Michael Lee Thomas
Thermal Romantic Jazz, Music from the Edge of Passion. Smooth, yet Intense instrumentals rich with New Age textures. Ground-breaking instrumentalist and self-taught keyboard wizard, Michael has established a unique Multi-genre style combining elements of Jazz,New Age,Fusion and Rock, Michael has developed this tasteful mixture into smooth but powerfully composed musical Soundscapes. Calling his musical style "Thermal Romantic", the overall presence is a warm rhythmic feel, complimented with nice Grand Piano and well done Lead Synth emphasis. Each piece evolves & transcends through counter-melodic changes and lush passages while maintaining a nice groove and drive. While Michael Lee's Hard Rock background influences the up-front Drums and strong Bass foundations, another stand-out is his crafted use of fragile percussives. Adventurous and fresh, these expressive compositions have a soft edge that cuts through. Sometimes a slow Jazz funk and sometimes a delicate glide through a haunting dream. Michael Lee's vast experience with soundtrack production has helped develop his mastery of complex New Age textures.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
It has allowed a type of exposure unheard of Fifteen years ago. Many more artists are given a chance to let the public and the world hear their music.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Yes, if the priorities of the major label were in the right place. Unfortunately, with the majority of big labels the bottom line blinds the executives to actual creativity or talent.
Band History:
Well known in the New Age genre, Michael is now recognized in the Instrumental Jazz arena. During the time between his initial CD releases, Michael worked long and hard developing a more Smooth Jazz/Jazz Fusion based form of music. Introducing the new style in 1999 with the release of 'J' & 'Project 7:Area 51', both albums were a departure from the more ethereal early CDs. With the release of 'Outlaws In Babylon' in August 2000, 'Predicting History' in January 2001 and 'Project 7: Tau Ceti 4' in June 2001, Michael Lee has further defined the style of music he calls 'Thermal Romantic'. A tasteful blend of Jazz/New Age/Fusion and elements of Rock. Music from the Edge of Passion. Originally and still a Hard Rock drummer, Michael Lee also plays Keyboards, Bass, Guitar & Percussives. An experienced producer & engineer, he is currently involved with several production side projects as well as numerous Soundtrack/Media assignments. In 1981 he founded Darksilver Records America and Realdream Productions. Then, in 1986, he established Darksilver Music (BMI), the in-house music publishing company for Darksilver. Constantly composing and refining his craft, Michael Lee currently has a digital catalog of over 950 songs. Between Fall 2002 and 2010, Michael Lee released an additional Nine Albums bringing his disc total to Seventeen. The Eighteenth CD, 'Sometime Next Future', is scheduled for release in late 2012. All the CDs feature all new Thermal Romantic material. Also featured on Soundclick.com, Three major side projects: THRILL ELEMENT, with Nine Albums featuring a New Age/Soundscape style; GRAVITY QUIET, with Three Albums featuring Ambient/Soundscape and TOM SLAYTON EFFECT, with Two Albums featuring an Electro-Organic groove. Michael Lee is also the Drummer for Rock Artist 'Gary Ray Grice' and the Progressive Hard Rock group 'Just Past Tomorrow'. Both Groups are based out of Texas. Visit www.darksilver.com for more info and details
Your influences?
Brian Eno, Pink Floyd, David Sanborn, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis
Favorite spot?
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Anything else...?
'Fresh Out Of Nowhere' (1989); 'Voyager: Grand Tour Suite' (1990); 'Sleeper' (1990); 'J' (1999); 'Project 7: Area 51' (1999); 'Outlaws In Babylon' (2000); 'Predicting History' (2001); 'Project 7: Tau Ceti 4' (2001); 'Witches And Old Maids-East' (2002); 'Witches And Old Maids-West' (2002); 'Witches & Old Maids-North' (2003); 'Witches & Old Maids-South' (2003); 'Symptoms Of Reason' (2006); 'Evidence Of Memories' (2007); 'Project 7: Infinite Tomorrow' (2008); 'Home Away From Time' (2009); 'Resting Vertical' (2010); 'Sometime Next Future' (2012)
'Resting Vertical' (c) 2010 :DSR
'Home Away From Time' (c)2009 :DSR
'Project 7: Tau Ceti 4' (c) 2001 :DSR
'Project 7:Infinite Tomorrow' (c)2008 :DSR
'Evidence Of Memories' (c) 2007 :DSR
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