Judging by initial reactions, its been too long since a songwriter/artist came around with songs that just rejuvenate your soul and capture your imagination.
With his debut CD "The Tangerine Toad", Aubrey Agard pulls listeners into his world with a fusion of psychedelic 60s and acoustic roots music, entwined with his own mixture of tropical rhythms.
At once focused and groovy, "The Tangerine Toad" is a combination of several styles, and the result of mixing them in unique proportions to reveal a catchy new blend.
Inspired by Bob Marley and The Beatles, Agard began playing the guitar in his pre-teen in the Caribbean. By the time he moved to Toronto in his late teens, and started logging thousands of gig-hours on bass and keyboards, in nightclubs and speak-easies, it became clear he had a gift.
Agard earned a Billboard Song Contest "Certificate of Achievement" award for his first attempt at songwriting and is, as of this writing, a semi-finalist in the 2007 International Songwriting Contest (ISC).
Besides writing and producing "The Tangerine Toad" CD,
Agard sang everything and played all instruments. That is, except where he allowed some real drumming heavyweights
to add their talents, including: James Brown's funky drummer: John 'Jab O' Starks; Motown's golden-era master percussionists: Pistol Allen, Uriel Jones, Jack Ashford; Aerosmith's rock solid Joey Kramer; session drummer extraordinaire (Madonna, Elton John): Ralph Salmins.
Aubrey Agard brings a fresh change of style to listeners who are tired of the same old competitive sound in music. His natural vocals provide a fresh complement to his off-the-mainstream groove of songwriting techniques.
"The Tangerine Toad" CD is good listening, filled with all of the powerful dynamics that make a great record. To quote one fan, the only trouble with it is, it leaves you "wishing for more!"
On thetangerinetoad.com, all words and music were written, performed, recorded, produced by aubrey. The exception: drums were provided by some of the world's best.
Click here to go to the "Sound Samples" page: there you will find a list of the famous musicians who provided drum tracks on "The Tangerine Toad".
PHENOMENAL STUFF! You rock! This is great listening music as well as for dancing. I can groove endlessly to your songs. And they bring wonderful smiles to my face. Consider me your biggest fan!!!!! ...
- Felicia M Toronto, Canada
I work at a radio station in Saskatchewan ... I popped it in the cd player and for the rest of the afternoon ... the library was listening to your tunes ~ love them ~ great rhythm! … We've got a copy at home that we groove to frequently … We'd be delighted to be added to your mailing list!
- Donna Lyn Saskatchewan, Canada
It's like Jellyfish meets Dave Matthews meets the Beatles meets the Beach Boys - if such a thing could happen. I absolutely LOVE Mister Sunshine - A song I could drive around and listen to all the time - It just screams SUMMER FUN!
- Donna W Toronto, Canada
