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AVATAR

reggae dub jazz

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Melodies as ancient echos,
forged from the landscape.
Blades of grass,
beneath one's feet,
sunlight on a mountain.

- Jah Bass

Contents:

  • About
  • Releases
    • Summa Iru
    • Like River to Ocean
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Concerts
  • Reviews
  • Contact
avatar > contents

About

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Avatar are a ten piece reggae/jazz group from Ireland. Their unique sound has been described as simultaneously relaxing and uplifting. It is influenced by both Reggae and Jazz masters such as Augustus Pablo and Miles Davis.

To date the group have released two critically acclaimed albums (see releases). Their beautifully evocative Heart of Wisdom video received a commendation at the Kerry Film Festival. The group have recorded with Jamaican legend Ricky Grant (Rockers International, the Gay Lads, etc.); Norris Reid and Carton 'Tetrack' Hines. Tetrack produced classic albums such as Let's Get Started ( Riddims from which feature on King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown, one of Mojo's top 50 Reggae albums of all time ) & Eastman Dub. The former vocal album was produced by Agustus Pablo and the latter album of Dubs being produced by another Jamaican legend Sylvan Morris. They have also worked with UK vocalist/composer Miri and The Senior All-stars

Avatar have shared the stage with a host of international acts at festivals such as: The Electric Picnic (Trenchtown Stage - where they were accorded the Artiste's Choice accolade), Cork's South X Southwest, Cork Jazz Festival, Feile na Beailtine among others. Their stage performances have gleaned them a host of excellent reviews and a loyal following.

avatar > about

Releases:

To date the group have released two full length albums, Summa Iru (2005) and Like River To Ocean (2009), and had a dub remix featured on the Senior Allstars album In Dub.

  • Summa Iru Summa Iru CD Album
  • Like River to Ocean Like River To Ocean CD Album
  • Summa Iru
    Senior Allstars - In Dub
    Dub Remix

Avatar are looking forward to releasing their recent recordings with the great Carlton 'Tetrack' Hines and Norris Reid. Due also is the eagerly anticipated release of Avatar's colab with the ledgendary Jamaican vocalist Ricky Grant

Avatar's 3rd full length album is set for release in 2012.

avatar > releases

Summa Iru
Release Date:
2005
Format:
CD
Purchase:
CDBaby

I hear-by offer you a fabulous album Summa Iru. The album is essentially an instrumental dub album, but also contains strong melodies and a diverse array of instrumentation. The ablum in enchantingly soothing, yet motivating and uplifting.

avatar > releases > Summa Iru
Like River to Ocean
Release Date:
2010
Format:
CD
Purchase:
CDBaby

The elegant and timeless songs featuring on avatars Like River To Ocean create a unique blend of harmony, sonic balance and groove enriched with Irish flavour. The beautiful horn arrangements are to the fore, and it is often here that the unique Irishness is most evident. The pieces are further enriched with very nice brass and guitar improvisations. Overall Like River To Ocean is an invitation to chill out in a most delightful way.

avatar > releases > Like River to Ocean

Photos

Here are some photos from Avatar live concerts:
More can be found on flickr

avatar > photos

Video

Here are some videos for Avatar track and live concerts:
More can be found on YouTube

avatar > video

Concerts:

avatar > concerts

Reviews

Like River To Ocean is an album of instrumentals,a very good one with superb sound production that could almost be Tommy McCook & the Supersonics styleee....very much my cup of tea..a fine Earl Grey in fact. 9/10 - Springline Jamaica | Gibsy
Subtle jazzy touches... sparkling guitar work throughout.. vibraphone dulcet flute ,mournful trombone brings you round hazily from the excess of the night before in a mellow chilled out way... A blissed out affair . - United Reggae Magazine
Original, tuneful, danceable, and highly entertaining, Like River To Ocean is a most enriching experience. - Irish Examiner | Gerry Quinn
Avatar are one of the countries best kept secrets and they fuse Reggae, Dub and Jazz in a way that the original Jamaican master did long ago... - Evening Echo | Stevie G.
I hereby offer you a fabulous album... enchantingly soothing, yet motivating and uplifting. Check it out, I think you'll like it. - Bass Guitar Magazine | Steve Harvey
Avatar are real musicians rather than electronic sound tinkerers... Like River To Ocean fits well with Santa Fe's chillosophy it is not possible to relax more. - Hanfblatt | Judge Head
Assembled by instrumentalists Jah Bass and Tony O'Flaherty and specialising in their own brand of dub, they have succeeded in producing an eight-track CD entitled 'Like River To Ocean' that reflects their love and respect of reggae. Their style is far from the simple reproduction of past Jamaican models or a variation on the popular UK Nu-Roots mould. Playing all original tunes, it's clear that they've absorbed all manner of diverse influences that are difficult to pin down precisely. It's music that's difficult to categorize, then, but it's engagingly different, atypical. It's also nicely put-together and presented. - Riddim Magazine | Simon Buckland
The elegant and timeless songs featuring on avatars Like River To Ocean create a unique blend of harmony, sonic balance and groove.... enriched with Irish flavour. The beautiful horn arrangements are to the fore, and it is often here that the unique Irishness is most evident. irieites.de | Carson Frehe
'Like River To Ocean' makes a welcome change from most Irish rock... Avatar bring a bright sound to these darkling days. - Hot Press | Jackie Hayden
Like River To Ocean will leave you with hope in your heart in these bleak times. As a whole this album manages to soothe, groove and uplift simultaneously. Whether you like dub or not, you should go treat yourself and buy this album
- it's a right little gem.
- The Kerryman | Mikey Maguire
I keep playing this album over and over. I find it both musically intricate and a joy to listen to. It is beautifully recorded and composed. The standard of musicianship cannot be faulted. If you haven't heard it then give your ears a treat now ! - Del Palmer
A rich and beautifully melodic sound... it's impossible not to be moved by musicians so obviously on top of their game, with music born of life, love and spirituality - Jason O'Mahony | Samhlaiocht ChiarraĆ­
....one of the County's most prestigious and accomplished bands. Avatar are without question, ones to watch ! - Karl Wallace | Siamsa Tire Tralee

Interviews

  • Irie Up Magazine | Avatar - Irish Reggae Style
  • Bass Guitar Magazine
  • Irie Ireland
  • The Global Village | Radio Kerry
Dub a sub-genre of Reggae, has become an entity of its own. It's influence on hip-hop,trip-hop,techno and general rock music cannot be underestimated.A dub record from Co Kerry is a rarity ,but this new offering is catchy and charming.Created by writer Jah Bass and acclaimed studio engineer Tony O'Flaherty,Like River To Ocean is a delightful fusion of ambient sounds ,jazz and reggae. There's an organic feel to this music,despite the fact that the project relies on studio effects,with echo and reverberation to the fore .Jah Bass' bass and guitars ,plus reliable percussion ,lay down a solid vibe enhanced by brass,keyboards,and sporadic etheral vocals.With strong melodies adding to the appeal,Avatar are surely on a winner with this their second release. A sublime trumpet line pilots the opening track,Sunrise Dub,through calm and tranquil musical waters ,while Joyful Dub does just what it says on the tin-it's a ska infused floor-filler.The title track chugs along with an infectious beat ,supporting an inspiring flute /guitar/trombone lead melody. Mellowness Dub segues seamlessly back and forth,from a tune like The Archies Sugar Sugar to what sounds suspiciously like Bob Marley's I Don't Want To Wait In Vain .Throughout, earthy and simple grooves abound, accentuating Kennedy's obvious gift for melody. At all times ,the brass section lends a richness of tone.Original,tuneful,danceable,and highly entertaining,Like River To Ocean is a most enriching experience.

-Gerry Quinn/Irish Examiner 17th Oct 09.
avatar > reviews & interviews

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Contact




Connect with Avatar

  • twitter.com/AvatarSounds
  • facebook.com/AvatarDub
  • youtube.com/AvatarSounds
  • myspace.com/AvatarSounds
  • soundcloud.com/AvatarDub
  • flickr.com/AvatarDub
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May all Beings be filled with Loving Kindness,
safe from harm.
May they be well in body & mind,
peaceful & happy.

Melodies as ancient echos,
forged from the landscape.
Blades of grass,
benarth one's feet,
sunlight on a mountain.
- Jah Bass
vool
f l x m