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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2014
Groovexpress – ‘Ukrainian Doll’ Release
Lisa Williams PR
‘Ukrainian Doll’ is the latest release from internationally acclaimed band Groovexpress: an upbeat
and accessible fusion of blues, jazz, and funk that embodies the spirit of the great music icons of the
sixties, seventies, and beyond.
Yet while the album – a stunning collection of original material, composed and produced by New
Zealand born musical director, producer and guitarist, Mykeljon – certainly takes inspiration from
the traditional 'jazz standard' format that made Davis, Coltrane and others household names.
Alongside Mykeljon, ‘Ukrainian Doll’ features New Zealand compatriots ‘Haggis’ Maguiness,
harmonica; Ernest Semu, Hammond B-3, acoustic and electric pianos; and Bruce Kerr, bass; as well
as Los Angeles, CA-based saxophonist, Robert Kyle, and drummer/percussionist Isaac Sanchez.
Reflecting the deep experience of this group of musicians – whose members have shared both stage
and studio with artists diverse as multiple Grammy Award-winning vocalists Michael McDonald and
Linda Ronstadt, L A session legends John Ferraro and Pat Kelley, and the late Kiwi guitar virtuoso
Martin Winch – ‘Ukrainian Doll’ exudes a real ‘live’ energy; the passionate performances of the “allstar session that it is” (Nick DeRiso) captured on record with a rare transparency that transports this
six-piece combo straight into your lounge room.
Laying it down “right from the first”, the album opens with title track, ‘Ukrainian Doll’. Written by
Maguiness and Mykeljon, sax and harmonica jointly introduce the melody, before opening the floor
to the swirling sounds of Semu's B-3 organ. ‘Mi Bella Paola’ and 'No Way Home' continue the jazzfunk feel, with Kerr and Mykeljon’s catchy riffs interwoven with juicy horn lines from Kyle and
Maguiness. The gospel-influenced ‘I Say Praise’ is a “gorgeous reminiscence” which allows the
soloists pause for reflection, before launching into the stomping blues, 'Foxy Brown'.
The deep musicality of drummer and percussionist Sanchez is aptly showcased on the next track,
'Tell Me Why'. Consummated by some passionate solo moments and Kerr's nuanced fretless bass
work, Sanchez' lush yet spacious soundscape creates a twilit atmosphere. 'High Heels' signals a
return to a more metropolitan flavour, foreshadowing the fat urban groove of 'E Type Blues' and the
“attitude and gumption” of the pumping 'Pretty Little Thang'. Finally, in a nod to Mykeljon's songwriting talents, Groovexpress conclude the album with the Latin rock-influenced “You Are My
Fantasy”, featuring Mykeljon himself on vocals.
Recorded across two continents, yet masterfully capturing the energy of a live performance,
'Ukrainian Doll' is set to shake up the jazz/blues scene both in New Zealand and around the world.
Already making a name for themselves in New Zealand area for their musical tunes and high-energy
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shows, Groovexpress will be playing a number of gigs throughout the greater Auckland regions this
summer. So if groove is your thing, get some friends together, grab a ticket and hop aboard –
Groovexpress is not to be missed.
And the album’s title track? Haggis comments: “The title came about as a result of a couple of
coincidences happening in one day. Firstly, listening to some jazz radio station and the tune 'Satin
Doll' written by Duke Ellington came on. This has always been a favourite as it's one of the first jazz
tunes I learned when I was starting out musically on trumpet”. Later that evening he was watching
the news when a bulletin came on regarding some things happening in the Ukraine, meanwhile
'Satin Doll' was still echoing in his head, and it from those two things that he thought, 'Ukrainian
Doll'
‘Ukrainian Doll’ is now available to purchase from:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ukrainian-doll/id934190088
www.cdbaby.com/cd/groovexpress
http://amzn.com/B00OZY0NGI - Amazon
www.groovexpress.me - Official Website
For tour dates, bookings, and more info on Groovexpress, check out their page on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/groovexpress.nz
View the full 'Ukrainian Doll' review by Nick DeRiso (author & music critic, New York, NY) online at:
www.somethingelsereviews.com/2014/06/09/mykeljon-and-groovexpress-ukrainian-doll-2014/
“No matter whether these tracks’ moods are determined opening soloists, traveling solos, or the
tight harmonies of all the instruments working together, not one inch of the album feels muddled or
confused, and the travels we’re taken on as listeners aren’t only to the west coast or South America
or back to 1967, but are travels among the senses as well. The whole of Groovexpress’s Ukrainian
Doll pulses between that Latin sensuousness of skin, that blues, rock, traditional jazz sensuousness of
heart, and the brilliance of each musician’s mind as it connects to that of his instrument and the one
beside him” New York Music Critic - Alice Neiley - Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Cont.
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Recording Band
MYKELJON | musical director, composer, producer, arranger, guitars, vocals
With over 30 years as a professional musician, arranger, composer and producer, Mykeljon
graduated from the prestigious Queensland Conservatorium and founded his own commercial
production studio in Brisbane, Australia, working for over a decade before heading to Los Angeles,
CA – there, performing and recording with such talents as Andy Suzuki, John Ferraro, Ernest Tibbs
and Michito Sanchez. Mykeljon is currently producing and arranging material for his next solo album,
a follow-up to acclaimed 2012 release 'World Stood Still'.
DEREK 'HAGGIS' MAGUINESS | harmonicas
One of Australasia's finest harmonica players, 'Haggis' originally started his music career as a
trumpet player before picking up the 'harp' at the age of 17 – and he hasn't looked back since.
Equally proficient on both diatonic and chromatic harps, his raw musical talent, grit, and holistic
approach to music – drawing influence in genres from jazz and funk to blues, soul and rock – have
earned Maguiness his deserved reputation as an improvisational pioneer and true master of his
instrument.
ERNEST SEMU | piano, organ, keyboards, synths
A veteran of the Kiwi music scene, Ernest's talent has seen him share the stage with some of the
most recognisable names in New Zealand music, including Frankie Stevens, Tina Cross, Annie
Crummer and the late Sir Howard Morrison. A seminal member of infamous 1980's house band
Cairo, with numerous recording, performing and arranging credits to his name, Semu is in high
demand as a session player and solo artist, regularly appearing at Sky City and various venues
around Auckland, as well as touring in Japan and throughout the Pacific.
ROBERT KYLE | tenor sax
Known for his warm sound, melodic style, and ability to harmoniously cross musical borders, Robert
Kyle's lyricism and fluidity as a multi-instrumentalist have made him one of Los Angeles' most
respected musicians. A Yamaha artist, with nine albums to his own name, his performing and
recording credits include work with Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Seu Jorge,
Vince Gill, Linda Rondstadt, Jason Mraz, Chaka Khan and more, with live performances at the
Academy Awards, the Emmys, the BET Awards, and some of the largest jazz festivals and concert
stages in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
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BRUCE KERR | electric basses
A consummate musician with an impeccable sense of groove, Bruce Kerr has worked and toured
with a veritable list international entertainers, including Elaine Paige, Tim Rice, Shirley Bassey,
Michael Barrymore, Leo Sayer, Todd Rundgren, Roy Phillips and Bonnie Tyler, as well as a “who's
who” of New Zealand artists, from Tina Cross, Jackie Clark, Ray Columbus, Billy T James, Larry Morris
and The Yandell Sisters, to Rob Guest, John Rowles, Tommy Adderly, Suzanne Prentice, Martin
Winch, Frankie Stevens and Dame Malvina Major.
ISAAC SANCHEZ | drums, percussion
Carrying a pair of sticks in his hand since he was only 11 years old, Isaac Sanchez has honed his craft
as a freelance drummer and percussionist, contributing his deeply musical playing to jazz ensembles,
vocal jazz rhythm sections, and a number of independent artists and singer-songwriters, including
Raymond Gregory, Marcus Gerakos, Crystal Lewis, Hector Hermosillo, Emily Simonian, and Tyrone
Wells. With a strong background in gospel and Latin music, he has been fortunate to study and play
a variety of styles, renowned for his pursuit of authenticity in every project he undertakes.
END