Information/Write-up
Canada has not been kind to creative artists in general and Black artists in particular. Consider the fact that Rick James, Claudja Barry, Eric Mercury and Gino Vannelli all had to leave before the international spotlight shone on them.
Demo Cates’ first solo album Memories of Moments should reverse this situation. If Memories and Moments fails to be nominated for a Juno Award (Canada’s Grammys), something is terribly wrong with the music industry in this country.
The obvious question is: who is Demo Cates and what’s so special about his album Memories and Moments?
Demo wears many hats as a producer, arranger, songwriter, musician and vocalist. He hails from Detroit, a city that he credits for giving him his awareness of a wide spectrum of music. Today he resides in Toronto.
His roots are based in jazz, which can be traced to when his mother gave him a saxophone at age 10. He grew up listening to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Henderson and Eddie Harris. He plays alto, tenor and soprano saxophones and has recently picked up the flute.
Demo was an intricate part of The Counts, local legends in Detroit for 12 years, and he credits them with drawing him close to gospel and rhythm ’n’ blues. But he’s quick to point out, he drew them into jazz: “It was a good marriage,” says Demo.
As a vocalist, Demo’s style can simply be called “smooth.” His vocal influences include Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Lou Rawls.
Demo’s talents have been recognized by some of the giants of black music. In 1974 he was offered a job with Miles Davis. He received a call from his friend Michael Henderson, who was playing bass with Davis at the time. Henderson said: “Ya man, Miles heard you on tape and he wants you to come to go to Brazil with us.”
Demo declined because he was going through some changes in his life and didn’t want to deal with the touring end of the business and wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue in music period. Lucky for lovers of good music he didn’t drop out of the business.
Memories and Moments is a potpourri of sophisticated cuts, Latin, jazz fusion and easy listening. It showcases Demo’s versatility as a vocalist, musician, songwriter, arranger and producer.
Demo is in the vanguard of helping to shape the sound of Toronto. Memories and Moments brings together people from different cultural backgrounds.
Says Demo, “I feel that Toronto can develop into quite a musical capital of the North. All the elements are here for a fusion of the best of Caribbean and black music and Canadian music — both Black and white. I want a sound coming out of Toronto that is a fusion type of sound unique to us.”
Demo wants his music to reach every corner of the planet. “So I write and arrange my music so it will have an international appeal. Because I’ve Latin, it will have a Latin feel to it. It will have some reggae in it. And of course it’s going to have some jazz, because that’s where I’m from,” says Demo.
May I recommend Memories and Moments for your personal play list. Put it on your turntable, kick back with your favorite woman or man and a glass of wine and mellow on out.
-Norman (Otis) Richmond (liner notes)
Demo Cates: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, piano, vocals
Bobby Boyer: vocals
Fred Boyer: vocals
Kung Foo: vocals
Butch Flint: bass guitar, lead guitar
Danny Columby: bass guitar
David Moyles: bass guitar, lead guitar
Earl Leader: drums
Gary Steed: drums
Jeff Simmons: drums
Ron: drums
Calvin Suro: keyboards
Kingsley Ettienne: keyboards, synthesizer
Leroy Emmanuel: lead guitar
Dave McMarrow: synthesizer
Produced by Demo Cates and G. Lewis
Arranged by Demo Cates
Mixed by Calvin Suro and David Moyles
Recorded by Calvin Suro and David Moyles at Sound Kitchen and Kensington Sound, Toronto, Ontario
Distributed by: D.K. Productions Inc., 1553 Eglinton Ave. West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6E 2G9
Phone: (416) 789-5722
Telex: 06-218382
Special thanks to the engineers and musicians at Sound Kitchen Studio: Calvin Suro, David Moyles, and Mr. Hugh
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