Lots of new releases produced here at NCPR

Since the unveiling of our new production studio last summer (thanks to a grant from the New York State Music Fund) we've been awfully busy helping local artists with their recording projects.  Lately, all at once it seems, they're hitting the streets and we are so proud of the results.

Bluesman Tas Cru spent many hours in the studio back in January recording Grizzle N' Bone.  Great songwriting, catchy riffs and some seriously road-tested playing make this his best release yet.  As with his previous two releases, Tas Cru had this one mastered at our favorite mastering house, Silvertone Mastering in Saratoga Springs.

If you ever wondered how broad the term "blues" really is, listen to Tas Cru's highly-produced effort, then turn to Hard Pushin' Papa for a lesson in minimalism.  Hard Pushin' Papa is an Ontario-based trio fronted by guitarist/singer Pat Johnson along with Glen Crotty on a small drum kit and Matt Wilson on tuba.  There are very few, if any, overdubs on this record and it has an old-time feel that is impossible to resist.  Most of this CD was recorded in Montreal, but four of the tunes were recorded here at NCPR during HPP's UpNorth Music session in Summer 2007.  We are thrilled that they were able to use part of that session for this release.

If you follow David Sommerstein's Beat Authority blog then you're probably hip to Swimming in Speakers, the brainchild of Chris Clarke from Saranac Lake.  The new 6 song debut EP is now out and is making its way around the globe.  Seriously, folks in every corner of the world are blogging and twittering about this release.  The singer, Meadow Erskine has perhaps the most mesmerizing voice I've ever recorded, and the songs are a mix of homemade loops, acoustic instruments, lots of voices, and even old monophonic Casio VL-1 keyboard.  SIS was the recipient of ten free studio hours back in February and the time was used to record vocal, cello and guitar overdubs.  Chris then took the soundfiles back home and incorporated them into his tunes using Logic software.  It's really stunning.  While we played just a small part in this recording, we are very, very proud to be associated with this remarkable record.

There are two more upcoming releases that were recorded here recently and we'll tell you more about them once they're out.