Floating Away Artist Profile: Chocolate Genius

Thursday Residency at Largo: Chocolate Genius
Floating Away will be there February 16 and February 23

I honestly wish I could tell you why I first picked up “Black Music” by Chocolate Genius (Marc Anthony Thompson).  Years later, I credit CMJ New Music Monthly, but am fuzzy on the details.  Black Music came out in the summer before I was to begin my sophomore year of college and it was just what I needed.  Calm and soothing, full of great instrumentation, it was the soundtrack to my life. “Black Music” is incredible and one of my favorite albums ever.  The song My Mom is one of his saddest songs and the highlight on the album.  A beautiful recount of a man trying to reconnect to his mother only to find that she does not remember him. 

Black Music became a rotational favorite at late night after parties with my roommates and he attracted a mini fan club amongst my friends.  Time passed and while I still reached for Black Music, I had moved on to other music.  Two years later, I moved to New York.  God Music, his second album, came out the summer of 2001, and he continued to push his music in all directions.  Later that year, I saw the first of many NY area Chocolate Genius shows.  The most memorable was at The Bottom Line where (with 4 other people watching) I saw him do a night of covers. The best: “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera, which changed the way I listened to that song forever.

Godmusic came out in 2001, and he always teased his fans with some sort of musical contribution here and there.  He appeared on the soundtrack to many films (American Splendor, I am Sam, HBO’s Everyday People).  He also released two home recorded albums at his shows.

Then finally, late last year, his third studio album came out: Black Yankee Rock.  This album is everything I wanted it to be.  An unbelievably strong collection of songs with help from an extraordinary list of musicians (Van Dyke Parks, Marc Ribot, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, Stephanie McKay and more).  The album, like his others, just gets better and better with each listen.  Each week I seem to be really into a different song and end up asking myself, How did I not love this the first time I heard it?

Floating away saw him late last year when he came through to visit Largo.  I was very unfamiliar with the new album and was pleased by his new material.  Don't miss this great opportunity to see Chocolate Genius. We will see you there.

Hear Chocolate Genius on NPR.
Be his friend on MySpace

MP3:  Escape or Ten Pound Headache (live on KEXP)

Comments

[Joel]

Love the Chocolate. Caught him a few weeks back at the Springsteen "nebraska" tribute here in NYC. Played a stellar version of "Johnny 99" and then returned with the Boss himself and the whole ensemble for a Guthrie cover as the encore. good stuff...

anxious for his return to NYC.

tonight, caught a show at Jazz at Lincoln Center led by wynton marsalis. excellent.

[Nikki]

I get it, Dan. Make me feel bad for no reason. Now that I know my red right ankle from my other ankle, I'm on to you.

[Jordan]

I wanta be Chocolate's friend

[abercrombie and fitch london]

It is hard to say such a thing is clear.

[abercrombie uk]

will be happy to be proved wrong with this one.... but having done survival training during my Army days, I have to admit to a raised eyebrow with this as well.

[hollister clothing]

I get it, Dan. Make me feel bad for no reason. Now that I know my red right ankle from my other ankle, I'm on to you.

[live penny auctions]

I love the Chocolate.