Discography
Coming back into my element, i took a non-USA Fender Strat which i bought from Hugo Wainzinger (mastering engineer of the album) for a DEAL and scalloped the neck and changed some hardware. It’s worth noting that the scalloping was done to the Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple) specs. After a couple of weeks of practicing on the new axe i felt comfortable to lay in hard. First with 12 gauge strings i laid down some rhythms. Then i rewired with 10 gauge for the melodies. Long story short The Creator is inclusive of all the styles learned since the Seven album in addition to a couple of new ones.
I am singing in Farsi (2nd language) on three tracks and English on three. Edgardo Cambon sings on the track “Dimelo”. We co-wrote that song. I produced the music, he wrote the lyrics and he performed all of the percussion on “Dimelo”. We used to perform that song when we played live in the KAWEH band. The music part can also be found on the Long Ago album (titled 1625) but this version is superior. 10 time grammy nominee David Belove did all the bass tracks on the album. I hope he wins the grammy for this album. Long time friend audio engineer and pianist Alex Specht is on a couple of tracks. Pianist Alex Conde from Spain recorded his parts on a couple of tracks while in Spain. Gotta love technology (when it works). My partner Annette performed the rain stick at the beginning of the album and the wind chimes on the last track.
“Fiesta Carmel” is my eighth full length release. This album goes back to Flamenco Rumba and Latin influences. Fiesta Carmel is made up of 15 tracks and was recorded in Carmel, Ca. I sing one track in English while Salif Malima Kone sings another track in honor of his brother and our dear friend Mamadou Knone who passed away. Guitarist James Robinson takes the lead melody on “Yallah” while Faisal Nimri brings in the Oud on “Dametra” and “Fiesta Carmel”. Other guest influences include percussionist Zaid Nimri, Pianist Alex Specht & Alex Conde, Pacifc Grove’s cellist Michael Blackburn. Carmel’s own Bashar Sneeh performs the Oud on the track Mediterranean. Recording took place in Carmel, Ca. and the album cover was taken where it all started at Dametra restaurant on Ocean and Lincoln. Mastered at HeartStrings Music studio in Mountain View, Ca. Hugo Wainzinger. Total time is 50 minutes.
“Waiting On The Train” is my seventh album and it starts a whole new genre of music. Spanish guitar and Latin influences can still be heard on “Remember Me” while diverse sound effects and sound design can be heard throughout the album. This sort of production is a work in progress for me. My father’s printing business was near the end of it’s life and let’s not forget the KAWEH band did a lot of rehearsals there in San Jose, Ca. Anyway, that’s where all the recording or programing i should say took place. This album was not turned into a CD. It is only available as a digital download. It’s definitely house music meets, tech house, some electro house and experimental music really. I call the title track industrial house. To be continued! The reason why it’s called “Waiting On The Train” as opposed to waiting for the train is that i am on that train and wondering when this crazy ride is over! But enjoying it nonetheless and appreciating it! Yessss
Aromas Sessions is the long awaited singer/songwriter album with songs dating back as early as 1995. This album is in the Folk/Jazz acoustic genre with vocals in English. All Songs were recorded in Aromas, Ca. Aromas Sessions is all about love, relationships and all their intricacies including breaking up and coping with loss. The songs focus on culture shock and survival of intense dramatic life altering situations. This album is roughly 1hr & 15 minutes in length. Release date: February 12, 2013 and recorded in Aromsa, Ca.
Live In San Francisco is my fifth album (2008) released originally as a CD/DVD combo set. Recorded live in HD by Creation Ground Media at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, Ca. with guest musicians from Uruguay, Israel, Cuba, Mexico and it featured belly dancer Sandra on three songs. The place was almost sold out! My father rented the whole $75 a head VIP section. The bar tab was HUGE. Nonetheless, the doors opened 45 minutes late. It was cold in SF that night! Who knows how many left? The bar was understaffed and we had about 550 people in the house. People wanted drinks and couldn’t get them fast enough so the bar didn’t meet their minimum sales and i was charged the difference. I ended up suing the supposedly “great” venue and won in court. I brought in my own 24 track recording system and hit record and went on stage. Recording to release a live album at the time of this performance was never planned, but after we saw the video footage i thought i’d try to work with it. After some overdubs we had something special. Years later, after i really got into stand-up comedy, i found out Robin Williams performed live there. LOL, and to think i performed on the same stage along with my friends where so many other greats have stood was worth it. Musicians on the album are Mark Kraft, Alex Specht, Edgardo Cambon, Kenia Rodriguez, Dror Sinai and Loue Flores.
España is my fourth release (2006). This album focuses more on traditional Flamenco techniques such as rasceado, picato, golpe and palmas. España mixes Flamenco Rumba with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences and it includes one Classical piece as well. Upbeat, romantic, uplifting and easy listening instrumental. John Kaemmerling took us to the Mission at Santa Clara University and took all the album photos.
Long Ago is my third release (2005). This album mixes Spanish guitar with Latin and Brazilian influences. Romantic instrumentals, uplifting and easy listening is how i describe Long Ago. I took the album cover while under a parachute at altitude when i used to skydive in Hollister, Ca. That was sunset load a two or three years prior to the release. At this time i was just getting into more latin rhythms. Check out the 2021 release “The Creator” and listen to the track “LunaLoveLeuca”. You can definitely hear a drastic musical growth there.
Play Spanish is my second album and first in the Spanish guitar genre. I recorded all of it in a tiny closet of a studio apartment in Sunnyvale, Ca and no one complained. This album mixes Spanish guitar, Flamenco Rumba with Latin, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. Easy listening, romantic, uplifting and all instrumental. Later i met the famous bellydancer Sandra and she joined us for the Live In San Francisco album and performed her sultry art live. Videos of her performances are on my youtube channel. Check them out and our dear friends George and Marylin with Creation Ground Media handled all of the video production.
Seven is my debut album released in 2000. Nearly one hour makes up this eclectic album mixing rock, jazz, folk, funk, Middle Eastern and fusion music. This album includes a 17.5 minute track originally written for a 15 minute chair massage. All original compositions.