Zo! Feat. Octavio Santos - Holding You, Loving You by Swanky's Sonic Swag

I ended up crackin' some eggs and cookin' some bacon on this joint because Zo!'s version on his "Just Visiting Too" EP had no vocals. The whole covers project blew my mind at first listen. These were some joints covered in such a fresh fashion...these artists covered paved the way for my love of music...The Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell and Prince among others...and of course, Don Blackman whose music has given me much inspiration in love and life.

After several (and I mean SEVERAL to the point of not being able to count it anymore) listens, I decided give the vocals a try. I was so excited to do it that the first time I gave it a shot, I was battlin' the flu (no swine) and coughin' like a madman (soundin' like I smoked like a chimney). The unmixed demo surfaced to those who were close to me but it never reached public ears. D. Swain a.k.a. one of the freshest MC's with swagger out there who goes by just Danny! gave me a good luck on dukin' it out on the joint since it was one of his favourite joints courtesy of Mr. Don Blackman.

After a month and some days (I didn't keep count of it), I did some horn recordin' for two gentlemen (and I won't disclose it for now because it's a pretty damn good collaboration project between the two in the works) gave me a push to get on that music again. I experienced good friends, good food, good love...lots of good. I went and did some soul searchin', did music for other people, worked, worked, worked, schooled, ate, slept (and my sleepin' habits are incredibly atrocious)...rinse and repeat. I returned to the track and really felt the delivery. This was my take...this was how I felt...this is what it is...that circled my mind. Of course, bein' a trumpet player, I wasn't gonna pass an opportunity to add some horns in the mix.

This is the final product.

Zo! - Just Visiting Too EP
DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/zo!-just_visiting_too.zip

Much love and swanks,

O.

Zo! Feat. Octavio Santos - Holding You, Loving You
[D. Blackman, L. Ferguson, O. Santos]

Produced by Zo! All Instruments except for horns by Zo!
Vocals and vocal arrangements by Octavio Santos.
Trumpet, flugelhorn and horn arrangements by Octavio Santos.
Music recorded and mixed by Zo! @ East Wing Studios, Silver Spring, MD.
Vocals and horns recorded and mixed by Octavio Santos @ The Groove Cafeteria, Mississauga, ON.

Original recording: Don Blackman - Don Blackman (Arista - 1982).
Reworked recording: Zo! - Just Visiting Too EP (Chapter 3hree Verse 5ive Music/Foreign Exchange Music - 2009).