Tea

Language of the Heart now available!

2011-09-26T16:29:00.000-07:00

The new Brian Auger album, "Language of the Heart", is now available for pre-release download. Produced by Tea.

Brian Auger album completed!

2011-07-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

The Brian Auger album is completed! Tentatively titled "Language of the Heart". Now on to the next steps...

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on new Brian Auger project

2011-03-06T00:18:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Jeff "Skunk" Baxter for playing such great guitar with the new Brian Auger project!!

THE BEST OF AFRICAN MUSIC - One World One Love Edition

2010-12-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

"THE BEST OF AFRICAN MUSIC - One World One Love Edition" is available now on iTunes.

Tea's song "Afri", from "Voyages du Jour", is included.

Tea included in new African Music compilation

2010-10-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Tea is included in a new release: "THE BEST OF AFRICAN MUSIC - One World One Love Edition". The compilation will be released on the 30th of November.

1. Safari by TATE SIMMS
2. Friends by NAS & DAMIAN MARLEY
3. Africa by ADONYE GREEN
4. Sina Mous by MISS MAAWA
5. Oh Africa by AKON Feat. KERI HILSON
6. Ikon Allah by ED JATTO
7. Good Life by BLACKFACE NAIJA & SEUN ANIKULAPO KUTI
8. Africans by NNEKA
9. Afri by TEA
10. Afronaut by SHAMAN'S DREAM
11. African Dance by CESAR FUNCK
12. African 'n' Proud by PAUL PLAY DAIRO
13. Love Around The World by JASON FARNHAM
14. One Voice by OBIORA OBIWON
15. Synchronicity by BASIRU SUSO
16. Desert Cry by PROOFSOUND

Publisher: African Music Publishing (www.africanmusicpublishing.org)
Distribution: Edel/Kontor (www.edel.com)
Marketing: United Entertainment & Media Limited (www.uemlimited.com)
Label: Universoul Vibes, a subsidiary of Kussu Productions Inc. (www.universoulvibes.com)

Brian Auger-Tea project

2010-08-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

The Brian Auger project is continuing. All is well.

Tea and Brian Auger...

2010-02-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

Tea is alive and well and continuing work on a new Brian Auger project. Just FYI...

Six Degrees Records review

2009-12-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

From "Global Noize" -- Six Degrees Records' blog:

A few months ago I received through the magic of E mail, the latest album from a duo who call themselves Tea. Mixing soul, house and jazz with African flavors, Tea is the brainchild of guitarist Franck Balloffet, from Lyon, France, and Southern California drummer/keyboardist Phil Bunch. Franck & Phil first met as members of Los Angeles’ premier African band, Bateke Beat, which featured multi-instrumentalist Fidel Bateke, formerly of Fela Kuti’s ensemble from Nigeria. The group's second record, Dreams, rises to the challenge of fusing lots of different influences while maintaining a distinct personality all its own. The entire record is so lovely and soulful that it is almost balearic at times, (Legendary keyboardist Brian Auger even guests on the album!). I must say that I find the project's overt melodicism quite refreshing in these days of distorted drums, acid synths and massive, squelchy bass (not that there's anything wrong with that- but sometimes a guy needs a little melody in his global fusions) The duo have generously allowed us to share a track with you today, so if you like what you hear, be sure to explore further.

--Bob Duskis, President, Six Degrees Records

World Music Central review

2009-11-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

Desirable Tea

Thursday, November 05 2009 @ 02:58 AM EST

Contributed by: ARomero

Dreams (Teajuana Music, 2009)

...The best material on Dreams are the pieces with deep African influences, which go in unanticipated directions, blending Congolese and West African beats with American funk and soul. One of the most unexpected surprises, and a highlight of the album, is the participation of legendary British keyboardist Brian Auger. He was a member of Steampacket, Brian Auger's Trinity and Oblivion Express and is still in fabulous shape, playing excellent Hammond B3 and Fender-Rhodes solos.

Dreams is a genuinely diverse and fresh Afropop album by one of southern California's most interesting world music projects. (read more)

Tea at YouTube

2009-08-17T21:28:00.000-07:00

Ibiza, from Dreams -- on YouTube

Tea #16 on World Music Charts Europe

2009-08-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

Tea is #16 on World Music Charts Europe. More info...

TEA on KCRW-FM "Today's Top Tune"

2009-05-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

Tea's "Ibiza" was featured on National Public Radio's KCRW (89.9 FM, Santa Monica, CA) on "Today's Top Tune". It was broadcast live at 11:05 a.m., Thursday, May 28. It's now streaming online at KCRW.com.

Dreams on the radio

2009-04-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

Tea's new album, "Dreams" was played on NPR's KCRW (89.9 FM, Los Angeles) last Sunday afternoon, on Tom Schnabel's "Cafe LA" show (12:00 noon-2:00 p.m.). Feel free to request it next Sunday as well.

Los Angeles' KPFK (90.7 FM) also played "Dreams" last Saturday afternoon on its "Afrodicia" African music program, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Both shows are broadcast live on the web as well.

Dreams is/are released!

2009-04-11T19:15:00.001-07:00

Tea's new CD is out. Released. And Available!

Dreams

2009-03-23T17:09:00.001-07:00

Tea's new album, "Dreams", will be released in April. More info to come.

Tea + Brian Auger

2008-12-12T17:06:00.000-08:00

It's official: Tea is producing a new album with legendary British keyboardist Brian Auger.

Tea has also just finished producing an album by acoustic guitar wizard Toulouse Engelhardt, to be called "Perpendicular Worlds."

New Tea CD finished!

2008-04-21T15:23:00.000-07:00

It's done. And ready for all the Next Steps...

Brian Auger on new Tea songs

2007-07-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Tea has been recording with legendary keyboardist Brian Auger. A true honor.

Leonard from Dallas is a TEA fan

2007-04-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Overall Rating:

5 out of 5

By Leonard from Dallas, TX

"This is a great CD for dancing, listening, working... just sounds great... I love the various African languages, the French singing... it's a breath of fresh air in this teenypop world. By all means pick it up, if you like world music of any kind!"

(the review)

Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver Interview

2007-04-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

The Conversation: Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard
The two Brits play husband and wife in the new FX series ''The Riches''
By Lynette Rice
These two enormously appealing Brits — who play married con artists in the dark FX series The Riches — chat about their first meeting...

EDDIE IZZARD: We first met in New York, didn't we?
MINNIE DRIVER: Yes, we did, briefly. At a TEA shop.
(full interview)

[Eddie lent his voice (technically and legally he lent his "ciao") to the end of TEA's first CD, "Voyages du Jour."]