THE SECRET LIFE OF SOFIA

The Seven Summits are known to the world as the 7 highest mountains of all the continents; maybe this is where The Secret Life of Sofia get there nature filled lyrics for the album "Seven Summits"! Making up the Brooklyn, NY crew The Secret Life of Sofia consists of: Kyle on the guitar, Eric with the guitar, Steve on the drums, Fraser for the bass, and Chris keying up. All members contribute vocals, Kyle being the lead. These Hyphies are influenced by the likes of The Beatles and Neil Young, their words hold much substance and although lack playfulness, are very refreshing. Through the album "Seven Summits" you are entranced through several short stories and oddly enough taking place in nature or many references made to it. The Secret Life of Sofia is very in touch with their "roots"! Get it? Roots! Well a majority of the songs contain very catchy drum patterns that may sound familiar or are just memorable with greasy ease! What lacks in the drums on some tracks is well made up for with the guitars. This would be a CD to pop into the player (or iPod) while on a road trip. Very laid back and relaxing, brings on a feeling of content, especially with all the talk of beautiful surroundings of trees and lakes. Check these guys out at the Cake House in NYC. So take a trip and take a listen! Definitely include The Secret Life of Sofia in your musical selections for your next commute.

AHMOND

A fresh Aleternative music Rock blend has been seeping through the Brooklyn borough. Previously an Actor and Musical Director, who was showing off his skills in European pubs; Ahmond attains the abilities to sing, write songs, and even compose music. This music gives off the most serene vibe, with Ahmond's smooth and soothing vocals and the calming instrumentals. He uses a wide range of instruments, you can find Mandolins, Cellos, and of course Electric Guitars. In songs such as "Go To Africa" and "A Boy You Once Knew" you feel the serenity wash over you, it is easy to follow along with Ahmond and get lost in the music. He takes it up a notch in "You're The Life," sounding more upbeat as opposed to the others. A diverse instrumental was that for "Those Damn Things" which began with a fantastic African sounding Drum pattern, but once the guitars start to introduce themselves the focus is taken away from those awesome patterns and we are centered on the familiar Rock sound. Definitely listen to Ahmond from start to finish, and keep an ear out for his joint "Collision" on the series Rome.

LIKE TRAINS AND TAXI'S

Three New Jersey Natives; Chris Harris, Owen Susman, and Mike DelPriore, better known as Like Trains & Taxi's, are giving out handfuls of soulful Jazz all through the Tri-State. These guys manage to take various genres and mix'em up into their own soulful groove. Check out a show, they even have the Jazzy get up! What's classier than a button down shirt and a tie when you're on stage? Like Trains & Taxi's definitely provides some feel good music, even if this isn't your usual cup of tea, it's worth a sip!

LOWRY

The lastest Electro-Americana groove comes from Brooklyn, NY. Birthplace of Engine Room Recordings artists Heidi, Jasper, Crash, Greg, and Alex; better known as Lowry. The influential wonders of this Folk Rock band include Bjork, Neil Young, and pretty much anyone in the 60's and 70's time warp. Their current album Love Is Dead features a wide range of instruments from the piano to a banjo, creating a strangely soothing rhythm with well blended vocals. A good song to check out is "Face Behind Your Hands," Lowry steps in a different direction with the upbeat catchy chorus. They will be returning to New York from a Southern tour so catch them on May 6 in Brooklyn!

THE UNSACRED HEARTS

There is definitely nothing sacred about these NYC boys; making up the Punk Rock combo known as The Unsacred Hearts. Since 2004 the four rock-stars have been providing loud and semi-wacky tunes. The Serious Business Records signed crew consists of Joe Willie and Andy Bean serving up the vocals (Andy also takes care of the bass), guitarist Dave Siegel and drumming the drums is Travis Harrison. There's not much of a story line to follow in the songs, the lyrics are somewhat random yet rhyming, and there are actually a number of them that do not even hit the two minute mark. The Ramones and Bob Dylan inspired band does get you going with the instrumentals, the boys can rock! If you're a college party person then you may want to pump these hearts!

Latin Mob in The Making

The year 1982 was fairly eventful; with the introduction of the chocolate lovers Double Stuff Oreo, the Sony launch of the first CD player, and who can forget the release of the notorius Michael Jackson hit "Thriller"? This year also brought on other highlights...Born and raised with the blood of La Isla Del Encanta now gracing the "Boogie Down" with his presence, is a fierce lyricist who shows no mercy and asks for none in return. Mr. Carlos Matos; or L.Dot for short will have the ladies in lust and the dudes in denial.

At the tender age of 7 little L.Dot came to the states with his beloved grandma, taking a brief 3 month tour of the infamous NYC he found his place in The Bronx. The distance from home and loss of his uncle didn't even break his skin, he continued his excellence in school (and in music). No musical equipment needed, L.Dot found his instruments right in the classroom...his desk! No teacher could stop his hands from creating amateur beats on the desk nor could they shut his mouth from spitting small flames of fire; soon to be burning down buildings! His first performance experience was the work of uncle Gilbert who enthusiastically pulled the small L on stage while he was performing at a courthouse Christmas party. Passionately the young versifier executed the song "La Escuela" from the Puerto Rican Ruben DJ; who was of course one of the mentors of the boy turned lyrical dragon.

The first song written by L.Dot took place on Morris Ave., well known to bronxites. This is also where he befriended his companion Macho, eating the compliments thrown at him. The two worked on a project for school for which L wrote and Macho performed using (what'chu know about this?!) a tape deck! So starts the Latin Mob history...L.Dots crew consisted of Low, Sito, Jay, and Dutch. He recalls "We were high as fuck walking with a few shorties we worked with and niggas started freestyling, I jumped on a rock like I was on stage and went off for like 5 minutes. I was so hyped I ripped my chain by mistake. That's gone." [Laughs]



After the crews 99 problems (and a bitch was 1) in 2001 L's new companion was Sleepy; master of the musical sound. L was given his first taste of hooks and bars when Sleepy threw all of his projects at him. Sleepy took him to a studio in Queens that to others looked like a dungeon but to L was a small piece of heaven. As life moved on, so did the so-called "friends" who surrounded L. The new crew was now L.Dot and Shawn, they got to work and started making the Boogie's corniest music with Fruity Loops. The very first recorded song was "Lady," taking place in the home studio of Jay Heightz. The 2 years were spent sweating and spitting; the product being 30 recorded songs. Also coming out of this was one of the future minions: 12 Gauge A.K.A. DJ 12 Gauge. L.Dot reminisces "He had the craziest DJ set up I had ever seen. Turntables, EQ's, and a crazy control board. Huge speakers. About 100 or more records. CD's everywhere. It was nuts.." This is where L came to know the rest of the current 12 Gauge Minions. "I spit like 4 songs that day, recorded it in one shot. No takes, no pauses, just a straight run through. The good ole' days. I can't do that shit now!"

Now, in the 2002-2003 time frame, is where Problem Child, M.E.L., Outlaw, and Bag of Bones come into play. Although Jay Heightz was throwing down offers to L for verses and performances, some accepted, L remained loyal to the minions; and Latin Mob Entertainment (LME) was official as of 2006. The hits "Sticky Icky", "Problem", "Mobstaz This Mobstaz That" and some others were born in the home studios of LME. Since December of 2007 to this very day there are over 65 joints by LME (not including L's solos) recorded and being played in showers and on Myspace pages all over the Big Apple and anywhere else music can be found. "Now I'm finishing my solo mixtape Nothing But A Dream. Then we going to put together The Deathnotes. I mean we got enough to drop it now but we just building up the tracks 'til we feel confident enough with the product." Look out for the mixtapes and the upcoming solos of Problem Child, Bag of Bones, and M.E.L..

Look out NYC 2009, Latin Mob and the 12 Gauge Minions are spitting fire and we remain with no extinguishers! Much more to look out for from the young crew. So show some love, visit the Myspace (myspace.com/Lmatosmusic), check out the album art, and DOWNLOAD THE JOINTS!!! (Duh) Also keep an eye out for the LME/12 Gauge website...COMING SOON!

JOSEPHINE

**This is a great chic band. Very down to earth girls with deep lyrics and amazing music**

In July of 2008 three beautiful girls and some instruments were united and formed the post punk band known as Josephine. Main vocals and guitar provided by Xtina Rubio, bass plucking done by Leigh Regan, and Tracy Thompkins on the drums. The first click of the play button brings on the raspy voices similar to those of The Donnas, and tunes influenced by Johnny Cash and Pat Benetar. These chics obtain the ability to have rappers rockin' out, especially with Xtina's pulse-like strumming in "Down to the sea." If one finds themselves trying to make sense of some lyrics don't feel bad, Josephines' endowment of true poetic utterance is simply complimented by their acoustic mastery. But "Billy's song" is simple yet so powerful, and is perfect for those down days. There is something for all; from the lyricists and poets to the head bobbers. Support the short but strong EP and definitely keep your ears on the lookout for these girls!