released March 15, 2024 Credits: Ari Joshua - Guitar Skerik - Saxophone Delvon Lamarr - Keyboards Grant Schroff - Drums Tracking Engineer - Mell Dettmer, Studio Soli Overdub Engineer - Jason Gray, Blue Mallard Recording Mixing Engineer - Jason Gray, Blue Mallard Recording Mastering Engineer - Doug Krebs, Doug Krebs Mastering

Music Factory Records

released March 15, 2024 Credits: Ari Joshua - Guitar Skerik - Saxophone Delvon Lamarr - Keyboards Grant Schroff - Drums Tracking Engineer - Mell Dettmer, Studio Soli Overdub Engineer - Jason Gray, Blue Mallard Recording Mixing Engineer - Jason Gray, Blue Mallard Recording Mastering Engineer - Doug Krebs, Doug Krebs Mastering

Music Factory Records Announces New Single "Rare Groove" March 15th featuring Ari Joshua, Skerik, Delvon Lamarr, & Grant Schroff Music Factory Records is excited to announce the release of "Rare Groove," the newest single from an all-star cast of musicians. The single features composer Ari Joshua on guitar, Delvon Lamarr on Hammond organ, Skerik on sax, and Grant Schroff on drums.

The timeless quartet form a tight-knit ensemble with the ease and comfort of a familiar local crew. As with the previous batch of releases, the whole band plays as one unit. Lamarr’s warm organ sound and the light crunch of Joshua’s guitar sit above the rhythm section locked in the pocket. Skerik’s stellar saxophone phrasing paints vivid pictures all around the groove. For this recording, the sources of the fat tone are at once in the instruments, the hands of the players, and a rare form of recording process. Only high-quality ‘vintage only’ audio equipment was used both by Studio Soli for tracking & by Blue Mallard Studios for all the mixing. Mastering was done by Doug Kreb’s Mastering Company and the artwork created by Deep Groove Designs. The bass line, guitar riffs, and sax lines come together to create a sonic masterpiece that moves listeners to the groove — from start to finish.

With over a quarter of a million spins thanks to editorial recommendations from Apple Music, Spotify, and other streaming sites, the first tracks from this album have been well-received. ‘Soulmine’, ‘Fresh’, ‘Spooky’, & ‘Say Whatcha Wanna Say’ from the last batch of releases were featured on a handful of radio stations, magazines, & podcasts.

Ari Joshua is on a mission to release 24 songs in 2024. Building on the success of last month's releases “Country Stroll”, and “Elephant Walk” featuring the iconic John Medeski and Billy Martin, “Rare Groove” continues the organ funk and groove theme in Joshua’s recent releases.

"Elon's Musk'' by Ari Joshua featuring iLL Gates

Like a wax orchard of rainbow trees abundant with fruits of every imaginable kind, Ari Joshua's producer chops are akin to chameleon. Today, he presents us with "Elon's Musk," a fantastical voyage that merges the realms of synthwave and bass music with an almost ethereal touch. An almost classically

"Elon's Musk'' by Ari Joshua featuring iLL Gates

Like a wax orchard of rainbow trees abundant with fruits of every imaginable kind, Ari Joshua's producer chops are akin to chameleon. Today, he presents us with "Elon's Musk," a fantastical voyage that merges the realms of synthwave and bass music with an almost ethereal touch. An almost classically influenced piece Elon’s Musk features the illustrious iLL Gates, the featured artist and a respected figure in the electronic music realm. Hailing from Canada and making a significant impact globally, iLL Gates is not just a producer but like Joshua he is also an educator, heading his Producer Dojo for over a decade now, his epic library has collaborations with the likes of Apashe, Clozee, Excision, and more, spanning genres from Electro House to IDM/Glitch. Also featured on Elon's Musk are layers of ambient guitar from Ari Joshua, and the hauntingly beautiful cello of Cory Cavazos. The song is out on Music Factory Records.

"Elon's Musk" is a collaborative masterpiece, nothing short of a symphonic odyssey blending GUITARI's layered guitars and compositional expertise with iLL Gates' on drums. The track seems to remind us of Tipper's intricate style, a complex assembly of over 40 sound layers, including live guitar and cellos. This... more credits released February 2, 2024 Mixed by Ari Joshua & iLL Gates Atmos Mix by Alex Solano at Pro Mix Surround Mastering by Justin Gray Stereo Mastering by Justin Gray Cello - Cory Cavazos Guest Drums - iLL Gates Art - Jay Coby Art

1/25/23 Ari Joshua with John Medeski and Billy Martin together comprise an organ trio, also hearkening sounds of a classic piano trio. Medeski’s piano glides gracefully, a free-flowing flourish of swampy embellishments, fat organ tones bubbling up from below. Instead of using a traditional drum kit, Billy Martin orchestrates several layers of

1/25/23 Ari Joshua with John Medeski and Billy Martin together comprise an organ trio, also hearkening sounds of a classic piano trio. Medeski’s piano glides gracefully, a free-flowing flourish of swampy embellishments, fat organ tones bubbling up from below. Instead of using a traditional drum kit, Billy Martin orchestrates several layers of percussion at once to create a blanket of polyrhythms, alive and ever-evolving, melodious cowbell lighting up with the flavors of New Orleans funk. As the opening melody meanders, Joshua’s guitar emerges with a deep, resonant bellow, twisting and lowing like an elephant raising its own trunk. Medeski launches into inspired improvisation — a percussion solo from Martin, spacious and sweeping, brings “Elephant Walk” full circle.

Top-notch audio work by everyone involved — engineering by Chris Bittner at Applehead Recording in Woodstock, NY, mastering by Ed Brooks of Resonant Mastering and mixing by Ari Raskin of Deepwater Studios in New York City — all helped to bring the release of “Elephant Walk” to life. For the artwork, Paul Delaney points to the poetic narrative taking place within the music.

“In my mind, ’Elephant Walk' is a carefree and whimsical melody, a musical tale of a young elephant embarking on a quest for truth and freedom, exploring the vast landscapes that surround it,” says Joshua. “After millennia of proud strides within its herds, this majestic creature embarks on a soul-searching journey, meeting various animals and symbolic characters along the way.” “Elephant Walk" is available now on all major streaming platforms. Ari Joshua is an award-winning guitarist, composer, and producer with a passion for creating music that transcends genre boundaries. He has released nine albums to date, each showcasing his breadth of blues, jazz, and Americana influences. arijoshua.com

Release Date 1/12/2024 “Country Stroll” highlights Joshua’s love of twang alongside his fluency in jazz and a playful spirit. Subtle snare rolls frame the opening phase as the melody conjures an imaginative sonic landscape. The elemental country blues form eases in and out of surprising passages and clever chordal movements before landing on the

Release Date 1/12/2024 “Country Stroll” highlights Joshua’s love of twang alongside his fluency in jazz and a playful spirit. Subtle snare rolls frame the opening phase as the melody conjures an imaginative sonic landscape. The elemental country blues form eases in and out of surprising passages and clever chordal movements before landing on the punctuation of a classic rag. Joshua invites John Medeski to paint masterfully upon the canvas he created with an astounding improvisation of silky organ sounds. Then Joshua paints a bit himself with a gentle dance hall crunch on his electric guitar. Billy Martin’s drum solo is rich with lyricism and ingenious rhythmic contortions.

The elemental composition perfectly reflects Joshua’s passion for pushing boundaries in any genre, especially a rollicking “Country Stroll”. Joshua has been looking forward to releasing this song ever since it was first recorded: "I'm incredibly excited to share 'Country Stroll' with the world," Joshua says. "This song is a celebration of the beauty of the natural world and the simple joys of life. I'm honored to have collaborated with John Medeski and Billy Martin on this project. Their musicianship and creativity are truly inspiring.”

With engineering by Chris Bittner at Applehead Recording in Woodstock, NY, mastering by Ed Brooks of Resonant Mastering, and mixing by Ari Raskin of Deepwater Studios in New York City make “Country Stroll” shine. Artwork for the release was created by Paul Delaney.

"Country Stroll" is available now on all major streaming platforms. Ari Joshua is an award-winning guitarist, composer, and producer with a passion for creating music that transcends genre boundaries. He has released nine albums to date, each showcasing his breadth of blues, jazz, and Americana influences. arijoshua.com

Ari Joshua - Guitar (Electric) • John Medeski - Electric Organ • Billy Martin - Drums

Release Date 12/25/2023 Prepare to embark on a sonic odyssey as SPace Owl unveils their latest creation, “FLASK”, an epic through-composed rock n' roll masterpiece that channels the spirits of Phish, Frank Zappa, and a constellation of other pioneering artists. This genre-bending behemoth transcends boundaries, transporting the listener across a

Release Date 12/25/2023 Prepare to embark on a sonic odyssey as SPace Owl unveils their latest creation, “FLASK”, an epic through-composed rock n' roll masterpiece that channels the spirits of Phish, Frank Zappa, and a constellation of other pioneering artists. This genre-bending behemoth transcends boundaries, transporting the listener across a spectrum of emotions and sonic landscapes. “FLASK” is a musical journey of enchanting melodies guiding the listener through passages of shifting time signatures and key changes, mirroring space and time. As the piece progresses, Space Owl masterfully weaves in influences from prog rock, jazz fusion, and even classical music, creating a tapestry of sound that is both familiar and startlingly innovative. Driven by the virtuosic guitar work of Ari Joshua and the tight-knit rhythmic interplay of John Ewing (drums), Bob Lovelace (bass), and David Appelbaum (keyboards), “FLASK” is a testament to the band's collective musical prowess. Each member brings their unique talents to the table, contributing to the creation of a sonic landscape that is both intricately detailed and breathtakingly expansive.

Space Owl is no stranger to pushing boundaries. With over a decade of experience, they have earned a loyal following for their unique blend of psychedelic rock and genre-bending explorations. Their recent vault exploration unearthed a treasure trove of previously unreleased material, including the captivating “Thunder and Lightning”, a Bob Lovelace composition that evokes the spirit of the Grateful Dead's legendary live shows. Additionally, “Home”, “I Will Come To You”, and “Why Does Love Always Break Your Heart” showcase the band's versatility, ranging from pop-rock sensibilities to poignant ballads. Composer Ari Joshua, is a visionary. He honed his skills at The New School in NYC and collaborated with various artists, including Big High, AriSawkaDoria, and countless others. Additionally, Ari founded The Music Factory, a music school celebrating its 15th anniversary, providing over 100,000 music lessons and employing close to 100 individuals. “FLASK” is now available for streaming and download on all major platforms. Prepare to be transported to a world of sonic wonder as Space Owl continues their exploration of the boundless possibilities of rock n' roll.

Credits: Ari Joshua - Guitar, Vocals John Ewing - Drums, Vocals Bob Lovelace - Bass, Vocals David Appelbaum - Keys Produced by Music Factory Records & Space Owl Composed by - Ari Joshua Engineered by Johnathan Plum, London Bridge Studios Mixed by Mel Detmer, Studio Soli Mastered by Ed Brooks, RFI Mastering Overdub Engineer - Ari Joshua & John Ewing, The Music Factory Artwork by Rachael Holley Layout by Rachael Holley Space Owl - FLASK

“Dragons Layer” is a fantastical creation, guiding listeners on a journey through a sonic landscape of suspenseful intrigue. As the title suggests, the Dragon Layer stacked with fearless harmony — the angular composition twists through chordal movements as themes develop in ripples and waves. Written and arranged by Ari Joshua, Dragons Layer has

“Dragons Layer” is a fantastical creation, guiding listeners on a journey through a sonic landscape of suspenseful intrigue. As the title suggests, the Dragon Layer stacked with fearless harmony — the angular composition twists through chordal movements as themes develop in ripples and waves. Written and arranged by Ari Joshua, Dragons Layer has been described as: ‘cinematic, grunge, classical’. Joshua’s guitar crunch is joined by the wizardry of Billy Martin on the drums, the astonishing John Medeski on keyboard, and the shapeshifting upright bass of Jason Fraticelli (Cyro Baptista, Matisyahu). As the song brings the journey home, cascading melodies flutter, dissipate and fade away into the realms of imagination.

Artwork by Martin Ontiveros captures the playful spirit of the piece, at once both comedy and adventure. Dragon Layer was recorded in an old barn on a farm near Woodstock, New York, as part of a multi-day recording session in April 2022.

“Imperfections can lead us in giant steps toward what's real, some times that’s what makes an artist's greatest art. John and Billy are the masters of being vulnerable and just stepping out into the unknown, and I composed Dragon Layer with them in mind. I listened to a bunch of early John Zorn, MMW, and Marc Ribot, mixed that with a bit of Amon Tobin vibes, and then that feeling of winding up this little jack in the box musical toy I have in my studio. The Dragon can have different meanings to different people at different times, I’d rather just leave it open, but this song is really something that just came out in a single sitting."

Extra information & credits:

Musical Style: Grunge, Cinematic, Classical, Jazz, Storytelling

Music Influences: Medeski Martin & Wood, John Zorn, Frank Zappa, Marc Ribot, Charles Ives

Release Description: Ari Joshua is stepping out in a collaboration with jazz legends Billy Martin and John Medeski of MMW. “Dragons Layer” was recorded as part of a multi-day recording session in a barn in Woodstock, NY just after the end of the global pandemic. Written specifically with John Medeski and Billy Martin in Mind, Dragons Layer has been described as: ‘cinematic, grunge, classical’.

Produced by Ari Joshua

Credits: Ari Joshua - Guitar (Electric) John Medeski - Electric Organ Billy Martin - Drums Jason Fraticelli - Upright Bass

Engineered by Chris Bittner Applehead Recording Mixed by Matt Rifino, Magic Matt Mixing Eric Eagle Score Studio Mastered by Ed Brooks, Resonant Mastering

Ari Joshua shares this Afrobeat groove inspired by sacred plant medicine

Guitarist Ari Joshua, Drummer Russ Lawton, and Keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, deliver this strong melodic, polyrhythmic guitar anthem in the Afrobeat style, drawing upon the rich tapestry of West African groove music. On the August 18 release date, step into the kaleidoscopic

Ari Joshua shares this Afrobeat groove inspired by sacred plant medicine

Guitarist Ari Joshua, Drummer Russ Lawton, and Keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, deliver this strong melodic, polyrhythmic guitar anthem in the Afrobeat style, drawing upon the rich tapestry of West African groove music. On the August 18 release date, step into the kaleidoscopic world of Kambo Wambo, a transcendent journey through psychedelic textures from the classic organ trio formation: RAaR Trio.

The song opens, ethereal guitar notes drifting in the air, as Ari Joshua weaves mesmerizing threads with the saturated warmth of his guitar. Every note deepens a sense of melodic enchantment as Joshua’s gracefully evokes the Afrobeat guitar sensations he first heard as a youth in his birthplace of South Africa.

Russ Lawton masterfully lays down the song’s vibrant heartbeat on the drums, the textures alive, the polyrhythms hypnotic. In perfect harmony, 'The Milkman' Ray Paczkowski joins the sonic ceremony, his fingers cascading across the keys, blanketing the underlying groove with his lush, percussive approach. As the song settles into a sweet spot, the essence of Afrobeat emerges, inviting listeners to the enveloping embrace of an otherworldly experience.

Kambo Wambo is a reflection on psychedelic plant medicine, where the boundaries of perception give way to the sounds of cosmic symphony. In this musical odyssey, the Afrobeat style becomes a vessel for such a journey, reaching melodically towards the sky, rooted in essences of ancient rhythms.

Personnel: Ari Joshua - Guitar Russ Lawton - Drums Ray Paczkowski - Keys

Ben Collette - Tracking Engineer, Mixing
Tank Recording - Burlington, Vermont Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian - Mastering

Aaron Harmonson- Additional Production
Martin Ontiveros - FrogArtwork Monte Mitchell - Layout