We are so happy to be featured on CBS TV Austin’s Music Monday today. This is one of Moe’s tracks from his forthcoming album coming in November from Music4Life. You can click the photo above or this link to watch his performance.
Our new single from Moe will be released on Friday, July 10, 2020. The song is called Agriculture and features General Smiley.
(AUSTIN, TEXAS – JULY 10, 2020; source: Music4Life) – Austin-based record label Music4Life releases new reggae single, “Agriculture.” Alan Moe Monsarrat (The Lotions, I-Tex, Mau Mau Chaplains) and singer General Smiley (Studio One, 1/2 of “Michigan & Smiley”) have come together to encourage others to start growing their own food and decrease their dependence on commercially grown food. The video will be released on Friday, June 10th on the Music4Life YouTube.
Alan Moe Monsarrat was inspired to write this song based on a conversation with a Rastaman in Jamaica: “Some years ago, my girlfriend Angela and I were in Negril, Jamaica sitting in a seaside bar. The bar was playing a Mau Mau Chaplains CD on their system. While we were sitting there an elderly Rasta gentleman came by to say he loved it and we started to talk with him. Being well aware of the rampant hunger which exists there, I asked him why more people didn’t grow food in such fertile soil? The Rastaman told me the Christian preachers tell the people not to worry about doing that because “Jesus is coming and He will take care of them.” The Rastaman said the youths should get off the couch and do a likkle farmin’.”
“It’s been a long time since the people were fighting for the freedom of marijuana in Jamaica, so when it was finally decriminalized, I thought all I need is one acre to plant my own,” said General Smiley.
“When Moe brought me this concept, it really resonated with me. I know many of us have no idea how our food is produced. One of the ways we can help people take control of their diet and what they put into their body is to encourage people to connect to the Earth and grow their own food,” said Music4Life owner, R.J. Johnson.
This is the 2nd song that Moe and General Smiley have produced with Music4Life together after their 2018 song and video, Under The Overpass. Both songs will be included on Moe’s solo reggae album coming later this year from Music4Life.
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Alan Moe Monsarrat: lead and background vocals, bass guitar, lyrics
Errol Bennett aka General Smiley: Vocals and lyrics
R.J. Johnson: keyboards and drum programming, background vocals, recording engineer, final mix, videography
Marc Schaefgen: guitar
Ras Gilbert: kette drum, cabasa, tambourine
Mark Wilson: saxophone
Micah Shalom: trumpet, trombone
Chris Fischer: mastering
Zach Jones: graphic design
Annie Spratt: photography
Zojak Worldwide: digital distribution
Shay & Tom Taylor: videography and video editing
Thank you for supporting our work!
The latest single from Phillipidon, Special was released on Friday, March 6th.
According to Phillipidon:
“Special is about a spunky, beautiful lady who’s like a breath of fresh air, and who constantly energizes your daily activities like a merry muse.”
The song Special has been featured in the live set of Music4Life for the last couple years. Releasing Special allows his international fanbase an opportunity to enjoy the song as well including his monthly performance at Jamaica Live concert series in Kingston.
The riddim track was created by musician Marc Schaefgen and @DJRJ with Marc on bass and guitar and RJ handling keys, drums and engineering. Horns were provided by some of Austin’s finest horn players: Darren Conway on trombone (also a band member), Tom Robinson on saxophone, who we have worked with since the 90s, and Jeff Lofton, who’s been recognized several times by the Austin Chronicle as the jazz musician of the year.
Music4Life will perform Special with Phillipidon at the SXSW 2020 Reggae Day Party at Flamingo Cantina on Tuesday, March 17th at 5:00 PM with the Music4Life band, which also features one of Austin’s veteran reggae singers, Alan “Moe” Monsarrat of the Mau Mau Chaplains, formerly with I-Tex and The Lotions.
Production Credits:
Phillipidon (Philip White): lyrics, lead and background vocals
R.J. Johnson: keyboards, drum programming, background vocals, engineer, final mix
Marc Schaefgen: bass guitar, electric guitar
Angel Austin: background vocals
Alan “Moe” Monsarrat: background vocals
Trombone: Darren Conway
Trumpet: Jeff Lofton
Saxophone: Tom Robinson
Chris Fischer, Critical 1 Studios: Mastering
We’re very excited to be featured on the 2019 SxSW Official Reggae Showcase at Flamingo Cantina on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. For more info, you can check their website.
Here’s the full schedule for that evening:
8:00 PM – Music4Life featuring Moe & Phillipidon
9:00 PM – Roots From The Clay
10:00 PM – Lion Heights
11:00 PM – Spiritual & The Oufah Band
12:00 AM – General Smiley & Lakandon
1:00 AM – Stonebwoy
Moe and General Smiley are attempting to convey the plight of so many elderly homeless people on the streets. It’s something we see too often. While solutions to this problem are difficult to devise and implement, it is our hope that our song will call attention to it and provoke positive change. The song was inspired by a woman named Shirley who is homeless in Austin and she is featured in the video which was released by Music4Life on October 19, 2018.
Production Credits:
Alan “Moe” Monsarrat: lead vocals, bass guitar
R.J. Johnson: keyboards and acoustic drums, recording engineer
Marc Schaefgen: guitar
JaRon Marshall: keyboards
Mario Vela: percussion
Kim Pollini: background vocals
Chris Fischer: Mastering
Steven Stanley: Mixing
Big thanks to Ras Gilbert for linking us with General Smiley.
Smooth Sailing is our 2nd release from Alan Moe Monsarrat and was released on Friday, May 25, 2018. It was written by Curly Putman and Sonny Throckmorton, and Moe had this to say about the song:
“I’ve always loved the song and since Sonny is my dear friend I decided to cover a few of his tunes reggae style. This track has a definitive ‘80s dancehall rhythm with the beautiful melody floating above it. Sonny loves it and we hope you do too. I bet you could sing a baby to sleep with this one.”
This is the first release from a forthcoming tribute EP tentatively called Thank You Sonny that we’re working on.
Production Credits:
Alan “Moe” Monsarrat: lead vocals, bass and electric guitar
R.J. Johnson: keyboards and drum programming, recording and final mix
Marc Schaefgen: ukulele
Mark Wilson: flute solo
JaRon Marshall: keyboards
Ras Gilbert: percussion
Kim Pollini: background vocals
Chris Fischer: Mastering
You can order on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2KjKF91
You can order from iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/smooth-sailing-single/1384024558
Only Jah Loves Them All, a new single and video from Alan Moe Monsarrat & Phillipidon was released on Friday, November 3, 2017.
In the lyrics, the message of His universal and unending love for all His children is revealed. We are all His children, young and old and of all colors. He is capable of this love that we can only aspire to. Let us all be encouraged to be more like H.I.M.
TRACK LISTING:
Production Credits:
Alan “Moe” Monsarrat: bass and electric guitar
R.J. Johnson: acoustic drums, keyboards, programming and engineering Marc Schaefgen: guitar
Micah Shalom: coronet, slide trombone
Steven Stanley, Kingston, Jamaica: mixing, percussion
Chris Fischer, Critical 1 Studios, NYC: Mastering
Distribution by Zojak Worldwide
Production Credits:
Lead Vocals: Devine Songz
Background Vocals:
John Patterson: keyboards and programming
R.J. Johnson: keyboards and programming, engineering Josh Mouton, Kris Brown
Umberto Echo, Munich Germany: mixing
Chris Fischer, Critical 1 Studios, NYC: Mastering
We’re proud to announce the Weirdo Riddim from Music4Life, released on Friday, February 24th 2017. This release features some of Austin’s best talent along with artists from the Caribbean as well. It is available on all major digital stores and streaming services worldwide and can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon. Big thanks for DJ Faya Gong from France for putting together the sampler mix above.
Production Credits:
John Patterson: keyboards and programming
R.J. Johnson: keyboards and programming, engineering
Josh Mouton, Kris Brown, Paul Pollini: guitars
Umberto Echo, Munich Germany: mixing
Chris Fischer, Critical 1 Studios, NYC: Mastering
Isn’t It Wonderful, from reggae singer Thriller U, is about the joy one feels when they are loved and and are able to love that person in return. It’s available now on Amazon & iTunes:
Production Credits:
John Patterson: keyboards and programming
R.J. Johnson: keyboards and programming, engineering
Josh Mouton, Kris Brown, Paul Pollini: guitars
Umberto Echo: mixing
Chris Fischer, Critical 1 Studios, NYC: Mastering
Art: Fuman Studios
