FTR-037: Mike Brooks - Mother Earth

$15.00

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of introducing our studio band – THE 18TH PARALLEL – first official album ‘Showcase Vol. 1’ with Lone Ark. Today, The 18th Parallel are back with three more singles starring three giant singers from the golden age of Jamaican roots reggae. From day one, Fruits Records main purpose has always been to enforce collaborations between Swiss musicians and Jamaican singers from the golden age of reggae. These three 7” singles mark a new step to achieve the label’s goal: connecting different generations from different cultures through their love of roots reggae.

The first guest singer invited by The 18th Parallel is MIKE BROOKS. Known for hit songs like ‘Rum Drinker’ or ‘Money Is Not All’, Mike is one of the true heroes of the roots reggae sound of the late 70’s: stepper riddims with militant drumming, heavy basslines, thunder of spring reverbs… This is the kind of sound The 18th Parallel recreated with a new riddim designed especially for Mike’s high-pitched voice. ‘Mother Earth’ has not only a strong riddim, but also a strong message, more relevant than ever. The song, written by Mike Brooks’ daughter, is a call for ecological awareness of the state the planet is in : « Mother Earth is crying out for help… ». Young and old, this song is for all of us. B side with ‘Earth Cry’ is a killer dub version by NY top producer and mixing engineer Channel Tubes. Wicked!

released December 3, 2021

Music played by The 18th Parallel

Drums: Antonin Chatelain
Bass: Stuf Addis
Piano, organ, percussion: Mathias Liengme
Rhythm guitar: Léo Marin
Lead guitar: Solal Excoffier
Trombone: Anthony Dietrich Buclin
Trumpet: Alexandre Schneiter
Flute: Claude Jordan
Backing vocals: Maria Smith, Earl Smith Jr
Lead vocals: Mike Brooks

Recorded at Bridge Studio, Geneva, by Mathias Liengme.
Voiced at One Camp Studio, Zurich, by Elia Salomon.
Mixed at Channel Tubes, New York, by Brett Tubin.
Mastered at Precise Mastering, Hawick, by Sam John.

Music composed and arranged by Antonin Chatelain, Léo Marin and Mathias Liengme. Lyrics written by Mike Brooks.

Produced by Antonin Chatelain, Léo Marin and Mathias Liengme for Fruits Records.

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of introducing our studio band – THE 18TH PARALLEL – first official album ‘Showcase Vol. 1’ with Lone Ark. Today, The 18th Parallel are back with three more singles starring three giant singers from the golden age of Jamaican roots reggae. From day one, Fruits Records main purpose has always been to enforce collaborations between Swiss musicians and Jamaican singers from the golden age of reggae. These three 7” singles mark a new step to achieve the label’s goal: connecting different generations from different cultures through their love of roots reggae.

The first guest singer invited by The 18th Parallel is MIKE BROOKS. Known for hit songs like ‘Rum Drinker’ or ‘Money Is Not All’, Mike is one of the true heroes of the roots reggae sound of the late 70’s: stepper riddims with militant drumming, heavy basslines, thunder of spring reverbs… This is the kind of sound The 18th Parallel recreated with a new riddim designed especially for Mike’s high-pitched voice. ‘Mother Earth’ has not only a strong riddim, but also a strong message, more relevant than ever. The song, written by Mike Brooks’ daughter, is a call for ecological awareness of the state the planet is in : « Mother Earth is crying out for help… ». Young and old, this song is for all of us. B side with ‘Earth Cry’ is a killer dub version by NY top producer and mixing engineer Channel Tubes. Wicked!

released December 3, 2021

Music played by The 18th Parallel

Drums: Antonin Chatelain
Bass: Stuf Addis
Piano, organ, percussion: Mathias Liengme
Rhythm guitar: Léo Marin
Lead guitar: Solal Excoffier
Trombone: Anthony Dietrich Buclin
Trumpet: Alexandre Schneiter
Flute: Claude Jordan
Backing vocals: Maria Smith, Earl Smith Jr
Lead vocals: Mike Brooks

Recorded at Bridge Studio, Geneva, by Mathias Liengme.
Voiced at One Camp Studio, Zurich, by Elia Salomon.
Mixed at Channel Tubes, New York, by Brett Tubin.
Mastered at Precise Mastering, Hawick, by Sam John.

Music composed and arranged by Antonin Chatelain, Léo Marin and Mathias Liengme. Lyrics written by Mike Brooks.

Produced by Antonin Chatelain, Léo Marin and Mathias Liengme for Fruits Records.