A big group with 12 members, Unified Tribe has a jazzy, R & B sound that flavors its pop harmonies. The group has worked from bases in California and Colorado, and is now in Austin. The main core of the group has been playing together since 1982. In 2006, the band released FUNKtional Family. This is their third and most soulful album to date, with smooth mid tempos like ?Back And Forth? that deal with the trials of relationships, to upbeat mood transforming cuts like ?Happy Go Lucky.? FUNKtional Family proves that Unified Tribe knows how to get the funk and pays tribute to the Tribe?s funk ancestry. (Read Virginia's review of FUNKtional Family.)
Mixed Messages was released in 2003, with 15 songs that are highly diverse?hence the title, Mixed Messages.
As you can imagine, a live show with this band's 12 members on stage and in action is quite exciting. Their music is highly danceable. The band members bring all sorts of experience with them to this group. Various Unified Tribe band members have worked with folks like George Duke, Earth Wind and Fire, The Rippingtons, Gerald Albright, and George Strait. Each member of the band fills several roles, some with chores for production, some writing music, some managing the band's publicity and Web site. One member of the band, Grammy winner Larry Seyer, has been well known in Austin for some time.
Unified Tribe's first full-length CD was Listen to This. Part of the proceeds from this album are donated to non-profit organizations that help others. Through much of the 90's with their own Production Company, Magic Muzik Productions, they recorded, produced, performed and wrote for recording artists like The Whispers, The Rippingtons, Phil Perry and many others.
The band plays in Austin, but also tours, so keep an eye out for word of their local appearances.
For more information visit unifiedtribe.net. Their albums are available from Amazon.com and from CDBaby.
