Taste the essence of FunkaSoul by checking out the music: The "demo" release of J-Funk's debut album was both sudden & drawn out. Some of the recordings are in fact nearly 10 years old. However, at least half of the album was created in the latter of 2006 & early 2007, recorded & mixed in the bedroom of J-FUNKs (very small) 1 bedroom apartment in North London. The "funkasoul" blend of funky beats, catchy melodies & slick harmonies creates a tasteful mix of developing songs destined for greatness. Additional mastering by J-FUNK & Jean-Michel Sutcliffe. Some would say that J-FUNK was a little over ambitious in releasing an album (let alone his debut!) short of its "production peak"; others would say that this release was well over due - the recordings on this album span nearly 10 years in the making. But how many artists in this world have had humble beginnings? The answer is many of course. Production aside, take a listen to the songs themselves: the contrasts between shallow and deep lyrics, funky and chilled out beats. And of course, the vocals: the soul, the feeling, the tone, the delivery. Timing is everything - the majority of these songs (barring "Close" - taking you back to the old Suae days of the late 90s) were recorded and mixed, instruments included, entirely by J-FUNK, with every note, sound, hit and solo created with precise spontaneity and feel. This tasteful album ranges from the R&B/commercial sounds of "Close" and "'Cause Suddenly", to the funky chilled R&B vibes of "For Our Nite" and "Give It 2 Ya", to the cozy jazz sounds of "Believe It" and "Hold You". Listen for yourselves: enjoy the vocals, enjoy the music, enjoy the songs, but most of all, enjoy yourselves while listening to this masterpiece. Born in Melbourne, Australia, to an English father & South African mother, Justin Stephenson was raised under the influence of a very musical family & began singing and playing piano at the age of 2. Since achieving a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Music in 2001 (majoring in Jazz Vocal) in Brisbane, Justin has taken his talents to Sydney and Melbourne, notably the Australia Day celebrations at Hyde Park in Sydney in 2001, and at the Melbourne Jazz Festival in 2004. Both of these performances were in collaboration with his two aunts - Trude and Anastasia Aspeling who are accomplished vocalists in Sydney & Melbourne respectively. Justin has also performed with the likes of soul/funk singer/bassist Doug Williams, & master Melbourne jazz pianist Bob Sedergreen, as well as Bob's son, Stephen, also a jazz pianist. Justin has an endless number of vocal & musical influences, including the many talented musicians he has been closely associated with over the years. These influences shine through in his brilliant vocal and band arrangements. Justin is also an accomplished composer & arranger - his greatest achievement being the collation of a Soul/Funk show, arranged for an 18-piece band (rhythm, horn & string sections) with a 20-piece choir (SATB). Justin not only arranged & scored the entire show, but also fronted the band, vocally & musically. Justin has also been able to use his vocal, composition & arranging talent for the Lords' work, having been brought up a NEW APOSTOLIC Christian, arranging for the churches' choirs & orchestras in Australia & the UK. Since relocating to London UK in 2006, J-FUNK has created & recorded many tracks, compiling his debut album. J-FUNK creations embrace the "Funkasoul" genre, blending catchy melodies, slick vocal & instrumental harmony, funky rhythms & jazz orientated chords. J-FUNK’s debut album “Breakthru” is available now independently on CD or mp3 (and every other download form!!) Check out J-FUNKs latest news & gigs as he takes the UK & Europe by storm!