Artist description Josefus, led by Stephan 'Joseph' Maletto, is an Instrumental Artist project (some say Easy Listening or New Age) that can be described as sounding like Mike Oldfield for the guitar-driven melodies, Jean Michel Jarre for the inclusion of vintage keyboards, and Yanni for the orchestration. "Picture a guy like Pat Metheny playing Vangelis" Stephan says. "Simple guitar melodies with good rhythms. Pop sounding but very concert oriented."

Music Style Easy Listening - Instrumental Music - New Age

Musical Influences Yanni, Jean Michel Jarre, Mike Oldfield

Similar Artists Mike Oldfield, Jean Michel Jarre, Yanni

Artist History Stephan's musical background is extensive. He writes, produces and has performed music throughout world. In the eighties he was a guitarist and backup singer in a Motown quartet and a keyboard player in heavy metal outfits. In the early nineties he was in a folk/Irish duo on bass and a lead singer in alternative bands. Between 1982-1987 he was in a high school group with whom he toured various parts of Eastern and Western Europe, including the Soviet Union. His background also goes beyond the average musician, having been a music magazine publisher in Portland, ME, called cradle. For nearly two years the publication successfully promoted top local acts. Eventually Stephan returned to his first love. He also has other projects under different names, claiming to have 'multiple musical personalities.' Stephan was born to musical parents who played in a band together. His mother says when he was a child he never played with kid toys, instead he'd wake up early in the morning and either listen to records or play the piano. Stephan spent much time listening to his mother's 2,500+ records (she was also a DJ during the 70's) and acquiring musical knowledge from his father. His family moved to Maine in '82 where he grew up and learned to speak English, his native language being French which he still speaks fluently. He says his prime motivation is to inspire and be inspired, "Music is the only thing that nature cannot destroy. All that we make eventually goes away. But a song is passed on from ear to ear, mouth to mouth, and soul to soul." (v3)

Group Members Stephan Maletto

Instruments All

Albums Fade Intro Fade Outro

Press Reviews (review of the song "LIFE") Candle light and Sunrise - by Cabster, Riverside, California A lovely instrumental. Easy listening or background for a movie. The piano breaks were consistent with the theme, but an advancement to a 4 finger chord going back to the arrangement would have been nice (as if you asked for my collaboration!). Overall, an excellent effort...very well thought out and executed. I'll be sure to add this to my 5 out of 5 playlist, since that is what I give this song. Good luck in the contest! Extra Credit: Melody, Mood Special Award: Best Potential Movie Soundtrack ******************** (review of songs from 'FADE INTRO FADE OUTRO') by Darrell Burgan Columnist for www.soundmag.com Reviewer for www.godsofmusic.com - Hi Stephan, I have gone and listened to [some of] your tunes, and all I can say is WOW! You have a really unique sound, a blend of prog-ish rock and new age that I don't think I've ever heard before. Very very cool. Here are my thoughts about each one: "Fade Intro" - cool 6/8 beat, I love the mid-eastern sounding synth lead! This piece REALLY takes off in the middle, getting treacherously close to rock material (that's okay with me!!). Only suggestion is that it takes a little while to get to that middle part, would help if there was a secondary theme you can use as a bridge or somethin. "Free" - okay THIS is what I'm talking about. This is a WONDERFUL track, incredible blend of new age, electronic, and a Chris Isaak sounding lead guitar...incredible imagery in this piece (I LOVE the western deserts!) - got me feeling all dreamy. If I was still on MP3.com I'd host this one on my station in a heartbeat. Extraordinary, really! "Dream Piece" - oh yes....a gorgeous, PURE melody!!! It's so rare today to hear a new and unique, but pure melody, and you've achieved this one in spades my friend!! Oooh...I can hear a synthetic remix of this one - have you done remix collaborations before?!?? This is a gorgeous melody my friend.... "Stilldance" - very psychedelic piece. I love the tremelo panning effect on the.....what is that, a guitar??? :-) Oh, here comes a smooth guitar part....very lush. This is really an exotic piece, very unusual and distinctive. Only suggestion is that the hi-hat thing gets a bit hard on the ear after awhile. "The Unheard" - cool bright and shiny melody!! Love the rain fx in the background...oh and that lead guitar is beautiful...you can really make an electric guitar into something that is lush and sweet sounding, which is quite a task indeed. That piano patch is just too plastic for my tastes, though. An excellent piece!!! "Life" - a soft prog rock piece, to my ears. Very cool chord progression - and I love the melodic hook!!!!!! Oh yes, the interlude has begun - this is just fantastic my friend. I love the string accomp. - supports the melody beautifully. "You & I" - wow, a romantic spanish-sounding chord sequence played in electric guitar! A bit straightforward for my tastes genre-wise, but a very well done and well-written song!!! Please keep me informed when you have new music to hear! Darrell http://www.ampcast.com/palancar P.S. I love the photo of you in front of the Grand Canyon - very nice!! Is that the north rim? ******************** (email about the song "FREE") - "Oh my gosh! I LOVED 'Free' and have happily added it to my Instrumental Haven Station - an ear candy! It was such a pleasant surprise to hear something fresh, new AND yes, soothing." - Laurie (administrator for Instrumental Haven Station at Mp3.com) ******************** (review of the song "LIFE") A sweet lullaby, full of depth - by Chinowski, Los Angeles, California Sounds like soundtrack material. I really enjoyed the mood of this track. The first two minutes were especially engaging. Not usually my kind of music - but liked most of what I heard. Some of the transitions were a but awkward (the single key on the piano/keyboard) ,but it could be just a personal thing. Extra Credit: Melody ******************** (review of the song "LIFE") Review of Life - by Fullbright, Los Angeles, California Not bad for a score to a movie. Instruments were played well. Good composing and arranging. Extra Credit: Keyboards/Organ/Piano, Production Special Award: Best Potential Movie Soundtrack

Location Tempe, AZ - USA

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