About Band
Vancouver based, Dirty Bottom is a collaboration of reggae, jazz and soul, underscored with a trip-hop groove. The Meters meets Massive Attack for a backyard barbeque at the home of Isaac Hayes. Born out of the diverse musical backgrounds (and widespread geographic histories) of Langston’ Bella Coola Reggae’ Raymond, Brennan ‘Vancouver Jazz’ Saul and Shawn ‘Toronto Soul’ Hall.
The trio names Al Green, Sly Stone and the Meters as major influences. Langston Raymond includes '70s musicals on his list (his favourite being ‘All That Jazz’), Shawn Hall lists the entire Stax label catalogue and Brennan Saul-the only band member without an alias-cites jazz drummers Mel Lewis, Gene Krupa and Stevie Wonder as inspirations.
The self titled ‘Dirty Bottom’ studio album dropped in October of 2007. The album met with fantastic reviews across the board. From Victoria to New York. A tour to promote the album took the band all over Western Canada. The album charted in Earshot Magazine from April to September in several different markets and every song from the album has been played.
Latest news and touring info: Dirty Bottom showcased a performance at the New Music West festival in Vancouver in the late spring of 2008 and performed at the Discovery Coast Festival and Shambhala in the summer. Currently working on new material and playing locally at venues such as Falconetti’s on Commercial Drive.
Dirty Bottom is:
Langston 'Doc Ramone' Raymond : Guitar, trumpet, keyboards and vocals.
Shawn ‘Corduroy Kid’ Hall : Bass, harmonica, keyboards and vocals.
Brennan Saul: Percussion and drums.
Guest artists on the album and during live performances include:
Poet Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm - lyric contributions
Kilo Cee - DJ, Scratching, Beat-box
Serwan Yamolky - Oud (Middle Eastern Guitar)
Makela - Baritone sax
Edan Armstrong - Percussion
Mike Ackhurst – Vocals, animated lyrics and stage antics
Bianca Carli – Vocals, suggestive themes and performance art
Laura Crema - Vocals, smoky stage-presence and jazz diva 'oomph'
What the critics are saying:
“Funky fusion heads digging on albums such as Guru's Jazzmatazz would do well to check out this mega-smooth, super-tight and tasty local crew. Shawn Hall, Langston Raymond and Brennan Saul lay down dynamite grooves while an assortment of singers, players and MC/DJ Kilo-Cee layer on the love for songs such as the Middle Eastern tinged "Feel" or spliffed-out "Beep-Beep." With no shortage of ideas, textures and styles….” - Stuart Derdeyn – Vancouver Province
