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Mr. Something Something represents four years of composing, performing, risk-taking, improving and ultimately mobilizing the original vision of founding members Larry Graves [drums/percussion] and John MacLean [saxophone/voice]. 20 years of playing, studying and traveling passed before these two childhood friends settled on the unbeatable dance rhythms of Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Ghana as the most natural gathering place for the elements that would ultimately make up the Mr. Something Something sound.
Western instruments and concepts of improvisation are explored and layered over what used to be called Afrobeat; but the term strains to contain the innovations happening in the rhythm section at every show. It also fails to express in fiery-enough terms the imaginative solo work of respected jazz guitarist Paul MacDougall. Liam Smith dependably delivers basslines designed to induce and sustain a state of ecstatic dancing. And there is always inspiration to be drawn from mesmerizing on-stage dancer/choreographer Jennifer Dallas. The horn section strikes with power and uplifts with melody. And above it all, acting as a lightning rod, is the lyric statement of the case for change and consciousness, passionately delivered by electrifying frontman Johan Hultqvist.
Aside from wildly energized and unpredictable live shows, the band is becoming increasingly well-known for its green politics and environmental activism. The group did a number of "eco-dates" in 2007, playing a wind-powered show and performing in such unconventional venues as organic farms and food co-ops to highlight communities that are trying to minimize their ecological footprints. "It is our intent to educate ourselves to a better and more sustainable lifestyle", says lead singer Johan Hultqvist. "Hopefully this will inspire others to do the same."
The fresh sound and powerful message of the band’s second album ‘The Edge’ led to a nomination for a 2007 JUNO Award for World Music Album of the Year. EYE Weekly's Ryan Watson calls The Edge "an infectious blend of percolating polyrhythms, layered horn punches and hot-stepping basslines." EXCLAIM!’s David Dacks states that the album has "broadened the scope of Afro-grooves" while Shain Shapiro of the same publication writes that Mr. Something Something's high-energy shows have "proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today”. CBC Radio host Matt Galloway chose The Edge as his pick for the most underrated recording of 2006, adding that the charismatic crew is "even better live than on disc". Over the last three years the band has toured relentlessly in Canada, playing more than 300 shows, including appearances at many jazz and folk festivals from coast to coast.
"A new level of urgency, a new level of groove, this is an incendiary new album from a band that has built its reputation on a live experience over the last few years. I promise it will knock your socks off. This is music on a different level."
- Luka Symons, CKUA, Edmonton
"Formidable - a group of Canadians take on difficult Afrobeat syncopations behind a Nigerian poet, a man bursting with startlingly dramatic diction and much presence, and emerge with credit. Ikwunga The Afrobeat Poet may in waking life be a lovely personality, but in performance he sounds very cold and very cross, exactly the sort of man you wouldn't willingly disappoint. The title Deep Sleep refers to the trance state into which African leaders have been lulled and corrupted. Remind you of someone? Yes, the late Fela, and indeed Ikwunga has been a regular performer at The Shrine in Lagos. So, some pedigree, and the musicians are up to the task: they are sharp, inventive and well-muscled."
- Rick Sanders, fROOTS (UK)
"NNNN" (4 out of 5)
- NOW Magazine, Toronto
Reviews of the first two albums and live shows:
"And finally, the awesome, Juno-nominated Mr. Something Something (easily one of my favourite band-names in all of music) brought the evening to a rollicking conclusion with their superfunky Afrobeat concoctions. What amazes me about their music is that in spite of all the busy-ness of the horns, guitar, bass, drums and vocals (not to mention the on-stage dancer and lead singer Johan Hultqvist's mesmerizing and tightly controlled flailing) there is a kind of spare-ness to the arrangements that almost let you visualize lines of music spilling off the stage and spreading among the dancers in the house - each one a kind of personal muse for movement."
- Jowi Taylor, CBC Radio Two
"If you were with us at Supermarket on Friday for ‘On the Map’ you know what these guys are capable of. Everybody in the room was dancing, me included, terrifyingly enough. This is why, Mr. Something Something, a song called The Wanting. ...taken from a CD, which is really fantastic, called the Edge. If you’ve never seen them before, trust me when I tell you that they put on a fantastic live show."
- Matt Galloway, host of CBC Radio’s Here & Now
"...it's all here: punchy horn riffs, jazzy drums, percolating guitars and percussion galore.... these guys rank with any Afrobeat in the world today."
- David Dacks, EXCLAIM!
"Featuring more exotic instruments than you can shake a Gun-gon stick at, local Afrobeat sextet Mr. Something Something mix such tongue-twisting tools as Kpanlogo drums, borborbor hand drums, Ashanti gourd rattles and Frychiwa metal castanets with more conventional noisemakers (tenor and baritone sax, bass, guitar) into an infectious blend of percolating polyrhythms, layered horn punches and hot-stepping basslines. ...The Edge makes for an album-length extended groove that can, in a live setting, spell dancefloor heaven..."
- Ryan Watson, eye Weekly
"With authentic African rhythms, a fantastic horn section, hand drums and rattles from Ghana, spirited male and female vocals it's almost impossible not to be moved by the sheer intensity of Mr. Something
Something's desire to get funky."
- Jordy Yack, PULSE
"You catch this Toronto band live, this Mr. Something Something, and you're a changed person. Next day, you're still dancing, hypnotized by the entrancing rhythms carried first hand across the waters from West Africa and made personal by this distinctive team."
- Halley Southgate, MUZIK ETC
"...a celebration exploding with rich tones and vibrant beats, a throwback to something primal, infectious and seductive. ...dares even the dance–challenged to try and sit still
during a live performance.“
- Peter Klaassen, VIEW Magazine
"Throughout a two-hour set at the Casbah, the sextet of Mr. Something Something proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today with soaring, vibrant horn lines rolling through passionate vocals filled with conscious lyricism..."
- Shain Shapiro, EXCLAIM!
"...loaded with spirit, welcomed exuberance, and rhythmic muscle. [...] A careful blend of inspired vocals and instrumental punch make each piece a gem in and of itself. A solid first effort.
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
Aside from wildly energized and unpredictable live shows, the band is becoming increasingly well-known for its green politics and environmental activism. The group did a number of "eco-dates" in 2007, playing a wind-powered show and performing in such unconventional venues as organic farms and food co-ops to highlight communities that are trying to minimize their ecological footprints. "It is our intent to educate ourselves to a better and more sustainable lifestyle", says lead singer Johan Hultqvist. "Hopefully this will inspire others to do the same."
The fresh sound and powerful message of the band’s second album ‘The Edge’ led to a nomination for a 2007 JUNO Award for World Music Album of the Year. EYE Weekly's Ryan Watson calls The Edge "an infectious blend of percolating polyrhythms, layered horn punches and hot-stepping basslines." EXCLAIM!’s David Dacks states that the album has "broadened the scope of Afro-grooves" while Shain Shapiro of the same publication writes that Mr. Something Something's high-energy shows have "proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today”. CBC Radio host Matt Galloway chose The Edge as his pick for the most underrated recording of 2006, adding that the charismatic crew is "even better live than on disc". Over the last three years the band has toured relentlessly in Canada, playing more than 300 shows, including appearances at many jazz and folk festivals from coast to coast.
"A new level of urgency, a new level of groove, this is an incendiary new album from a band that has built its reputation on a live experience over the last few years. I promise it will knock your socks off. This is music on a different level."
- Luka Symons, CKUA, Edmonton
"Formidable - a group of Canadians take on difficult Afrobeat syncopations behind a Nigerian poet, a man bursting with startlingly dramatic diction and much presence, and emerge with credit. Ikwunga The Afrobeat Poet may in waking life be a lovely personality, but in performance he sounds very cold and very cross, exactly the sort of man you wouldn't willingly disappoint. The title Deep Sleep refers to the trance state into which African leaders have been lulled and corrupted. Remind you of someone? Yes, the late Fela, and indeed Ikwunga has been a regular performer at The Shrine in Lagos. So, some pedigree, and the musicians are up to the task: they are sharp, inventive and well-muscled."
- Rick Sanders, fROOTS (UK)
"NNNN" (4 out of 5)
- NOW Magazine, Toronto
Reviews of the first two albums and live shows:
"And finally, the awesome, Juno-nominated Mr. Something Something (easily one of my favourite band-names in all of music) brought the evening to a rollicking conclusion with their superfunky Afrobeat concoctions. What amazes me about their music is that in spite of all the busy-ness of the horns, guitar, bass, drums and vocals (not to mention the on-stage dancer and lead singer Johan Hultqvist's mesmerizing and tightly controlled flailing) there is a kind of spare-ness to the arrangements that almost let you visualize lines of music spilling off the stage and spreading among the dancers in the house - each one a kind of personal muse for movement."
- Jowi Taylor, CBC Radio Two
"If you were with us at Supermarket on Friday for ‘On the Map’ you know what these guys are capable of. Everybody in the room was dancing, me included, terrifyingly enough. This is why, Mr. Something Something, a song called The Wanting. ...taken from a CD, which is really fantastic, called the Edge. If you’ve never seen them before, trust me when I tell you that they put on a fantastic live show."
- Matt Galloway, host of CBC Radio’s Here & Now
"...it's all here: punchy horn riffs, jazzy drums, percolating guitars and percussion galore.... these guys rank with any Afrobeat in the world today."
- David Dacks, EXCLAIM!
"Featuring more exotic instruments than you can shake a Gun-gon stick at, local Afrobeat sextet Mr. Something Something mix such tongue-twisting tools as Kpanlogo drums, borborbor hand drums, Ashanti gourd rattles and Frychiwa metal castanets with more conventional noisemakers (tenor and baritone sax, bass, guitar) into an infectious blend of percolating polyrhythms, layered horn punches and hot-stepping basslines. ...The Edge makes for an album-length extended groove that can, in a live setting, spell dancefloor heaven..."
- Ryan Watson, eye Weekly
"With authentic African rhythms, a fantastic horn section, hand drums and rattles from Ghana, spirited male and female vocals it's almost impossible not to be moved by the sheer intensity of Mr. Something
Something's desire to get funky."
- Jordy Yack, PULSE
"You catch this Toronto band live, this Mr. Something Something, and you're a changed person. Next day, you're still dancing, hypnotized by the entrancing rhythms carried first hand across the waters from West Africa and made personal by this distinctive team."
- Halley Southgate, MUZIK ETC
"...a celebration exploding with rich tones and vibrant beats, a throwback to something primal, infectious and seductive. ...dares even the dance–challenged to try and sit still
during a live performance.“
- Peter Klaassen, VIEW Magazine
"Throughout a two-hour set at the Casbah, the sextet of Mr. Something Something proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today with soaring, vibrant horn lines rolling through passionate vocals filled with conscious lyricism..."
- Shain Shapiro, EXCLAIM!
"...loaded with spirit, welcomed exuberance, and rhythmic muscle. [...] A careful blend of inspired vocals and instrumental punch make each piece a gem in and of itself. A solid first effort.
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
"A new level of urgency, a new level of groove, this is an incendiary new album from a band that has built its reputation on a live experience over the last few years. I promise it will knock your socks off. This is music on a different level."
- Luka Symons, CKUA, Edmonton
"Formidable - a group of Canadians take on difficult Afrobeat syncopations behind a Nigerian poet, a man bursting with startlingly dramatic diction and much presence, and emerge with credit. Ikwunga The Afrobeat Poet may in waking life be a lovely personality, but in performance he sounds very cold and very cross, exactly the sort of man you wouldn't willingly disappoint. The title Deep Sleep refers to the trance state into which African leaders have been lulled and corrupted. Remind you of someone? Yes, the late Fela, and indeed Ikwunga has been a regular performer at The Shrine in Lagos. So, some pedigree, and the musicians are up to the task: they are sharp, inventive and well-muscled."
- Rick Sanders, fROOTS (UK)
"NNNN" (4 out of 5)
- NOW Magazine, Toronto
Reviews of the first two albums and live shows:
"And finally, the awesome, Juno-nominated Mr. Something Something (easily one of my favourite band-names in all of music) brought the evening to a rollicking conclusion with their superfunky Afrobeat concoctions. What amazes me about their music is that in spite of all the busy-ness of the horns, guitar, bass, drums and vocals (not to mention the on-stage dancer and lead singer Johan Hultqvist's mesmerizing and tightly controlled flailing) there is a kind of spare-ness to the arrangements that almost let you visualize lines of music spilling off the stage and spreading among the dancers in the house - each one a kind of personal muse for movement."
- Jowi Taylor, CBC Radio Two
"If you were with us at Supermarket on Friday for ‘On the Map’ you know what these guys are capable of. Everybody in the room was dancing, me included, terrifyingly enough. This is why, Mr. Something Something, a song called The Wanting. ...taken from a CD, which is really fantastic, called the Edge. If you’ve never seen them before, trust me when I tell you that they put on a fantastic live show."
- Matt Galloway, host of CBC Radio’s Here & Now
"...it's all here: punchy horn riffs, jazzy drums, percolating guitars and percussion galore.... these guys rank with any Afrobeat in the world today."
- David Dacks, EXCLAIM!
"Featuring more exotic instruments than you can shake a Gun-gon stick at, local Afrobeat sextet Mr. Something Something mix such tongue-twisting tools as Kpanlogo drums, borborbor hand drums, Ashanti gourd rattles and Frychiwa metal castanets with more conventional noisemakers (tenor and baritone sax, bass, guitar) into an infectious blend of percolating polyrhythms, layered horn punches and hot-stepping basslines. ...The Edge makes for an album-length extended groove that can, in a live setting, spell dancefloor heaven..."
- Ryan Watson, eye Weekly
"With authentic African rhythms, a fantastic horn section, hand drums and rattles from Ghana, spirited male and female vocals it's almost impossible not to be moved by the sheer intensity of Mr. Something
Something's desire to get funky."
- Jordy Yack, PULSE
"You catch this Toronto band live, this Mr. Something Something, and you're a changed person. Next day, you're still dancing, hypnotized by the entrancing rhythms carried first hand across the waters from West Africa and made personal by this distinctive team."
- Halley Southgate, MUZIK ETC
"...a celebration exploding with rich tones and vibrant beats, a throwback to something primal, infectious and seductive. ...dares even the dance–challenged to try and sit still
during a live performance.“
- Peter Klaassen, VIEW Magazine
"Throughout a two-hour set at the Casbah, the sextet of Mr. Something Something proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today with soaring, vibrant horn lines rolling through passionate vocals filled with conscious lyricism..."
- Shain Shapiro, EXCLAIM!
"...loaded with spirit, welcomed exuberance, and rhythmic muscle. [...] A careful blend of inspired vocals and instrumental punch make each piece a gem in and of itself. A solid first effort.
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
"A new level of urgency, a new level of groove, this is an incendiary new album from a band that has built its reputation on a live experience over the last few years. I promise it will knock your socks off. This is music on a different level."
- Luka Symons, CKUA, Edmonton
"Formidable - a group of Canadians take on difficult Afrobeat syncopations behind a Nigerian poet, a man bursting with startlingly dramatic diction and much presence, and emerge with credit. Ikwunga The Afrobeat Poet may in waking life be a lovely personality, but in performance he sounds very cold and very cross, exactly the sort of man you wouldn't willingly disappoint. The title Deep Sleep refers to the trance state into which African leaders have been lulled and corrupted. Remind you of someone? Yes, the late Fela, and indeed Ikwunga has been a regular performer at The Shrine in Lagos. So, some pedigree, and the musicians are up to the task: they are sharp, inventive and well-muscled."
- Rick Sanders, fROOTS (UK)
"NNNN" (4 out of 5)
- NOW Magazine, Toronto
Reviews of the first two albums and live shows:
"And finally, the awesome, Juno-nominated Mr. Something Something (easily one of my favourite band-names in all of music) brought the evening to a rollicking conclusion with their superfunky Afrobeat concoctions. What amazes me about their music is that in spite of all the busy-ness of the horns, guitar, bass, drums and vocals (not to mention the on-stage dancer and lead singer Johan Hultqvist's mesmerizing and tightly controlled flailing) there is a kind of spare-ness to the arrangements that almost let you visualize lines of music spilling off the stage and spreading among the dancers in the house - each one a kind of personal muse for movement."
- Jowi Taylor, CBC Radio Two
"If you were with us at Supermarket on Friday for ‘On the Map’ you know what these guys are capable of. Everybody in the room was dancing, me included, terrifyingly enough. This is why, Mr. Something Something, a song called The Wanting. ...taken from a CD, which is really fantastic, called the Edge. If you’ve never seen them before, trust me when I tell you that they put on a fantastic live show."
- Matt Galloway, host of CBC Radio’s Here & Now
"...it's all here: punchy horn riffs, jazzy drums, percolating guitars and percussion galore.... these guys rank with any Afrobeat in the world today."
- David Dacks, EXCLAIM!
"Featuring more exotic instruments than you can shake a Gun-gon stick at, local Afrobeat sextet Mr. Something Something mix such tongue-twisting tools as Kpanlogo drums, borborbor hand drums, Ashanti gourd rattles and Frychiwa metal castanets with more conventional noisemakers (tenor and baritone sax, bass, guitar) into an infectious blend of percolating polyrhythms, layered horn punches and hot-stepping basslines. ...The Edge makes for an album-length extended groove that can, in a live setting, spell dancefloor heaven..."
- Ryan Watson, eye Weekly
"With authentic African rhythms, a fantastic horn section, hand drums and rattles from Ghana, spirited male and female vocals it's almost impossible not to be moved by the sheer intensity of Mr. Something
Something's desire to get funky."
- Jordy Yack, PULSE
"You catch this Toronto band live, this Mr. Something Something, and you're a changed person. Next day, you're still dancing, hypnotized by the entrancing rhythms carried first hand across the waters from West Africa and made personal by this distinctive team."
- Halley Southgate, MUZIK ETC
"...a celebration exploding with rich tones and vibrant beats, a throwback to something primal, infectious and seductive. ...dares even the dance–challenged to try and sit still
during a live performance.“
- Peter Klaassen, VIEW Magazine
"Throughout a two-hour set at the Casbah, the sextet of Mr. Something Something proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today with soaring, vibrant horn lines rolling through passionate vocals filled with conscious lyricism..."
- Shain Shapiro, EXCLAIM!
"...loaded with spirit, welcomed exuberance, and rhythmic muscle. [...] A careful blend of inspired vocals and instrumental punch make each piece a gem in and of itself. A solid first effort.
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
"And finally, the awesome, Juno-nominated Mr. Something Something (easily one of my favourite band-names in all of music) brought the evening to a rollicking conclusion with their superfunky Afrobeat concoctions. What amazes me about their music is that in spite of all the busy-ness of the horns, guitar, bass, drums and vocals (not to mention the on-stage dancer and lead singer Johan Hultqvist's mesmerizing and tightly controlled flailing) there is a kind of spare-ness to the arrangements that almost let you visualize lines of music spilling off the stage and spreading among the dancers in the house - each one a kind of personal muse for movement."
- Jowi Taylor, CBC Radio Two
"If you were with us at Supermarket on Friday for ‘On the Map’ you know what these guys are capable of. Everybody in the room was dancing, me included, terrifyingly enough. This is why, Mr. Something Something, a song called The Wanting. ...taken from a CD, which is really fantastic, called the Edge. If you’ve never seen them before, trust me when I tell you that they put on a fantastic live show."
- Matt Galloway, host of CBC Radio’s Here & Now
"...it's all here: punchy horn riffs, jazzy drums, percolating guitars and percussion galore.... these guys rank with any Afrobeat in the world today."
- David Dacks, EXCLAIM!
"Featuring more exotic instruments than you can shake a Gun-gon stick at, local Afrobeat sextet Mr. Something Something mix such tongue-twisting tools as Kpanlogo drums, borborbor hand drums, Ashanti gourd rattles and Frychiwa metal castanets with more conventional noisemakers (tenor and baritone sax, bass, guitar) into an infectious blend of percolating polyrhythms, layered horn punches and hot-stepping basslines. ...The Edge makes for an album-length extended groove that can, in a live setting, spell dancefloor heaven..."
- Ryan Watson, eye Weekly
"With authentic African rhythms, a fantastic horn section, hand drums and rattles from Ghana, spirited male and female vocals it's almost impossible not to be moved by the sheer intensity of Mr. Something
Something's desire to get funky."
- Jordy Yack, PULSE
"You catch this Toronto band live, this Mr. Something Something, and you're a changed person. Next day, you're still dancing, hypnotized by the entrancing rhythms carried first hand across the waters from West Africa and made personal by this distinctive team."
- Halley Southgate, MUZIK ETC
"...a celebration exploding with rich tones and vibrant beats, a throwback to something primal, infectious and seductive. ...dares even the dance–challenged to try and sit still
during a live performance.“
- Peter Klaassen, VIEW Magazine
"Throughout a two-hour set at the Casbah, the sextet of Mr. Something Something proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today with soaring, vibrant horn lines rolling through passionate vocals filled with conscious lyricism..."
- Shain Shapiro, EXCLAIM!
"...loaded with spirit, welcomed exuberance, and rhythmic muscle. [...] A careful blend of inspired vocals and instrumental punch make each piece a gem in and of itself. A solid first effort.
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
- David Dacks, EXCLAIM!
"Featuring more exotic instruments than you can shake a Gun-gon stick at, local Afrobeat sextet Mr. Something Something mix such tongue-twisting tools as Kpanlogo drums, borborbor hand drums, Ashanti gourd rattles and Frychiwa metal castanets with more conventional noisemakers (tenor and baritone sax, bass, guitar) into an infectious blend of percolating polyrhythms, layered horn punches and hot-stepping basslines. ...The Edge makes for an album-length extended groove that can, in a live setting, spell dancefloor heaven..."
- Ryan Watson, eye Weekly
"With authentic African rhythms, a fantastic horn section, hand drums and rattles from Ghana, spirited male and female vocals it's almost impossible not to be moved by the sheer intensity of Mr. Something
Something's desire to get funky."
- Jordy Yack, PULSE
"You catch this Toronto band live, this Mr. Something Something, and you're a changed person. Next day, you're still dancing, hypnotized by the entrancing rhythms carried first hand across the waters from West Africa and made personal by this distinctive team."
- Halley Southgate, MUZIK ETC
"...a celebration exploding with rich tones and vibrant beats, a throwback to something primal, infectious and seductive. ...dares even the dance–challenged to try and sit still
during a live performance.“
- Peter Klaassen, VIEW Magazine
"Throughout a two-hour set at the Casbah, the sextet of Mr. Something Something proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today with soaring, vibrant horn lines rolling through passionate vocals filled with conscious lyricism..."
- Shain Shapiro, EXCLAIM!
"...loaded with spirit, welcomed exuberance, and rhythmic muscle. [...] A careful blend of inspired vocals and instrumental punch make each piece a gem in and of itself. A solid first effort.
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
- Jordy Yack, PULSE
"You catch this Toronto band live, this Mr. Something Something, and you're a changed person. Next day, you're still dancing, hypnotized by the entrancing rhythms carried first hand across the waters from West Africa and made personal by this distinctive team."
- Halley Southgate, MUZIK ETC
"...a celebration exploding with rich tones and vibrant beats, a throwback to something primal, infectious and seductive. ...dares even the dance–challenged to try and sit still
during a live performance.“
- Peter Klaassen, VIEW Magazine
"Throughout a two-hour set at the Casbah, the sextet of Mr. Something Something proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today with soaring, vibrant horn lines rolling through passionate vocals filled with conscious lyricism..."
- Shain Shapiro, EXCLAIM!
"...loaded with spirit, welcomed exuberance, and rhythmic muscle. [...] A careful blend of inspired vocals and instrumental punch make each piece a gem in and of itself. A solid first effort.
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
- Peter Klaassen, VIEW Magazine
"Throughout a two-hour set at the Casbah, the sextet of Mr. Something Something proved that they rank with any Afrobeat in the world today with soaring, vibrant horn lines rolling through passionate vocals filled with conscious lyricism..."
- Shain Shapiro, EXCLAIM!
"...loaded with spirit, welcomed exuberance, and rhythmic muscle. [...] A careful blend of inspired vocals and instrumental punch make each piece a gem in and of itself. A solid first effort.
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
- Randy McElligott, Jazzreview.com
"Mr. Something Something have the West African-style groove-thing down pat. The beats are infectious and the horns are big, bold and beautiful. [...] This is a great debut from a solid band and totally worth a spin."
- Chris Watson, VIEW Magazine
"...a welcome new flavour in the Canadian musical landscape."
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
- Doug Taylor, The Coast
"...you can't help but feel the vibe....cool and infectious..."
- Dylan Ferguson, The Manitoban
"...West African style that blissfully combines catchy lyrics with a variety of horns to make their fans get up and dance. Known not only for the music they make, but also for promoting a strong social conscience and for their sometimes acrobatic use of (often limited) stage space, these guys are worth seeing, midterms or no midterms!"
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
- McGill Tribune
"...all the ingredients of complete and utter afro-funk goodness. ...perhaps one of the most diverse bands on the Canadian independent scene."
- Valention Assenza, Latchkey.net
"Just when you thought the whole jam band thing was trailing off a bit, along come Mr. Something Something with their seriously funk-laden, self-titled debut. Although the album only contains five tracks, it still yields some three quarters of an hour of West African-based grooves inundated with driving rhythms, catchy vocals, and full-on horns."
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
- Declan Kelly, ECHO Weekly
Aaron Schubert at Paquin Entertainment- aaron@paquinentertainment.com / 416-962-8885
Publicity/Promotion:
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
Audio/Recording:
John MacLean - thenoblesavage@gmail.com
Pierce Gladhan - WorldRecords@gmail.com
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