The Wilroy remix EP came about after Emmer was listening in to Mary Anne Hobbs radio show on 6 music, where she played an abstract soul track by a talented Canadian born artist called Wilroy. The experimental music made such a wonderful and everlasting impression on Stephen, that he decided to reach out and ask Wilroy if he would be interested in re-working six tracks from his Home Ground album.
Home Ground is an international award-winning humanitarian music project where composer / producer Stephen Emmer was joined by an array of artists who contributed to a collection of original soulful and spiritual songs, with orchestral compositions and a socially conscious lyrical style but with modern day production values.
“The lyrics in particular were central to Home Ground and that each song was a new extension of its concept. So with the vocals already in place, I really wanted to give them a fresh world to inhabit.” (Wilroy)
The retro-soul album was released in 2017 and featured the likes of Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Kendra Foster, Leon Ware, Frank McComb, Andy Bey, Dwight Trible, Mary Griffin and Ursula Rucker. The project itself hit a nerve with both media and audiences alike. It also honours the artists by representing their truest vocal talent, whilst addressing social issues of today, about a world that is constantly in conflict over land, religion and race.
“At first it was a bit daunting because the songs are already so fully realised. I find it more challenging remixing something that already sounds like something I would want to make. So how do I re-interpret something I already love?” (Wilroy)
The Wilroy remix EP came about after Emmer was listening in to Mary Anne Hobbs radio show on 6 music, she played an abstract soul track by a talented Canadian born artist called Wilroy. The experimental music made such a wonderful and everlasting impression on Stephen, that he decided to reach out and ask Wilroy if he would be interested in re-working six tracks from his Home Ground album.
“The incredible remix has offered a radical change harmonically. I believe Wilroy is the best remixer of today!” (Stephen Emmer)
“I used a lot of the gear that’s migrated with me over the years. Lots of re-amping things through pedals & using different percussion instruments. My mom was in Peru recently and she brought back some different shakers and a thunder tube that I used”. (Wilroy)
Wilroy was recently selected by Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Music talent discovery initiative Future Bubblers, his track 4F3D63 Hex is featured on the latest compilation. Talking to Clash Magazine he said “Prince was a huge inspiration to the track and I incorporated many elements that are considered hallmarks of his mid-80s output”. Wilroy’s music has also been played on BBC Radio 6, 1Xtra, Worldwide FM & Bandcamp Weekly.
'Molten, abstracted soul music’ about Wilroy’s contemporary and cutting edge style of music. (Mary Anne Hobbs)
The Wilroy remixes of Home Ground will be released as a digital EP format on Friday 22 November 2019.
Stephen Emmer’s latest musical offering Home Ground combines the eloquence of contemporary orchestral soul music with socially conscious lyrics. It addresses contemporary concerns within the timeless musical excellence of classic soul combined with the sonic impact of the 21st century. The Home Ground songs are vocally performed by a careful selection of musical icons from the last 5 decades.
Featured Artists
Stephen is proud to announce an impressive line up, consisting of some of the best soul voices this world has on offer. Featured artists include Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Leon Ware, Kendra Foster, Frank McComb, Mary Griffin, Ursula Rucker, Andy Bey and Dwight Trible.
On top of that the album got mixed by the legendary Bob Power and mastered by Mark Wilder and Chris Gehringer. For more information about all featured artists and contributors please visit the Artists section of the website.
Lyrics
The main lyrical thrust of Home Ground is the world that is in constant conflict or war, whether over land, religion or race; this is not just black against white, it’s also poor against rich, justice against injustice, and the myriad other ongoing conflicts that beset our world. In an effort to help make this world a better place the Home Ground campaign will be in support of charity.
Home Ground supports War Child
Based on the lyrical content and the fact that the project is music-based, Stephen immediately thought of War Child as the perfect fit. War Child works for a better future for hundreds of thousands of children affected by war. They help them cope with their conflict-related experiences, rebuild relationships with friends and families and regain their self-confidence. War Child creates safe places where they can be children again and work to build a stable and peaceful future – both for themselves and their communities. The campaign will therefore focus on creating increased awareness for the amazing work of War Child. At the same time we’ll donate a fair share of the proceeds to support them in helping ‘our’ children – the best cornerstone imaginable for a future world at peace.
Stream, download or buy the album on Vinyl or CD here.
