ITAAL SHUR
In a time when the music industry too readily turns inspiration to commodity, it’s evident when talent takes the high road. Producer, songwriter and artist Itaal Shur is just such a talent. Itaal Shur’s career in music began in the early nineties as a founding member of the group Groove Collective. Shur recorded two albums with the band, toured the world, worked with giants of jazz and hip-hop and encountered a collaborator, Maxwell... with whom he wrote and produced 'Ascension' in 1996.
Having established himself in the pop charts, Shur continued to prefer to work somewhat “underground”. He went on to produce his first solo album in 1998 under the artist name Big Muff. “Music From the Aural Exciter” (Snapt) can best be described as a hip-hop/jazz/dance fusion album and drew international club and critical notice.
1999 was a pivotal for Itaal as a songwriter when submitted a demo for Carlos Santana's upcoming album Supernatural. He finished writing the song along with Matchbox Twenty’s, Rob Thomas, and titled it “Smooth”. “Smooth” stayed at number one for 13 weeks, earned “Song of the Year” and the album went on to win, an historic, eight Grammy Awards (including one for Itaal himself). The smash hit also lead to an ever-lengthening list of new songwriting projects, including songs for Jewel, Enrique lglesias, Lisa Loeb, pop-dancehall reggae duo Michie One & Louchie Lou, Ricky Martin producer/songwriter Robi Rosa, Jennifer Paige, Gina G. and several major films. It is clear that both Shur’s songs and his career in production and songwriting will have the staying power that comes from what he calls “a musical approach, not a formulaic one”.
Itaal, who has always stayed connected to his underground, dance music roots and exploring what he refers to as his “funky side” has now produced the much anticipated Itaal Shur presents: Milk & Honey - “10 Hits to Bliss” , a funky sexy journey into the realm of the senses. “Touch”, the first single, is as funky as it gets and features an incredible remix by Boyd Jarvis and Francois K. “Touch (Part 2)” follows and feature mixes by Matthias “Matty” Heilbronn and Attaboy. The next single, "You & Me and the Music" is coming out shortly and will feature remixes by John Cutler and The Scumfrog. |
