Artist description Rooted in D.C.s R&B/ funk tradition, Bottomland plays their own brand of earthy, soulful, highly danceable music, with a vibe all their own -

Music Style R&B/World/Jazz

Musical Influences Police/Sting, EarthWind&Fire, Cassandra Wilson, Vinx, Seal, Weather Report, Steely Dan, Heart, Salif Keta

Similar Artists Seal, EarthWind&Fire, Cassandra Wilson,

Artist History I woke up one sunny morning in June of 1996 with a rare, clear memory from a dream. The memory came in the form of serene knowledge ... a simple certainty that I wanted to start a band. As I lay in bed absorbing sunlight like a leaf, I realized that the concept was present almost fully formed in my mind. I knew the band's name. I knew the band should have soaring female lead vocals with harmonies, guitar, bass, keys, and at least one horn. It should have 3 or more percussionists playing African and Latin percussion instruments and it would not always use a

Group Members Matt Jones, keys & percussion; Amikaeyla Gaston, lead vocals; Anderson Allen, percussion; Clifton Brockington, trumpet, vocals: Franz Kellner, bass; Wendy Lanxner, flute, vocals; Ekendra Das, drums & percussion; Saleem Waters, percussion; and 10-year-old Anton Kellner, percussion

Instruments Lead & Backup Vocals, Keyboards/Piano, Flute, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Conga, Djembe, African & Latin Percussion

Albums Feet of Clay, 1999

Press Reviews BOTTOMLAND "Feet of Clay" Independent By Mike Joyce Friday, July 16, 1999; Page N08 Bottomland is an apt name for a group that brings in the funk on the ground level, reveling in polyrhythmic percussion and percolating bass lines. Hovering over the earthy grooves (or sometimes punctuating them) is a colorful weave of sounds -- flute, trumpet, keyboards, guitars, fiddle and, best of all, singer Amikaeyla Gaston's sinuous voice, sultry and spirited by turns. Some of the tunes on the band's new album evoke the influence of early fusion jazz -- and not just because trumpeter Clifton Brockington displays a knack for recalling Miles Davis's soulful lyricism on "Ah Jua," "Sunlight Underwater" and other tracks. The fusion influence is also evident in the band's frequently spiritual and romantic lyrics. But because there's nothing that sounds particularly dated or conspicuously retro on the album, it's easy to imagine Bottomland enhancing a world beat concert or comfortably filling out a contemporary jazz bill or even opening for a bunch of neo-funk rockers like the Dave Matthews Band. Rhythmic drive is a powerful common denominator, after all. Nine members strong, the band produced its debut album with the help of some talented guests, including former Trapezoid fiddler Cheryl Hurwitz and local guitar virtuoso Al Petteway. The result is an ensemble quite capable of soothing souls and stirring feet at the same time. Appearing Tuesday at Blues Alley. To hear a free Sound Bite from Bottomland, call Post-Haste at 202/334-9000 and press 8123. (Prince William residents, call 690-4110.) © Copyright 1999 The Washington Post Company

Location Arlington, VA - USA

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