Sunday, 25 January 2009

Songwriting Style

So what type of music is "Adult Contemporary", anyway? -- Well, it's what most people would call the mature alternative in music today.  You know, songs that don't have screaming vocals, ear-splitting guitar or 'Gangsta' Rap lines?  Just try to think of songs that target a more mature audience or market.  The 'canned' definition from Wikipedia is:  "Adult Contemporary music is a type of radio format that plays mainstream and pop music, except for hip-hop or rap since, as the name suggests, its geared more toward Adults than Teens".

As for my style of songwriting, I would suggest that it's a Jazz-Based version of the Adult Contemporary style.  You see, one of my favorite periods in music history was the late 70’s and early 80’s, when music was truly “music”.  You know, the kind of music that got your toe tapping, fingers snapping, and head swaying?  Well on this, my debut recording for Sun & Fish Records, I really wanted to take people back to that point in time, when music truly had a serious groove and song lyrics would spell out a positive message with meaning.  So for those of you who are as old (or older) than I am, I hope these songs bring back fond memories of music from a more youthful time.  And for my more “youthful” listeners, I hope my music turns your attention back to a period in music history that serves as the foundation for all of today’s major artists.

As for my main musical influences, I would say they include some of the best musical performers of the 70’s and early 80’s, to include:  Steely Dan;  Kalapana;  Michael Franks;  Shakatak;  Ambrosia;  Larry Carlton;  Al Jarreau;  Frankie Beverly & Maze;  The Doobie Bros.;  Kenny Rankin and Marvin Gaye.  Each of these artists provided me with some great musical education thru the years and I highly recommend purchasing any album you can find fromtheir catalogs!

Stay true to your Dreams,... Stay true to Yourself,... And always Stay Positive!!

-- Carlos J. Saldaña