Vincent Montana in Paris and Milan

[Bernie]

Press Release:* Vincent Montana, Jr. in Paris & Milan

From the 4th to the 14th October (2003), Vincent Montana, Jr. was in Paris, with a quick overnight in Milan.* He was there to promote the latest Philly Sound Works Catalogue compilation entitled "Heavy Vibes" on the Italian Label Temposphere.* The double CD and triple vinyl includes such tracks as Heavy Vibes, It Looks Like Love, Let Me Work on You, South Soul Party Mix, What Happened To The Music and Who Needs Enemies to name a few.* It is beautifully packaged and contains a 28 page booklet with very informative liner notes on his life and career in music and many "never seen before" photographs.

There were two live radio interviews with a French station "Generation" and various interviews with local music magazines, along with a grand opening of a record store called "One Way".* Rocco Pandiani, from Temposphere (a dear friend) made sure that Vincent was well looked after.* He especially enjoyed the food and music at the famous Buddha Bar and spoke to Ravine about producing the style of music he chooses for his compilations with a large orchestra.*

But the best was yet to come, when on the 8th October, Vincent played a live "Vibe Jam" concert to recorded tracks at "Café Real" in Milan, Italy to a very enthusiastic audience of various age groups - the young, up and coming DJ's that are getting turned on to his music 2nd time around and the people that know him well from the Salsoul days.* He started the show with what other than "The Godfather" - just vibes, so the people could get a good feel for the sound of the Vibraharp.* From there he went on to play "I Wish You Love" from his jazz album "This One's For You".* Next was "Vibe Jam" which is an uptempo dance tune with a rhythm guitar and melodic strings.* Then came "It Looks Like Love" followed by "Heavy Vibes".* The next song, dedicated to Christiano Spiller who Vincent invited for dinner and the show was "GrooveJet (If This Ain't Love)".* This song was sampled from the original Carole Williams hit "Love Is You" (Salsoul) by Spiller and became a #1 hit in London, and went on to take Europe by storm.* Then he slowed it down with "For All We Know" one of Vincent's favorite jazz songs, only to pick it up again and bring the house down with his 9 minute vibe version of "Disco Inferno".

After 8 minutes of hammering the vibes on "Disco Inferno" Vincent took a well deserved break by dancing and clapping his hands with the crowd.* It was a pleasure to play for the people in Milan - they really listened to the music.* There was a* mixed crowd of all ages from fellow musicians, DJ / Producers, radio and music people in general and just fans from yesteryear who all came out to see Vince play.* It took only one minute for Vincent to be escorted off the stage and for his daughter, Eileen (who accompanied him on the trip) to get there to collect the mallets and sheet music - in this moment 4 of the 5 mallets were stolen!* Someone actually stole Vince Montana, Jr.'s mallets!!!!* He took it very well, considering these mallets were 30 years old and played on every hit song that came out of Philadelphia and of course, the Salsoul classics.* Eileen figured she'd pay a heavy price to get her father's mallets back on Ebay!!!* After the show, he went on to sign 50+ autographs on records, CDs and large posters which had been used to promote the show.* It was a fantastic night - a pure pleasure to play.* A special thank you to Rocco (Temposphere) and Philipe Renault (Cafe Real - Milan) for organizing the event.

The show was recorded on video and will be used to promote possible future concerts throughout Europe, as there is much interest there for Vincent's music at this time.* His daughter, Eileen, is traveling to Vienna to check a new venue and musicians for the beginning of the tour which we hope will be in Spring 2004.

To end a nice story even nicer, Rocco Pandiani managed to track down and recover 3 of the 4 stolen mallets.* The last one was sent priority mail from Italy.* He's got his mallets back!!!!* LOOK OUT!

Photos:*
VMontanaJr with promo poster, Cafe Real, Milan
VMontanaJr & Rocco Pandiani @ One Way Record opening, Paris
Eileen Montana, VMontanaJr, Christiano Spiller @ Cafe Real, Milan
VMJ Jamming on the Vibes
Philippe Renault (Cafe Real), VMontana, Jr & Nadia De Marco (Heavy Vibes Cover Model), Milan