One-Two Punch

Pioneers of the acid-jazz movement during their early days in the Chicago club scene of the mid-1990s, Liquid Soul has evolved over the past dozen years into a musical compendium of sounds and styles that starts with jazz and embraces hip-hop, R&B, dance, funk, techno, world, spoken-word and much more. Led by innovative saxophonist/composer Mars Williams, the eight-piece collective has conquered nearly every corner of the U.S. and is looking to turn up the juice in Europe and other parts of the world via their Telarc debut. Williams co-produced 'One-Two Punch' with Van Christie, whose prior credits run the gamut from Die Warzau to Clay People to National Trust. The session list includes a small army of cutting-edge players, including a few high-profile special guests: turntable virtuoso DJ Logic, Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, Widespread Panic keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann and Smashing Pumpkins drummer Matt Walker. The album also marks the return of Liquid Soul co-founder/guitarist Tommy Klein, and includes the rock-solid rhythm section of bassist Phil Ajjarapu, drummer Tony "Kick Drum" Taylor and beat box maestro David "Boy Elroy" Arredondo. Personnel: Mars Williams - saxes, woodwinds, Phil Ajjarapu - bass, David "Boy Elroy" Arredondo - beat-box, vocals, Andy Baker - trombone, Chris "Hambone" Cameron - keyboards, Van Christie - programming, Doug Corcoran - trumpet, Mr. Greenweedz - vocals, Tommy Klein - guitars, DJ Logic - turntables, Brian "MC B" Quarles - vocals, Hugh Ragin - trumpet, Tony "Kick Drum" Taylor - drums, Vernon Reid - guitar, John "JoJo" Hermann - keyboards, Matt Walker - drums, and others.