Just like her career has taken an unconventional path to the present, so does her second CD, and first full album, The Green Room! Chelsey Green and The Green Project showcase melodically appealing songwriting and arranging abilities honed to a new level, showcasing her unique twist on violin, viola and contemporary jazz.
Kicking off the album is the uptempo and funky tune, “Dr. Funk.” An opener that gets you on the edge of your seat, Dr. Funk highlights The Green Project’s unique group sound and unified tightness as it tears through corporate runs and funky syncopated rhythmic patterns from start to finish.
The second track, appropriately named “Road Trip,” was written on the road and first hashed out with hand drums and hums. Grabbing your attention with declamatory opening chords, followed by a laid back, jazz-funk groove, “Road Trip” carries a funky back beat while leaving room for the aggressive melody to breathe in and out of expansive harmonic pillars of sound so elegantly assisted by warm live horns.
“Cheryl Ann” follows with a smooth jazz groove that makes you just want sing. This mellow tune written by Chelsey’s father, for her mother, is an easy going tune full of colorful expression and optimistic character.
Chelsey Green and The Green Project’s interpretation of “People Make The World Go ‘Round” comes next and is sure to be a version that reminds you of The Stylistics and their classic sound. Reminiscent of solid grooves and synthesized sounds of years past, The Green Project sets the stage and delivers a great rendition of this classic tune including subtle improvisatory nuance by the lead violin and supported by rich live strings in the background.
Putting the violin down for a while, Chelsey warms up the record with her voice in the fifth track, “Autumn Leaves.” Chelsey’s calming contralto vocals set the tone on the classic standard that is later interrupted unexpectedly with a rhythmic surprise making this arrangement fresh and catchy.
Illustrating her broad compositional style, “Party Song” is her instrumental interpretation of contemporary dance music. As its title indicates, this song is influenced by Baltimore club and party music showcasing affected violin techniques with a driving kick from beginning to end.
Inspired by R&B and Soul slow jams of past and present, “1am” is a quintessential intimate and soulful instrumental slow jam that speaks volumes through soft and nuanced violin whispers. This track surely sets the mood for a relaxing evening with that special someone.
“My Favorite Things” follows and serves as a direct rhythmic variation to what precedes it. Energetic from the downbeat, The Green Project’s twist on this standard tune will certainly become one your favorite things to listen to.
“Pizzicato Part III” has special significance radiating from Chelsey’s heart as this tune was written in tribute to her family members that have passed on. A third remix to a tune released on her first album, Still Green: The EP, this transformed version speaks to the soul by way of a melody that flows in and out of thick and thin musical textures and ends in a robust vamp full of harmonic twists and turns.
“My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” serves as a fitting close to this album as Chelsey, strong in her faith, gives all praise and thanks to God for her gift of playing music and speaking through the violin.
Fully embodying the mind, heart, body and soul which they so passionately put into their music, Chelsey Green and The Green Project welcome you into “The Green Room.”
ALBUM CREDITS
Dr. Funk
Written by: Chelsey Green
Arranged by: Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Lorenzo Johnson, Kevin Powe Jr., Brian “Spyda” Wheatley
Horn Arrangement by: Mo’Horns: Marvin Thompson, Will Spence, Theljon Allen
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin
Mo’Horns – horns (Marvin Thompson – trombone, Will Spence – alto saxophone, Theljon Allen – trumpet)
Steven Walker – guitar
Joshua Thomas – clavier
Lorenzo Johnson – organ
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
Road Trip
Written by: Chelsey Green
Arranged by: Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Kevin Powe Jr., Brian “Spyda” Wheatley
Horn Arrangement by: Mo’Horns: Marvin Thompson, Will Spence, Theljon Allen
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin
Mo’Horns – horns (Marvin Thompson – trombone, Will Spence – alto saxophone, Theljon Allen – trumpet and flugelhorn)
Steven Walker – guitar
Ignatius Perry Jr. – rhodes and additional keyboard
Lorenzo Johnson – organ
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
Cheryl Ann
Written by: Craig Green
Arranged by: Craig Green, Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Lorenzo Johnson, Kevin Powe Jr., Brian “Spyda” Wheatley
Guitar Arrangement by: Chelsey Green, Steve Wright, Matthew Chase
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin
Matthew Chase – guitar
Ignatius Perry Jr. – piano
Lorenzo Johnson – auxiliary keyboard
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass and keyboard bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
People Make The World Go ‘Round
Written by: Thom Bell and Linda Creed
Arranged by: Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Kevin Powe Jr., Brian “Spyda” Wheatley
String Arrangement by: Chelsey Green and Monique Brooks-Roberts
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin and additional strings (viola)
Monique Brooks-Roberts – additional strings (violin)
Ignatius Perry Jr. – rhodes and synthesized keyboard
Lorenzo Johnson – organ
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
Autumn Leaves
Music by: Joseph Kosma
Lyrics by: Johnny Mercer
Arranged by: Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Lorenzo Johnson, Kevin Powe Jr., Brian “Spyda” Wheatley
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – vocals
Ignatius Perry Jr. – piano
Lorenzo Johnson – organ
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
Party Song
Written by: Chelsey Green
Arranged by: Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Kevin Powe Jr., Brian “Spyda” Wheatley
Additional Production by: Kevin Powe Jr.
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin
Matthew Chase – guitar
Ignatius Perry Jr. – keyboards
Lorenzo Johnson – auxiliary keyboards
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass and keyboard bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
1am
Written by: Chelsey Green
Arranged by: Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Kevin Powe Jr., Brian “Spyda” Wheatley
Additional Production by: Kevin Powe Jr.
String Arrangement by: Chelsey Green and Monique Brooks-Roberts
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin and additional strings (viola)
Monique Brooks-Roberts – additional strings (violin) and feature violin solo at 4:30
Matthew Chase – guitar
Ignatius Perry Jr. – rhodes and additional keyboard
Lorenzo Johnson – sine pad
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
My Favorite Things
Music written by: Richard Rodgers
Arranged by: Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Kevin Powe Jr.
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin
Ignatius Perry Jr. – piano
Lorenzo Johnson – organ
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
Pizzicato Part III
Written by: Chelsey Green and Kevin Powe Jr.
Arranged by: Chelsey Green, Ignatius Perry Jr., Kevin Powe Jr., Lorenzo Johnson, Brian “Spyda” Wheatley
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin
Ignatius Perry Jr. – piano
Lorenzo Johnson – organ
Kevin Powe Jr. – electric bass
Brian “Spyda” Wheatley – drums
My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)
Written by: Andrae Crouch
Arranged by: Chelsey Green and Daryl L.A. Hunt
Performed by:
Chelsey Green – violin
Daryl L.A. Hunt – piano
Chelsey Green and The Green Project
The Green Room
© 2014 All Rights Reserved
Green Project Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
www.chelseygreen.com
info@chelseygreen.com
Facebook: /GreenProjectTGP
Twitter: @GreenProjectTGP
Instagram: @GreenViolinist
Executive Producer: Chelsey Green
All songs recorded and mixed by: Steve Wright at Wrightway Studios
All songs mastered by: Anthony Eichler at Goldtone Mastering
CD Artwork and Design: Jennifer White-Johnson at JT Photo and Design
Photographer: Ajani Truth at Ajani Truth Photography