Rene Collins & The Great Movement

If the saying “Music is the Soul given a voice” is true, then Rene Collins is that voice. Infusing African spirituality with reggae, jazz, folk, and a hint of Hip hop for taste, he blends together a sound, as contemporary as it is timeless. His music gives us more than something to fill the silence. He imparts to us words of wisdom and light in a perfect marriage of insight and love.

With his first solo album, ‘Aphromystic’, Rene takes the listener on a tour of Ancient Mysticism and African Philosophy. In the album, he relates these ideas in ways we can all understand. Through his signature polyrhythmic strumming style, and soulful voice, he makes these topics, easily relatable in our own lives. Instigating the listener from the start, ‘Libation’ infuses reggae off beat with a folk underbelly via a strong violin medley, delivering a message of personal hope. The record continues on, looking at such material as nature, family, and politics. With the hip-hop influenced ‘The Earth is good’, he speaks on the guidance one can glean from their surroundings. Throughout ‘Aphromystic’, Rene demonstrates both a profound understanding of life, and a songwriting skill that delivers effortlessly.

The first single off the album, ‘Eyes of a Mystic’ is an up tempo pop song that pushes the boundaries of radio music. Cleverly combining strong drum rhythms, blues scales, and Rene’s breathtaking voice we get a song that is equal parts catchy and intelligent. The song itself delivers a message of modern day mystics, and the perceptions they offer. In Rene’s own words, “With this special perception seers are able to solve any and all problems facing humanity.”

Originally from San Francisco, Rene Collins has been involved in music his whole life. He started learning piano at age ten, studying vocals at 11 years old, and was writing original songs at 12. His voice was forged while playing with a variety of acts through high school and college. In his early rock years in California he became lead singer with Trump Loliel, High and Outside, and dancer for The Nation Funktasia produced by Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy (creators of Toni Toni Toni and En Vogue). Once moved to New York, he recorded two albums with “Blue Ceiling” before branching out on his own to record “Aphromystic”. His music history combined with decades long career of theatre acting and dancing formed the charismatic and intelligent artist he is today. With influences including Earth Wind and Fire, Dave Matthews Band, U2, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Elton John, and Bob Marley; his sound crosses genres and speaks to anyone who experiences his music.