Creative Maze & spiritchild. The sound is warm and intimate allowing the listener to zone out, channel in and break free. The year of the album could time travel from the early 90's combining jazz keys upright bass grooves and J Dilla drum patterns.

Electric Cinnamon

Conceived, nurtured, mixed and mastered in Berlin. Electric Cinnamon is a 3 year journey produced by Creative Maze of Reality Check and written & performed by spiritchild of Mental Notes featuring special guest artists... Maya Azucena, Bahati Musik, Konta, Julia Amos, Kiko King, Mathieu Pe Trumpet

The project sets the mood of revolutionary sexual hip hop funk. The sound is warm and intimate allowing the listener to zone out, channel in and break free. The year of the album could time travel from the early 90's combining jazz keys upright bass grooves and J Dilla drum patterns.

Its a revolutionary taking, love making body waking sensation. Electric Cinnamon is that fire brown sugar.

Creativemaze “Promising signs and an endless creativity ... you're surely going to hear more about this producer in the shadows.” South Germany's Matthias Zwingert is creativemaze. Matze being the German nickname for Matthias, it quickly became Maze and when translated to English it's meaning fits perfectly to the way his chain of thought works.

“I often don’t know what style I produce when I start the song. It comes while I walk in the maze.“ Creativemaze had the chance to learn music at a very young age, he began with the flute, followed up with the piano and the drums. He became, during his educational years, the drummer in “Creative Break”, in which his perfectionism and brimming imagination led him to focus on the producing side of the music. He then moved to Regensburg where he successfully graduated as an audio engineer/producer and, as a logical course of events, moved to Berlin because of it’s creative musical potential.

spiritchild, as he is known, is a freedom singer from the south Bronx by way of Brooklyn, who uses the arts to cultivate a cultural revolution. He integrates activism and hip hop music production as the founder of the Movement In Motion Artist & Activist Collective. As the Rhythmic Poet of the Hip Hop Fusion Band Mental Notes, he uses his music to converse with his audience to the injustices facing the poor and oppressed, inspiring action on environmental and social justice in New York City and around the world. No one attends a session with spiritchild without leaving encouraged. His ability to draw out creativity and confidence heals those around him, and is the catalyst for deep analysis and social change. He is an instructor for songwriting and artist at several public schools throughout New York, and facilitates that process internationally on seasonal tours in Afrika, South East Asia, Europe and elsewhere.

spiritchild has assisted with organizing regional conferences on climate change, he is highlighting disaster relief and environmental justice with black, brown and other oppressed people. He has also produced and recorded with and for award winning grammy nominee Maya Azucena, legendary Les Nubians, spoken word nuyorican poets champion Ainsley Burrows, X-Vandals & Ricanstructions very own N4P to name a few.

Balance has been created by engaging and developing the youth with hip hop pedagogy as program director of One Mic and founder of One Mic Collective/Art Start working with youth offenders as well as in Children’s Village Dobbs Ferry New York Juvenile Detention Facility. He has also worked with and for intellectually disabled and psychologically diagnosed adults in the Bronx.

www.xspiritmental.com www.onemicartists.com www.movementinmotion.com

capturing the illusive stream of political consciousness

Welcome to the rEvolution of Hip Hop

Armed with their unique signature sound, New York City's original hip-hop ensemble Mental Notes has been attracting diverse audiences for over a decade.

Their eclectic fusion of old school hip-hop, funk, electronica, jazz and acid rock continues to break the boundaries of the New York live music scene.

Mental Notes has consistently added to the pulse of New York's musical and social heartbeat. They have been a previous guest on Air America Radio, appearing on Chuck D's highly praised live talk show. Most recently, Mental Notes bassist and songwriter David Dovo composed the original film score for Jerusalem in Exile (part of the "Art and Apathy" film documentary project of Eyes Infinite Films), an official selection and winner of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. While the lead vocalist/emcee spiritchild has produced several film scores, spoken word albums for Nuyorican Slam Champion Ainsley Burrows and SmokiFantastic, as well as releasing several solo albums projects which include Dark Matters, A tribute to Nina Simone, Eclipse of Hope and Creative Politics to list a few.

Collectively, the members of Mental Notes have worked with and or shared the stage with a series of diverse artists including legendary producer Hank Shocklee, hip-hop virtuosos Dead Prez, Black Moon, soul-funk horn legends Tower of Power and Latin dance sensation Gloria Estefan.

Mental Notes vocalist spiritchild has been privileged to work with revolutionary spoken work activists Last Poets as well as Brooklyn's Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. Bassist David Dovo's diverse talent has led him to create remixes for rap pioneers Public Enemy and work with such acclaimed jazz artists as saxophonist Daniel Carter and share the stage with Billy Martin of Medeski, Martin and Wood. Guitarist Fro has shared the stage with nationally recognized jazz-fusion artists Deep Banana Blackout, Garaj Mahal and the punk inspired Screaming Headless Torsos. Drummer Eran Asias toured the globe and recorded with such artists as Patty Smyth's Scandal, Will Lee and Dem Brooklyn Bums.

Together, this collection of prolific musicians create an intense listening experience that rivals any sound to come out of the hip-hop scene in recent memory. Mental Notes invites you to be a part of the evolution of sound by bringing their unique fusion of experimental hip-hop.

Mental Notes has toured internationally to Germany, France, Amsterdam, Mumbai and New Dehli in India, Egypt, National College and Community Tours throughout the states. Locally, Mental Notes has played the legendary Blue Note, S.O.B's, CBGB's, Triad Theater, The Knitting Factory, Rose Live Music, Nublu and other local listings.

booking contact ninoespiritu@gmail.com www.sonicbids.com/mentalnotesnyc www.mentalnotes.bandcamp.com

dark political and sexy

Welcome to the rEvolution of Hip Hop

Armed with their unique signature sound, New York City's original hip-hop ensemble Mental Notes has been attracting diverse audiences for over a decade.

Their eclectic fusion of old school hip-hop, funk, electronica, jazz and acid rock continues to break the boundaries of the New York live music scene.

Mental Notes has consistently added to the pulse of New York's musical and social heartbeat. They have been a previous guest on Air America Radio, appearing on Chuck D's highly praised live talk show. Most recently, Mental Notes bassist and songwriter David Dovo composed the original film score for Jerusalem in Exile (part of the "Art and Apathy" film documentary project of Eyes Infinite Films), an official selection and winner of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. While the lead vocalist/emcee spiritchild has produced several film scores, spoken word albums for Nuyorican Slam Champion Ainsley Burrows and SmokiFantastic, as well as releasing several solo albums projects which include Dark Matters, A tribute to Nina Simone, Eclipse of Hope and Creative Politics to list a few.

Collectively, the members of Mental Notes have worked with and or shared the stage with a series of diverse artists including legendary producer Hank Shocklee, hip-hop virtuosos Dead Prez, Black Moon, soul-funk horn legends Tower of Power and Latin dance sensation Gloria Estefan. Mental Notes vocalist spiritchild has been privileged to work with revolutionary spoken work activists Last Poets as well as Brooklyn's Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. Bassist David Dovo's diverse talent has led him to create remixes for rap pioneers Public Enemy and work with such acclaimed jazz artists as saxophonist Daniel Carter and share the stage with Billy Martin of Medeski, Martin and Wood. Guitarist Fro has shared the stage with nationally recognized jazz-fusion artists Deep Banana Blackout, Garaj Mahal and the punk inspired Screaming Headless Torsos. Drummer Eran Asias toured the globe and recorded with such artists as Patty Smyth's Scandal, Will Lee and Dem Brooklyn Bums.

Together, this collection of prolific musicians create an intense listening experience that rivals any sound to come out of the hip-hop scene in recent memory. Mental Notes invites you to be a part of the evolution of sound by bringing their unique fusion of experimental hip-hop.

Mental Notes has toured internationally to Germany, France, Amsterdam, Mumbai and New Dehli in India, Egypt, National College and Community Tours throughout the states. Locally, Mental Notes has played the legendary Blue Note, S.O.B's, CBGB's, Triad Theater, The Knitting Factory, Rose Live Music, Nublu and other local listings.

booking contact ninoespiritu@gmail.com www.sonicbids.com/mentalnotesnyc www.myspace.com/spiritchildmentalnotes

Rhythmic poetic hip hop that explores and expresses the sound and hearts of social movements, love, the streets and the people.

ECLIPSE OF HOPE... an album I've been working on for the past year, on and off is now available and released :). you can hear some tracks on www.myspace.com/spiritchildmentalnotes I've work with producers from Vermont like Essential k, to my peoples out in Ramallah Palestine ramallah underground and of course my new friends over in Sweden, Holigan. I'll include more material online as i know most of us are out and about and most of our interactions and transactions have been online...(still trying to figure out how to break that mundane routine). but regardless, I'll also have the CDs up on itunes, cdbaby and all the usual online thing thing. the album contains 21 tracks its about 79 min or so worth of material.

Spiritchild Rhythmic Poet of Mental Notes. Leader of The Hip Hop Jam Band Mental Notes (the universal hip hop evolution). Founder & Chair of Movement In Motion Artist & Activist Collective. Creative Consultant for Eyes Infinite Films (www.eyesinfinite.com)

Xperience, Performance 1 international tour to Mumbai, India Winter 2004 hip hop film documentary 2 National Tours, Fall 2003 Northeast to Midwest Creative Politics Spring Tour 2005 West Coast 8 years in the local, national & international live scene with jam band Mental Notes. CBGBs, Knitting Factory, Bowery Poetry Club, Izzy Bar, Nuyorican Poets Café, Triad Lounge & Theatre, BAM Café.

Xperience, Production 3 Solo Album (written, composed & arranged by Spiritchild) A Tribute To Nina Simone (The EP) 2004 Creative Politics Chapter 1 reports from the rhythmic poet (mixtape) 2005 Eclipse of Hope (The LP) 2007 2 Albums for Mental Notes (all lyrics & arrangement by Spiritchild, music Mental Notes) Close Your Eyes & Open Your Mind 2001/ Event Horizon 2002 / spring 08 new album. Compilations for Movement In Motion 8 Volumes Of Music for Collective 2003-2007 see www.movementinmotion.org for details 1 Spoken Word With Music Album Cataclysm 2000 Ainsley Burrows 1 Tibetan Hip Hop Album Liberation 2004 Namgyal

Xperience Film, Video The Art of Love & Struggle (the documentary) 2005 produced movie soundtrack Act Accordingly (the movie) 2003 produced by Eyes Infinite Films Viewed at the ; Ladies On The Mic film fest 03, International HipHop Film Festival Philly 03, Howl Festival 03, Hip Hop Odyssey Film Festival 04 award nominee First Leading Acting Role Produced, Composed & Arranged Original Music Soundtrack with Mental Notes Film / Video Producer for Eyes Infinite Films 2004 Passin Me By a hip hop theater production score produced and arranged by Spiritchild

Xperience Community Freedom Academic Movement (2007-2008) instructor for hip hop music production and songwriting as well as artist development for TMA in harlem and HS in the Bronx Mentor for Youth Advocate Programs (2004-2005) Creator & Facilitor of Hip Hop A Political Science I.C.E. After School Program 2005 Event Coordinator, Promoter Hip Hop Activist Organizer, Researcher for J.U.i.C.E. New York Chapter www.rampartjuice.org an LA based after school program

Contact 646 319-6523 ninoespiritu@gmail.com www.movementinmotion.org www.eyesinfinite.com www.mentalnotesnyc.com

Xspiritmental Jazz, Poetry and Hip Hop. This CD is a conversation between myself and Nina Simone. Inspired by my eviction a few years ago.

A tribute for nina simone was produced during an intense time in my life. i was faced with eviction and had a week to do this album. i still feel the need to create a part 2, but it helped me out during a time of crisis. all, mentally, financially and psychologically. she is my inspiration and i hope to share the vibrations and love i have for her through my music. enjoy.

Spiritchild Rhythmic Poet of Mental Notes. Leader of The Hip Hop Jam Band Mental Notes (the universal hip hop evolution). Founder & Chair of Movement In Motion Artist & Activist Collective. Creative Consultant for Eyes Infinite Films (www.eyesinfinite.com)

Xperience, Performance 1 international tour to Mumbai, India Winter 2004 hip hop film documentary 2 National Tours, Fall 2003 Northeast to Midwest Creative Politics Spring Tour 2005 West Coast 8 years in the local, national & international live scene with jam band Mental Notes. CBGBs, Knitting Factory, Bowery Poetry Club, Izzy Bar, Nuyorican Poets Café, Triad Lounge & Theatre, BAM Café.

Xperience, Production 3 Solo Album (written, composed & arranged by Spiritchild) A Tribute To Nina Simone (The EP) 2004 Creative Politics Chapter 1 reports from the rhythmic poet (mixtape) 2005 Eclipse of Hope (The LP) 2007 2 Albums for Mental Notes (all lyrics & arrangement by Spiritchild, music Mental Notes) Close Your Eyes & Open Your Mind 2001/ Event Horizon 2002 / spring 08 new album. Compilations for Movement In Motion 8 Volumes Of Music for Collective 2003-2007 see www.movementinmotion.org for details 1 Spoken Word With Music Album Cataclysm 2000 Ainsley Burrows 1 Tibetan Hip Hop Album Liberation 2004 Namgyal

Xperience Film, Video The Art of Love & Struggle (the documentary) 2005 produced movie soundtrack Act Accordingly (the movie) 2003 produced by Eyes Infinite Films Viewed at the ; Ladies On The Mic film fest 03, International HipHop Film Festival Philly 03, Howl Festival 03, Hip Hop Odyssey Film Festival 04 award nominee First Leading Acting Role Produced, Composed & Arranged Original Music Soundtrack with Mental Notes Film / Video Producer for Eyes Infinite Films 2004 Passin Me By a hip hop theater production score produced and arranged by Spiritchild

Xperience Community Freedom Academic Movement (2007-2008) instructor for hip hop music production and songwriting as well as artist development for TMA in harlem and HS in the Bronx Mentor for Youth Advocate Programs (2004-2005) Creator & Facilitor of Hip Hop A Political Science I.C.E. After School Program 2005 Event Coordinator, Promoter Hip Hop Activist Organizer, Researcher for J.U.i.C.E. New York Chapter www.rampartjuice.org an LA based after school program

Contact 646 319-6523 ninoespiritu@gmail.com www.movementinmotion.org www.eyesinfinite.com www.mentalnotesnyc.com

Mixtape - hip hop political frequency take over. Documents rallies, marches, the sounds and feel of New York City Streets. an 80min audio workshop to plan your work and work your plan. from the south bronx to mumbai india banging for freedom.

Creative Politics Chapter 1 is a compilation of vibrations that have been channeled through social movements. Our collective Movement In Motion has traveled, done workshops, presentations and performances since dec 4 2002. this 21 track cd are just a few of the experiences and songs captured from 2002-2005. it was released during our Spring of 2005 tour to the west coast. Chapter 2 is in the air. in the meantime, i released Eclipse of Hope dec 4th 2007 to celebrate and commemorate our collective and the work of various movements for social change. freedom.

Spiritchild Rhythmic Poet of Mental Notes. Leader of The Hip Hop Jam Band Mental Notes (the universal hip hop evolution). Founder & Chair of Movement In Motion Artist & Activist Collective. Creative Consultant for Eyes Infinite Films (www.eyesinfinite.com)

Xperience, Performance 1 international tour to Mumbai, India Winter 2004 hip hop film documentary 2 National Tours, Fall 2003 Northeast to Midwest Creative Politics Spring Tour 2005 West Coast 8 years in the local, national & international live scene with jam band Mental Notes. CBGBs, Knitting Factory, Bowery Poetry Club, Izzy Bar, Nuyorican Poets Café, Triad Lounge & Theatre, BAM Café.

Xperience, Production 3 Solo Album (written, composed & arranged by Spiritchild) A Tribute To Nina Simone (The EP) 2004 Creative Politics Chapter 1 reports from the rhythmic poet (mixtape) 2005 Eclipse of Hope (The LP) 2007 2 Albums for Mental Notes (all lyrics & arrangement by Spiritchild, music Mental Notes) Close Your Eyes & Open Your Mind 2001/ Event Horizon 2002 / spring 08 new album. Compilations for Movement In Motion 8 Volumes Of Music for Collective 2003-2007 see www.movementinmotion.org for details 1 Spoken Word With Music Album Cataclysm 2000 Ainsley Burrows 1 Tibetan Hip Hop Album Liberation 2004 Namgyal

Xperience Film, Video The Art of Love & Struggle (the documentary) 2005 produced movie soundtrack Act Accordingly (the movie) 2003 produced by Eyes Infinite Films Viewed at the ; Ladies On The Mic film fest 03, International HipHop Film Festival Philly 03, Howl Festival 03, Hip Hop Odyssey Film Festival 04 award nominee First Leading Acting Role Produced, Composed & Arranged Original Music Soundtrack with Mental Notes Film / Video Producer for Eyes Infinite Films 2004 Passin Me By a hip hop theater production score produced and arranged by Spiritchild

Xperience Community Freedom Academic Movement (2007-2008) instructor for hip hop music production and songwriting as well as artist development for TMA in harlem and HS in the Bronx Mentor for Youth Advocate Programs (2004-2005) Creator & Facilitor of Hip Hop A Political Science I.C.E. After School Program 2005 Event Coordinator, Promoter Hip Hop Activist Organizer, Researcher for J.U.i.C.E. New York Chapter www.rampartjuice.org an LA based after school program

Contact 646 319-6523 ninoespiritu@gmail.com www.movementinmotion.org www.eyesinfinite.com www.mentalnotesnyc.com

Xspiritmental Hip Hop Fusion. Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul, Reggae. Mental Notes second release truly defines their universal hip hop evolution. with adding to the foundation of drums, bass, guitar and rhythmic poetics, this album is accompanied by saxophone, t

Although the first release by Mental Notes. this album continues to satisfy audiences looking for a solid live show compact in one CD. Mental Notes captures the best of their development rocking show after show in NYC's underground scenes... recorded li

Mental Notes
The Universal Hip-Hop Evolution

{a mental note} "The tendency of the Universe is toward entropy. Society has failed with its ways to organize this chaos, and music has emerged to illustrate that the solution lies in the unity of the Spirit and the Mind. Having realized that, Mental Notes began their journey; their goal is to record and articulate what they call the soundtrack of life."

Musically, Mental Notes combine the experimental expressiveness of the late 1960's and early 1970's with the power of funk felt in old-school hip-hop. Lyrically, Mental Notes travel in a conscious direction toward freedom of expression through the use of drums, bass, guitar, trumpet, d.j., sampler, and an m.c.

The Formula: a locked in tasteful rhythm section consisting of hip-hop grooves topped by dub and funk bass-lines, joined with memorable guitar melodies that solidify the foundation, fused with trumpet phrasings that accent the subliminal messages within the music. All of which are joined by turntablist techniques accompanied by samples and effects that evoke the subconscious and an m.c. poetically flowing over these combined elements to complement the "Evolution of Hip-Hop" (Mental Notes.

After their initial meeting on the music circuit in 1998, the members of Mental Notes collaborated with each other on various creative projects. Since the formation of Mental Notes in December of 2000, their musical chemistry has become explosive, captivating audiences with musical skills and improvisational talent. Through their rapid progress, Mental Notes managed to record their 1st album, the live "Close Your Eyes & Open Your Mind", released on their independent label, Multi Creations, in September of 2001. Since then, Mental Notes have continued to gain a loyal following, while catching the attention of the music industry with their intriguing sound. Recently, Mental Notes were selected as the featured band for January, 2002 on www.getgigs.com by respected writer Steve Nathan.

Mental Notes are a New York City "Hip-Hop Jam Band" with a universal vibe. The energy produced on stage has continued to keep them on top at venues throughout the city. Through their dedication and loyal following, Mental Notes have been able to establish weekly nights to develop, network, mechandise, and express their sound to their loyal audiences. Their run at the Izzy Bar was a success and lasted for six months on Thursday nights until they expanded and moved to Wednesday nights at the Parkside Lounge on the Eastside, and Friday nights at the Elbow Room on the Westside.

With the promotional and organizational efforts of their independt company Multi Creations, they have networked with other artists and bands to successfully plan events that have proven effective and profitable for their weekly venues. In addition to their weekly events, Mental Notes continue to obtain a rotation of steady performances at venues that include: Knitting Factory, CBGB's, Lions Den, CB's 313, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The Baggot Inn, Orange Bear and local festivals throughout the New York City area.

In short, Mental Notes are a movement combining intelligent minds guided by the Higher Force Energy revolutionizing your perception of music. Mental Notes are "The Universal Hip-Hop Evolution".

contact: spiritchild@movementinmotion.org Spiritchild 646 319-6523 (cell) www.myspace.com/mentalnotesmusic www.myspace.com/spiritchildmentalnotes www.mentalnotesnyc.com www.movementinmotion.org www.eyesinfinite.com

“It Can Be Broken Down” is the culmination of two years of musical and political development, which has led Jen to deeper insights, cultivating a blues of idealism and experience, sometimes smooth and reassuring, other times aching with the pain of collective oppression. Her stories of love and betrayal, of struggle and resilience, of hardship and family, harken back to a tradition of working class blues, but channel those old voices through today’s new struggles for freedom and democracy.

In the Spring of 2010, as part of a New York delegation which traveled to the World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, Jen first met spiritchild, and recorded what was to be the beginnings of “It Can Be Broken Down” shortly after. Over the past two years, Jen’s relationship with spiritchild and xspiritmental records has blossomed and grown, creating the fusion of musical styles on the five song project.

Jen Waller is a Blues singer and activist living in New York City. Born in Oakland California, Jen’s musical heritage, as the daughter and granddaughter of bluegrass and folk musicians, has led her to produce rich and mature songs about the struggles of activists and everyday people. Her roots in traditional folk music naturally evolved and expanded to the blues with the influence of strong female singers like Etta James, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, and Lauryn Hill. She quickly came to love the raw emotions and story-telling tradition of the blues, which became the bedrock of her musical endeavors.

Jen’s involvement in activism and politics was kindled early on when she began studying the Black liberation movement at Sarah Lawrence College and observing the connections between political struggle and music. Since then, she has fought for the people as a radical legal worker, helping to start a legal collective, and supporting the efforts of civil rights attorneys with the National Lawyers Guild. She has also been active in speaking out and organizing against mass incarceration and political repression; and working wih Occupy Wall Street, organizing demonstrations and building solidarity with communities. This work is amplified and translated through her music, which has the innate ability to reach those who might not otherwise hear it.

“It Can Be Broken Down” is the culmination of two years of musical and political development, which has led Jen to deeper insights, cultivating a blues of idealism and experience, sometimes smooth and reassuring, other times aching with the pain of collective oppression. Her stories of love and betrayal, of struggle and resilience, of hardship and family, harken back to a tradition of working class blues, but channel those old voices through today’s new struggles for freedom and democracy.

In the Spring of 2010, as part of a New York delegation which traveled to the World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, Jen first met spiritchild, and recorded what was to be the beginnings of “It Can Be Broken Down” shortly after. Over the past two years, Jen’s relationship with spiritchild and xspiritmental records has blossomed and grown, creating the fusion of musical styles on the five song project.

The name of the EP – “It Can Be Broken Down” – is a phrase from a poem by activist and former political prisoner Assata Shakur, another strong woman who greatly influenced Jen’s development. “And, if I know anything at all, it’s that a wall is just a wall and nothing more at all. It can be broken down,” is a line that righteously embodies the struggle against oppression and the inevitability of our collective liberation. It’s a reassuring light in the darkest of places that reaches through time and space, breaking through walls to penetrate inside of each of us.

This summer, Jen will be traveling around the US promoting her album and working on a project called “Less Wall More Street.” She and her partner will be speaking to communities and activists about political repression and mass incarceration. Look for her on the street with her guitar, busking for change, spreading the word about the struggle to anyone who will listen.