Tempus Fugit

Washington DC’s premier Ska-Jazz outfit, Eastern Standard Time, brings together top musicians from the Jazz and Ska scenes of the nation’s capitol. The diverse musical backgrounds of the players–from Soul and Funk to Lounge and Exotica to Bop and Cool–make for a unique spin on a traditional Jamaican sound, appealing to everyone from the Ska massive to the Caribbean community to the Jazz enthusiast.

Eastern Standard Time is a world-renowned act, with multiple tours of the United States, Canada, Europe and Russia to their credit. Their numerous recordings have brought them acclaim from as close as their own hometown–where they were dubbed “one of Washington’s best bands” by the Washington Post– to far flung areas of the globe such as Argentina, Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, Slovenia and Venezuela, just to name a few.

Eastern Standard Time has been featured on TV specials such as MTV’s “120 Minutes”, on television talk shows, movie soundtracks, and documentaries. 

Simply put, Eastern Standard Time has sets a new standard for the entire genre with “Tempus Fugit”.  Their musical reach has broadened tremendously, now including more roots Reggae, hot Bossa Nova, and exciting Spy Jazz. Think James Taylor Quartet meets The Skatalites with bits of Hepcat and Snowboy thrown in for good measure.

Recorded at the Version City Studios with engineer King Django (Stubborn All Stars, Skinnerbox, Roots & Culture, Boilers) at the controls, the sound of “Tempus Fugit” captures the raw energy of the band better than any previous release. By mixing the record with Nicolas “Kolai” Laget at Sweet Spot Studios, DC’s premier spot for house, acid jazz and hip hop, Eastern Standard Time opens new acoustic doors, simultaneously staying true to the roots of Jamaican music.

“Tempus Fugit” also features guest appearances by such luminaries as neo-soul diva Debórah Bond, Latin pianist Eli Staples, Ben Holmes (Roots & Culture, Klez Dispensers), Brian Sledge (The Toasters), Chuck Evans (Third Logic, Debórah Bond) and international superstar Dr. Ring-Ding.

For Fans Of:  The Slackers, Hepcat, Skatalites, Deal’s Gone Bad, See Spot


Tracklist:

1         Segment     3:27    
2         It's Alright    3:52    
3         1361     4:58    
4         Agua Y Cerveza     5:16    
5         Eye Of The Storm     4:43    
6         When Will Your Love Be Mine? (vocals – Deborah Bond)    2:45    
7         Out Of Time     3:05    
8         Step Ready     3:34    
9         Don't Go     4:18    
10         The Watcher     1:57    
11         Bésame     5:26    
12         Can't Keep A Good Man Down (vocals – Dr. Ring-Ding)   4:41    
13         Skacapella     0:46


Bass – Robbie McDonald
Drums – James McDonald
Engineer – King Django, Nicolas Laget
Executive Producer – James McDonald, Sherill Gross
Flute – Morgan Russell
Guitar – Justin Rothberg, Robbie McDonald
Keyboards – I-Peace Unikue, Scott Palmer
Percussion – I-Peace Unikue
Producer – James McDonald, Nicolas Laget, Robbie McDonald
Saxophone – Morgan Russell
Trombone – Philip Cooper
Trumpet – Ben Holmes
Vocals – I-Peace Unikue
Artwork By – Sherill Gross