LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Rocket Shop Promotions) - Bill Ortiz, Santana's longtime
Supernatural Trumpeter, who has been receiving nothing but accolades since the July release of his debut CD, From Where I Stand, announces the release of the K-Maxx-remixed Hip-Hop single, Word Play, featuring the vocal talents of FEMI. K-Maxx, aka Ken Hopkins, is a legendary San Francisco Hip-Hop recording artist, producer, also the host of KPOO FM's wildly popular new music program "Ghetto Gumbo".
As a recording artist, K-Maxx has released several popular underground CDs during the Bay Area's 'Rap Reign' in the 90'. As producer, K-Maxx has worked with other leading Bay Area Rap and Hip-Hop artists, including Tower of Power's Lenny Williams, who recently cracked the nation's Top 30 Urban AC charts, Too $hort, Andre Nickatina, and King Tech, to name only a few.
Ortiz is quick to point out, 'I've been a big fan of K-Maxx for a longtime, and I love his production skills.' While K-Maxx is a gifted Hip-Hop producer, he's also a gifted multi-instrumentalist, who is as proficient on a piano, guitar, and bass as he is with a mixing desk and sampler. 'K-Maxx thinks like a musician,' continues Ortiz, 'and he comes from classic R&B background, like I do, so we share a common music vocabulary that also includes Soul and Hip-Hop. This is what makes his production style so unique.'
When Ortiz discovered that K-Maxx was playing the track Word Play from debut CD, From Where I Stand, to his "Ghetto Gumbo" audience, Ortiz states, 'K-Maxx is an amazing barometer and supporter of Bay Area music and musicians and it was a complete surprise and honor to receive his recognition. It wasn't long after we got in touch and put the wheels in motion for him to produce a Hip-Hop remix of Word Play.'
Word Play was remixed at San Francisco's iconic Pyramind Studios, and final mixing was a done by Steve Heithecker with Bill Ortiz and K-Maxx.
The most authoritative national music industry magazine, Music Connection, states, 'Contemporary jazz trumpet greats have a run for their money now that longtime Santana sideman Ortiz enters the urban jazz scene with this chillin', artsy yet infectious, easy grooving debut.' Keith Hannaleck of MuzikReviews.com gives Four Stars and states, 'It comes as no surprise that his solo effort From Where I Stand turns out to be first rate material.' Carlos Santana states, 'Bill articulates the beautiful language of jazz without losing the purity and innocence of a child. It's a wonderful experience to share music every night with him.'
