Bass guitar / lead and backing vocals / Producer / Arranger / Lyricist
James, well known bass guitarist/vocalist throughout the Los Angeles california area is a proven musician. A great performer and a prolific songwriter, James bass guitar playing has often been compared to that of the great bass guitarist Randy Hope-Taylor of Incognito, and the funk jazz style of Marcus Miller. James diverse range in styles includes R&B, Reggae, Jazz, Pop, Gospel, Latin, Funk, African, Hip Hop to Dance.
Born and raised in Detroit Michigan, James started out playing the drums with several Detroit neighborhood bands from R&B to Gospel, then moving onto the bass guitar at an early age. James can remember being taught how to play the bass guitar from his 12 year old friend Jesse Smith. James was just 14 years old at that time.
James first bass guitar gig was with the "Sons of Fire", a garage band that never got out of the garage. From Detroit, James moved down to the Cleveland Ohio area where he began playing with the bands"
"Bustin' Loose" a 6pc band playing covers of Cameo, Bar-Kays, Parliment-Funkadelics, Slave..etc,.
"Fayze Band" a 6pc band playing covers and originals.
"The Score" a 5pc top 40 pop band playing rock n roll to soul r&b.
"By Design" James own original act, playing all of James written arrangement's.
James moved to Los Angeles california in 1990 playing with several hot original act like:
"Stevie Bensusan" a great songwriter and performer, who has worked with the artist "Anastacia".
"Buck Johnson" Great song writer and vocalist who now performs on keys with major recording artist Joe Walsh (rock n roll).
"Ali Handal" A funky rock n roll trio, Ali's cd "Dirty Little Secrets" went on to become the cd of the year in 2001 in the Independent record catagory. Look up Ali's website at alihandel.com
"Kenny Hudson" Latin/rock/african/jazz band "Caravana", Kenny has many well known jazz artists performing with him.
...and yes, Anastacia (Epic records) and I worked for 1 1/2 year in the funky band "The Kraze" before "Epic records (Sony) picked her from our band for her solo career.
James moved to Tallinn Estonia on the 13th of December 2002 where he can be seen in and around Tallinn Estonia with his 8pc high energy band "Lament" and 4pc "Toping" (a smaller act of Lament), playing R&B Funk some Reggae, Pop, some Latin, & RnR.
James has since his arrival to Estonia has been writing lyrics and music for a number of up and coming Estonian artists as well as the main band Lament.
James has introduced his own project "Plookie w/ Fire In Ice" reggae band to the Estonians as well as the Finnish/Latvian reggae music lscene. James delivers to you his all in the roots reggae vibe. With James "Plookie" writing all of the lyrics in the band, he brings to you a more concious and positive way of life through his vision.
James has lent his time writing lyric(s) for 2002 Latvian Eurovision winner Maria N. James wrote the lyrics to "Dreams They Do Come True" a bossa nova tune that is getting lots of airplay through out the airwaves in Latvia. James and Estonian producer Ivar Must (produced the music for Maria) have since collaborated together writing more songs for the Latvia star, as well as the up and coming Estonian vocalists.
James has since (his arrival to Estonia) been writing reggae hits that is getting lots of airplay on the Estonian reggae radio shows, while writing more RnB lyrics for a numerous of Estonians.
James discography:
Nona Gaye (daughter of the great Marvin Gaye)
"Love For The Future"
Third Stone/Atlantic Records 1992
The Good Girls
"All For Your Love"
Atlantic Records 1990
Hollywood, California
Delano
Motown 1993
Cherokee studios
Hollywood, California
Ali Handal
"Dirty Little Secrets"
Dessert First Records 1999
Mad Dog Studio
Burbank, California
"Dolphins"
A Macgillivray/Freeman film
Pangaea Records 2000
IMAX movie soundtrack
Laguna Beach, California
Dave Anderson
"This Is My Day Job"
Pookielissy Productions 2001
Laguna Hills, California
"Coral Reef"
A MacGillivray/Freeman film
Pangaea Records 2002
IMAX movie soundtrack
Laguna Beach, California
"Humanity Through Harmony"
featuring Dave Benton
Stars and Friends
Downtown studios
Tallinn, Estonia
Julia Boman
"Vagabond"
Cupp Recording studio
Tarrtu, Estonia
Gee & Mista
"Mobile riddim album"
featuring various International and Estonian artists
Lejal Genes productions
Tallinn, Estonia
James performances with other acts includes jazz standards to soul to hip hop to r&b to latin music.
Experience the energy and fun provided by a proven professional musician
Experience James!
5 string Spector bass guitar (Czech)
Eden 600 watt "Highwayman" amplifier, Eden 2x10 (ported) bass cabinet
Soon to come,my hand made bass guitar from Luthier "Pavel De LeFuentes",
Pavel Jazz pro 5 deluxe bass guitar.
www.pavelmi.com
