Charles Eller Studios

IT'S DONE!!!

2009-04-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

The new Kilimanjaro CD, "Homecoming" is finally done! After 2 and 1/2 years in the studio (not continuously, thankfully!) the band has finally completed their first CD in over 25 years! As an original member of the band, I'm happy to report that everyone is quite pleased with the results. If you'd like to hear some music clips of it, or even purchase a copy online, please visit the band's new website, which is: www.kilimanjarojazz.com

Recent Projects

2008-10-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

• We've just completed a new Live EP for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Our 4th project with the band, we handled the post-production chores of a live concert the band did in Skowhegan, Maine. It was an excellent night for the group and has some really great live energy. Look for news about it on the band's website: www.gracepotter.com

• Speaking of "Live" shows, The Starline Rhythm Boys are headed back into Charles Eller Studios in the next few weeks to mix "Volume 2" of their HIT CD "Live at Charley O's" that we recorded a year ago. That CD is currently #1 in the country on the Freeform American Roots radio charts. Visit them at: www.starlinerhythmboys.com

• Singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Gregory Douglass, just completed his latest masterpiece, entitled "Battler." This is going to be a killer CD for Gregory, whom we've had the pleasure of working with on his last 4 CDs, and it features duets with both the amazingly talented Anais Mitchell, and Grace Potter!! For pre-sale info, go to:
www.gregorydouglass.com

• We've just completed mastering our 27th release for the venerable world music label, Putumayo Records. The most recent title is a compilation entitled "African Reggae," and it's an excellent CD! If you haven't checked out the Putumayo catalog, I highly recommend it! www.putumayo.com

Blues Great, Eric Bibb Records Tracks at C.E.S.

2008-04-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

The stunningly talented blues artist, Eric Bibb, came in to record tracks for a song written by Barbara Blaisdell and Tim Utt, of Uttmost Music. Barbara and Tim are longtime friends that have worked at C.E.S. over the years recording songs that have been featured in hit movies, such as "The Manchurian Candidate," and "Philadelphia." Eric lives in England and is currently on tour performing his own fabulous style of acoustic blues. He is definitely one of THE guys to check out on the acoustic blues scene today! Eric, who raved about the studio, plans to return to Charlotte this summer to continue the recording project with Barbara and Tim. An earlier collaboration between the three, entitled "Petty Crimes," can be heard at www.yellowhousemedia.com..

Starline Rhythm Boys Record New Live CD!!

2008-04-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

2008 was a great year for us! Not only did we get to do new projects with some of our old friends, but we also got to work with several bands that we have been itching to record for quite some time. One of the bands on our "must do" list would have to be The Starline Rhythm Boys. These guys are an amazing group that has been making big noise all around the country and we're expecting their new release, "Live at Charley O's" to do the same! Chas Eller recorded the band for two nights from a remote truck set up behind the infamous Vermont roadhouse in Montpelier. As they say, "the rest is history!"

UPDATE!!!! "Live at Charlie O's" is currently No.1 in the country on the American Roots charts!! Congratulations to the Starline Rhythm Boys from Chuck and Lane! You guys rock!!!

Grippo Funk Band Records at C.E.S.

2008-04-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

Another band on our wishlist, has been the Grippo Funk Band. Over the years, we have worked with Pure Pressure, as well as the Sklar-Grippo Sextet, but it gives us great pleasure to get the boy's latest incarnation into the studio. Keep your ears open for them this summer!

Charles Eller Studios Nayarit, Mexico is happening!

2008-04-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

The property in Mexico is moving ahead, and final plans for the studio are now in the works. We currently have completed two guest houses and hope to have the studio up and running by this time next year. Please visit our website for more photos.

Chas Eller Performs at The San Pancho Music Festival in Nayarit, Mexico

2008-04-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Chas was busy at the end of February performing at the San Pancho Music Festival, a small but charming, intimate festival, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. He performed for the second year with trumpet great, Jeff Oster of San Francisco, CA. whose latest CD "True" , produced by fellow Vermonter, Will Ackerman, is topping the New Age radio airplay charts. Check it out!
Also, a special thanks to photographer Fred Martinez, of Austin, TX for this photo that he took at this year's festival!

Lenny Castro Adds Tracks to New Kilimanjaro CD

2008-01-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

Lenny Castro added his percussion genius to a handful of tracks for the new Kilimanjaro CD, in progress at C.E.S. Lenny is among the very top players in the world, and in addition to being a killer musician he is one of the most professional and fun people that you could ever hope to meet! If you haven't heard of Lenny, you have undoubtedly heard him since he's played on scores of the biggest records in history. Here are a just few of the people that he has recorded with: Quincy Jones, B.B King, Elton John, Celine Dion, John Mayer, Dolly Parton, The Rolling Stones, The Jacksons, Toto, The Crusaders, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Rickie Lee Jones, Leonard Cohen, Pat Benatar, Tom Petty, Little Feat, Boz Skaggs, Larry Carlton, Patti Labelle, George Benson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Joe Cocker, Christopher Cross, Macy Gray, Stevie Wonder.......anyway, I think you get the point.
To hear Lennie's playing and cuts from the new CD please visit www.kilimanjarojazz.com

Harmonica great, Will Galison Plays on Amber deLaurentis CD

2007-08-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Harmonica giant, Will Galison was in recording tracks for Amber deLaurentis' debut CD project, as well as laying down a track for the upcoming Kilimanjaro CD. Will is amazing, and well known for his duo CD with Madeleine Peyroux, but most of our readers are more likely to know him for his playing on the Sesame Street theme. Amber's CD is truly going to surprise listeners when it is released in a couple of months! Watch for it!!

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Record New VPR Theme

2007-07-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

Touring maniacs Grace Potter and the Nocturnals took a little break from their crazy summer touring schedule to come into the studio in July to record theme music for the new "Vermont Edition" which will air on Vermont Public Radio. It was their first time in the area since we had the pleasure of recording their show at The Lebanon Opera House, back in May. It was great to see them, and we highly recommend checking out their new release on Hollywood Records, entitled "This Is Somewhere," which officially goes on sale Aug. 7th!

Dan Silverman session features Joe Lovano

2007-07-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Jazz trombonist/composer Dan Silverman was in recording his new CD of original material in early June with the help of sax legend Joe Lovano, and Dan's sister, singer Judy Silvano. Rounding out the lineup was guitarist Nick Cassarino, drummer Jeff Salisbury, and bass player, Clyde Stats. Look for this release in the very near future!

Chiwiniso travels from Zimbabwe to Record/Mix new CD

2007-07-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

Zimbabwean singer/songwriter "Chiwiniso" recently spent the month of June recording and mixing tracks for her upcoming release on Cumbancha Records. With the expert help of producer Keith Farquharson from Capetown, this promises to be yet another amazing release on Jacob's new label.

World Music Label Joins Forces With Eller Studios!!

2007-07-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

We have a new partner at Charles Eller Studios!! His name is Jacob Edgar and he recently left his position as the Vice-President of A&R for the highly successful world music label, Putumayo, to start a sister company, Cumbancha, which is now headquartered at our Charlotte location. This huge move is putting Charlotte on the map as a destination for musicians from around the world.
[read more...]

Habib Koite Is In Recording His New Release

2007-07-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

World Music superstar, Habib Koite, from Mali, spent a week recording at Charles Eller Studios. His latest CD, his first in almost 7 years, is slated for release on Jacob's Cumbancha Record label later this year. Habib is not only known for his original songwriting, vocal style, and superb guitar work, but also for his collaborations with pop musicians such as Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne. A gifted and soulful person, it was a treat having him with us in the studio!

Congratulations To Grace Potter & The Nocturnals!!

2007-07-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

Three and a half years ago Grace Potter and her band, the Nocturnals, approached us about doing their first CD. The moment I heard them I knew that with the right recording and production, they could be headed for greatness! After doing several critically acclaimed CDs with the band, a High Definition television special, a DVD, and recording their entire "Bringing It All Back Home" tour, we had the pleasure of watching the band sign a historic record deal with Hollywood Records! Our congratulations to Grace and the Nocturnals! We love you guys!

Kilimanjaro Records Their First CD in 25 Years!

2007-07-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, Chas Eller has lived a "dual life" for the past twenty-five years, simultaneously performing with successful groups such as The Unknown Blues Band, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elisabeth von Trapp, and of course Kilimanjaro while at the same time recording and producing 100's of successful CDs for numerous talented artists at his studio in Charlotte. While earning his wings as a recording engineer for the Philo Records label in the late 70's, recording folk icons such as Dave van Ronk, Chas was approached by guitarist Paul Asbell, who had written some very catchy jazz tunes and was looking for a keyboard player to join forces with. Along with bassist Tony Markellis and drummer Bill Kinzie, that band became Kilimanjaro and with the backing of Philo Records, the band vaulted to national recognition when their debut album got up to #3 in the national Jazz Radio Airplay charts. Their second album went to #5 in the country which led to three U.S. tours and appearances at some of the most world's most prestigious jazz festivals. Now, 25 years later, the band was recently commissioned by the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival to work up some new material for the 2006 festival. The response was phenomenal, with the show selling out quickly enough that the festival had to add a second show. The group has begun to record that new material at Charles Eller Studios and hopes to be releasing a new CD sometime this Spring.

Maria deBarros of Cape Verde Records with Her Band

2007-07-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

Cape Verdean singer, Maria deBarros was in during the month of December with producer, Danny Luchansky of Argentina, who now resides in L.A. Her band of amazing players are the perfect compliment to her breathtaking vocals which can be heard on her upcoming release for Cumbancha Records. A superb singer in her own right, Maria hails from the vocal tradition of Cape Verde popularized by Maria's godmother, the great Cesaria Evora. And, Maria's talents aren't just limited to the stage. While her band was busy cutting basic tracks one day, she cheffed up an incredible Cape Verdean feast for the "staff" that was truly memorable! Thanks again Maria!

Composer Kento Masuda Comes All The Way From Tokyo To Mix His New Release At C.E.S!

2007-07-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

Electronic musician and composer Kento Masuda came to the studio this winter to mix his newest release on The Globesounds label. Kento is an artist as well as an incredible craftsman at writing highly imaginative music that defies categorization in a good way. The music has extremely lush textures that work by defining intricate themes that evolve throughout each spellbinding composition. It ended up being a huge job, requiring that we combine both of our Protools HD3 systems in order to accommodate the 80 channel mixes!! Kento's label, which is based out of Burlington, VT is a story in itself. The label along with it's publishing company, JPMC, which among other things holds the publishing on the entire Parliament Funkadelic catalog, is owned by Swiss-born entrepreneur, Jane Peterer. For more info about Kento, please visit his website. For info about purchasing his CDs and other great music please check out the JPMC website.