BERLIN, MAY 2024 –– Artist and producer Jon Moon has been cooking up his new body moving, thought provoking EP "Live That Life" with his studio partner and renowned reggae artist Ganjaman, and it’s finally ready to be released! Heavily rooted in Reggae & Dub music, the six songs and three dub/riddim versions showcase his skill as a producer and composer with intricate instrumentals and captivating lyrics. Lyrics which give the listener hope, encourage us to be kind and courageous, and to take care of one another. To put it shortly: to "Live that Life".
The EP "Live That Life" as a whole is a declaration of love to (Roots-)Reggae, Dub & conscious music, sometimes said aloud („Just Like We“), and always felt and heard in the detailed productions,
showcasing the genre in all it’s versatility and beauty. It is Jon Moon’s way of giving thanks and praise, and raising hope.
"Live That Life" was released on May 31st, 2024 by Yutman Records and is available in all online stores and on Bandcamp.
The positive & energetic opener "Just Like We", features South African singer and 2022 SAMA (South African Music Awards) winner Reign Afrika, on a riddim by Florian "Stahl" Münzer. It is a pure love-letter to reggae music and, in this regard, sets the tone for the EP. The music video filmed in 2022 embodies the fun Jon Moon and Reign Afrika had collaborating on this tune as they dance through the streets of Johannesburg.
The fierce and empowering second track "Strong & Healthy" is a confident and steadfast affirmation of Jon Moon’s faith. This is his first collaboration with Cologne based producer & musician Aleksandar "Aca" Kazić, who produced the riddim. "Strong & Healthy" adds another layer to the EP with its fast paced modern-roots sound.
The crisp one-drop of "You & Me" is as sweet as a love letter can be. Accompanied by real strings, the artist affirms his love for his queen, Bronwyn. The same Bronwyn is featured on the next song, "Different Style". This poppy dancehall song makes it impossible not to move, and reminds us, that we are never really alone. Bronwyn captivates and comforts the listener with her soothing voice and the combination of the two results in a truly hopeful song.
Hope itself is a central theme in Jon Moon’s music and an integral theme of this EP, which is also reflected in the title track, "Live That Life Today". Here, in Moon’s most experimental piece of work to date, he bridges the gap between the current state of living and state of mind, and the ideal, which we strive towards. Inviting us to "Live That Life Today".
This song was approached from the perspective of production, influenced by the likes of Fat Freddy's Drop or Bon Iver. The interweaving of live instruments like the saxophone, piano and drums with sampled and technically created sounds and various synthesizers and patterns create an immersive piece of music and, along with the lyrics, takes the listener on a journey, from despair to joy, from hopelessness to hopefulness.
Turning from the inner battles to the outer world again is the Akae Beka/Midnite inspired "Compassion for the Weak". Featuring only real instruments, including Trombone, Saxophone and Hammond Organ, Jon Moon created a heavy, "rootical" riddim, supporting his plea for justice and "compassion for the weak". These very words are borrowed from the Midnite song "A Reminder", which is the basis for Moon's reasoning. And so Akae Beka remains the strongest influence in the artist's music.
While five of the songs have already been released as singles, they've all received a meticulous makeover by Ganjaman and Jon Moon, to bring them together into one cohesive musical experience. Two dub versions and one riddim version by Jon Moon complete the EP, and give the listener the possibility to dive even deeper into the music.
Brand new music video:
Berlin-based Reggae artist & producer Jon Moon is set to captivate music enthusiasts worldwide with his latest single, "Different Style", featuring the enchanting vocals of South African singer Bronwyn. Known for his Roots-Reggae prowess, Jon Moon ventures into the realm of dancehall, delivering a pop-infused track brimming with positivity and encouragement. "
"Different Style" marks a distinct departure from Jon Moon's customary Roots-Reggae sound, displaying his versatility as an artist and producer. The song's infectious rhythms and catchy melodies are complemented by the sultry and soulful voice of Bronwyn, creating a dynamic synergy that's bound to get listeners moving to the beat.
In "Different Style", Jon Moon and Bronwyn share a message of hope and unity, reminding each one of us that we are not alone at all, on the contrary, the chorus ends with the words: "You're not alone, you have so many on your side!"
Jon Moon expressed his excitement about the upcoming release, saying, "This song is a departure from my usual style, but it really grew on me over the past years. I created the riddim in a specific mood somewhere between happiness and feeling blue in a garden in
South Africa, not thinking about voicing it myself. But a little later the chorus just hit me. It was around the beginning of the first lockdown in 2020 and we were reasoning a lot about people being left behind and alone. I felt like we needed a reminder, that we are never alone, a celebration of solidarity and empathy. I showed my layout to Bronwyn that day, she liked the different style, and thus the idea was born to sing a song together, now we're happy it's finally ready to be shared with everyone!"
Jon Moon
Yutman Records presents
Brighter Day - EP
Juicy roots Reggae, slow, meditative sounds, powerful melodies, atmospheric dub. These are only a few words to describe Jon Moon's EP "Brighter Day. The EP contains six originals, as well as two dub-versions produced by Jon Moon.
The recording of the vocals and Instruments, as well as the mixing for the EP took place at Planet Earth Studios in Berlin, all by the founder of "Yutman Records" himself. Each song stems from a very personal place for the singer, musician, songwriter and producer Jon Moon. In his music, Moon sings about the Rastafarian spirit, role models like Vaughn Benjamin and his positive attitude towards life. At the same time he shares political content paired with spirituality and meditation. We are looking forward to an EP with real depth!
For the EP’s only feature, Jon Moon has reunited with Cape Town-based artist, Crosby. Shortly before the corona lockdown, the two wrote a riddim together with the legendary South African “Azania Band”, but had to complete the song spatially and temporally separated between Berlin and Cape Town, due to the pandemic. The result is “Economical Crisis”, a song that focuses on the current global situation. The only tune featuring a riddim not written and recorded by or with Jon Moon is "How Many Times", another collaboration with Azania Band and BeWild Productions on the "Tuff Times Riddim".
The "Brighter Day" EP by Jon Moon was released digitally and on CD on December 4, 2020 by Yutman Records.
Bio:
Jon Moon is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, producer & singer from Berlin. His special love for reggae became apparent early on, as did his connection to Rastafari, which has grown steadily since Jon Moon was in South Africa for the first time in 2013. Four years later, Jon Moon founded his label Yutman Records, moved into a studio with Ganjaman in the new Planet Earth Studios Berlin and released his debut album "TRUST." Since then he has worked both in the studio and on stage with various international artists, produced selections, pushed forward his own projects and, above all, learned a lot! In the last two years in particular, Jon Moon has gained a lot of live experience and, in addition to solo shows, sound system sessions and his work in the "Berlin Boom Orchestra" (trombone & background vocals), he has played as a keyboardist, trombonist, percussionist, background & feature singer with artists like Ganjaman, Lutan Fyah, Memoria, Tóke, Trixstar, Sista Argie & Kush Art at festivals like Rototom Sunsplash (Es), Reggaejam (Ger), Afrikatage Wien (Aut) & Havana World Music (Cu).
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