LET'S TALK MILO Z
He calls the music “Razzamofunk”, a combination of Rock, Rap, Jazz, Blues & Funk. The sound is what you might expect from a kid growing up on New York City’s Lower East Side (now the East Village). It was a culturally diverse neighborhood once considered the “melting pot”; full of poets, artists, musicians, junkies, punk rockers, winos and families of modest means. From this beginning it seems only natural that Milo Z’s music would have a gritty, funky, soulful and unique edge, hence – Razzamofunk.
Starting out as a drummer and part time bicycle messenger, Milo Z soon came out from behind the drums and began rapping. This eventually led to singing and songwriting. Approximately 90% of Milo Z’s original music is written and composed by him. “I draw on the sounds I heard growing up and mix it with my life and experiences as they happen. When people think of Milo Z, I want them think original.” A total professional, Milo Z sings, dances, conducts, orchestrates, and interacts with the crowd, all the while dressing and grooving in a style that is unique and all his own. To watch Milo Z in action is to watch a true performer. His connection with the audience is undeniable. He can make 5,000 people feel like they’re in his living room and he can make a small venue feel like it’s the “Big Rock Show”.
In March 2010 Milo Z will be releasing his 5th album entitled Throwback (Z-Booga Records). This latest release has the retro sound and feel of a funk and soul record that for a moment, may just throw you back to the 1970’s. With 12 original songs and 2 covers of Bill Withers, the album struts and grooves from beginning to end. Throwback is a reflection of both Milo Z the artist and the person and should be considered a signature album. “This is my most personal album so far. Of all my albums, Throwback captures the most of what I’m about and it is my best so far. If you were going to listen to one Milo Z album to get what I’m about, this should be it.”
Milo Z’s first album Basic Need to Howl (Mercury/Polygram) produced the single “Dog” which was featured in the Warner Brothers film See Spot Run starring David Arquette and Anthony Anderson and in the hit TV show Baywatch with Pamela Anderson. The follow up was Live & Bumpin (Schoolcut/Arabesque Recordings) recorded live at the famous and now defunct club Tramps in NYC. Next came Sweet N’ Nasty (Z-Booga Records) and Up On The Hill, a CD/DVD which was recorded and filmed live at the historic Lykabettus Theatre in Athens, Greece. For this incredible concert Milo Z brought with him a troupe of 13 NYC musicians, complete with dancers. Milo Z is currently working on a documentary film which recounts this journey and captures the experience of coming from the Lower East Side of NYC to headlining at a famous amphitheater atop the highest point in Athens, Greece.
Milo Z has toured the world and his dancin’ shoes have spun on many a stage. Milo Z has shared bills with the Neville Brothers, Al Greene, Chuck Brown, Maceo Parker, Massive Attack, The Average White Band, Spin Doctors, and Robert Randolph, just to name a few. His worldwide appeal was recently recognized by the world’s largest music awards – the JPF Music Awards, where he was nominated for Best Funk Album of the Year and was honored as having one of the Best Funk Songs of the Year.
During a performance as the house band for the NBC television show Last Call With Carson Daly, Carson dubbed Milo Z “A New York Institution”. While this may be true, Milo Z looks forward to continuing to bring his music to the universe.
Milo Z Funk |
