HighBreedMusic

Check out So Disrespectful’s news release:

Toni Menage and Monifah are SoDisrespectful

LIVE at Jello Martini Lounge, August 26 & 27th

New York, NY—August 15, 2011—Featuring the sleek vocal stylings of Toni Menage (ex-Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam) and Monifah (Billboard #1 hot rhythmic, gold and platinum selling Vocal artist) with their unique spin on Top 40 hits, R&B, neo-soul favorites and funk classics, SoDisrespectful will bring their high-energy act straight out of New York City to Montreal for a limited two-night engagement Friday, August 26, 2011 and Saturday, August 27, 2011 at Jello Martini Lounge (151 Ontario East). Tickets are $8.

While both veterans of the New York City West Village scene are a force to be reckoned with in their own right, when combined, SoDisrespectful is one of the most charismatic groups around. Rounded out by a three-piece rhythm section, the voices of Toni Menage and Monifah blend to create songs that are familiar, yet with an unexpected twist that’s fresh in delivery.

“Monifah is going to show the audience a side that I don’t think they are expecting. Powerful vocals and a strong performance,” says Toni Menage whose mixture of R&B into Hip Hop and transitions between songs is sure to impress. “You can expect great live music, amazing energy and a fresh spin on how much a five-piece unit can produce.”

Both shows at Jello Martini Lounge will featuretwo sets of original material including the tracks Window and Invincible, mixed with select classic covers. A live CD/DVD combo, Monifah’s new single Sweat, and the Menage Live EP will be available for purchase at the shows.

With Harlem roots and New York City street savoir-faire, Toni Menage has music in her blood. A regular at NYC hotspots including The Groove, The Village Underground and Pure Lounge, Toni sang backing vocals for Columbia Recording Artist Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam in addition to Jade, and Jimmy Cozier. She has performed on Soul Train, The Rhythm and Blues Awards, American Music Awards, Arsenio Hall Show, Joan Rivers, B.E.T. Listening Party and The World Music Awards, and has toured with Club MTV. In 2006, she was a feature performer and vocal director for The Bellagio’s New Years Eve 2006 Extravaganza in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

R&B singer-songwriter and recording artist Monifah released her debut album, Moods…Moments in 1996 and Mo’hogany in 1998 (both on the Uptown Records label) followed by Home in 2000 on Universal. In addition to several television projects, she is currently working on her fourth solo studio album, MidNite, due later this year. 

In addition to performing with SoDisrespectul since 2004, Monifah and Toni Menage are partners in running Menage Works Inc. which is in the process of producing and back-lining a 90’s Music festival to be launched fall 2011 through 2012. The tour will feature 15-20 of the top artists from the 90’s backed by the SoDisrespectful rhythm section.  

Catch SoDisrespectful LIVE at Jello Martini Lounge (151 Rue Ontario East). Showtime is Friday, August 26 at 10 p.m. ET, and Saturday August 27 at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets are $8 at the door or call 514 285-2009 or visit jellomartinilounge.com

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For more info on SoDisrespectful and Monifah, see: twitter.com/#!/TONIMENAGE | twitter.com/THEMONIFAH

MEDIA CONTACT:           

Sophy Khwaja

HighBreed Music

So it was the first time I had lunch at Bills and I must say, they had some killer fries!  As weird as it sounds, their Red Bull also hit the spot.  Yes, Red Bull (in my opinion) does taste different in different places.  I don’t really know why, but I think it has something to do with the temperature of the fridge.  The colder, the better!  And honestly, I think I might’ve sprouted wings after that Red Bull.

Anis

I was looking for a clip of Martin Lawrence saying that, but my patience ran out, and I’m posting this one instead:

Good morning! Everything is rolling, rolling, rolling. It feels good to be back in here, even if I only left a few hours ago. Remember that blog Puttrooku wrote about a while back? Well, it’s like that, and that’s the way it is.

Feeling pretty good this morning guys…time to channel that into some productivity. Woo!

Hmm, yeah, but first, I need some tea. 

Nik

Ok, so I just found out that purple is used to highlight wrong notes by the audio guys. This was right after we had a conversation about the allegedly overwhelming amount of feminine (read hormonal) energy that is pouring out of my, well, pores (-an even longer conversation that we won’t get into-). (like how I just broke a bunch of style rules? booyah!)

Anyway, so I’m chirping about how I feel pretty great, when they hear a wrong note, which they proceed to highlight in purple. Then Fishkrackalacka points out the ironic fact that I’m wearing purple today…could this be the reason my aura and words are being is being misread or misheard? Who knows? Who knows. But I was entirely entertained by the thought that I am a wrong note today in someone’s song…the one that stands out and makes you go hmm…yeah, gotta fix that. I am an inspiration for change. :-)

Yeah. Right. Back to work kids, have a great night :)

mYnIcIsNik

Morning,

The session on Saturday was spectacular.  All I have to say is what a cool bunch of people.  The talent in the lounge was spewing from the cracks in the doors into the hallways filling anyone who heard it with optimistic energy and joy. Here are some pictures:

Band pre-recording rehearsal

Cast and musicians ready to create love.

All smiles, all day :)

Here’s to more sessions like this.  The Breeding Ground NYC would like to thank everyone for their hard work, great attitudes, and positive energy.

Good morning, happy Tuesday :)

Last night I was reminded about the facts of life.  

You have to be aware, goal oriented, and focused on finding the way to make everything you want, and can do, possible. You have to have an idea. It’s all about ideas. But ideas without actions are useless, so you have to put energy into the ones that will move you forward, the ones you want to move with.

I have a bunch of ideas…

I just have to move with the ones that make a difference. For others.

Enev Be

Right now, Mike and John are clearing out the storage room and vocal booth in order for us to get maximum use out of the space. It seems every time I look up, they’re moving another piece of wood. 

“That blast came from the Death Star. It’s operational!” -Scott

I’m pretty exhausted today, couldn’t get to sleep thinking about all the stuff we need to get done. Yeah, I’m sure that’s the reason I kept tossing and turning…maybe? Hopefully, the guys will find some music that will energize me.

Then again, maybe I’d better put something on. 

Dedication means working through that tired spell. Push, push, push!

mYnicIsNiK 

This morning I woke up annoyingly early and haven’t been able to get back to sleep. Well, to be completely accurate, I wasn’t motivated to go back to sleep. It’s amazing to enjoy being awake. Not everyone does. (Life happens now, and such.) So, I’ve been hanging out in a room that barely remembers me, listening to random songs as they pop into my head. I can’t listen to the radio, it’s not fulfilling. I don’t get that deep sense of satisfaction that comes from listening to a great song with all of yourself.  Music should make you feel nourished. A couple days ago, after Marquese heard the finished Groundfood songs, he took a deep breath, smiled, and said, “That felt goooood!” Indeed!

I’ve been time travelling to find a sound that fits today’s feel. The playlist over the last 20 minutes is pretty random-Priestess, Iggy Pop, Johnnie Taylor, Bettye Swan, Sugar Ray, Barbara Acklin. Next up…who knows. I just want it to be positive and uplifting. When you’re around that energy at work all day, not taking it home with you isn’t an option. Today’s plan, some housekeeping and writing-personal projects. It’s going to be a relaxing day. 

Happy Sunday to all :-) 

mYnicIsNiKu