DESCRIPTION:
Project: Breath Of Life
Album: The Story of Fay & Valentino
Recorded at Fryshuset, Stockholm, Sweden. Spring of 1995.
Eight days of Recording, four days of mixing, and one afternoon of Mastering
Mastered at Cutting Room, Stockholm, Sweden.
Recorded, Produced by Magnus Henriksson.
Sung by Martin.
Musicians:
Drums: Per Jaktelius
Bass: Benny Martensson
Hammond Organ: Mathias Engdahl
Guitar: Nico Elgstrand
Guitar, Harmonica, Flute: Roger öjersson
Back Up Vocals: Monica Larsson & Annika Santunione'
Saxophone: Anna Vanselius

Breath Of Life started with writing the song “Flowers”, together with Erik Appelros in 1992, while I was still in the group Manic Depression. At the time we recorded the song as a demo for Manic Depression’s upcoming album.

The first demo for the Breath Of Life project was “Stay The Same” recorded in 1993 as a trio with Petter Svärd on drums and Pontus Egberg on bass. We recruited band Monica’s Maze lead singer Monica Larsson to sing and arrange the vocals for Breath Of Life’s 1994 recording of the song “Son Of God”. Guitar Monster guitar player Pontus Norgren was now at the mixing consoles. Monica brought Annika and Teresa along with her to sing on the recording, as well as keyboard player Mats Sandborg.

We played one show at Daily’s in Stockholm a snowy Sunday in early 1994 .

In the spring of 1994 I was offered to play acoustic covers at The Princess Bar on the Greek Island Rhodos, over the summer. At the time of the offer I was playing acoustic covers in bars all over Stockholm, sometimes solo, but often together with local greats such as Leif Sundin, Fredrik Thomander, Martin Thomander, Göran Elmquist Nippe, Matti Alfonzetti, and an impromptu night at Kelly’s comes to mind with Niklas Sigewall on drums and Mats Levén on bass. It was on one of those nights local Rock Star Jakob Samuelsson had heard me, and referred me to Priness Club Owner Taki Balogianni. I recruited bass wonder Benny Martensson to be my sidekick in Greece and we began the foundation for the new Breath Of Life.

When Benny and I returned to Sweden we landed in Malmo where Benny and my duo were was joined by friend Mathias Engdahl, on Hammond Organ. Making us a trio. This trio together with a few musicians held the fabulous resident gig at Cosmopolitan Cafe in Malmo during the early fall of 1994, but we decided to move our trio to Stockholm when my brother,Michael Sosinski, got us the job as the house gig at Munchies Bar & Restaurant on the south side of Stockholm. We held that job through New Year Eve 1994-1995 when I have good memories of being joined on stage by Peter Schapiro and parts of Reptile Smile who took over momentarily and brought down the house.

In the spring of 1995 our trio became a quartet as Par Jaktelius accepted the role as our drummer. Par was recommended to me by my friend, drum phenom , Richard Evensand. With Per Jaktelius on drums the sound finally came together. Fryshuset, where most bands rehearsed, had a new sound engineer in their recording studio who’s name was Magnus Henriksson, I was introduced to him by Erik Appelros. Magnus liked my demos and was eager to record a full length album. I pleaded with my two favorite guitar players Nico Elgstrand and Roger öjersson to guest play on the CD recording and they agreed. I think Nico’s guitar is right speaker and Roger is left speaker, but not certain. There was a few more special appearances such as by musician Anna Vanselius on sax and Monica and Annika also returned to sing again.

My brother Michael Sosinski was incredibly generous, devoting his advance money from publishing deal through recording artist Mental Hippie Blood, to sponsor the mastering and manufacturing of 500 CDs. Thank you brother Mike. Benny and Matti played CD sleeve art designers. That summer of 1995 I bugged every visitor in every bar, restaurant, or park in Stockholm, to buy our CD.

We played a few shows that summer. Two times opening for my brother’s band Mental Hippie Blood who double headlined together other local legends Ingo & Floyd. Once at the venue Melody, where Leif Sundin backed up my solo show, and once at Studion with the group. I enjoyed playing a packed Sunday Night at Daily’s, and a having a good show on a hot summer night playing Kool Kat at Djurgarden.

To everyone who supported me and this CD, I thank you for all encouragement. I was often broke, or intoxicated and I appreciate that you put up with me.

Please enjoy the songs.

Sincerely,
Martin