Lots has happened since my last entry here:
I’ve begun recording this album. June produced 8 studio tracks, and 23 demos. I sent these demos to King Street to see if they were serious about doing a second album with me. Hisa chose 8 tracks which he really liked… only two of which were slated for this album project… But Hisa wanted the music to be 128 bpm, more along the lines of what most club DJ’s are actually playing these days, and further, he asked me to invite female singers into the project and add a more King Street flare. I am open to this, having explored faster tempos lately both on Sunday Soul and in recent live trips out, so I agreed, and invited Jenifa Mayanja, Monique Binham, Moonbeam Jones, and Mai to join me on this album both as backing vocalists, as well as lead vocalists. They each replied with delight.

Suddenly it looked like I was about to produce two albums at once. for me this was confusing at first, but then it all came into focus.

A. I create a faster, more techno album for King Street to be released in the early part of 2009
B. I keep on working on this handmade and heady album for us, to be released on Treehouse as promised late summer 2008.

Seems ideal to me.

The contract negotiations continue, and it’s all hanging on the outcome of this week’s 12th hour tussle. I’m worn out and looking forward to a productive weekend in the studio.

I am still at a bit of a loss to determine how I can drum up more support for this album. My dearest friends, and regular readers, as well as some long time fans, and new folks I’ve never met have already contributed. A couple of debts have been converted into the recording fund as well.. about $2,800 of the budget is not actually money in waiting, rather, deposits from gigs which have never happened were offered as contributions. I accepted this in order to close up the loose ends… but now the running total is inaccurate.

I thought that going at this fast and furious was the only way to get anywhere near the required goal. but as the months wear on I find myself scratching my head and wondering how to proceed. for now, the plan is to continue, and record this record with the budget we have. That said, if you know anyone who is into house music, into dubtribe, or loves my solo work… please please send them an ecard, or direct them to this site.

I began work on two songs last week, and have been really enjoying not worrying about the fundraising, and just getting down to recording, singing, and playing.

Feel like having a party!!!!

Thank you.

On a fundraising note, there are still over $5,000 in pledges out there which have not yet come in. I might normally just be grateful and feel really good inside for the pledges alone, but I’m chomping at the bit to get started recording these tracks. So if you’ve previously pledged something for the fund, and/or been thinking about sending in a little something but haven’t gotten around to it yet, please muster the courage and do it to it!

An interesting side effect of promoting my cause has been interest from labels, licensing offers, and sales in the treehouse muzique shop. I’m pleased, but want to bring the point of this record home more clearly.

I also really, really, really miss my blog. I love having a journal I can empty my head into every morning, and it’s been difficult to look at this same fundraising page over and over. One thought I had was to leave the new album sidebar up and return to my journal. Another idea was to move the album project off to it’s own domain… sunshinesnextrecord.com …

I’m considering how to have stencils made, and teeny tiny stickers too. Working on it.