Souls Of Love

SOULS OF LOVE – the deep, inside feeling of oneness with self and others encompassing the true meaning of love, coming from the soul.

Souls of Love is a reggae music collective assembled by ILocks, the longtime keyboardist and backing vocalist for Eek-A-Mouse and Ras Michael and The Sons Of Negus and many others too numerous to mention.

Throughout his career, ILocks has bridged the gap between the black urban culture of Los Angeles and the influx of reggae music. ILocks was born to a Mexican woman and Italian man, and as a baby he was adopted by an older African American couple and raised as their son. He spent his childhood in the vibrant community of South Los Angeles, later attending Fairfax High School. He grew up in the Baptist church and was influenced by a young age by his adopted father who was a classically trained vocalist and sang in nightclubs in St. Louis and Los Angeles, usually unaccompanied, before giving his voice to the church.

When he was young his father taught him a musical lesson that he will never forget. ILocks remembers the story with a twinkle that is ever present in his eyes. “He taught me how to sing and play Soul music, he taught me what Soul really is, which is Love.”

It is with this spirit that ILocks formed the Souls of Love with his wife, Geri “Love” Walker, his eldest son Elijah“Sky” Walker on bass and his longtime friend and collaborator, Gerald Couchman behind the drum-kit. Marc Rey and Freddy Flint are frequent collaborators on guitar, as well as Mekiel Reuben on saxophone.

At a young age, ILocks was groomed for a life of service in the church. His father was a deacon at Trinity Baptist, where Zuban Matta would perform and the Rev. Dr. Elliott J. Mason Sr. delivered sermons. ILocks' world view and spirituality were nurtured both from the Church and his surroundings.

Growing up, Belizeans and Jamaicans in his neighborhood exposed ILocks to the music and religion of Rastafari. “Bob Marley was playing on the radio, but it was my Caribbean friends who exposed me to both Reggae and the Rastafarian way of life. The Rasta way of life fulfilled a void that I wasn’t getting in the church.”

ILocks says that his dad never pushed religion, but he was very spiritual. “He told me, 'Son, the church is not these 4 walls, it is within you. Your soul is love'. This always stuck with me. From a very young age, I was aware of God and knew there was a plan for me. Subconsciously it was always a part of me.”

Known for his musical diversity, ILocks has collaborated with many musicians over his 25-year career. The two that he has performed with most are also the two whom he is most influenced by. “I have two extremes. Ras Michael, which is spiritual reggae and Eek a Mouse, which is pop-culture reggae.” Like Bob Marley, ILocks hopes to encompass both extremes.

The musicians that round out Souls of Love also bring musical ideas and messages to the band. While ILocks formed Souls of Love and composed the songs, he encouraged the musicians to write their own parts during the recording process. All of the musicians provided vital inspiration and creativity to the process, but ILocks gives special thanks to his wife, “Without her love, talent and support, Souls of Love would not be what it is.”

The music created by Souls of Love is infused with the styles the musicians have played in the past. Often up-tempo, the music is a hybrid of lover’s rock with rock guitar leads and R&B fills. The various styles ensure that no song sounds the same.

One of the most poignant, yet catchy songs was envisioned one day when ILocks was talking to his friend about the culture of greed and wealth. “Look at the back of this money – what does this mean? In God we trust? Yeah, Gold, Oil and Diamonds (g.o.d.) are what they really believe in.”

Souls of Love wants their audience to be entertained and enlightened by the experience, continuing the legacy of Reggae’s most famous artist, Bob Marley. ILocks says, “Bob put out a message without being preachy. We want to promote real family values like love. I want people to dance, and love each other. When I write the tunes, I write from the heart, about Real experiences.”


g.o.d.
Souls of Love
SOUL LOVE RECORDS/Explosive Records, 2009
http://www.soulsoflove.com


Produced by:Alex”ILocks”Walker and Pride Hutchison(Ras Michael, HR)
Co-produced by:Souls Of Love and Teddy Jack