New York City’s singer-songwriter James Ruff sounds like Eddy Vedder met up with Bob Dylan and the Counting Crows in a timeless acoustic dream scape full of eye opening stories, loss, love and recovery while world rhythms are interwoven with vocals comparable to Damien Rice, Chris Martin, Tom Yorke and James Taylor for the uplifting debut album "Long Journey Home". James Ruff and partner in crime, the vixen co-writer of "Coconut Song" and "Here We Are" Emily Sinnott, teamed up for their Summer of 2009 four-month cross continental U.S. tour. Some of James’ most inspirational artists are Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Bob Dylan, and Bono of U2. James has studied music all over the world, but gives his greatest homage to his time spent in Africa and Costa Rica with Emily. Before their meeting in April of 2008 James spent time sharpening his vocal craft with the help of master voice coaches Wendy Parr and Seth Riggs, both of whom work with some of today’s biggest stars, including Regina Spektor, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Ray Charles. And, on his first tour Ruff played across Amsterdam, Prague and Budapest, then soon after in Mexico and finally ending back home in New York where he began his studies of Indian rhythm studying under Pundit (master) tabla player Samir Chatterjee. James has also worked as an actor for the last five years, at David Mamet’s “The Atlantic Theater Company,” as well as “The Studio,” studying under Brad Calcaterra, all the while running his business NYC Healing, in Manhattan. He grew up in small towns across the U.S. from Washington State to Colorado, New Jersey and finally ending up in NYC. “ I’ve always dreamed big, and desired more, so life on the stage just makes sense, it’s a wonderful thrill performing for a live audience.” In the early spring of 2008 Miss Sinnott and Mr. Ruff met at a chance meeting on a dark cold night. Upon my asking for more details, James said, “You’ll have to buy the book if you want more juice…” smiling in his very charming, and devilish way. Soon after meeting, they traveled to Africa on Emily’s suggestion, as James wanted to study rhythm and was planning on going to Spain to immerse himself in Flamenco. “I just knew that James needed Africa, I knew that what he was looking for would be found there, in that beautiful land, full of beautiful people and souls, and that the spirit would bring his music to life,” Emily confided. James worked with world famous Mustapha Teddy Addy, who has traveled the world teaching and playing the African drums, and is one of the elder men responsible for bringing the sounds of Africa to the world circuit of music. While in Ghana, Emily also introduced James to her beloved group Selamta where he studied, often times for up to five hours daily, with master drummer Nii Quao while Ms. Sinnott danced. Later that year after returning from Africa they toured Costa Rica meeting with The Grandfather of Calypso Mr. Walter Ferguson where they were inspired to write the he tribute to Costa Rica “Coconut Song” which captures similar energy and style of Jack Johnson. Upon returning home to the cold winter of NYC from the gorgeous sands and waters of the "beautiful coast" the raw ballad "Here We Are" was written showcasing James' true vocal talent accompanied only by his light and soothing guitar. The album also features pop song and single "Tears From God" a fun, short and energetic dance diddy, baby blue which is reminiscent of Dave Matthews' "Crash" and folk inspired "Sing Liberty" reminding us that amongst all our social and technological distractions we need still to unite against the tyranny of corruption.