Legendary session players join The Friend of Africa song project
The Friend of Africa, a world music influenced pop-rock song co-written by award winning biographer, Kevin Belmonte and Boston-based performing Songwriter Steve Kercher, will feature the participation of legendary bassist Abe Laboriel and popular session drummer John Robinson. The recording session took place on 30 July in Los Angeles. The song is scheduled for a September 2007 release through Kercher's Cartwheel Galaxy label, and will benefit Africa aid organisations.
The Friend of Africa is lyrically based on the abolitionist struggle of nineteenth century British statesman, William Wilberforce. Kevin Belmonte is the author of the award winning biography, Hero For Humanity: the Life of William Wilberforce.
Laboriel has more than 3,000 sessions and appearances on more than 600 albums to his credit. He has collaborated with such renown artists as Ella Fitzgerald, John Denver, Michael Jackson, Joe Pass, Stevie Wonder, Joan Baez, Clint Black, Christina Aguilera, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Ziggy Marley, and k.d. lang.
Some of the hit songs that Robinson has performed on include We Are The World, All Night Long by Lionel Richie, I'm So Excited and Slow Hand by the Pointer Sisters, Higher Love and Back In The Highlife by Steve Winwood, Express Yourself by Madonna, Off The Wall and Bad by Michael Jackson, Change The World by Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones' The Dude, Q's Jook Joint and From Q With Love and Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company. Robinson is currently on tour with Barbara Streisand in Europe.
The song is being produced by Kercher and Marty Walsh. Walsh is the former guitarists for the legendary Rock band Supertramp. He has played on gold and platinum selling recordings for several artists including Leann Rimes, Eddie Money and Donna Summer. He has worked with producer Michael Omartian and has performed and written for television and movies. Walsh will perform lead guitar on The Friend of Africa.
Cartwheel Galaxy is dedicating 10% of immediate gross revenues as well as 50% of net profits from the sale of the song to an Africa aid relief organisation (to be announced). For more information, visit www.skband.net.
Source: eMediaWire.com
