Anthony Joseph
Anthony Joseph is a poet, novelist, musician, vocalist, and frontman for the Spasm Band. His music combines Caribbean and African rhythms with jazz, funk, and spoken word.
Joseph was born in Trinidad and raised by his grandparents. His earliest musical influences were his grandfather's calypso records, particularly those of Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener. He was initially moved by the use of poetry and patois in their recordings. As a result, he began to write. During his teens he also started collecting the newest reggae sounds, which arrived by boat weekly from Jamaica.
His writing ability allowed him to emigrate to the United Kingdom in 1989. He attended Goldsmiths College at the University of London where he obtained a Master's degree in literature. Joseph discovered the music and writings of Gil Scott-Heron as a student. He was particularly moved by the album Winter in America. His first collection of poems, Desafinado, was published in 1994, followed by Teragaton in 1997.
Joseph spent years writing and lecturing at various colleges and universities. In 2005, he was selected by the Arts Council of England and Renaissance One as one of 50 Black and Asian writers who have made major contributions to contemporary British literature.
His debut novel, The African Origins of UFOs, was published in 2006 and won praise from dub poet and scholar Linton Kwesi Johnson; it was widely reviewed in the U.K. After playing and working with a group of musicians from his south London neighborhood, Joseph founded the Spasm Band and was signed by Kindred Spirits. The album Leggo Di Lion, billed to Anthony Joseph & the Spasm Band, was issued in 2007. His third poetry collection, Bird Head Son, was followed by a Spasm Band album of the same name in 2009 on the Parisian label Heavenly Sweetness. Joseph & the Spasm Band became regulars on the European touring circuit. The album Rubber Orchestras followed in 2011. The songs branched out from strictly biographical material to offer taut insights about immigrant culture in London. While playing a music festival, Joseph was asked to fill in for Heron, who had failed to show due to rapidly declining health -- he would die a few months later. Joseph's reputation grew; he was regularly interviewed on European radio and television. Live in Bremen saw release in 2013 and was followed in 2014 by Time, his debut solo album. The latter was produced by Meshel Ndegeocello. She played bass on the date and hired an all-star studio band that included guitarist Chris Bruce.
Joseph & the Spasm Band toured to support the recording and it gained notice not only in Europe but in Asia and the United States as well. The poet also appeared on the Belgium unit BRZZVLL's album, Engines. In January 2015, he presented Kitch, a BBC documentary based on his research for a post-doctoral thesis about Lord Kitchener. Joseph also collaborated with Polish jazz saxophonist Adam Pieronczyk's quartet on the album Migratory Poets. In December, the solo single "Neckbones" was released with an appearance by Sly Johnson.
Joseph began a recording collaboration with percussionist Roger Raspail (Cesaria Evora, Papa Wemba). Originally conceived as a small project, it grew in scope and volume and gathered together many more players, all of whom had either Caribbean origins or direct connections. They included saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, Trinidadian calypso icon David Rudder, and pan steel master Andy Narrell, to name a few. The finished album, Caribbean Roots, was released jointly by Heavenly Sweetness and Strut in June 2016.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
Discography
18 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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The Rich Are Only Defeated When Running for Their Lives
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Heavenly Sweetness on May 7, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
People of the Sun
Zouk & Antilles - Released by Heavenly Sweetness on Sep 21, 2018
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Who Will Save the World?
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Heavenly Sweetness on Sep 1, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Totem (David Walters Remix)
Electronic - Released by Heavenly Sweetness on Jan 13, 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Caribbean Roots
Jazz - Released by Heavenly Sweetness - Strut on Jun 10, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Swing Praxis (Kaidi Tatham Remix)
Electronic - Released by Heavenly Sweetness on Nov 26, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dig Out Your Eye
Zouk & Antilles - Released by Heavenly Sweetness on Mar 23, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Maka Dimweh (Mark de Clive-Lowe Remix )
Electronic - Released by Heavenly Sweetness on Dec 15, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Joy
Miscellaneous - Released by Soul Link Music Group Film & Entertainment on Dec 22, 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Musical Affirmations for Loving Yourself and Following Your Dreams
New Age - Released by Joseph Anthony on Dec 29, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
This Is the Day
Gospel - Released by Joseph Anthony on Nov 18, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Migratory Poets (Live)
Adam Pieronczyk, Anthony Joseph
Jazz - Released by For Tune on Apr 24, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Flying at the Speed of Emotion
Rock - Released by Malkin Records on Nov 16, 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Neckbone
Jazz - Released by Heavenly Sweetness - Strut on Apr 22, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Created to Worship (Live)
Gospel - Released by Blackhawk Entertainment on Sep 26, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Be Here Now, Songs for the Wonder Child
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by Joseph Anthony on Jan 1, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Flying at the Speed of Emotion
Pop - Released by Malkin Records on Nov 16, 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
27th St. Fevah (Maria Dark Presents Anthony Joseph) (Original Mix)
House - Released by Dark Industry Recordings on Nov 4, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo