Forgotten music tracks by successful 70’s session musicians and “one hit wonders” have been given a new audience and take center stage with today’s hit makers.

From the 60’s to the 80’s some of the best of pop music was produced in small recording studios all over the world. Ushering in the New Frontier of the John F. Kennedy Administration was the upbeat optimism of surf music, through to the adventurous period of Motown, the British Invasion and the Folk Movement, followed by ‘get on your feet’ funk, disco, punk, electronica, Ska, hip hop and rap.  What every genre had in common were the players that defined the sound.  That certain horn track, or guitar pattern, or background vocal that flavored the song and wet the appetite of new generations for more and more music, fueling a trillion dollar music industry.

Amani "Burt Blackarach" K. Smith, Grammy Award winning son of keyboardist/writer/producer William D. "Smitty" Smith says, “As music was becoming a trading commodity, the business of music was being re-invented and along with it new laws were being passed to accommodate new lines of businesses.  Many musicians were getting swept up in the hype, but not included in the financial pipeline”.

Since 2010, Amani Smith has been on a personal quest to get to know the father who died when he was in his early twenties.  He has spent countless hours searching for tracks that his father played on and buying back ownership for the family’s publishing company.  Through his search he has uncovered hours of forgotten demo tapes and album recordings featuring musicians who played on some of pop music’s most sacred anthems. 

“I’ve personally spoken with hundreds of musicians who echo the same chorus of feeling forgotten and being unable to sustain themselves as there was no income or royalty stream for them.  I’ve made it my mission to make these tracks available to today’s musicians and producers all over the world, to once again bring dignity to both the music and the musicians who originally made them”, says Smith.

Currently there are over 150 masters available for sampling, licensing, covers, Plug Ins and exclusive sample packages including performances by A-list musicians and actors. A full list will be provided upon request. Salamani Music, the publishing company started by musician William Smith, is a one stop shop for these exclusive vintage tracks.  All songwriters and performers have given full permission to use the songs.

About William Daniel "Smitty" Smith

William Daniel "Smitty" Smith was a songwriter, producer and keyboard player of legendary standing, who worked throughout the sixties, seventies and eighties.  He was known for his work as the lead singer of the historic band Motherlode, with whom he penned his first hit song called “When I Die”.  Throughout his career he collaborated and toured with thousands of musicians including: Allen Toussaint, Bob Dylan, Roberta Flack, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Richie Havens and Etta James.

Since Smitty's death, in 1997, his music has sparked interest from a new generation of music lovers with covers and samples by many including D'Angelo, Neneh Cherry, Gangstarr, and J Dilla. In 2000, Motherlode's "When I Die" received the SOCAN "Classic" Award and in 2011, "When I Die" was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. facebook.com/williamdsmittysmith

About Amani "Burt Blackarach" K. Smith

Amani K. Smith is a Grammy-winning engineer (The Temptations), seasoned DJ and long time collaborator, producer and composer, with legendary music producer Gary G Wiz and iconic MC, Chuck D both of seminal rap group, Public Enemy. He is a member of the Recording Academy. burtblackarach.com

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For additional information or to schedule an interview with Amani K. Smith, please contact:

Kerith Henderson

Quintessential PR

kerith@quintessentialpr.com

310 770 4764

Or

Tyler J. Smith

Tyler Creative Management
tyler@tylercreativemanagement.com

416 557 8584