Event

Soul Explosion '69

This CD release party for Soul Explosion '69, the first full-length release by the Rhythm Express, will feature an opening set by the Blackburn Brothers. The album will be performed in its entirety and is all about the classic soul, ska and reggae songs of the 60s and 70s with a new twist, and Blackburn will take you on a musical journey through the back streets of funky America from Memphis to New Orleans.

The Rhythm Express' core members include Shane "Shaky J" Forrest, Bill King, Jesse "Dubmatix" King, and Everton "Pablo" Paul. The album and concert will feature guest appearances from trombonist Christopher Butcher of the Heavyweights Brass Band, Cuban trumpet virtuosos Alexis Baro and Alexander Brown, trumpeters William Sperandei and Rebecca Hennessy, tenor sax man Michael Arthurs, and on alto sax, Bobby Hsu. The voices are some of the finest in Canada Selena Evangeline, Gavin Hope of the Nylons, Michael Dunston Soul Stew, Ammoye Evans and Aria Zenua.

The Blackburn Brothers, Duane, Cory and Brooke, were schooled by their dad Bobby Dean Blackburn, a hard-working and widely regarded musician who plied his craft along Yonge Street through the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The young Blackburns are extremely gifted musicians with a new recording; Brothers in this World that pays homage to New Orleans and speaks to the roots of American rhythm & soul a sound prominent in the early days of the Toronto music scene.