Adam. . . . meet Charlie Blacksmoke

To say that I am a fan of Adam LaClave is an understatement.
Adam's music is like a drug to me. . . I am addicted to him. And when I need a fix, I want the effect to last ALL DAY!!!

His words penetrate the very depths of my soul, cliché, I know. . . but true.

I've been following Adam and his friends since they were together as "Earthsuit." I even had the privilege of seeing Earthsuit perform live. It is an evening that I hold precious to my heart, like when I saw The Split Enz back in 1982.

Earthsuit's LP is a staple on my iPod, as well as Adam's longtime friends who went off to form Mutemath, which Adam has been a contributor, either in writing and or performing.

The music world took notice of Adam La Clave after Earthsuit, when Adam put together MACROSICK. Unfortunately, it was not to last as MACROSICK got lost in the shuffle of changes within the industry.

Reading what Adam had to say about that season in his life, in his blog, caused ill feelings as well as other life situations, including "Katrina." Adam calls his endeavor after MACROSICK, his reactionary "f" you/middle finger/Imma do me project. Well, "they" (and I don't know who 'they' are) say that through pain come the best songs!!

I believe we all have a soundtrack to our lives.
I think "Young Quanta" is Adam's.



When Adam released "Young Quanta" in the fall of 2009 under the name of "Club of The Sons," I couldn't wait to hear it, espe since I had heard a few of the songs off of his myspace site well before the release. I couldn't believe how FANTASTIC these songs were. To me, the album was worth the wait!!!

The groove of his music and lyrics have somewhat of a sensual tone to them and an effect on me, much like Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" LP or Minnie Riperton's "Adventures In Paradise." He's got it goin' on!!!

It's hard to say what style of music it is. One blogsite's label is "modern psych-funk-soul-jams" To that, I would add NewWave/Punk/R&B. . . Can you say, "FUNK BROTHAS!?!?"

Listening to this album, I hear Stevie, Bowie, Marvin, Devo, Bootsy, Bird, Roxy Music, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Bloodstone and even Billy Stewart. Bottom line, Adam has an "old soul." An old soul needing to release itself using today & yesterday's technology, alot like my favorite band from Venezuela, "Los Amigos Invisibles."

With Club of The Sons, Adam takes everything he's grown up with, heard, been around (since he is from one of the greatest music meccas of the world), takes it all in and mixes it all up, breaking the mold of how music should be heard. In my opinion, he's a genius! He hears music in a way that the majority cannot.

Listening to it over and over and then over again, I can't help but feel that he is singing about me, e.g. "Don't Buy Me A Wolf No More," "A Taste For Blood," "Triggers While You Sleep," . . . . "I tried to wake up, but you were in somebody’s eyes” penetrates me to chills!!

I am listening to "A Taste For Blood" as I am blogging this, finding it difficult to type without groovin to the rhythm. Man, this song is just too incredible for words!!! Not knowing the background of the song, I can hear pain, deep hurt, the deepest of hurts. . . . from one who was vulnerable and allowed themselves to "feel," exposing the inner part that few have access to, only to find themselves later betrayed & used . . . I can relate to this on so many different levels. All this!!!!. . . . wrapped up in a very "Bowie/Minnie Riperton funk, soul mix.

The general public, the average listener does not want genius, tho. . . they don't understand genius. So many wonderful artists of the past have been misunderstood and were not given the recognition they deserved until they were either old or gone from this world. I think this is also true of some of today's true genius artists.

Although this album may never be heard on any top 40 radio station, I could hear a couple of the tracks being played on L.A.'s R&B soul station, KJLH. That's "my" fantasy, anyways!! ; ) In the meantime, YQ is on my iPod, on my computer and in my car.

So. . . with all this being said. . . it turns out that Adam has made a life changing decision that whether he realizes it or not, will affect those who have been long admirers or wished they had been in the "know" of Adam's music, but later discovered it.

Adam. . . . meet Charlie Blacksmoke



According to Adam's blog; Charlie Blacksmoke, Adam, who through much deliberation, has decided to give it another go with his experiment in music. . . . a ten song project with the name "Charlie Blacksmoke and the Binary Cosmic Deadline." One song being released every month, beginning 10/10/10. Depending on how the project goes, on 11/11/11, he will then decide whether he will release any future records.

For me, this is a bittersweet decision, as I know I will miss hearing from Adam. But I understand why Adam is doing this and from what I have read, he did not come to this decision easily.

I am looking forward to receiving a song a month from "Charlie Blacksmoke and the Binary Cosmic Deadline." I know I will NOT be disappointed.

If you haven't heard "Young Quanta," you are in luck!! Adam/Charlie Blacksmoke/Club of The Sons has made it available to download. . . . FREE!!

Download Young Quanta!

Don't pass this offer up!!! You'd be a fool!!!

My prayers are with Adam. He is an amazing artist!! I met him years ago and was not only impressed by his talent, but his sweet manners as well! And I'm sure the road he has had to hoe has been filled with rocks & dry dirt. After a while, a person can get weary. And it seems through it all, Adam has come through it well and feeling hopeful.

And that can't be bad. Infact. . . .it encourages me!!

Many blessings to you, Charlie Blacksmoke! ; )


Postscript: Check out another fan's blog. There are videos of Earthsuit, Macrosick, Club of The Sons & a "Protoype" if you will of what is to come from Charlie Blacksmoke: The Evolution of Adam LaClave





.