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Pre-Order First Black Nation, which will drop May 28th: http://www.MLSmusic.com
Listen: http://www.facebook.com/musicbymls

Guitarist Michael-Louis Smith radiates positivity and brings amazing musicians and music-lovers together under the same beat. On June 4th, Michael-Louis Smith will launch a CD release show at DROM in NYC for his upcoming album First Black Nation, which will drop on iTunes and Amazon a week earlier on May 28th. The concept album is a multi-movement instrumental that tells a story about the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Michael will also tour this summer to support the album and also mark his 10-year anniversary with bandmates Diallo House (bass), Ismail Lawal (drums), and Stacy Dillard (sax). These longtime friends will treat crowds to international styles, telepathic improvisation, and high energy music.

Prior to writing his latest solo album, Michael-Louis Smith had formed ensembles Left Ear Trio and MLS Coalition, which have toured nationally at major venues such as LA's Troubadour Club, Discover Jazz Festival, Saratoga Jazz and Blues Festival, and Round Lake Jazz Festival. Then in 2010, Michael released his debut solo album Portrait of MLS. Drawing comparisons to jazz guitar legend Grant Green, Michael attracted critical acclaim for meshing his classic bebop chops with his modern soul sensibilities on the debut album (Albanyjazz.com). Last year, Michael-Louis Smith and his bandmates from First Black Nation backed Nigerian funk/soul star Nneka on her US tour, including the World Music Institute's "Africa Now" show at the Apollo Theater in NYC in March 2013. "This was not your average concert," wrote Musicvice.com on one of the band's performances with Nneka. "The power and love emitting from the stage increased as Nneka and her talented band delivered wave after wave of rhythmic energy and soul."

Pre-order First Black Nation, out on May 28, 2013:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/first-black-nation-story-haiti/id634102861
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/First-Black-Nation-Story-Earthquake/dp/B00BV9JDUM

"[Previous album Portrait of MLS" by Michael-Louis Smith] is a propitious debut that announces the arrival of a seriously talented new kid on the block—one who can play, write and swing!"--AlbanyJazz.com

"Diallo House, on bass, lays down deep, heavy lines grounded in a foundation of intricate, modern jazz-funk." -- AllAboutJazz.com.

"Saxophonist Stacy Dillard's spirited energy is laced with nuance and intelligence and, while he's not shy of passion or feeling, everything he does is grounded in superb technique and focused and appealing ideas... Dillard can play 'out' as well as 'in' or, if you like, inside-out. But he is perhaps best as himself, accessible and pleasurable to those with mainstream tastes as well as those whose ears appreciate some edge and innovation." --AllAboutJazz.com