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Lab Addicts is a self-contained music production and publishing company
comprised of producers, artists and business professionals. The South Orange,
NJ, based company provides a unique musical experience.
Lab Addicts' can also be defined by their "musical elements" - (its people). Fusing the talents of the founding members (1997) with the skills of it new members, the chemical reaction has been the creation of a distinctive "throwback" sound that today defines Lab Addicts' music. This sound is affectionately known as "Gritty" Soul and Rap. This sound is a refreshing one, the newest and the hottest sound out today. Lab Addicts also performs and produces its sound with a live band.
| The Lab Addicts 3rd studio release, The Essential Elements of Soul was
crafted specifically for the UK soul scene in conjunction with Di-Lee Promotions
Ltd. |
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| 1st album "Prescibed Therapy" |
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| 2nd album "Music Research Department" |
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This, their 3rd studio released album, is a CD with all songs self written, produced and
performed by the Lab Addicts, with the track ‘More Than Friends' co-produced
by Quan Bell. This catchy 8-track album was released in February 2006 on
the SoulChoonz Record Label in conjunction with Di-Lee Promotions Ltd with
modern Soul music followers in mind.
The CD gives you high calibre sounding production; slick vocals and all songs offer you a unique listening experience with a fresh edge, featuring some re-mixes of previously released material. |
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3rd album "Essential Elements of Soul" |
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The Lab Addicts had a successful trip to the UK in May 2006, where they played at a "Luxury Soul Weekender" to a very appreciative audience. JCT (John Thomason) lead singer sang in the choir of his father's church
and has produced his own music since the age of 10. JCT's sister Teresa
joins group members - singer/musician Robert Betrus and singer Marcel Brooks. All Soulful voices which meld well together. The first track ‘Move All
Night' is a quality, funky dance number tempting you to get up and do the
"L.A. 2-step". Being over 6 minutes long, this will fit well
on the dance floors of modern Soul rooms. ‘Tonight' continues to take
you on the dance floor, as does the sensuous ‘Don't You Know'. ‘Groove On' says "I ‘aint come to stand around, DJ's putting it down and gettin' my groove
on". The track ends with just a hint of "Frank Zappa" influenced voice
distortion. ‘Just For Love' is a soulful balled sung with depth and feeling. ‘Apologize' - a catchy number sung in part, by Teresa.
‘More Than Friends' whose lyrics are self-evident from the title, is a
harmonious, sexy and beautifully controlled groove to chill and envelop
you. The bonus track ‘Movement' completes the CD with an up-tempo 80's style
dancer, which I defy you not to move to. The track tells you to, "Reach for your goal, believing, don't let go, seeking ‘till you
know, achieving, achieving" and "Never give up" has funky
guitar rhythms, the group pumping their positive message through you. Without
a bad track on the album, you are delivered coarse, soulful Rap/Hip Hop/R&B
and Funk, guaranteed to keep you on the dance floor. A must have limited
edition CD, which takes Soul back to the way it should be, so make sure
you get yourself a copy. Click on to www.soulchoonz.com
where the album can be purchased.
-----Biography-----
New Jersey's The Lab Addicts are far more than just another band. This highly talented group of musicians produce and write their own style of soulful R&B. Lab Addicts was formed by JCT in 1997 when he started to vibe on original music with a group of friends in his parent's basement. The Lab moved out of the basement, but the vibe remains. Lab Addict songs are a collaboration of "elements," whichever elements are present in the lab on any given day. The primary elements are:
John Thomason (JCT) Element- Oxygen
| Jct has developed his musical skills and talents by singing in the choir of his father's church, writing lyrics, poetry, and constantly producing and arranging his own music since the age of 10. Always striving for originality, JCT has taken time to further develop his own style of soulful R&B "groove" with just enough edge to always remind his audience that his ears stay to the streets. Today, JCT's music has matured to a level that exhibits the signs and sounds of some of his strongest influences including Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Intro, Redman, The Roots, and Stevie Wonder. |
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Robert Betrus (the Principle) Element- Helium
| The Principle has been performing in bands and writing music since the age of 15.Coming from a background of rock and blues music, he has since immersed himself in the sounds of soul, R&B, hip hop and reggae. A consummate musician and producer, the Principle can play guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and sing. He has also spent time honing his production, songwriting, and engineering skills. His vision is to bring the essence, rawness, and soulfulness of the past with the innovative sound of modern music. His influences include such diverse acts as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Tribe Called Quest, Marvin Gaye, Sly and the Family Stone, and James Brown.
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Marcel Brooks (Choir Boy "D") Element-Sulfur
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D was born on the small, but very popular island of Jamaica W.I. He is the youngest son of a second-generation family of ministers. Marcel's soulful singing style was shaped in the Pentacostal Churches of Jamaica, where gospel lyrics are sung over heavy reggae rhythms. With this special talent, his father wasted no time and placed Marcel in the church choir. Marcel is no stranger to the center of the stage. Choir Boy "D" has developed a unique writing style that compliments his singing style and delivery. Choir Boy will take you to church at the drop of a riff.
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| Interview with Lab Addicts |
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- When is your birth date?
JCT- May 2nd 1971
The Principle- July 21st, 1973
- What did you grow up listening to?
JCT- Being the second to last child out of six children, I was exposed to so many types of music: Earth Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, James Brown, Quincy Jones, Blue Magic Harold Melvin and the Blue notes, Marvin, Doobie brothers…the list goes on and on but, growing up as a teen in the Midst of the “Run-D.M.C” era in New Jersey Hip-Hop was a major influence in my life, that was our lifestyle.
The Principle- I grew up listening to mostly rock music such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, but later discovered the likes of Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder!!, Santana, P-Funk, Prince!!, James Brown, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Bob Marley to name a few. Now, I truly love all styles and types of music that is soulful, which to me means any music from the heart.
- What is your musical background like?
JCT- The Baptist church was and still is my foundation, even though I’m not there as much as when I was a child, hearing music played & sang from the soul, harmonies of the choir stay in my mind. Basically everyone in my family played in or developed their own band, so I would say at around 10, I started writing/rapping’ and eventually bought equipment and started producing in high school.
The Principle- Again, I grew up listening to and playing mostly rock music. I learned to play guitar by ear by playing along with records since the age of 14. I played in many different bands since the age of 16 and began getting into studio production about 8 years ago, now I’m truly addicted.
- Who has been your biggest inspiration in music?
JCT- Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder are people that I inspire me to push myself, but honestly my family… has always been my surrounding influences, I mean you’ve got to understand at 8 years old my oldest sister used to travel with a 8 piece band throughout the country playing with Earth Wind and Fire, my mom played for the senior choir and my other sister played for the youth choir, and I had another sister, (Theresa) who is on the upcoming album tours Germany and France and literally sets the standard vocally for me.
The Principle- It’s hard to choose just one inspiration for music. Certainly people like the Beatles and Stevie Wonder have played a huge role for me. But there is so much inspirational music in existence, how could you choose! I have also had the pleasure of working with some fantastic musicians/musical minds over the years and have been inspired by them. I try to look at every musical interaction as a learning experience. Music is an infinite journey.
- When did you start as a professional?
JCT- I would say I started singing as a professional around the age of 19,I was part of a group in college ”Love Style”, that did talent shows and our first payed gig was singing during intermission of a play that was in town.
The Principle- I began playing in clubs and high school concerts at the age of 16.
- Have you ever had a memory in your career that you can't forget?
JCT- Music has always given me such great memories, but the one I know I will never forget was traveling to another country and someone knowing the words to a song that you have created, I don’t think there is anything more humbling and you truly see the power of music and how it can bring total strangers together.
The Principle- Getting up in front of an audience and feeling that pure connection between you and them. It can be a powerful experience.
- Are there artists or producers you would like to collaborate with?
JCT- So many, I think that the Lab Addicts and anyone that has that “Soul Swagger”, that’s that cool soul that hits you straight to the heart, you know in the likes of: Bilal, Omar (U.K), Rahiehm Devaughn, Donnell Jones, Dwele…. the list goes on and on.
The Principle- I second that.
- What do you think about the US music scene and the music industry nowadays?
JCT- Music has and always will be a way for me to learn about or be exposed to different types of people; cultures, lifestyles and emotions, and unfortunately I feel like I don’t get as much diversity from today’s music scene. I can listen to any type of song and I don’t care if it is sample or played digital or live, but I wish I didn’t have to search for music that is being created by so many talented artists just because that sound “is not in “, or “they don’t have the look”.
The Principle- The ideals behind music to me have been a little watered down now that image seems to be so much more important these days. It’s difficult when US radio stations only play a rotation of about 20 songs at any given time when there is so much out there that’s not being heard and is underappreciated. The internet is great because it opens up so many more possibilities for artists to gain exposure, but it’s overwhelming how many people are out there trying to vie for people’s attention. Hopefully, truly great music is a universal thing, and if you can make it, people will take notice.
- Please tell me your impressions about your 3rd release.
Our 3rd release is something that I am truly looking forward to, I feel
that music is a journey that takes you through experiences good and bad,
but regardless you grow and I feel this album is about growth. We catered
the focus specifically for the soul scene along with the help of our friend
Di-Lee (Di-Lee Promotions / SoulChoonz Records) and the music along with
the lyrics, show that growth I felt that unlike other times when Rob and
I would create a track and then shape the song, we went in to the studio
like,”O.K. what do we want this song to say”?
- Would you like to say something to your fans?
JCT- Someone told me a while ago that if you do something with just the end result in mind you’d miss all the wonderful moments that got you there. Everyone that ever sent us an E-mail, wrote a letter, told us that one of our songs made them laugh, cry, buy an instrument, Thank you is the least I can say, you are the reason the ”LAB” is staying up late and working hard you are all part of our beautiful journey, you are all different moments that make this struggle all worth it so as long as you feel you want to hear more we’ll give more and when we make it to Japan, that’s when we will be able to return the favor with a show you’ll never forget. |
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( from left to right:JCT - Choir boy D - the Principle) |
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| The Principle- We are so gracious and appreciative of anyone who has taken time out of there life to spend with our music or has used our creation as a soundtrack for moments in their life. That is truly the greatest compliment and honor we could receive. We really hope that we can bring ourselves over there someday soon to truly connect with our fans and bring them our live show, which is a whole other facet to what we do. Oh…and stick with us, it’s only going to get better. |
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| Discography - albums- |
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Prescribed Therapy |
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2003 |
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Music Research Department |
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2004 |
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The Essential Elements of Soul |
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2006 |
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Contact to:
| Soulchoonz.com |
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Web site |
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E-mail |
PO Box
159
Warrington
Cheshire
WA3 5WW
United Kingdom |
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Telephone
+44(0) 7784 140 040 |
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2007.4.03 |
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