About of MARC ANTHONY THOMPSON
GIGWISE.com | Chocolate Genius Inc - 'Black Yankee Rock' (Commotion Records) Released 03/10/05
. With this third release from Chocolate Genius Inc, Marc Anthony Thompson has bussed in the guests to help fill the sound of this pastiche release - featuring the aid of Marc Ribot, Van Dyke Parks and some 20 or so other musicians (inc.. As a singer-songwriter Marc Anthony Thompson shows himself well adept, a writer of powerful and affecting songs and ballads.
Chocolate Genius live at Universalbuzz.com!!!
. There are crazy numbers for Chocolate Genius Inc--aka Marc Anthony Thompson--as well.. Black Yankee Rock is a Chocolate Genius record that Marc Anthony Thompson describes as the third and final installment of "a narrative that looks at family, faith and future in a way that is as personal as it is universal." Along with being the third album, Black Yankee Rock is the first for Chocolate Genius Inc on Commotion Records--this album serves as the premiere offering for Commotion's Artist Series.. At various junctures in his artistry, Marc Anthony Thompson has been called eclectic, theatrical, soulful, emotional, witty, mournful, celebratory, hopeful, raw, humanistic, romantic, passionate, intelligent, introspective, irreverent and hypnotic.. Rolling Stone noted, "As a songwriter, Thompson pledges allegiance to his own moody doctrine, managing intimate confession and ironic distance all at once." Blender declared that, "Thompson draws on the past without sounding slavishly retro.
Spotlight on CHOCOLATE GENIUS
. *Marc Anthony Thompson **The Artist Formerly known as Prince ***Jimi Hendrix ABOUT godmusic… While walking through Fort Greene park - saw Jesus in a bag of Dipsy Doodles*.
pastemusic.com: Chocolate Genius Inc
Chocolate Genius Inc CHOCOLATE GENIUS INC Hometown: Categories:, Music - released 2005 This Chocolate Genius Inc album further confirms Marc Anthony Thompson's reputation as one of the most accomplished and adventuresome singer/songwriters around, making the case that his is a voice that ought to be heard.. This Chocolate Genius Inc album further confirms Marc Anthony Thompson's reputation as one of the most accomplished and adventuresome singer/songwriters around, making the case that his is a voice that ought to be heard.. There are crazy numbers for Chocolate Genius Inc--aka Marc Anthony Thompson--as well.. Black Yankee Rock is a Chocolate Genius record that Marc Anthony Thompson describes as the third and final installment of "a narrative that looks at family, faith and future in a way that is as personal as it is universal." Along with being the third album, Black Yankee Rock is the first for Chocolate Genius Inc on Commotion Records--this album serves as the premiere offering for Commotion's Artist Series.
info: MARC ANTHONY THOMPSON
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CHOCOLATE GENIUS - RADAR REPORT > Playback Fall 2005
In This Issue WORKS OF "GENIUS" The music of Mark Anthony Thompson, aka CHOCOLATE GENIUS, moves effortlessly from stage to screen to a great new solo album Mark Anthony Thompson is a multi-instrumentalist- composer who recorded two solo albums in the eighties, and a stunning trilogy of albums under the moniker of Chocolate Genius: Black Music (1998) Godmusic (2001) and now the splendidly multi-chromatic Black Yankee Rock , which is produced by Craig Street.. Thompson has also written commercial jingles, and composed the scores for the films Urbania and Everyday People , as well as the theatrical production, A Huey P.. Born in Panama, Thompson moved to South Central L.A.. "Marc is a great guy, a good friend, " said Thompson.. I first heard him playing on his solo records, and I heard him play with Waits, and his sound is unmistakable." Thompson produced two records for Ribot, and they played together in a band called Crackers.. These days Thompson revels in making his own albums as well as bringing his music to movies.
ASCAP Audio Portrait: Chocolate Genius
godmusic "Chocolate Genius" is the name of the eclectic, if not theatrical musings of Marc Anthony Thompson and his circle of collaborators.. In "godmusic, " Thompson surrounds his quiet and soulful voice with a striking sonic tapestry that mixes subtle grooves, artful dissonance and improvisation.. Thompson's lyrics can be careful or carefree, which adds mystery and appeal to the persona he's created.. - Marc Anthony Thompson says "Chocolate Genius" began as a fun ploy, but then people started taking it seriously.. - Thompson says his lyrics may differ from song to song, but the underlying theme remains the same.. - There's a reason the CD cover is a headphone set; Thompson loves all kinds of sounds.. - Thompson says some listeners don't recognize the humourous side of his songwriting.
Black Music by Chocolate Genius CD
. Personnel: Marc Anthony Thompson, Abe Laboriel, Jr., Chris Wood, Marc Ribot, John Medeski, Marc Batson, Jamie Muhoberac, Curt Bisquera, Greg Arreguin, Young Douglas Bowne, Karl Berger, Jane Scarpantoni, Mark Feldman, Kysia Bostic, Lydia Kavanaugh, David Torn, Melvin Gibbs (vocals, various instruments).. Producers: Marc Anthony Thompson, Abe Laboriel, Jr., Craig Street.. Singer/songwriter Marc Anthony Thompson's latest incarnation as Chocolate Genius finds him creating a blend of music that is a strikingly distinctive amalgam of rock and soul.. In his songs about love, torment, failed relationships and lost opportunities, Thompson hits the listener with uncompromising lyrical visions set to dreamy music.. Unlike most black music, BLACK MUSIC ain't about makin' you dance..." Spin (7/98, pp.127-128) - 8 (out of 10) - "...BLACK MUSIC is more rock-and-soul noir than jazzy avant-pop....Thompson's album comes across as a series of short stories, or--befitting his Obie-winning theatrical background--as skits..." Entertainment Weekly (8/7/98, p.78) - "...Marc Anthony Thompson--the man behind Chocolate Genius--is a first-rate downer-rock stylist in the tradition of American Music Club.
Marc Anthony Thompson as Composer: HBO Films: Everyday People
Premiered June 2004 | Marc Anthony Thompson (composer) has written the scores for Spike Lee's telefilm "A Huey P.. Newton Story, " and the feature films "Urbania" and "Spark." He also contributed the song "Don't Grow" to the Polish Brothers' debut film "Twin Falls Idaho." He has released two albums as Chocolate Genius, "Black Music" and "God Music." Thompson also plays Marc the musician in EVERYDAY PEOPLE.
Benefits
Photo by www.bombsite.com
Chocolate Genius - Godmusic . Achter dat pseudoniem schuilt de Amerikaan Marc Anthony Thompson.. Thompson heeft een goede verklaring voor het gat tussen beide releases: hij was druk bezig met ander werk, zoals soundtracks, een toneelstuk en zelfs een tv-film.. MARC ANTHONY THOMPSON: But really the main reason why it takes so long for me in between records is because I have trouble deciding what to sing about.. Marc Anthony Thompson wil over échte gevoelens zingen en dus moest hij eerst nog wat geleefd hebben voor hij aan nieuwe songs kon beginnen.. MARC ANTHONY THOMPSON: I put the heart on there because I really feel like with my first record it was a very personal record.. Thompson wou dat ditmaal vermijden, maar het bloed kruipt waar het niet gaan kan en Godmusic luidt geen radicale koerswijziging in vergeleken.. Voor de toekomst ziet hij het evenwel anders, Thompson heeft geen zin om voorspelbaar te zijn.. MARC ANTHONY THOMPSON: I didn't want to be pigeonholed.. Daarover praten we nog verder met Marc Anthony Thompson.
NPR : Chocolate Genius, Inc.: 'Black Yankee Rock'
| | | | | | World Cafe from WXPN Chocolate Genius, Inc.: 'Black Yankee Rock' by Marc Anthony Thompson, the man behind Chocolate Genius.. Commotion Records Album Samples Set List Songs Chocolate Genius plays for 'World Cafe': "Tomboyrockstar" "Forever Everyone" "Loverman" , December 7, 2005 · Chocolate Genius is the brainchild of Marc Anthony Thompson.. Along the way, Thompson has stayed busy, contributing songs to film soundtracks.. His recent songs reflect Thompson's ability to blend influences and sounds -- as well as the work of talented collaborators.
GIANT STEP™ | Release - Black Yankee Rock by Chocolate Genius Inc
Black Yankee Rock CD Released: Oct 11, 2005 Released By release description Chocolate Genius Inc is one-man think-tank Marc Anthony Thompson.. Born in Panama and raised in California, Thompson makes music that is rhythmically nomadic but grounded in the chaos of the universal urban experience.. Black Yankee Rock finds Thompson working with the supreme mood manipulator Craig Street, a producer who brought artists like Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson and Meshell Ndegeocello to new heights.. Thompson enjoys this sort of musical cross-pollination and has worked with The Roots, Medeski Martin & Wood, Sweetback and Cibo Matto.. But being an artist is where Thompson shines best as witnessed on Black Yankee Rock, an album that is hypnotic from end to end, offering seductive twilight music, electrified folk, detached jazz numbers and unquestionable beauty.
Smokebox: Chocolate Genius - Concert For A Fallen Sky
. Marc Anthony Thompson is the prime mover of the project known as Chocolate Genius, a band whose rotating roster features some of downtown's and Brooklyn's rock and jazz avant garde heroes, including Marc Ribot and cellist Jane Scarpantoni, both previously members of another protean New York band, the Lounge Lizards.. Marc Anthony Thompson does not peddle phony catharsis, he is not a pathos pimp.. Marc Anthony Thompson avoids having to go to such extremes by working with many different configurations -- the combination is almost never the same, so people react differently because they are often playing together for the first time.
MARC ANTHONY THOMPSON ?
Chocolate Genius Inc - Black Yankee Rock | Album Reviews | PM Media Review
Chocolate Genius Inc - Black Yankee Rock By: Mark Runyon | Category: Album Reviews | 11/20/05 | 12:12 AM Grade: B+ | Genre: Rock/Jazz/Blues Summary: Thompson has created a very compelling disk in Black Yankee Rock .. Now what do you think you're getting yourself into when you slide this bad boy into the CD player? Marc Anthony Thompson, or Chocolate Genius Inc if you prefer, is the man responsible for this interesting assembly of improbable partners of image and words.. Thompson brings aboard several heavyweights to assist him including Marc Ribot, Roy Nathanson and comely siren Me'Shell NdegeOcello.. This track is the purest take on Thompson's rock sensibilities.. Thompson sounds like the ash of a severe break-up is just drifting down upon him.. Thompson has created a very compelling disk in .. Thompson's ability to bring a cultured voice to rock reminds me of one of my favorite up-and-coming artists, David Ryan Harris.. Where Thompson surpasses him is being able to capture those rich genre-bending ways in the studio.
InDy SeTlIsT 5-31-06 - Page 2 - liveDaily Community
. That's not Frank Bruno, it's Marc Anthony Thompson aka "Chocolate Genius" --has a few cds out.. Has a PhD in Biology! A blog from Marc Anthony Thompson: 23 April 2006 - Whisper Factory Every morning I wake up and take a shiny black car to Asbury Park.. Sounds VERY creative and interesting: Chocolate Genius is the brainchild of Marc Anthony Thompson, an eclectic singer/songwriter who released two solo albums under his own name during the '80s.. Thompson was born in Panama, raised in California, and later moved to New York, where he became involved in the downtown avant-garde scene.. When his solo career (which included albums in 1984 and 1989) hit a dead end, Thompson made that downtown scene his focal point, most notably recording with guitarist Marc Ribot in the mid-'90s.. Thompson originally conceived Chocolate Genius as a reclusive, self-important alter ego, but the joke soon turned into a full-fledged recording project.. The Chocolate Genius supporting band was a loose, free-floating collective of Thompson's downtown cronies, including Ribot, cellist Jane Scarpantoni (plus several other ex-Lounge Lizards), keyboardist John Medeski and bassist Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin & Wood, guitarist (and fellow singer/songwriter) Chris Whitley, and ex-Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, among others.
CityBeat: CD of the Week (2001-09-27)
. He said someone told him, in a feeble attempt to describe his music, that Chocolate Genius (Marc Anthony Thompson) reminded him of Elliot Smith.. A more appropriate comparison would be a hybrid of Sly Stone, Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake, what with all Thompson's poetic genius and self-introspective angst, and all.. In total (including his debut Black Music ), Thompson's oeuvre is devoid of any typical black male- Soul- Singer- Teddy- Pendergrass- take- your- panties- off- I'm- gonna- rock- your- world- bullshit posturing excepting for obvious self-deprecatory flourishes for the purpose of making a point about his own emotional frailties.. Thompson comes correct.. Meanwhile, Thompson sing/speaks crazy couplets about the improbabilities of intersecting minutiae in the universe ("and a noise in the forest/don't mean damn to me/unless it happens to be/my family tree") like Bryan Ferry doing his best Bob Dylan impersonation.. And this, then, is the genius of Thompson's alter ego, Chocolate Genius: He, like the other best poets/writers of his generation, is self-concerned to the point of sensitivity, sarcastic to the point of self-deprecation but cognizant enough of the world outside Chocolate Genius' Playhouse that his meaning is clear to us mortals outside his head.
Rhino -- Rhino Recommends - Rzine #645
. - Black Yankee Rock (Commotion) by Michael McLaughlin :: :: Mark Anthony Thompson, aka Chocolate Genius, may be the best practitioner of rock/soul synthesis you'll never hear.. It serves to further affirm the critical swell that surrounds Thompson in his NYC homeland, but frustratingly extends little beyond his metropolitan confines.. Although Thompson may not seem compatible with pop slickness, anybody who's seen him slay Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" in the live setting knows of his affinity for tearjerkers, and he delivers one with the striking "Same Time Tomorrow." It's bare in its emotion and propped up on plaintive keys plus Blind Boys-like backing vocals.. Gloss up Thompson's heavy-hearted ode with a Hollywood sheen and you'd be diggin' pay dirt.. "Tomboyrockstar" drives with a twilight Brooklyn feel; it's whisper spoken in Thompson's coffee-colored stroke and backed by a bass line so damned deep you can't feel your knees.. And in an album filled with fine single-malt groove, Black Yankee 's best moment is "It's Going Wrong." Full of airy harmony, sad raindrop keys, and sparse rhythm, Thompson seductively casts black magic.
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