Kinsman Dazz Band
“Ghetto Preacher” / “Saved”
Label: Creative-Soul Records
Catalogue Number: CS-1004
Release Date: October 2023
Format: 7’
Michael J. Calhoun has accomplished greatness in music for over 30 years. He was influenced by such luminaries as B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, The Beatles and Motown, and of course his Cleveland soul brother and early days mentor, the legendary Lou Ragland. Michael’s career launched as a founding member, singer, composer and guitarist of ‘Kinsman Dazz’.
The band scored major hits with Twentieth Century Fox where he was mentored by both Marvin
Gaye and Philip Bailey of ‘Earth Wind & Fire’. The group eventually moved to Motown records, and became the Grammy award winning ‘Dazz Band’.
After leaving the ‘Dazz Band’ Michael then joined with Juan Lively to form ‘Voyeur’, signing with MCA, then later returning to the ‘Dazz Band’ for one more album. In 1994, Michael was presentedwith a Platinum Membership by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The same year Michael wrote andproduced Cozette Morgan’s critically acclaimed album “Stay With Me” and in 2003 his first solo album “In Blue” was released.
Music is in Michael’s DNA and his multiple talents honed over 40 plus years as a composer, producer,arranger, musician and singer as proven in the emotion and energy poured into “Ghetto Preacher” a song of social injustice and hope, and “Saved” in which Michael give tribute to his spiritual roots, fulfilling a promise to his mother.
Available digitally on Bandcamp from 26th July, and available as a limited vinyl press from CreativeSoul from early October.
Cliff Steel