Artist: Indigitize Album: Digital Takeover Indigitize is the brainchild of two Seattle icons, Stingshark and Adrian Xavier, coming together to activate their musical talents into conscious intention and action on the planet. The duo have known each other for over 20 years. In 1994, Stingshark helped Adrian produce his first EP. Stingshark has been playing gigs in Seattle under his own name as well as with Marmalade, Role One, Altered States Of Funk, Phat Sidy, Smokehouse and the Adrian Xavier Band. The project openly melds old school funk and reggae ethics with modern beat making technology. Indigitize maintains a modern digital sound that keeps its base in roots reggae and explores our place in the universe fusing many music elements including funk, Latin, R&B and Reggaeton and Hip-Hop. The name Indigitize represents the desire to maintain connection to indigenous roots and culture, while we progress into this digital world that surrounds us. All people can trace their roots to indigenous ways life. It's only been in the last few generations that people began losing the connection to land, language and tradition. Indigitize is bringing the roots into the future. Digital Takeover is a true concept album with echoes of Manu Chao, Ozomatli, Michael Franti & Spearhead and Prince. The sound of Indigitize represents the maverick nature of Seattle's music community from the vibrant hip-hop scene of today, to the hardcore grunge era and as far back as the psychedelic rock of Seattle-born Jimi Hendrix. The production showcases many of Seattle's greatest musicians combined with the tireless production work from Stingshark. The songs were produced at Fu-Rock studio in Seattle and it represents the highest of music industry standards. The release was mastered by Ed Brooks (REM, Pearl Jam) at RFI Mastering. The album starts with the tune "Sound Clash", the lead single from the set, a fire-breathing reggaeton-styled anthem that is made for the dance floor. As the story begins to unfold, the duo trade rhymes and playful chorus ideas. On "Luxury Loves Company" there is a dreamy, falsetto chorus that plays with rapid fire reggae style lyrics delivered on bold keyboard driven melody, with psychedelic guitar and percussion each of which present a distinct element of the song idea. As "In Unity" opens, it welcomes the "206 massive" a nod to Seattle's scene, the rhythm is a sparkly groove with bell tones and organ lending an acid jazz feel to hip-hop patterned lyrics present the case against the evil empire and social injustice with a smooth R&B style female vocal asking "don't you want to wake up?" As "Elevate" opens, the groove is straight ahead reggae with shout outs to all of the massive and crew, the tune is sung versus rapped and the questions arise as to how are we going to elevate, with angelic horn lines trumpeting this idea. Dub styled breakdowns relay the message by stripping down the groove to the horn line and the vocal and then building back to powerful vocals. Moving on to the epicenter of the mission "Rebel Rally" more straight ahead reggae with higher frequency vocals and questions asked, about keeping people motivated and cooperating with each other, elegantly recorded vocals using delay effects and intriguing auto-tune meld beautifully with bubbling keys, live drums, bright horn lines and uplifting baselines. Imbued with the Parliament-Funkadelic type of philosophy, "free your mind and your behind will follow", "She's So Serious" discusses the dance moves of a girl on the dance floor, someone who is so caught up in the groove, she dances like no one else is around, and goes on to discuss the way she finds her way in this complex world, using playful vocal styles, from hip hop chants to falsetto vocals dance over a sweet reggae rhythm and inviting keyboard line. The perpetuation of technology and how humans fit in a world dominated by the use of it is explored on "Digital Takeover" with vocals processed through a vocoder type of effect and a formal loudspeaker announcement that reminds us that we are living in a world dominated by machines. The song is is lengthy at just over 6 minutes, providing a lengthy instrumental bridge section carried on a wonderful muted trumpet line, a nod to our musical past. More horns open the silky, funky reggae tempo of "Down In The Ghetto", coupled with a soulful falsetto chorus lines, the message is tempered, but the vision is clear. The Indigitize duo explore the way music can present a healing force for "the ghetto children" and how positive vibes translate in the ghetto, and how people are affected by the "dread' on the corner, hearing a "glock popping off" in reaction to people just trying to survive. Percussion and a solid reggae drum groove mark the territory on "This Is The Night" suggesting that all of their lives they have been waiting for this time to come, this chance to "rock it till the broad daylight" in this form. A jamming guitar solo presents the offerings on deck for this outing. The nightscape theme is followed with “Star Bright” where Stingshark adds his own Hip-Hop vocals in a duet with Adrian. The theme asks us to shine our light and end the cycle of suffering as Adrian chants, “We’re coming closer to the light and making it brighter, releasing the pain and the strain and making it lighter.” The rhythm bed is straight ahead one-drop reggae with a prominent soulful horn line and a dynamic guitar solo and dubbed out instrumental section. As the album closes, the vintage reggae style vocal and grooves of "Hoodyard" leave us with a warning to watch out for "backstabbers corroborating" and "two timers instigating", those that "don't love no one else, cause they don't love themselves". The tune explores the realities of life in the U.S. where "war and tax increase….” carried over a dreamy, digitized chorus, complex horn lines and a dubbed out extended play mix that comes in at nearly 8 minutes. It is clear the duo have chemistry in the studio, producing music that covers un-trodden ground while taking a positive approach to the world's issues and their place in the universe as musicians. The music of Indigitize crosses social and cultural barriers, striving to provide deeper understanding of our global community. The duo's roots in rock and reggae give the music an edgy, modern feel, while their mutual love of funk and hip-hop and the use of vintage effects take it to the roots, producing a sound that defies categorization, taking the the music conversation in a new direction. Guest musicians include Mark Cardinas, platinum recording artist with The Time on keyboards. Also on keys is Leif Dalan who has worked with Eek A Mouse, Clinton Fearon and Prezident Brown. Chris Littlefield from Carl Denson’s Tiny Universe performs trumpet on the album. Sarah Christine contributes support vocals on “Elevate”, “This Is The Night” and is a featured vocalist on “In Unity”. About Adrian Xavier and Stingshark of Indigitize: Adrian Xavier's music crosses social and cultural barriers, striving to provide deeper understanding of our global community. Performing extensively throughout the Northwest region Xavier continues to win over new fans with his high-energy positive music. Through his song writing he explores social issues and sings in a strong, flowing tenor that flows well with his love of reggae and other music forms, which led him to collaborate with veteran guitarist and producer, Brian "Stingshark" Ray. The duo's roots in rock and reggae give the music an edgy, modern feel, while their mutual love of funk and hip-hop and the use of vintage effects take it to the roots, producing a sound that defies categorization, taking the music conversation in a new direction.