Ricco Torrid - A man of many talents, yet he can't be defined by one in particular. Born in Kingston and schooled in London. London is where he decided to make his home. Ricco has loved music from birth. American music was invaded by the British he says, but British music underwent an American invasion.
"Man, when I heard voices like Ben E. King, Tommy Hunt and Freddie Scott and even Tommy Jones from Wales. Their vocals touched me." When motown music arrived I knew I could get my voice in somewhere. I met some blokes forming a soul band. They were all white and played well. They needed some vocals that could give the music that thickness that American soul has. I auditioned and they took me into the group. We played some wild places on the east end.
Ricco said that he didn't like the craziness. he decided to visit some cousins in Chicago. During that time blues was heavy there. He learned that blues and jazz was the foundation of rock and roll, and R&B. It was a real education.
While on a trip to Nashville, he discovered another sound. Country and western. " I liked country because it was the blues of another race. The lyrics could tell you a story with some good music. Simple and pure."
Ricco says that when he got back to England, he would experiment with his new found experience. One night at an art gallery opening, the band swicthed up from oldies and put in a country tune. The audience loved the rendition. At that point Ricco delved into alternative music producing some of England's best house bands.
I've had a wonderful time. I met some of America's artists that made their home here when pop music changed. The late Edwin Starr, lived here till he passed. Chuck Jackson and Tommy Hunt are well up in age, but still have the "Voice".
My project is to pay tribute to some of those voices. Voices from a time that "Men sang". I chose soul and country ballads to say what I wanted to say on this album. The tune "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" is a dear original. The track was from a jam session, by a group in Baltimore. They told me it was never made for lyrics. The music was compelling as "The Storm". One day I listened to it. I heard a signal for a voice track with a pocket. I hummed something to it. It worked, within a few days I had lyrics. I sent a rough version to my friends in Baltimore. They were amazed. They gave me permission to record it.
Ricco says that this album is raw as a man is when he's hurt. "Some of these recordings were done in one take. "Make It Easy On Yourself" is one of them. On the play back I liked the flawed harmony with my background singer. It sounds live. When you are performing live its "one take" no do overs.
I've spent the past few years producing projects on others. I like raw talent. Some are upcoming artists. There are two projects online. "Dolls To Lypstyck" And "Urban Meets Country Classics". I have some singles on that also.
Ricco is also an award winning film maker. His films "Eddy's Fantasy" and "Colony 639" both have film festival awards. His books include "Cuttin Up" cartoon humor, and "Lottery By The Weather" written under the name Rex Torid. In his spare time Ricco enjoys golf, fishing and training his dog Pepi.
part of the proceeds from sales go toward helping to feed the homeless.
"Man, when I heard voices like Ben E. King, Tommy Hunt and Freddie Scott and even Tommy Jones from Wales. Their vocals touched me." When motown music arrived I knew I could get my voice in somewhere. I met some blokes forming a soul band. They were all white and played well. They needed some vocals that could give the music that thickness that American soul has. I auditioned and they took me into the group. We played some wild places on the east end.
Ricco said that he didn't like the craziness. he decided to visit some cousins in Chicago. During that time blues was heavy there. He learned that blues and jazz was the foundation of rock and roll, and R&B. It was a real education.
While on a trip to Nashville, he discovered another sound. Country and western. " I liked country because it was the blues of another race. The lyrics could tell you a story with some good music. Simple and pure."
Ricco says that when he got back to England, he would experiment with his new found experience. One night at an art gallery opening, the band swicthed up from oldies and put in a country tune. The audience loved the rendition. At that point Ricco delved into alternative music producing some of England's best house bands.
I've had a wonderful time. I met some of America's artists that made their home here when pop music changed. The late Edwin Starr, lived here till he passed. Chuck Jackson and Tommy Hunt are well up in age, but still have the "Voice".
My project is to pay tribute to some of those voices. Voices from a time that "Men sang". I chose soul and country ballads to say what I wanted to say on this album. The tune "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" is a dear original. The track was from a jam session, by a group in Baltimore. They told me it was never made for lyrics. The music was compelling as "The Storm". One day I listened to it. I heard a signal for a voice track with a pocket. I hummed something to it. It worked, within a few days I had lyrics. I sent a rough version to my friends in Baltimore. They were amazed. They gave me permission to record it.
Ricco says that this album is raw as a man is when he's hurt. "Some of these recordings were done in one take. "Make It Easy On Yourself" is one of them. On the play back I liked the flawed harmony with my background singer. It sounds live. When you are performing live its "one take" no do overs.
I've spent the past few years producing projects on others. I like raw talent. Some are upcoming artists. There are two projects online. "Dolls To Lypstyck" And "Urban Meets Country Classics". I have some singles on that also.
Ricco is also an award winning film maker. His films "Eddy's Fantasy" and "Colony 639" both have film festival awards. His books include "Cuttin Up" cartoon humor, and "Lottery By The Weather" written under the name Rex Torid. In his spare time Ricco enjoys golf, fishing and training his dog Pepi.
part of the proceeds from sales go toward helping to feed the homeless.