Title: Spotlight
Genre: R&B / Soul / Funk
Label: G-THREE
www.crackofdawn.ca
Crack of Dawn was the first black band to be signed to a major label in Canada in 1974 (CBS). They were discovered by Otis Redding’s producer and in the year of their album debuted, it outsold their contemporaries, Earth, Wind, and Fire in Canada.
They were being tipped for even bigger things by Billboard in the USA as their popularity extended across North American airwaves for a brief moment but due to artistic differences, the members disbanded a few years later to pursue solo ventures.
The band’s guitarist and producer, Carl Harvey went on to become the lead guitarist with Toots & the Maytals joining them in 1980. His work with Toots & the Maytals over the years includes world tour support slots with the likes of the Rolling Stones and Santana and co-winner credits on the 2004 Grammy-winning album “Live at Hammersmith”. His brother, guitarist and vocalist Rupert Harvey became the founder of Canada’s most successful reggae band, Messenjah.
Saxophonist Alvin Jones and trombonist Trevor Daley remained in the music industry running an record label and occasionally appearing on recordings as the horn section for reggae behemoths, Third World; and drummer Carl Otway when on to a successful career as a music producer.
The new additions to the band includes the 2015 Gold Medal Global Music Award winning Cuban jazz trumpeter Alexis Baro; Hungarian keyboard wizard Bela Hayman; legendary funk and reggae bassist Charles Sinclair who played with Al Green, and, leading the charge, the generously-buttered soulful voice of lead singer Michael Dunston, an aural experience like dipping your head in whipped cream.
Like the greatest of funk and rhythm and blues bands, they work as a breathtakingly agile unit, more of a force of nature than a band.
After a series of requests to perform at events and festivals brought the band back together three years ago they decided it was the right time to record a new album for their fans.
With that thought in mind, they have given us a 10-song musical trip back to the days of live dance bands in the clubs with “Spotlight”.
Website: www.crackofdawn.ca

Label: G-THREE
Contact: Greg Gooding
E-mail: gthreemusic@gmail.com
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