All Stations-Challenge Records Int.

Artist: James Scholfield, Billy Hart

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James Scholfield born in Manchester, England and moved to South Africa in his childhood. After playing in all kind of different bands he was bitten by the Jazz-bug. That made him decide to study at the excellent Jazz school in Graz, Austria for several years, but South Africa eventually pulled him back. In Cape Town he met Dutch producer/bassplayer Hein Van de Geyn, who was visiting South Africa at that time. Hein immediately was impressed, not only by his excellent playing, but also by his prolific compositions. As you will hear yourself James’ music has a very personal signature, deeply rooted in the tradition, hints of the Cape, on the edge and above all original. Not too long after hearing James’ demo Hein bumped into Dutch hammond player Arno Krijger and he immediately realised that he should get these two wonderful musicians together at some point. The only thing they missed (according to Hein) was a great drummer. In his mind it couldn’t be anybody else than the amazing, exciting Billy Hart. And if it had to be, Billy was up to it and even better, going to be on tour. So now they had a tour and the possibility to record. The result of their wonderful week, of great music and good food can be heard on this CD. It’s strong, potent, gentle, sensitive, grooving, original, accesible and creative. And on top of all that recorded in the SACD format, which gives this music even more intensivety then a normal recording would do. So listen and enjoy!

Hein Van De Geyn

Challenge Records Int. – All Stations.

Way Out South, Natascha Roth and JS

Produced, engineered, arranged, composed, played –  James

“Way Out South” – A journey into a world of sounds and space and hypnotic rhythms. The South is a spiritual place within as well as a physical reality without. A world of extremes where light and dark meet, where music heals and reconnects the spirit.

South African duo Natascha Roth and James Scholfield were lucky enough to borrow some particularly tasty gear for the making of this album, and they’ve made full use of it. Their sound layers arpeggiated guitars from Schofield with Emmylou Harris-style warbling from Roth, and since the overall feel is very gentle and downbeat, there is precious little room for bad sounds to hide. Happily, then, the playing, singing and recording are all excellent

“Sound On Sound”

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