Mr. A.L.I.

This band was created with the intention of bringing back a live element to the world of soulful dance music. Put together by dance industry veteran producer Jere McAllister and his partner Vick Lavender, it features an ever-changing, multi-cultural melting pot, of musicians. Anchored by the vocal stylings of, singer/songwriter, Carla Prather, the group showcases everything from Afro-Latin rhythms to soulful harmonies to a touch of Jazz. All contained within a package that is made to get your dance groove on.



The core of the band is Jere McAllister (Keys, MD), Carla Prather (Vox), Clyde Davis (Drums), Lamar Jones or Dave Hiltebrand (Bass), Chris Greene and Mike Levin (Sax), Rick Gehrenbeck (Keys), Joe Rendon (Percussion), Gerey Johnson (guitar), & David Risque (The Groove Guru)



Jeremiah "Jere" McAllister started his music career, at the age of 19, with DJ International records. He recorded 3 releases for DJI (Never Let You Down, Breathless, and What I Do) before leaving the label to join up with Steve Silk Hurleys ID productions.



During his DJ International period, he wrote the music for Let The Music Use You by the NightWriters. This record was produced by the Godfather of House, Frankie Knuckles, and was a big underground club record in the UK (and Europe), during the Summer of Love of 1988. A song that has been described by some (UK Journalists) as defining Deep House Music.



Jere started out, with ID Productions, as keyboard player for, Grammy Nominated, Eric E-Smoove Miller. He lent his talents to remixes for such artists as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Marvin Gaye, INXS, Diana Ross, Taylor Dayne, Simply Red, Black Box, Keith Sweat, and the list goes on.



Also, during his time working with E-Smoove, Jere co-wrote, We Got a Love Thing for CeCe Peniston, Are You Gonna Be There for Shay Jones (later redone by Up Yer Ronson), and A Little Bit More for Kym Sims, all records which saw quite a bit of chart action, worldwide.



After E-Smoove left ID, Jere joined with producer Marc M-Doc Williams, to form InDaSoul. They collaborated on remixes, songs, and productions for such artists as Madonna, Mint Condition, Princes New Power Generation, Sounds of Blackness, Tanya Blount (from Sister Act 2), and more, even a song for the movie To Wong Fu . As well as providing mixes for the Tom Joyner Morning Show as part of "Silk and The Soul Crew". One of their productions, Never Gonna Let You Go by Tina Moore, was a top ten hit and big part of the 2-Step Garage scene, in the UK.



Vick Lavender was a member of Glenn Undergrounds Strictly Jaz Unit. While with the SJU he recorded an EP call PM Blues, which is still pretty popular among Deep House DJs around the world.



Carla Prather is quickly becoming a veteran of Chicagos music scene. She has worked with, Grammy winner Maurice Joshua, House Legend Byron Stingley, plus many more, and she is also a singer for the group Poi Dog Pondering.



David Risqu, the Groove Guru, was one of the early promoters of the Chicago House scene. His parties were the starting ground for some of Chicagos House DJ/producer pioneers. One of the most notable was Steve Silk Hurley. I guess you could say that his events were responsible for exposing thousands of Chicagoans to the sounds and feel of House.



The rest of the band is comprised of some of Chicagos best musicians. Some of the people that have performed with the band have played with such artists as Miles Davis, Destinys Child, R. Kelly, Monica, John Legend, Common, Twista, Patti Labelle, Roberta Flack, Will Downing, Byron Stingily, Colonel Abrams, Patrick Adams, Leroy Burgess, just to name a few.