The titans of American rock known as
Black Merda have released a new offering for fans new and old,
“Forward from the Past.” The milestone LP includes 12 original
Black Merda tracks for a listening time approaching a full hour. It
has been proudly published on the Third Child Productions Inc.
independent record label. It is the eighth offering from the group
since their self-titled debut on Chess Records in 1970. Featuring
razor-sharp instrumentation, socially conscientious songwriting, and
that classic Detroit funk-rock sound the band helped innovate nearly
fifty years ago, “Forward from the Past” stands as proof that
Black Merda can slay with the best of them in the 21st
century.
Black Merda cite as artistic influences
Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, Sly Stone, James Brown, and Freddie King.
They also cite as a major influence simply, “being from Detroit,
Motown.”
The Motor City funk-rock crew have
influenced far more musicians than can feasibly have influenced Black
Merda, themselves, however, and this influence may seem stronger
today than ever before.
“There's many young people who's
starting to really appreciate the heartfelt music of the past,”
write Black Merda. “We want to lead the way in keeping it alive.”
Fans of the group will note that
“Forward from the Past” maintains a steady course from 2009's
“Force of Nature” while incorporating more contemporary digital
music methods at the same time. The result is a rock record with
soul, groove, rhythm, and plenty to say to audiophiles of every age
and creed.
“The title of the album is 'Forward
from the Past,'” note Black Merda. “We want to keep elements of
the past in the now and future.” They describe the record's aim as
“trying not to lose the realness of live music while mixing in some
of the sequenced sounds of today.”
Black Merda began in the mid-1960s and
reunited in 2005. Today they are original members Charles Hawkins,
Anthony Hawkins, and VC L. Veasey. They survive drummer Tyrone Hite
who passed away in 2004. They have shared the stage with the likes of
Edwin Starr (“War”), Gene Chandler (the Duke of Earl), Wilson
Pickett, the Spinners, the Artistics, Billy Butler, the Chi-Lites,
Joe Tex, Jackie Wilson, the Temptations, Eric Burdon (the Animals)
and War. Their story is a legitimate part of music history.
More recently, Black Merda were sampled
by Ja Rule in 2005 and by Kanye West in 2009. The Detroit Metro Times
named the Merda's 1970 track, “Cynthy-Ruth” as one of the 100
Greatest Detroit Songs Ever. The track was also featured in the HBO
documentary, “The Nine Lives Of Marion Barry” (2009). Spinner.com
featured Black Merda in their 2010 article, “In Living Color: 20
Important Black Rockers Past and Present.” Their 2009 reunion LP's
chief single, “Take A Little Time,” was re-released on Mojo
Magazine's 2010 compilation, “Heavy Soul.” The Detroit Metro
Times also revisited Black Merda in 2010 by choosing their
self-titled 1970 debut album as one of “Detroit's Greatest Hits
that Should Have Been” (10 November 2010, Music Issue).
“Forward from the Past” by Black
Merda from Third Child Productions is available online worldwide from
over 600 quality digital music stores now. Get in early, funk fans
and fans of the Detroit rock sound everywhere.
-S. McCauley
Lead Press Release Writer
“Forward from the Past” by
Black Merda –
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