Awake

Luftmenschen -

Luftmenschen - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'Luftmenschen' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 30, 2006

An original funky opener to the CD, "Awake."

Awake -

Awake - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'Awake' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 30, 2006

The title track to "Awake," this original by Vinson Valega was arranged by Chris Bacas, the tenor saxophonist on the CD.

Fog -

Fog - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'Fog' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 30, 2006

This latin-tinged original composed by Sheryl Bailey was arranged by Chris Bacas, and features the Cuban rhythm called Bembe'.

This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part I) -

This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part I) - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part I)' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 30, 2006

Inspired by marching in a political rally, this song represents what Democracy is becoming in the United States.

Undertow -

Undertow - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'Undertow' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 30, 2006

A hauntingly beautiful straight-eighths ballad written by Josh Ginsburg, the bass player on the CD, "Awake," that travels through various passages while featuring the trumpet mastery of Terell Stafford.

Ed Blackwell -

Ed Blackwell - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'Ed Blackwell' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 31, 2006

Inspired by the late, great drummer from New Orleans, Ed Blackwell, this original by Vinson Valega features a quintet, with the piano only coming in after the first melody head.

This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part II) -

This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part II) - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part II)' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 31, 2006

Part II of the band's statement on the current situation of Democracy in the United States.

Stacked Sienna -

Stacked Sienna - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'Stacked Sienna' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 31, 2006

A beautiful ballad written by Vinson Valega that was inspired by the lines of Zion National Park, Utah.

Sputnik -

Sputnik - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'Sputnik' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 31, 2006

A burning melody written by Chris Bacas on the changes of John Coltrane's satellite.

This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part III) -

This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part III) - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'This is What Democracy Sounds Like (Part III)' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 31, 2006

Part 3 in the triology describing what democracy in America has become.

The Trend is Your Friend -

The Trend is Your Friend - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'The Trend is Your Friend' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 31, 2006

A funky thang that starts with drums and bass and proceeds to the entire sextet blowin' hard!

Take Time for Love -

Take Time for Love - Artist: Album: Awake, From: New York City, Please Support and purchase 'Take Time for Love' from ProjectOpus.com (http://www.projectopus.com/drummervv), Date Posted: December 31, 2006

The final ballad on the CD, "Awake," this beautiful song was written by the late, great James Williams - a dear friend to all of us here in the New York City jazz community.