Jan 2nd ‘09 - The STARZ! original series of ‘Crash’ will close the episode entitled, ‘Ring Dings’ with the 60 Channels track ‘Black Rush’ featuring vocals by Angie Hart (Frente!) from the album, ‘Covert Movements.’ 60 Channels is a second artist project created and produced by The Angel.

Another year end shout out goes to Glen Mazzara, creator of the series…

Angie Hart records the evocative vocals on 'Black Rush'

“When I wrote this song, I had Angie’s voice in my head, knowing that she would draw in the listener with a beautiful and intimate performance… bringing the lyrics to life”. - The Angel

60 Channels 'Covert Movements' album art

As the year draws to a close, and I have a minute to think back over 2008, I’ve realized something I’d kind of blanked on, while it was happening. During the presidential race, I made it a daily habit of watching Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. I kept thinking that she seemed really familiar, but I couldn’t place it right away…

It took me a minute to realize that it was Rachel, who interviewed me back in ‘04 on Air America along with director, Bart Everly, about the documentary film, “Let’s Get Frank.” I scored the film about Congressman Barney Frank and his role in the Clinton Impeachment hearings… So we talked about the differences between scoring a scripted project versus a documentary.

Rachel has earned one of my ‘08 shout outs for telling it like is, questioning the absurdities of every day life in politics and helping maintain a level of sanity out there in the big bad world. So thanks, Rachel… and it was nice to meet you.

Digging through the archives, we found a photo from that interview…

L-R The Angel, Rachel Maddow, Bart Everly

Let's Get Frank @ Film Forum July 14 '04

Now available on iTunes - The Bristol Remixes by DJ Die, SUV, Flynn & Flora & More Rockers

Last Friday I had a thing or two to say on the Taste Vs Technique panel at Remix Hotel LA… The other panelists were Ken Andrews, Squeak E. Clean, Sid Roams (Joey Chavez & Uno Bravo) and Evan Taubenfeld. Everyone has strengths and achievements working in different genres from pop to hip hop to rock and then of course there’s me… It’s interesting that no matter how different our interests and backgrounds are, our collective message that being self taught as programmers, writers, producers, composers and musicians hasn’t hindered our creative process… or our ability to excel in the industry. But it wasn’t all so serious and heady. We did manage to have a good laugh as you can see from a rare smiley pic below…

Squeak E Clean, The Angel and Ken Andrews

The Angel, Ken Andrews, Uno Bravo and Joey Chavez (Sid Roams)

Sneakin’ out of the cave briefly this Friday… speaking on a panel where artists, producers and session players face off about musicianship versus musical feel…

As a completely self taught programmer, writer, producer and composer, I definitely have a personal perspective on what can be achieved regardless of the way “it’s normally done”… So come by if you’re in town.

SAE Los Angeles, 6565 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 100, Hollywood California.

For more info on Remix Hotel Los Angeles, click here:

Firmly ensconced in finishing the album… This week DJ Drez dropped in to add cuts ‘n flava to a couple of tracks. We always have such a laugh working together, exchanging techie, geeky tips, talkin’ yoga and other practices for staying sane in the membrane - and on this occasion texting a happy birthday message to Ab Rude. Here’s a peak into this session…

The film struck such a chord with the UK’s youth in ‘06 when it was first released, but it’s only just getting a U.S. release this month and it will be fresh to an American audience. There is still much nostalgia for the film in the UK, with both “WEST 10 LDN” airing this year by the same production team of director, Menhaj Huda and writer, Noel Clarke (myself included as composer) and the film’s sequel, “AdULTHOOD”, which built on “KiDULTHOOD’s” success and took it into the top 10 UK box office for a month this past summer…

So with renewed excitement about the film, I revisited the opening theme and looked for a way to bring it up front and in your face for ‘08. This time it doesn’t need to sit behind dialogue, setting the tone for the film, it can just stand loud and proud… When I was in the process of writing and recording the score for the film, I was working in LA, uploading quicktime movies for the director, Menhaj Huda to download and check out while he was in London. After an initial batch of cues I had a good feel for Huds’ (Menhaj Huda’s) sensibilities and when I sent him the quicktime movie with the original theme, I could hear the excitement in his voice as he said “I can’t wait to open my film with this piece of music”. Well, now - rewind and come again… with a fresh take.