LONG WAIT TO END—TOMMY MORA DEBUT CD “KEEP ON MOVIN” SET FOR MAY 2011
Los Angeles—Anticipation is high for the early 2011 release of “Keep On Movin’,” the much-whispered about debut CD from Tommy Mora. While Tommy has earned his stripes as a respected guitarist and band leader, studio engineer to the stars, and musical director for Grammy presentations, this CD bristles with the rock, blues and funk that have become Tommy Mora’s trademark.
Whether urging the listener to “Live It Up” by following your dreams with a solid bed of guitar that recalls when we weren’t afraid to rock, or reflecting on his Southwestern heritage for letting us know he is “On His Way” in a power rock rumba that is part flamenco, part Norteño, but still truly rock and roll. While the sound is fresh and contemporary, it harkens to the roots where rock and roll came from. After all, “Old school is the ONLY school, you either went to school or you didn’t.” Tommy has the distinction of not only being an “A” student, but a fully-tenured professor.
“Going Down To The Border” gives a nod to the Chicano funk rock that was born in the ‘70’s brought to the mainstream by Carlos Santana, which has always been a staple of Tommy’s repertoire, fused with Hendrix/Zeppelin. “Tell Me” shows the influence of another seminal Texan, Freddy Fender. The CD title track “Keep On Movin” is a tribute to his Mother who recently passed away and underscores the message of moving on even with the loss of a very special loved one. Thus, is the title of the CD.
From beginning to end, all 13 tracks from “Keep On Movin” rock and groove and bump-she-bumps in the manner that only a true veteran of both the English and Spanish rock scenes could conceive and deliver After all, Mr. Mora has served as recording engineer for cliental ranging from Prince, to Jennifer Lopez, to Al Green, while acting as musical director for Alejandro Fernandez at the Latin Grammys.
Long regarded as one of the best live acts in the spread between Los Angeles and El Paso, the legion of Tommy Mora fans soon will have what they have been asking for—the CD that captures this incredible musician’s live energy, Chicano soul, and catchy songs. In his debut CD, Tommy again and again proves the era of the guitar hero has not died, but just been re-defined. Are you ready for “Keep On Movin” from RMC Records? It will remind you of what rock was meant to be.
For more info, please contact:
RMC Records
323.359.0972
RMC Records- Keep on Movin' Album Review
Tommy Mora is to Los Angeles what taco stands and palm trees are—a part of the landscape that everyone takes for granted, but doesn’t always appreciate. That will change with the long-anticipated release of his debut CD “Keep on Movin’.” Tommy proves that classic rock is not just an “oldies” genre. The timelessness of music with a 60’s-70’s feel can be fresh and contemporary if put in the right hands. That is why this CD, co-produced by AJ Vallejo, sparkles from beginning to end.
Back in 1970, Jimi Hendrix gave the world a new anthem for a hopeful new decade called “Freedom.” In 2010, Tommy Mora pulls us 40 years forward with an update in his own words and musical style of “Freedom” that reinforces the message sent from this missed guitar god. Somewhere, Jimi is smiling.
In “Misery,” only Tommy Mora would combine the best of the Rolling Stones and Bob Seger in a musical soup, delivered from the visceral vocal perspective of a clear-eyed Ozzy Osbourne. A true aural bomb blast with Tommy banging it out.
The title song “Keep On Movin” harkens back to the many classic late 60’s-early 70’s songs from seminal New York band The Rascals. This track is a tribute to his Mother, who recently passed away. But through the pathos, the message is to push forward, and Tommy Mora provides the listener a way to move from grief to “grooving on a Sunday afternoon.”
“You Got Me Running’” (the favorite among Tommy’s fans in his live set) chugs and bounces as if some 70’s groupie had a bastard child fathered by sperm from Free, T-Rex, Bad Company and the Sweet. Quite a pedigree to deliver you to rock nirvana for the new century, but this is no illegitimate child, rather an update of how good rock can feel.
While Tommy’s material always rocks out, there is an underlying nod to the funk and Chicano soul popularized in the ‘70’s by Carlos Santana and Tower of Power. Even rockers supreme Led Zeppelin dabbled in funk with songs like “Trampled Under Foot.” Tommy’s Carlitos-Zep fusion boogies in that Chicano-funk vein on “Going Down To The Border.” Dance floor time, gentes!
Parents and relatives have probably told you stories about Huggy Boy and Art Laboe and El Monte Legion Stadium from the 60’s. Tommy takes the corazón from that period and skyrockets it to the present. Doo-wap for the new century is what “Tell Me” accomplishes.
The lone Spanish track, “Una Razon” bristles with flamenco y conjunto, Spain meets Southwest Texas, in only a style Tommy could play. Border rock at its best.
Tired of the angst-rock currently on “modern rock” radio? Weary of hearing the same songs repeated on “classic rock” radio? Then the new Tommy Mora CD “Keep On Movin’” is your solution for musical transportation. Classic rock lives, but hear it with a fresh voice and arrangement interpretation to lift it to the present. You won’t be disappointed.
