After working behind the scenes as producer, engineer, musician and songwriter, James Hollihan steps to the front and romps through a jazzy, cool, sophisticated, and swanky sound on “The Funky Misfit”, his debut release on Nuevotron.
As a musician Hollihan is superb. He’s more than the ultimate one-man-band . . . he’s a one-man-orchestra. His multi-instrument performance is a study in style and taste. There’s never a forced note as he winds his way gracefully from song to song.
As a composer his gift for melody and his deep harmonic sense are immediately apparent. He leans hard on influences that include Mancini, Legrand, and Mandel.
As a producer his sound is pure and exotic. His space age “Digitronic Sound Studio” is a sonic playground. His production takes advantage of all the latest technologies, but clearly, the music is the focus. He deftly evokes a mood that can only be described as “Ultraphonic”.
Press Info
Within a popular music environment that dumbs down all of the music around it, it is very nice to encounter a recording like The Funky Misfit that can rub up against the popular aesthetic with out picking up any of its stink. This recording is highly recommended.
?C. Michael Bailey, all?about?jazz
To be perfectly honest I was disappointed that the CD had to end, but there is always time for another spin.
?Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck, MuzikReview.com
The Funky Misfit gives a delectable smorgasbord of danceable grooves, introspective overtones, and romantic nuances. The music is stimulating throughout, capturing not only the vivid imagination of its composer, but the attention of the listener as well.
?Stephen Fratalonne, Jazz Connection Magazine
Similar Artists
Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons, The Crusaders, Lee Ritenour, Esquivel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mandel, Wes Montgomery
Influences
Wes Montgomery, Howard Roberts, Hank Garland, Jimi Hendrix, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mandel, Juan Garcia Esquivel, Michel Legrand
Bio
James Hollihan is quite the musical Renaissance man. After years of working behind the scenes producing artists ranging from Jeff Foxworthy to Michelle Shocked, he steps to the front on his new CD, "The Funky Misfit". Credited with playing all the instruments, writing all the songs, producing, arranging, and recording in his own studio he shows range and depth that come from a lifelong pursuit of musical excellence.
In the past he has been recognized for his work on Grammy award winnig projects. He's worked as a session musician playing on everything from Emmylou Harris records to dog food jingles.
His lifelong passion for Jazz has culminated in his new recording of Jazz instrumental originals.