Mike appearing in Richard Linklater's 'Me and Orson Welles'
Sun, Apr. 6 2008
Mike makes his acting debut in Rick Linklater's 'Me and Orson Welles'. Set in 1937, the film stars Zac Efron and Claire Danes, with Mike playing the role of Epstein, Orson Welles' musical director in the Mercury Theatre production of 'Julius Caesar'.
In between takes, Mike has been composing and arranging some music on the film and trying to get used to wearing a fake moustache! Watch this space for pics.
Mary Leay - 'Rose of Gold' Video
Fri, Dec. 28 2007
Check out Mary Leay's new video 'Rose of Gold' on 'YouTube'.
Mary Leay - Video, live in the studio
Mon, Dec. 10 2007
Last weekend we went into the studio with engineer Drew Griffiths to record some of Mary's songs live. No overdubs, just 'one take' performances done without fixes or drop-ins. We also set up some cameras and filmed the whole thing. Mark, my brother (who played violin and electric guitar) edited the footage together. Check out the first one. Two more to come later on - so watch this space!
Soul 2 Soul - Live at 'LoveBox'
Fri, Nov. 23 2007
Check out this YouTube video of S2S Live, performing the club classic 'Back to Life', at LoveBox, in August, 2007. Mike's on guitar, with Jazzie B and Daddae Harvey on decks, Caron Wheeler singing lead vocals and Simon Law on keyboard - along with the rest of the Funky Dred crew.
Mary Leay - An Artist to Watch in 2008
Sun, Oct. 28 2007
Mike's been working with a fantastic artist, Mary Leay, since February 2007. They're currently doing a few gigs around London. The band includes Ernie McKone (bass) and Crispin Taylor (drums).
For more information about Mary, and to hear some of her music, go to her MySpace site at the link below.
In June, 2007, Mike completed work on a Japanese animated feature film, 'Vexille', directed by Fumihiko Sori (Ping Pong, Appleseed). He worked with the world renowned DJ, producer and film composer Paul Oakenfold as an orchestrator and co-composer. The film includes over 60 minutes of original music and demonstrates a fresh new hybrid of cutting edge electronica and orchestral instruments.
The film opened the Locarno International Film Festival on August 1st at Piazza Grande, Europe's largest open-air theater, and has been shown at many other international film festivals, including the 51st London Festival. It's slated for theatrical releases in 75 territories during 2008.
WATCH THE 10 minute 'YouTube' PREVIEW:
Gigs with Soul II Soul
Wed, Jul. 25 2007
Mike's been playing some live dates Soul II Soul. He's been working with Jazzie B and the Soul II Soul collective since the album '1990 New Decade'. Caron Wheeler and Simon Law are in the band, along with the original Funky Dred - Jazzie's partner in dub - Daddae Harvey. Check out the article about the recent performance at the Lovebox Festival on Saturday 23rd July.
Bobby Blackston Band album 'Elevations' now available
Wed, Feb. 28 2007
Produced and arranged by Mike, this album features a stellar line up of musicians, including Chris Taylor (Roachford), Iain Dixon (Mike Walker Quartet), Crispin Taylor (Galliano) Jacko Peake (Paul Weller), Randall Bramlett (Traffic & Sea Level), Gary Brown (Flora Purim, Airto Moreira), Walfredo Reyes Jnr (Santana & Steve Winwood) and Gerard Presencer (US3, Herbie Hancock) just to mention a few. This is the first release on Mike's new label Rezzonator Music.
'The McX' is the soul/jazz/funk outfit put together back in the mid 90s by Mike and Ernie McKone (Boogie Back Records). After recording an album, 'The Present', for the EDEL label in Germany, they took a break while Mike toured with Steve Winwood and Ernie gigged with Candi Staton and Paul Weller. They're back in the studio again writing/producing a new album for release later this year. In the meantime you can hear tracks from 'The Present' on The McX MySpace site.
Michael was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Instrumental Music in the Mid-South Chapter of NATAS for his work on Ryman: Mother Church of Country Music for WNPT (PBS).
Michael scored over 100 minutes of music for a 2 hr docu-drama adaptation of the David Bodanis book E=mc2 for Darlow/Smithson Productions. Broadcast on C4 in the UK and WGBH (PBS) in the USA (Einstein's Big Idea) and directed by Gary Johnstone.
In October 2004, Michael completed the Masters Degree in Composition for Screen at the Royal College of Music, London. He was awarded the prestigious Joseph Horovitz Prize for Composition for Screen - the first time this award has been given since 2001.
Michael wins Emmy Award for Best Instrumental Music in the US Mid-South region for his work on Kathy Conkwright's documentary, Tennessee Yearbook, featuring Isaac Hayes (WNPT, PBS).
Michael received a second Emmy nomination in 2004 for his score for Bridget Kling's documentary, Design for Worship (WNPT, PBS).