Tchiya Amet
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Funny, reggae-tinged pop
Status:
Most recent release, Timeless Classics, Vol. XI: Sultry Women (2017)
See also:
Tchiya Amet's site
Comparisons:
Not sure anyone else is doing music like this.
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Her press calls this roots reggae, but the sound is much softer than I'm used to reggae being, almost like a very relaxed soft-pop with driving reggae beats—an intriguing combination. Lovely lively, high vocals. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Recommended first album:
Black Turtle Island is the only one we've heard
Recordings:
- Rise Again Truth (1999)
- Black Turtle Island (2003)
- Celestial Folk Music (2012)
- Tchiya Amet Survives the Texas Tornado!!! Dub!!! (2016)
- Timeless Classics, Vol. XI: Sultry Women (2017)
Black Turtle Island
Release info:
2003—Milky Way Records
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Tchiya Amet Vela—lead vocals, backing vocals, keys/organs on 3 tracks
Guest artists:
J.J. "BMX" Richards—lead vocals on 1 track, bass on 2 tracks
Monoah Vela—backing vocals on 1 track
Dwayne Jackson—backing vocals on 1 track, guitars on 6 tracks
Mike Franklin—backing vocals on 1 track, guitars on 7 tracks, keys/organs on 8 tracks
Dwayne Jackson—backing vocals on 1 track, bass on 3 tracks
Mario H. Vela—drums, percussion, sounds
Sidny "Sidoo" Santos—basss on 6 tracks
Toho Saunders—basss on 1 track
Mario Bay Chong—bass on 1 track
Scott "Choctow" Aaron—guitars on 4 tracks
Ed "Loveletter" Elizaise—guitars on 1 track
Christian Fernandez—quatro guitar on 2 tracks
Eugenia Dale—acoustic guitar on 1 track
Steve Hoffman—keys/organs on 1 track
Ras Meli-Melv—sax
Mark Wilson—bartione
Ed McNames—trumpet
Freddy Mendoze—trombone
Albert Garza—sax
Rusty Martin—harp on 1 track
Produced by:
Mario H. Vela and Tchiya Amet Vela
Comments:
This is an unusual album. Very upbeat, relaxed and yet the reggae beats still give it a driving energy. Amet's vocals are lovely and catchy. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Thanks to Sophia Gurley for work on this entry
