| BEAT THE WORLD ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK: After
two years in the making, Frank is happy to announce the worldwide release
of his soundtrack to Beat
the World on June 14th. From the creator of Stomp
the Yard, Beat the World tells the story of an international
hip hop dance competition held in Detroit, and features Frank's international
collaborations with some amazing conscious artists including KRS-One,
K'naan, Talib Kweli, Nneka, Ziggy Marley, Les Nubians, and more. You
can hear some of these new songs and find more information at www.beattheworldsoundtrack.com |
| URBAN ROOTS AND WHOLE FOODS' DO SOMETHING REEL FEST: Getting back to his native roots in Detroit, Frank served as Executive Music Producer, composed the score, and created the soundtrack for the film Urban
Roots, produced by Tree Media (11th Hour). Urban
Roots focuses on the urban farming phenomenon in Detroit and speaks to a nation grappling with collapsed industrial towns and the need to forge a sustainable and prosperous future. The documentary was one of the six films selected to be part of Whole Foods' Do Something Reel Film Fest, which travelled through over 70 U.S. cities this spring. |
| HIGH CHICAGO: Frank recently completed
his original score and title songs for the upcoming film, High
Chicago, a gritty drama set in the 70's about a middle-aged husband
and father with a gambling addiction who dreams of moving his family
to Africa to open the first drive-in theater. Frank's score for
the film will feature performances by world-renowned musicians
such as Cuban virtuoso Arturo Sandoval and West African singer
and band leader Alpha Diallo. In addition to Frank's original pieces,
this period character piece features classics by Hugh Masekela, Fela
Kuti, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, War, and The Undisputed Truth. |
| ALL STAR BENEFIT CD RELEASED: After over
two years in the making, Frank is happy to announce this week's launch
of the his All-Star Benefit CD series, Yoga Revolution. The
first CD, produced by Frank as part of his EarthTones' Music with a Heart
program, features an incredible mix of songs by international recording
artists, all brought together to help support yoga and fitness programs
for youth. Artists include Sting, Anoushka Shankar, Seal, Sheryl Crow,
Peter Gabriel, Angelique Kidjo, Ziggy Marley, Donna De Lory, Michael
Franti, Sara McLachlan, Krishna Das and more... CD is now available for
purchase from Nettwerk Music/Time Life or as a gift for any donation
of $25 or more to EarthTones. For more info, go to http://earthtones.org/projects/yoga-revolution/. |
| GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR SOUL MUSIC: Frank's
title song from the film Soul Men (Samuel Jackson, Bernie Mac,
Isaac Hayes) was nominated for a Grammy! The song, "Soul Music,"
was performed by R&B superstar Anthony Hamilton. The song and soundtrack
are on Stax/Concord Records, with remixes out on a "Soul Music Remixed" EP.
Keep your figures crossed, unless you are a NARAS member - then
uncross them and vote. |
| BEAT THE WORLD: Frank has been hired to write and produce
the original songs for Rob Adetuyi's (Stomp the
Yard) upcoming film.
Also the Executive Music Producer for the film, Frank will be putting
together the first international collaborative Hip Hop soundtrack featuring
conscious artists. Beat the World is shooting in Toronto, Detroit, Rio,
Berlin and Tokyo and scheduled for release in fall 2110. |
| YOGA REVOLUTION
CD COMPLETED: After
over a year in the making, Frank has completed the first compilation
in his new CD series, Yoga Revolution. Yoga Revolution features an
incredible mix of original songs by well-known pop stars and international
recording artists (Sting, Anoushka Shankar, Sheryl Crow, Peter Gabriel,
Angelique Kidjo, Ziggy Marley, Sara McLachlan...), all brought together
to promote to raise money for fitness programming and health education
for at-risk youth. The CD will be released through partner Terry McBride’s
label Nettwerk/Nutone September 1, 2009, in conjunction with a national
awareness campaign for the health benefits of yoga and fitness. |
| NEW SINGLE FOR
KATRINA FILM: Frank co-wrote
and produced the featured single, Be On Our Way, for the upcoming
Forest Whitaker film Hurricane Katrina. The film is based on the inspiring
true story of Al Collins - a high school basketball coach from the
9th Ward in New Orleans - who pulled the pieces and young players
out of the rubble of Katrina and went on to win the state championship.
The song features Grammy-award winning Van Hunt along with blind New
Orleans rapper Supervision and Buku Wise and will be used as part
of a fund raising campaign to rebuild homes in the 9th Ward through
Frank’s non-profit organization EarthTones. Hurricane Season
will hit the theatres in the Fall of 2009. |
| SASHA SINGS FOR THE KIDS: The Starlight Foundation 2009
Gala featured Sasha Lazard with guest artists and the West Los Angeles
Children’s choir performing to a full house and standing ovation.
The song was written especially for the organization and event, which
raised over a million dollars to help bring joy and support to sick kids
and their families. |
| SOUL MUSIC TAKES THE TITLE: Frank's
original song for the Weinstein's film Soul Men will be featured
in both the Main and End Titles, as well as the single - performed
by R&B sensation Anthony Hamilton - on Concord/Stax Records. The
film stars Samuel L. Jackson, along with the late Bernie Mac and
Isaac Hayes. Frank wrote the song to represent one of the hits
from the Memphis Soul/Stax Records era that the story is based
upon. |
| JUNGLE JAZZ KEEPS ON SWINGIN': Frank's
award-winning short film, Jungle Jazz: Public
Enemy #1 takes another
honor at the 2008 Kansas City Jubilee Film Festival: Honorable
Mention for Best Jazz Short. This very unique mix-media short film
has played in 15 countries and won noteworthy festival awards including
the Silver Bear for Best Short at the Berlin Film Festival. Jungle
Jazz will be released in 2009 as part of the upcoming Scenes
In Jazz project (www.scenesinjazz.com). |
| HEALING THE WORLD THROUGH MUSIC: Frank
has embarked on a series of initiatives through his new NGO, Earthtones,
to use music to raise consciousness and promote social concerns.
More info can be found at www.earthtones.org (a temporary website
for the organization) or on the Community page of this site. |
| JUMP IN! GOES GOLD: The soundtrack from Jump
In!,
featuring Frank’s single and theme from the film, “Jump
to the Rhythm” has been certified Gold and is still selling
strong. The film was the highest rated premier in the Disney Channel’s
history, prior to High School Musical 2. |
|
MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR: Frank recently recorded with
the Pihcintu Children’s Choir, comprised of 35 young girls from
17 different countries. The session was part of a peace initiative
Frank is working on with the United Nations. Frank also filmed the
event and interviews with the girls, getting their insight on ways
to make the world a better place. The project was highlighted by local
news who took the time to interview Frank during the production and
on air. |
| BEST OF HIDDEN FACES: A new CD
featuring songs from Frank’s band Hidden Faces has finally
been released. It is a great collection of original songs, and
a couple covers, recorded by the group for films during the 90’s
that mix the R&B
and funk flavorings of Frank’s Detroit roots with influences
of Roger Waters, Was (Not Was) and Tears for Fears. Check this
site under Other
Recordings or iTunes for your copy. |
| OPENER FOR HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL TOUR: Frank’s
song, "Jump to The Rhythm," was chosen as the opening song of the
2007 High School Musical concert tour, performed by Jordan Pruitt and
playing to sold out crowds across the country. As Frank said “There
is nothing quite like hearing 20,000 kids sing your song back at
you to make you realize the power of what we write and the level
of impression it can have on younger audiences.” |
| EEDAY REMASTERED: The CD featuring the former
leader of Reggae group Urban Fire has been remastered and re-released.
Produced and co-written by Frank, the CD includes original classics
like "Rise Up" and "Traffic Jammin" and the exclusive new release of
"Move Your Feet" (from Disney's Jump
In!). Check this site under Other
Recordings or iTunes for your copy. |
