MP3 Shu-Sho - Fatcamp

"FATCAMP" is a 80's flavored, 25 track lo-fi, soul rock candy odyssey. SHU-SHO have mastered their own non-retro retro sound by combining their love for genre defying artists like Prince, Beck, Ween and Cafe Tacuba with old school songwriting techniques.

25 MP3 Songs in this album (104:02) !
Related styles: Pop: 80's Pop, Rock: Funk Rock, Mood: Quirky

People who are interested in Hall and Oates Prince Ween should consider this download.


Details:
Hartford, CT's dynamic duo, SHU-SHO return with "FATCAMP". An 80's flavored, 25 track lo-fi, soul rock candy odyssey guaranteed to put hair on your hair (gel included, of course). Giovanny Blanco and Jaswho? have mastered their own non-retro retro sound by combining their love for genre defying artists like Prince, Beck, Ween and Cafe Tacuba with old school songwriting techniques. But no tongue in cheek or ironic tributes here. This is the real deal.

SHU-SHO built this city on Rock and Soul using early hip-hop cassettes as bricks, melted 12 inch vinyl dance records as cement and doors made out of classic rock 8 track tape shells. Full of funky little ditties about relationships gone sour and addictions gone sweet, "FATCAMP" is a journey that flows inward as much as it flows out. Dos CD's. Left and right. Side A and Side B. Simpson and Bruckheimer. Tenspeed and Brownshoe. Listen for yourself and then listen again (you need to give yourself a second opinion).

SHU-SHO's Blanco and Jaswho? (together formally known as Spigga) have been bringing supermarket beats to funk rock radio swap meets ever since they met in Hartford's West End where Blanco was stepping outside of a friend's house and Jaswho? was across the street on his porch.

A couple of Wasup's quickly turned into a discussion of the following hollowed subjects:

Which were the best unreleased Prince songs ("Movie Star", Old Friends For Sale" and "Moonbeam Levels" were often mentioned)?

How Ozzy was the better singer for Sabbath but Dio had the best album (Heaven and Hell).

And, who had seen "The Idolmaker" more times (we won't say who but we'll tell you that combined they had seen it 57 times).

Surprisingly, both went to the same High School (The Pub) and lived around the corner from each other but never met.

Two aspiring musicians walk into a bar...

Fate was funktified and the fellas decided to meet the next day to record their very first song using two boomboxes. Four track recorders were for the rich and recording studios were places they had only seen on the inside of LP's covers. So, with one boombox playing the first recorded track of maybe a drum machine and/or hand claps, the other boombox was recording casio keyboards, unmic'ed vocals and out of tune guitars that were added on with each try. Call it "The Eternal Wall of Hiss". It was delicious.

They played this masterpiece to the only guy they knew who played bass like it oughta should, Jaswho's cousin' "MyBassIsTight" (real name John - but you gotta stand out from all the other John's in the world, right?). John, I mean MyBassIsTight's response was to drive them around town in his Cutlass, and show off the ghetto wonder twins to his friends who owned better recording setups (yes, four track recorders). Most were scared off by the appearance of these two, especially those who didn't like runny eggs touching bacon on their breakfast plates. What would you do if Joey Ramone and Hendrix showed up at your door? Well, you say that NOW but...

Blanco and Jaswho? continued recording through the years, mostly while playing in separate bands in far away states. The two would get together sporadically and record mini albums for their own pleasure. Using different names every time (something misspelled like "Twynz"), they'd play some of the recordings to unsuspecting friends at parties to amuse them. Encouraged by their responses the two would go back and cook up some more grooves. Even those just wanting to party or get some action would stop mid act to say a nice thing or two about the music. That's the power of music, the ability to make anyone stop and go, "yeahhhhh". Their creative output didn't stop there, music videos were crudely shot and edited using cameras the size of gymnasts and edited from one VCR deck to the other, glitches and all. Sound and vision we're always gettin' it on. Always.

It was time to take it to the next level. Having other listeners besides their girlfriends and innocent party goers.

In the early 2000's things became official. Having moved on to different cities on the West coast (LA and SF) they began working as "Spigga", writing songs for soundtracks and other artists. Eventually, they released their own album "05105: The Mixtape" a shout out to their old home town, Hartford. These guys had put down an impressive amount of songs to tape by this point but didn't have any live performances to back them up. Or a band for that matter.

After a few shows many talented souls got on and off the bus and the boys weren't convinced that playing out was going to be their thing (despite glowing reviews wherever they went). That all changed when they were joined by their old friends; MyBassIsTight (now a Coast Guard Fireman), the beautiful Carla Pereira (another Hartford High survivor) and Jersey journeyman, Darren "D" Lolk (guitarist from one of Blanco's first bands) to put the SHOW in SHU-SHO. Extensive touring followed where sweaty sock stink filled vans broke down and were quickly replaced with fairly fresher ones (making that "new car smell" a thing of the absolute immediate past every time).

After taking some time to pursue other projects, albums, movies, and babies, SHU-SHO decided it was time for a follow up. Having lived a little and loved a lot and being inspired by the ups and downs of their lives and the lives of those around them, songs began writing themselves (and how do you copyright that?). "Fatcamp" was the name that stuck because of the idea of going to a place where you shake and sweat off all those extra things that we don't need and hold us down. An "Uptown" where you can set your mind free and get your body hot but this time with existential cupcakes and other treats to worry about. Wondering how and where to find the duckets to record and complete this opus, SHU-SHO launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to bring "Fatcamp" to the world. A year later and 50 or so songs whittled down to 25 and this baby was ready to roll.

It's now time funk up or funk out. Your choice. We just ask is that you sweat with them.

"Hi, our name is SHU-SHO and we're funkaholics".

Welcome, SHU-SHO. Welcome.

It's time for FATCAMP to begin because underneath it all we're all stars.

Let's do this.

Hereâs what people said about our last record SPIGGA 06105:The Mixtapeâ¦

HARTFORD ADVOCATE
Their music, with lyrics that shift from Spanish to English at the turn of a beat, ranges from infectious, high-energy funk to lounge-ready hip-hop electronica. And their Spanish language, G-Funk cover of Rage Against the Machine..s ¨People of the Sun¨ is too fierce, laid back and hilarious to go through life without hearing. Seriously. Good time vibe, gringo friendly music.

ALBORDE (Rompe el Celofan con Jesus âPelosâ Olvera)
We already have delayed ourselves enough in reviewing this disk by Spigga, but it's better late than never! The band that during a few years was the "side project" of Giovanny Blanco and Jaswho? is now the full time project of two musicians that have always believed in the eclectic as a way of life at the moment of composing their songs Very funky but also very solid, the disk is full of abstract lyrics that at times are in English and at times are in Spanish and at times in both languages simultaneously and although there are songs like "Citizen" that invite you to frenetically move your hips, a lot of the music is perfect for any "chill out" mood. Imagine relaxing at a resort on a scorching hot summer day. In all fairness, to classify the work of Spigga as a collection of serious dance music is way too easy. Songs like "Bionic" and "Lastnite" take charge of pleasantly breaking the CD's musical route with themes that are ultra pop but interesting at same time. The true fans of Rage Against the Machine might not like Spigga version of "People of the Sun", but they should give the remainder of the disk a chance and enjoy it with a few cocktails by the edge of the pool.

ROCKVIVO.com REVIEW - Spigga | 06105 The Mixtape
It starts off sounding like a Hip Hop record but in turns into a funk / rock combination with a little reggae flavor. This Los Angeles based Funky Duo bring us 16 bilingual songs that range from laid back to the more danceable. Itâs a highly enjoyable music collection with certain retro appeal and a wide array of themes. These two are just as comfortable singing about a U.S. Citizenship as they are about inviting friends to the cinema. Lyrics about very normal, every day occurrences in a delivery thatâs not so typical. âPapa Knowsâ, âDonât Silence Meâ and âMotoâ stand out even the the entire CD is generally very good. Spigga brings us material that is original and not hackneyed. R.M.R.

NORTHEAST INTUNE ALBUM REVUE - Spigga - "06105:The Mixtape"
"SPIGGA is multilingual (ooohh, sexy), with songs in English and Spanish and other idioms as soon as they can learn how to say "booty" in other tongues. SPIGGA's odd lyrical content can best be described as Maniacodepresivopsychosexual; Happy and ready to party one second and sad or angry and ready to kick your ass in the next. Who said sex and politics don't mix? A person who's never had arroz con pollo with corn bread, that's who."

That's an excerpt of how these cats describe themselves, and frankly, that's a pretty good description. Catchy, interesting as all hell, and often absurd, Spigga is a latin dance-machine that appropriates electro, punk-funk a la Red Hot Chili Peppers, indie rock, and whatever happens to float along the breeze from the cars passing by on their LA block.

Honestly, I can't say enough about these guys. I like to balance the positive and the negative in a review, but these cats are a funky sunshine stew that demands to be loved, and I can't really pick apart anything that doesn't work with their style. They sound like LA in a nutshell - diverse, sunny, and funky.

Bottom line: I'll be rocking their music all summer at this rate. These cats are just fantastic, and I highly recommend them to anyone with an open mind toward unconventional styles and a playful attitude. This is perfect barbeque or party music, but you could just as easily rock it in the ride or at home. You need these cats in your life.

AZ NITELIFE BUZZ
âWe are Spigga and we are loud,â guitarist and keyboardist Jaswho, sporting dreads well past his shoulders, exclaimed right before the group exploded into the opening track, âDonât Silence Meâ off of its latest album, â06105: the Mixtape.â What followed Spiggaâs opener was a trip into the surreal, the country and Western bar scene straight out of âBlues Brothersâ the movie. Not only did the rowdy Red Room patrons take to the band and its brand of spanglish funk, they loved them, no matter how hard the rebellious twentysomethings tried not to.

HIP MAMA
If you want instant credibility for a new release, count on music released by thr Verdad Y Justicia Label Group. Spiggaâs new CD has this credibility going for it, but I was more impressed that the garage funk duo maintained the necessary perspective to pull off writing, producing and performing all the songs on the album. Even though I wince at the use of the word âfusionâ when referencing food or music, thatâs really what this is. The Mixtape resonates with a cohesive balance of many musical sounds and genres. So forget that word âfusionâ and take in the slick blend of English, Spanish and Spanglish vocals that produces a thick, pop funk. With the last track, Rage Against the Machineâs âPeople of the Sun,â you get the idea the song is more of a tribute than a cover. Just as Spigga reconstructs this cover, this cd manages to take many genres and add a distinct Spigga signature to each song.

ADDREVIEWS.COM
A really intriguing/confusing blend of Spanish and English-language rock, reggae, hip-hop, and house!. I like it.

SMOTHERMAGAZINE.COM
Latin hip-hop with rock, garage, and dance all spun into one twisted Hispanic vibe. Rhythmically its addictive with bouncy tracks and thick basslines that drip groove like an ice cream cone in 101 degree weather. With bi-lingual lyrics, the group appeals to people as diverse as each of their home countriesâIreland, Mexico, America, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. The songs arenât bad and could easily be your soundtrack for your next subway ride.
- J-Sin

FATCAMP CREDITS


SHU-SHO:
Giovanny Blanco - Vocals
Jaswho? - Everything Else

SHU-SHO FAMILY
John D. Cornelius - Bass, Carla Pereira - Vocals, Darren Lolk - Guitar, Troy Coston - Drums

FATCAMP Guests
John Cornelius - Bass on 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13-16, 21, 22, 25 Vocals on 14, 22, Keys on 8, 11
Carla Pereira - Vocals on 2-8, 11, 13, 21, 23, 24, Lead Vocals on 22
German Briceño - Additional Guitars on 1, 12, 18, 25
Phillip Greenlief - Saxes on 15, 25
Sarah Thorp - Vocals on 19
Leo Machado - Additional Guitars on 24
Voices on 10: Rashida, Peter, Darling Narita, Eric Cronlund, Robert Gonzales, Alan Lee, Amauri Dominguez, Angela Luna, Claudia Garcia Trejo, Theo Griffin, Richard Pino's Dad, Cat Hogan
Matilda Blanco - Voice on 6
Cambryn Chiavaroli - Voice on 15

All songs written by SHU-SHO (Giovanny Blanco/Jaswho?)
Except "Listen" and "Too Much" written by John D. Cornelius, Giovanny Blanco and Jaswho?
And additional lyrics for "Burnt Sugar" by Sarah Thorp
All lyrics available at www.shu-sho.com
Complete SHU-SHO discography available at www.shu-sho.bandcamp.

Recorded at Soulmine Studios and at SM23
Mixed at by Jaswho? at Soulmine Studios, Brian Springer at Precision Sound and Oscar Coronel at Jaquemate Studios

Mastered by John Rogers at Big Label Sound Studio

FATCAMP: CD Design: SM23
Front and Back cover photography: Natasha Bedu
Interior photo: Jimmy Collins

FATCAMP Produced by:
Giovanny Blanco and Jaswho?

Executive Producers: Jose Lugo, Sarah Thorp, xuxE and Karie Anne Daigle

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Patricia Williams, Barbara Len, Samantha Sullivan, Roberto Del Valle, Rodrigo N. Carrillo, Stefan Hojnowski, Kate Greenberg, Eric Cronlund, Darling Narita, Familia Collazo, Julie Fergus, Javier, Justin McGlamery, Melissa Smith Handley and Maggie Arroyo

We would like to thank all of you people who gave us the love and support we needed to make this thing called FATCAMP come alive through Kickstarter.com. From the producers listed above and all these beautiful SHU-SHOers: Adam Benitez, Chas Thorp, Ilona Pamplona, Lael Llaverias, Kurt Zimmerman, Turbo, Alicia Flores, Jennifer Crookes Carpenter, Vicky Cabildo, Lisa Hathaway, elNorm, Pilar Díaz, Omar Villegas, Jaime Yanez, Daniel Salazar III, Jorge Leal, Kristeana Vasiliu, Robert Gonzales, Lionel Max Pasamonte, Sue Voss, D. Ossen, Harold Blanco, Ira Katz, Marisol Haynes, Rubber Pants, Evelyn Miranda-Longo, Daniel Bobker, Lisa Eisenpresser, Dorcas Dominguez, Kevin Johnson, Ramon Morant, Amaury Dominguez, Alej Najarro, Erin Otte, Felipe Toribio, Nan Price, Rick Deliz, Josh Thorp, Tammy Berardy-Gaudio, Alex Thorp, Scot Byrd, and Louise Bak. We thank those who thought about it too and then forgot until it was too late...hey, we're doing this right now - at the last possible moment, we know.

Special super thanks to Eileen, Sarah, Rock, Zen, Matilda, Franklin, John C, Daphne, Lizzy, Rafael (Raf), Darren, Carla, Troy, Cat, Laila and our parents (you know who you are - don't act like you didn't have us). Without you this music doesn't exist. Thank you.

Shouts to Wolf, Brian Springer, Justmra, Chattyboy, Darrell at Sully's, Vinny Ventedge Ventura, The SF Temple and TMG family, Sammy, Mario "The Texican", Larkin, hellafresh films, Samantha, Brad and Kara, Ian(pongoid), Marianne, Kenneth Boucher, Mima and Mary, Theo Griffin, Melissa and the starting 5, Darling and Eric for giving us Soulobesity, Roy and Arik, The cast and crew of The Last Intervention, Shree Shyam Das, Boombox Repair Kit, Brian(fuckin)Dean, Leo Machado, Danny Perro Loco, Oscar Coronel and the SoCal cats always supporting our shit. Viva Malpache, Cool runnings, El Quickie, Argonaut, Liquid Circus, MM, Haulin' Oates, Family Funk, Mermelada, Sunz of Temple and of course Spigga. If we didn't mention you, believe us - you are still in our hearts and we'll put you on the next one. This is for you. Our family, friends and fans (all the same).

When we started this thing in 1999/2000 it was for the love of music, period. When we started making music as teenagers we had the same dreams. The difference equals the same. This album is for the love of music and for all the people out there that still want to dance, laugh, shake, spin, head nod, cry, sing and think out loud, this is your soundtrack. Turn it up a little bit.

So.Whitney St./Evergreen Av./WestEnd Hartford... we r free

"I believe it can be done" - The Idolmaker