Latin-GRAMMY nominated artist, Jose Valentino switches musical hats for this project as his main instrument for expression is not the flute or saxophone, rather, the bass guitar and upright bass. With his father being a passionate bassist, musical mentor, and luthier (he created the upright baby bass which Jose used for several songs, known as Kiki Basses), Jose developed a deep-rooted love and an attune ear for the bass. It was through the encouragement of his father, arduous practice, and listening to bass extraordinaries (i.e. John Patitucci, Victor Wooten, Richard Bona, Jaco Pastorious, Abraham Laboriel, Stanley Clarke, and Brian Bromberg) throughout his life that Jose was able to hone his versatility, "pocket", lyricism, and an eclectic approach for playing the sonically-deep instrument in a manner that emulates the synchrony of a guitarist, vocalist, drummer, saxophonist, and pianist. Within eleven features, the album consists of five solo bass performances (i.e. "Time Is Of The Essence", "The Message", J.S. Bach's "Cello Suite No.1 in G", "Soul Speaks", and "Song For Papi"), four multi-layered performances (i.e. "Pure Love", John Newton's "Amazing Grace", "Afrika Yangu Nzuri", and Miles Davis's "Nardis"), one over-dubbed performance with Jose on upright baby bass and alto flute (i.e. "Father and Son"), and one produced track featuring poly-rhythmic thumping/slapping techniques (i.e. "Metamorphosis"). The overall concept of the album is to demonstrate music as the most powerful medium of expression for communicating human experiences. Feelings of love, hurt, passion, anger, peace, compassion, nostalgia, creativity, and curiosity were expressed through the touch of four resonating strings in such a way that it facilitated Jose's soul to speak of his life experiences without the use of words. Hence, "Soul Speaks." Jose used Tune bass guitars, Black Diamond flat wounded strings, Kiki upright baby basses, and Supersensitive strings. Producers: Jesse Pitts, Tito Ruiz, Cortney Wells Engineer: Jose Valentino Mastering Engineer: Jesse Romero Album Notes: Jose Valentino Artwork: John Brennan