Gonzo, a Southern California based solo artist and newest member of Tribal Seeds, has recently announced the release date for his sophomore solo album, RED. Set for Tuesday, June 3rd, the soulful roots musician wisely chose to drop the new music just as the post-Cali Roots nationwide tours begin and summer starts to really heat up.
According to Gonzo, work on RED began as they recorded “Sweet Motion” off his December 2012 debut album, Rocksteady. However, since then, Gonzo has added some HIGH-end talent as the lead guitarist and backup vocalist for what he refers to as Reggae’s “Dream Team” in San Diego’s Tribal Seeds. Although Gonzo has stayed very musically active, progress on the album was put on hold as he began touring the nation with his newest band. The announcement of his latest album release came just days after completion of Tribal Seeds’ Representing 2014 Spring Tour with New Kingston and Inna Vision.
[Related: Tribal Seeds Representing 2014 Spring Tour]
E.N Young and Alex Gammill, two members of the recently completed tour, helped produce Red. The tracks, “Good Lovin’” and “Miss Mary,” were produced by E.N, another 2013 acquisition for Tribal Seeds. Alex, who plays bass for Beyond I Sight and recently toured with the Tribal Seeds family as their sound tech, did production on the rest of the album at his in-house Roots In Peace Studio. Keeping with the same format as his previous release, Red features 9 tracks that were mastered at E.N’s Imperial Sound Recording Studio.
The album features guest appearances by E.N Young, Koa of Inna Vision, Pedro of True Press, along with Gonzo’s studio and backing band, Beyond I Sight. Album art was once again provided by Tommy Rocksit of Riverside, California. “I named it ‘RED’ for a few reasons… I thought it was appropriate for the cover,” says Gonzo. “Also because Pablo Picasso went through a ‘Blue’ period. This is Gonzo’s ‘RED’ phase. A phase of love… Most of the tracks are love songs or about love making.”
Gonzo will once again be busy all summer long as the relentless roots musician recently collaborated on a track with upcoming east coast female artist, Leilani Wolfgramm. For those who missed it, he also landed a few features on Tribal Seeds’ newest album, Representing.
[Related: Tribal Seeds New Album Representing]
Just announced were the dates for Tribal Seeds’ Representing 2014 Summer Tour with New Kingston and The Expanders. In between all that, make sure to also keep an eye out for new show dates with Gonzo backed by Beyond I Sight, courtesy of Rude Entertainment Productions.
Gonzo – Red tracklist:
1.) Fallin’ (feat E.N Young of Tribal Seeds)
2.) Good Lovin’ (feat Beyond I Sight)
3.) Runnin’
4.) Couldn’t Take My love (feat Pedro of True Press)
5.) Miss Mary (feat Beyond I Sight)
6.) Give It Up
7.) Roots Woman (feat E.N Young of Tribal Seeds)
8.) Highway
9.) Roots it Up (feat Koa of Inna Vision)
Gonzo w/ Beyond I Sight upcoming shows:
May 25th @ California Roots Festival (Sunday). Monterey, CA.
June 5th @ Sound Pot. Phoenix, AZ. (w/ Kush County Music)
June 6th @ Hydra. Long Beach, CA. (w/ The Expanders & Guided Ites)
June 8th @ Brooklyn Bowl. Las Vegas, NV.
Gonzo Links:
Gonzo Facebook
Tribal Seeds Website
Roots Musician Records
Article & Photo by: David Garcia
Watch: Gonzo & Beyond I Sight – Good Loving
Watch: Gonzo & Beyond I Sight – Intro/Roots It Up
Watch: Gonzo & Beyond I Sight – Smooth Operator