Kool and the Gang, via their company KTFA (Keep the Funk Alive Entertainment, announced today that they've signed an agreement with Expat Records.
Robert "Kool" Bell says of the deal; "Our new single, Miss Led brings funk to the next level and to the next generation. That's why we partnered with Expat Records: while other labels are still stuck in the seventies Expat is using bleeding-edge technologies to bring the funk to cyberspace and beyond."
The two companies have signed a co-venture agreement in which Expat Records will first release the new Kool & the Gang single Miss Led. The single has received rave reviews for it's edgy electro pop style, reminiscent of hits from Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry.
Towanna, the "Miss" in "Miss Led", says of the new single "It was such an honor for me to work on this project with Kool & the Gang. Of course this is the first time Kool & the Gang's featured a female lead singer and the sound is much different than their trademark 70's funk but the feedback has been incredible; everyone loves this track! To me, this is the genius of Kool & the Gang: they've stayed relevant over the years by working with new artists to keep their sound fresh and with the times. From the onset of this project, Mr. Bell told me that the last thing he wanted to do was just rehash the old hits."
Jeffrey Libby, CEO of Expat Records says of the deal, "We are absolutely ecstatic to be working with Kool & the Gang on this release. In addition to their musical genius, they have so much experience and knowledge of the ins and outs of the industry, for better or for worse. The fact that they have so much confidence in Expat Records and the new business model and systems we've developed means the world to me."
Charles Lucking, A&R Director for Expat Records expands on the label's plans for the release. "As anyone who follows our label knows, we are huge proponents of breaking new artists, not just working with big names and artists who have momentum. As such, our release plan includes tons of ways for artists of all types to get involved with this release and to get the attention and recognition they deserve. For example, we'll be having video contests, design contests, and remix contests as well. We're especially excited about the remix contests because winning remixers will have their songs released on the album (and receive credit and royalties) and receive a contract for a solo album on the label on top of that! This is the type of huge opportunities and big breaks we strive to create for up and coming artists at Expat Records."
Paul Shulver, head of Expat Records European A&R division, talks about the worldwide and cross-generational scope of this release: "We have an interesting demographic for this release as Kool & the Gang are absolute gods in Europe and they are starting a new tour there this week. As such, my team will be extremely focused on promoting this new release to their massive European fan base. At the same time, as a company we're also very excited about this song as a vehicle to bring a whole new generation into the music of Kool & the Gang. It's an interesting and exciting duality because on the one hand, many young people will initially know Kool & the Gang for these new songs and will then discover the old classics, while on the other hand fans of the classics will discover this new edgy and modern electro-pop reinvention of Kool & the Gang."
In addition to the new Kool and the Gang release, Expat Records will also be releasing Towanna's upcoming solo album as well. For more information, please visit the following links:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/misled-miss-lead-misled-miss/id368518648
www.Expat-Records.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Expat-Records/360325648490
http://twitter.com/ExpatRecords
http://www.myspace.com/545311389
Robert "Kool" Bell says of the deal; "Our new single, Miss Led brings funk to the next level and to the next generation. That's why we partnered with Expat Records: while other labels are still stuck in the seventies Expat is using bleeding-edge technologies to bring the funk to cyberspace and beyond."
The two companies have signed a co-venture agreement in which Expat Records will first release the new Kool & the Gang single Miss Led. The single has received rave reviews for it's edgy electro pop style, reminiscent of hits from Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry.
Towanna, the "Miss" in "Miss Led", says of the new single "It was such an honor for me to work on this project with Kool & the Gang. Of course this is the first time Kool & the Gang's featured a female lead singer and the sound is much different than their trademark 70's funk but the feedback has been incredible; everyone loves this track! To me, this is the genius of Kool & the Gang: they've stayed relevant over the years by working with new artists to keep their sound fresh and with the times. From the onset of this project, Mr. Bell told me that the last thing he wanted to do was just rehash the old hits."
Jeffrey Libby, CEO of Expat Records says of the deal, "We are absolutely ecstatic to be working with Kool & the Gang on this release. In addition to their musical genius, they have so much experience and knowledge of the ins and outs of the industry, for better or for worse. The fact that they have so much confidence in Expat Records and the new business model and systems we've developed means the world to me."
Charles Lucking, A&R Director for Expat Records expands on the label's plans for the release. "As anyone who follows our label knows, we are huge proponents of breaking new artists, not just working with big names and artists who have momentum. As such, our release plan includes tons of ways for artists of all types to get involved with this release and to get the attention and recognition they deserve. For example, we'll be having video contests, design contests, and remix contests as well. We're especially excited about the remix contests because winning remixers will have their songs released on the album (and receive credit and royalties) and receive a contract for a solo album on the label on top of that! This is the type of huge opportunities and big breaks we strive to create for up and coming artists at Expat Records."
Paul Shulver, head of Expat Records European A&R division, talks about the worldwide and cross-generational scope of this release: "We have an interesting demographic for this release as Kool & the Gang are absolute gods in Europe and they are starting a new tour there this week. As such, my team will be extremely focused on promoting this new release to their massive European fan base. At the same time, as a company we're also very excited about this song as a vehicle to bring a whole new generation into the music of Kool & the Gang. It's an interesting and exciting duality because on the one hand, many young people will initially know Kool & the Gang for these new songs and will then discover the old classics, while on the other hand fans of the classics will discover this new edgy and modern electro-pop reinvention of Kool & the Gang."
In addition to the new Kool and the Gang release, Expat Records will also be releasing Towanna's upcoming solo album as well. For more information, please visit the following links:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/misled-miss-lead-misled-miss/id368518648
www.Expat-Records.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Expat-Records/360325648490
http://twitter.com/ExpatRecords
http://www.myspace.com/545311389
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