The inventive drummer/producer Stix Bones – who worked with the likes of Yasin Bey (Mo Def), Common, Q-Tip and Doug E. Fresh – releases his EP, Olimpik Soul; his amazing 21st century amalgamation of jazz, soul and hip-hop.

Backed by his ensemble known as The BONE Squad (an acronym for Brothers of Noble Excellence) the EP showcases Bob Beamon: the 77 year-old Olympic long jump champion, who in 1968 in Mexico City, leaped to the still-standing Olympic record of 29 ft. 2 ¼ inches, in his recording debut as a percussionist.

Olimpik Soul is Bones’ third EP’s that blends jazz, soul and hip-hop beats. His previous recordings include Breaks From the Soul, Vol.1 and 2 and Brooklyn Nights. Bones also released 3 albums, Bones Beats, Vol.1, Groove Like This and the Waiting For Mr. Wright Soundtrack.

1. Leap (feat. Bob Beamon)
2. Olimpik Soul
3. Be Thankful (feat. Khadejia)
4. My Lady
5. Funkatonic
6. Price of Freedom (feat. The Last Poets’ Abiodun Oyewole)
7. Monday Madness
8. Dreams Come True

This quite stunning sculpted new recording opens on the fervently funky Leap (which features percussionist Bob Beamon) and the grooved, titular Olimpik Soul, and then we get the soulful, and riveting remake of William DeVaughan’s “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got,” now re-titled Be Thankful (featuring Khadejia) and the luxuriant My Lady.

Along next is the aptly-named 70s flashback Funkatonic and the impassioned, spoken-word musical work Price of Freedom (featuring The Last Poets’ Abiodun Oyewole), the album rounding out on the flourishing Monday Madness, coming to a close on the enraptured vibe within Dreams Come True.

Born Franklin Brown in Brooklyn, Bones was inspired to play the drums watching live musicians in church and local DJ’s spinning records. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance at SUNY-Purchase College.

He performed with the aforementioned artists previously listed, and worked with Rahzel The Godfather of Noise (The Roots), author/poet Jessica Care Moore, was the music director of The Lyricist Lounge, collaborated with hip-hop artists and was the drummer for the group Soulfege led by Take Back The Mic founder Derrick N. Ashong.

The BONE Squad was the house band at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, where they opened for The O’Jays, Babyface, Charlie Wilson, Cedric The Entertainer, Chaka Khan and many other artists.

Musicians:
Stix Bones – drums, Bob Beamon – percussion, Densen “Meighstro” Curwen – piano/synths/strings, Albert Brisbane – bass, Steven Brown – guitar, Sean Taylor (Sxntylr) – trumpet, Melvin Smith – saxophone, Abiodun Oyewole – vocals, and Khadejia Bass – vocals.

Official Apple Purchase Link