Darryl “Trane” Burke, Earl “Mitch” Michelin, Sax: Megan Nortrup, Trombone: Paul Hamilton III
BOOTS & TIE
(C. Vrenios, B. Phillips, L. Dunbar, R. Shakespeare)
Vocals & Juice Harp: Christos DC, Drums & Percussion: Lowell “Sly” Dunbar, Bass: Robert “Robbie” Shakespeare, Guitar: Willie Lindo & Christos DC, Keys: Robbie Lyn, Darryl “Trane” Burke, sax: Brian Falkowski, Trombone: Ronald “Nambo” Robinson, Trumpet: Joseph Brotherton
All songs produced by Christos DC & Darryl “Trane” Burke except tracks #1, 2 *(produced by Christos DC & The Skankin Monks).
Track #5 produced by Christos DC
All songs recorded at Honest Music Studio by D. Burke & C. Vrenios except tracks #1,2 & 12
Recorded & Mixed by Skankin Monks at De Geluiderij Studio, Amsterdam, NL #1, 2, 3 ,4
Recorded at Channel One Studio by Anthony “Soljie” Hamilton #12
Mixed by Frank Marchand at Hudson Street Sound #12
Mixed by Thomas Blondet at Rhythm & Culture Studio #5
Mixed by Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred at Aqua Sounds Studio, STX #6,7,8,9,10,11
Mastered by Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred at Aqua Sounds Studio, STX
Publishers: Honest Music DC (ASCAP), Schethlya Publishing (BMI), King Bebo (ASCAP), okt (BMI)
Artwork by Maria Papaefstathiou www.itsjustme.net
Executive Produced by Honest Music
Honest Music ©℗ 2017 www.honestmusicdc.com | www.christosdc.com
License
All rights reserved.Tags
Christos DC was born and raised in Washington, D.C., by parents who sang opera and taught voice professionally.
A deep appreciation for the sounds coming out of Kingston, Jamaica led him to produce and record w/ legends Sly & Robbie, The Itals, Augustus Pablo, Sugar Minott, Don Carlos of Black Uhuru, Thievery Corporation & more.