Album Review of The Process Who Is That Mad Band? at CultchaClash.com

Album Review of The Process Who Is That Mad Band? At CultchaClash.com

By Jon J Cut Soldanels

I wasn't familiar with Detroit's The Process before their current album Who Is That Mad Band? was sent to me via file transfer by their vocalist and co-founder (alongside Garrick Owen), David Asher. It immediately got my attention due to contributions from some of my musical heroes from the On-U Sound & Tackhead camp - namely Adrian Sherwood and Skip "Little Axe" McDonald as well as Ghetto Priest, David Harrow and the Mighty Upsetter, Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Upon further research I found that the band has been fusing Rock & Reggae since 1989, ("On a mission to fight ignorance, apathy and social retardation," says their website), they have produced 8 albums and several singles (available Here). Besides the On-U Sound collaborators, there is a Mothership connection in the band as well, with drummer Gabe Gonzalez who played with the P-Funk All-Stars. The album also features one of the last recordings from Dick Wagner, a name previously unfamiliar to me but after some research it became apparent that I'm well aware of his work with Lou Reed, Alice Cooper and Kiss to name but a few.

The 13 song album is strong all the way through, starting with the rocking "Mystery Babylon" that would appeal to a fan of Bad Brains heavy Reggae sound. Next comes "Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde" on which genetic modification becomes the topic. "Tribute (To the Heroes)" is one of my favorites on the album, as the title implies an homage to the legends, with a hype steppers riddim and an ill clavichord track, it's definitely a powerful tune. More Roots, Rock, Reggae on "Fire Is Burning," the dub of this one is also included and is well wicked! "Dear Mr. Fantasy" has a driving electronic rhythm with a ballad-like feel. There's more Rasta-Inspired consciousness and progressive Reggae on "The Lion Of Judah Hath Prevailed" and "Psalms Of David." On "It's No Secret" there is a strong world-roots vibe. "Gypsy Wind" is another Reggae rocker and "Time Has Come," with it's unique structure and sparseness, has an On-U Sound feel without a doubt.
"Return The Treasures" brings more reality lyrics from Ghetto Priest and Lee "Scratch" Perry and brings it once more with a super-tough dub.
The only complaint I have about this album, being the vinyl fiend that I am, is that it is not (yet) available on wax. If it were within my powers to press it myself, I would but I understand that that isn't a cheap...shall i say, Process. Big Up The Process, keep doing what you do! :) selecta j-cut
selectajcut.com
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Welcome to CultchaClash.com where Music and Art serve as solace to the tedium of a commodified existence. Putting the spotlight on the oft overlooked, those creating not for intents of profit, but of purity, progress, evolution of consciousness or to uplift the downtrodden. DIY is the ethos, Now Or Never the mantra, forever exploring and learning , only stagnation should be avoided.

THE PROCESS CHARTS #7 on earshot NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL CHARTS

THE PROCESS Who is That Mad Band? Charts #7 on !earshot NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL CHARTS, Tuesday, September 13, 2016!

See the Charts! 

THE PROCESS album "Who Is That Mad Band?" is in consideration for a 2017 GRAMMY Award. If you are a voting NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) member, please support THE PROCESS in our bid. Thank you!

August 2016 Prince Thierry played "Return The Treasures" from THE PROCESS "Who Is That Mad Band?" on "DanceHall Style" Radio Mega Valence 99.2FM in France!

Reggae Legend Dennis Bovell plays THE PROCESS on Soho Radio London!

Reggae legend Dennis Bovell played "Return The Treasures" from the new album by THE PROCESS "Who Is That Mad Band?" featuring Ghetto Priest, Little Axe, Adrian Sherwood and Lee Perry Sunday August 7 on Soho Radio London 5-7pm, UK time Dub On Air, listen to the podcast of the show. THE PROCESS plays at 37:50 minutes in!
Listen to the Podcast! 

Check it out! Legendary Question Mark and the Mysterians guitarist Robert Lee Balderrama interviews THE PROCESS vocalist David Asher on his Talk Music USA animated web show. 

David talks about working on the new album from THE PROCESS "Who Is That Mad Band?", the influences and history of the group, and the many guest artists on the album.

Those include, Dick Wagner, Ghetto Priest, Adrian Sherwood, Skip McDonald, former Asian Dub Foundation MC L K Lord Kimo, David Harrow, Lee Perry, and Mikki Sounds among others. 

Asher also talks about recording "Dear Mr. Fantasy" by Jim Capaldi's group Traffic, for the album, and Aninha Capaldi's including his contribution to a special book honoring Jim.

Watch the video HERE.

CJSR FM 88.5 Plays THE PROCESS

Monday July 25th, CJSR FM 88.5 Edmonton's "Bass Culture" Program Hosted by Mick Sleeper played "Time Has Come" from the new album "Who Is That Mad Band?" by THE PROCESS, featuring Ghetto Priest, Little Axe, Mikki Sounds and Adrian Sherwood. 

Check out the awesome podcast of the show! 

Listen Here!

BASS CULTURE PLAYLIST - JULY 25, 2016

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Good Day - Macka B

Jah Gave Us Life - Wailing Souls

Give Me Strength Oh Jah - Cornell Campbell

Children Of Jah - The Chantells

S90 Skank - Big Youth

Level The Vibes - Half Pint

Don't Let Me Suffer - The Concords

Rudie Can't Fail - The Clash

What If - Max Romeo

Educational Revolution - Luciano

Happy - Illbilly Hitec with Horseman & Kinetical

Time Has Come - The Process

Old School Track - Human Rights

Power Pack (Closing Theme) - The Upsetters

THE PROCESS Release a ‘Must-Have’ Modern Masterpiece

By Robert Martin, REVIEW MAGAZINE

It is a remarkable feat in itself that the visionary regional band known as The Process has lasted for 25-years with its essential line-up intact; but with their newest release that is now available on both CD and download, the group has achieved a miraculous career pinnacle and managed to create a musical masterpiece that if there is any justice in this world, should easily catapult them into the Major League.

Entitled Who Is That Mad Band?  this amazing tapestry of 13-tracks should be a MUST HAVE for anybody serious about modern music and is easily one of the most innovative and accessible recordings I have heard released all year. Seven years in the making and spanning six studios worldwide, each of the tracks shimmers with strong melodic musical hooks and shines with impeccable production values that propel the tightly constructed musical performances into stellar levels of perfection.

With all songs written by David Asher & Garrick Owen, the various tracks were recorded in Saginaw at Fire Hyena Studios and engineered by Chris Lewis, as well as U Be U Studios with Gee Pierce, Area 51 Studios in Flint with engineer Bernard Terry, and On U Sound Studios in London with engineer Matt Smyth and Brandon Harding, along with Soundhouse Studios in Ramsgate, UK with legendary engineer Skip McDonald, in addition to Workhouse Studios in Los Angeles with engineer David Harrow.

Consisting of David Asher on vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums & percussion; Garrick Owen on guitars; Bill Heffelfinger on guitars, bass, keyboards, drums & programming; Gabe Gonzalez on drums & backing vocals; and Seth Payton on bass, keyboards, guitars, percussion, backing vocals & horn arrangements, additional musicians include backing vocalists Mikki Sound, Michelle Shaw, Faith Gateway, Maria Rose; percussionists Earl ‘the Squirrel’ and Derrick Davis; and horns courtesy of John Rickert, Matt Wickie & Dennis Lewandowski.  Additional guitarists include David Ivory, Pete Metropoulos; with additional production provided by Skip McDonald, Adrian Sherwood and David Harrow.

But the exceptionally gratifying surprise on this release is with the guest appearance of legendary guitarist Dick Wagner, who turns in one of his final performances before his untimely passing on the remarkable track, Dr Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.  To hear Wagner’s guitar soar above the hypnotically entrancing hook-lines into the stratosphere with his signature inventiveness is worth the price of admission alone.

Further currency is added by the appearance of Ghetto Priest on the track The Lion of Judah Hath Prevailed and also with the help of legendary reggae icon Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’ on the haunting track, Return the Treasures.

With some of the strongest melodic lines they have created to date, bathed and propelled by intricately constructed rhythms, each track builds upon the next into a breathtaking crescendo that is – hands down – some of the best new work you are likely to experience.

Another particular stand-out is The Process reading of the classic Traffic number, Dear Mr. Fantasy, with an arrangement by Heffelfinger and vocals by Asher that are precise, carefully enunciated, and completely compelling – easily one of the best versions of the song that I’ve ever heard.

Equally compelling is the mesmerizing cadence of Return the Treasures, which is infused with Perry’s mystical aura and is based upon the true story of Seymour McClain, who had a mission to repatriate the crown jewels sitting in the British Museum that the British stole from Ethiopia after their invasion in the 1880s.

According to Asher, “The Emperor of Ethiopia kidnapped some envoys of Queen Victoria, so the British sent an envoy into Ethiopia and killed the Emperor and stole the jewels. The British even nailed his scalp to the doorway, so it was pretty barbarous. Seymour asked me to write a song about it, but he passed away, so I decided to write Return the Treasures as a tribute to Seymour. We finished it in one day and then Skip started adding midi stuff and guitar parts, the second day we slogged through more keyboards and midi in a 12-hour day, which again was very taxing. I’m used to spending five hours in a studio and even then I can get a bit fried. But during the mixing, we were able to get Lee Perry onto the track, so it was all an incredibly worthwhile experience.”

Who Is That Mad Band? can be purchased at Records & Tape Galore in Saginaw and online by visiting I-Tunes, CD Baby and Amazon.com.

THE PROCESS "Who Is That Mad Band?" Now Available on ITunes!

THE PROCESS "Who Is That Mad Band?" now available on iTunes! 
Click here to Buy!

Featuring performances from legendary artists Dick Wagner, Little Axe, Adrian Sherwood, Ghetto Priest, David Harrow, Mikki Sound, and Lee "Scratch" Perry!

Click here to buy the CD at CDBaby
Click Here to buy the CD at Amazon
Click Here to Purchase the Download at Rhapsody. 

CD Now Available To Purchase Online!

CD available now (internationally) to purchase online
"Who Is That Mad Band?",
the new album from THE PROCESS!
With guest artists Dick Wagner, Adrian Sherwood, Little Axe, Ghetto Priest, Lord Kimo, David Harrow, Mikki Sound and Lee Perry.

Click Here To Buy. 

"Who Is That Mad Band?" now on Spotify!

The new album from THE PROCESS, "Who Is That Mad Band?" is now available to stream and download on Spotify. 

Check it out!

Download available now!

Download available now! (CD available soon). 
"Who Is That Mad Band?" 
the new album from THE PROCESS!

Buy the download of the album.

THE PROCESS "Who Is That Mad Band" to be released July 2016

July 2016 beholds the long awaited release of the new full length album from Detroit's Rock Reggae Madmen, THE PROCESS. 

The album, entitled "Who Is That Mad Band?", features a stunning array of guest artists, including one of the final recordings of the late legendary rock guitarist Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed), as well as Dub music Legend Adrian Sherwood, UK Vocalist Ghetto Priest, former Asian Dub Foundation MC Lord Kimo, Dub/Blues artist Skip McDonald aka Little Axe, Electronic music Producer David Harrow and the voice of Dub Reggae Legend Lee "Scratch" Perry . Over five years in the making, the album captures THE PROCESS delivering it's most diverse and cohesive statement yet, fusing Reggae, Rock and World Music into a seamless aural experience, sure to please long-time fans of the band, as well as the uninitiated. The CD will be released in July, 2016, so do yourself a favor, and find out WHO IS THAT MAD BAND? GET PROCESSED!

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Join THE PROCESS for two album release events in July. 

Friday July 8th, Whites Bar Presents: THE PROCESS "WHO IS THAT MAD BAND?" CD Listening Party! Doors open at 10 Pm.  Address: 2609 State St, Saginaw, MI 48602 Phone:(989) 792-2631. 

Saturday July 23rd, Bemo's Bar Presents: The Official CD Release Party for THE PROCESS "WHO IS THAT MAD BAND?". Featuring THE PROCESS Live In Concert, with Special Guests, TBA. Doors open at 9:00 Pm, THE PROCESS performs at 11:00. 21+ No cover!  Address: 701 S Madison Ave, Bay City, MI 48708 Phone:(989) 893-7071 

Join THE PROCESS as we unleash our newest album. Pick up signed copies, and other exclusive merchandise from THE PROCESS. Don't miss these special events, BE THERE!

2016 Detroit Music Awards!

THE PROCESS has been Nominated "Outstanding World Group" in the 2016 Detroit Music Awards! Congratulations also to THE PROCESS drummer Gabe Gonzalez, Nominated in the categories of "Outstanding Electronic/Dance Writer/Producer", and "Outstanding Urban Musician". The Detroit Music Awards are held April 29th, 2016, at The Fillmore in Detroit. Congratulations to all of the nominees!

www.DetroitMusicAwards.com

THE WIREBENDER PRESENTS GHETTO PRIEST SPECIAL BY DAVID ASHER

This Weds Feb 3 and Friday Feb 5, on Radio On Berlin, The Wirebender presents part one of a three part special.
David Asher of THE PROCESS from Detroit has compiled the first artist feature of the year:
Ghetto Priest.
David will showcase Ghetto Priest’s work with On-U Sound Records, Asian Dub Foundation and all of the aspects of his diverse and collaborative musical mayhem,
including rare and unreleased tracks provided by On U Sound mastermind Adrian Sherwood and Ghetto Priest.
15:00 German time, 2:00 PM in UTC, 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time. Be sure to tune in!

PODCAST NOW STREAMING 
ON MIXCLOUD!

David Asher's Tribute to David Bowie, Space Oddity.

David Asher, "David Bowie was an artist that I admire very much. Here is my tribute to him, produced by Steve Gotts. My version of "Space Oddity".

Fan clip from THE PROCESS 25th Anniversary Show!

Here's a short fan clip of THE PROCESS performing "Jah Made the Herb" at the 25th Anniversary Show!

Pics from THE PROCESS 25th Anniversary Show

Saginaw News Article on THE PROCESS 25th Anniversary Show

Vassar's The Process band celebrates 25 years with 'a class reunion of sorts'.

Members of the band The Process, from left, Bill Heffelfinger, David Asher, Garrick Owen and Gabe Gonzalez. (Sue White | MLive File Photo)

For MLive.com By Sue White 

BAY CITY, MI – David Asher is feeling very blessed and that translates into a real holiday blessing for fans of The Process, the reggae/punk/funk/rock band he and a group of friends brought out of Vassar 25 years ago.

"David's parents would go to Florida every winter and we'd rehearse in their family room," remembered Arek Aneszko, the former drummer returning from Chicago to perform with his former bandmates at what he calls "a class reunion of sorts" Saturday, Dec. 26, at Bemo's Bar, 701 Madison, in Bay City.

"It was a style unknown and unpredictable at the time. We'd play in a place and people would ask, 'Who are these guys?' We weren't grunge, we weren't hard rock but we didn't just play Bob Marley, either. It would always leave someone in the audience intrigued and that was the fun part for me. Who would have expected it?"

For Seth Payton, among the latest round of musicians to join the group, in the studio recording a new album due for a spring release and onstage, "it's always been about the infectious groove. My band Stamp'd played with them at the old Captain's Cove in Saginaw once and David and it kicked off a great friendship with David.

"I was still doing my own thing but I'd jam with them sometimes, doing what I love. As I started playing with them more, I just brought a little of my own influence into it, a different outlook, sort of like when the new intern shakes up the office. It's really exciting; it's fun to be involved."

Asher promises to bring it all together Saturday, calling on all past and present members to step back in the groove. The night begins at 9 p.m. with Operation 13, with The Process taking the stage at 10:30 p.m. Closing the night are Ben McArthur and E.V. Duhzit and the Soul Jar.

"We're a changing group, working in all the members and maybe a few others who want to sit in," Asher said. In addition to the current line-up, which also features founding guitarist Garrick Owen and percussionist Gabe Gonzalez, who also performs with George Clinton's P-Funk Allstars, watch for the return of former bassist Bill Heffelfinger, who now teaches at a charter grade school in Las Vegas, and Sam Metropoulos.

"The funny thing, in the beginning, I listened to a lot of records from the British label that I've now recorded with in London, with Adrian Sherwood, Skip McDonald and Ghetto Priest. I'd listen to the music and I had this very naïve thought, 'This is something I could do.'"

While Asher admits he probably should have been too scared to try it, the final result was the release of "Mystery Babylon" in 1991, soon to come out again with other early albums on remastered CDs, and the start of a stage show that included a giant pig's head.

"They're still my inspiration," he said of Sherwood's stable, and it wasn't long before the eclectic cover band moved into writing original music.

"We've been working on this new album for four and a half years and it's really been exciting to watch it develop. Dick Wagner is on there; we recorded with him two weeks before he passed away. There's a real collaborative nature to the whole project. I'm really, really happy with the songwriting effort."

Aneszko is really excited.

"David sent me some music to refresh my memory and I still play enough here in Chicago to be tight," he said, remembering the benefit he did for the late journalist James Foley, who was executed by terrorist forces in 2014.

"But I haven't really played with the band much since the late 1990s. It's funny where life takes you; now my son is getting into music, studying piano and getting his first drum set. The thing about music is that it's in my roots; it's in my genes. I can slip right in."

Payton, who is back onstage after battling brain cancer, sees the show and coming album as "a good catapult into new life," he said. "It's all new material and it's very exciting. For me, it's about what I'm going to leave my daughter and future generations as my legacy. This music will live long beyond me and I want to make sure it's timeless. We've got the talent; we need to move forward."

One thing that hasn't changed through the years, Asher said, is that most of the songs still have a moral compass, embracing the visceral fight between right and wrong.

"It's our strength and inspiration," he said. "It's been a real journey and here's the next 25 years. We're doing our best right now."

THE PROCESS in MLive Today.

Rock-reggae fusion band the Process hosting 25th anniversary show in Bay City

Members of the band The Process, from left, Bill Heffelfinger, David Asher, Garrick Owen and Gabe Gonzalez. (Sue White | MLive File Photo)
By Cole Waterman for MLive.com | cwaterma@mlive.com 
on December 22, 2015 at 7:15 AM

BAY CITY, MI — It's been 25 years since Detroit's seminal rock-reggae fusion band the Process formed, and to celebrate, they're playing a free show in Bay City.
The gig is happening Saturday, Dec. 26, at BeMo's Bar, 701 S. Madison Ave. The show starts at 9 p.m.
"We've always had a nice time at BeMo's," said David Asher, vocalist for the Process. "They support original music seven days a week and we've had several shows over there that have been successful. It seemed like the obvious choice."
Asher formed the group with guitarist Garrick Owen. Since 1991, they've released six studio albums, a compilation, one live album, and a couple of live DVDs.
"We used to be fanatic, practicing four or five days a week," Asher said. "Over time, we built it up. We're working on our seven full-length album now. It's going to be interesting, as we did some of it over in England."
Producing the forthcoming record is Adrian Sherwood, who has worked with such artists as Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, Ministry and KMFDM, and Skip McDonald of hip-hop progenitors the Sugarhill Gang.
In 2007, Detroit Music Awards named the band Outstanding World Music/Reggae/Ska Artist. Two years prior, the organization named Asher and Owen Outstanding World Songwriters.
The Process is currently composed of Asher, Owen, Bill Heffelfinger, Seth Payton, and Gabe Gonzalez, the latter a drummer known for working with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. Due to the show marking the band's 25th anniversary, a few previous members of the group are to perform with them as well, Asher said.
"For this show, we're bringing in all of our members," he said, though he added they haven't had that many personnel changes over the years.
In his time with the band, Asher said he's seen the Michigan music scene change quite a bit, with original music being far more prevalent now than it was during the Process' inception.
"It was kind of insulary," Asher said. "When we first started, there were no original bands playing in bars. It was kind of unheard of, really. Now, it's pretty common place."
The Process is to perform an extended set starting about 10:30 p.m. Also on the bill are Ben McArthur, Operation 13, and E.Z. Duzhit and the Soul Jar. There is no cover charge.

If you go:
What: The Process in concert
When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26
Where: BeMo's Bar, 701 S. Madison Ave. on Bay City's East Side
Cost: Free
Info: 989-893-7071