Robertson Favorite People By Matt Bauer

If there’s one way that Mark Robertson’s second album could be best enjoyed it’s under the covers with a special someone on a cold winter’s night. Best known as the front-man for Montreal’s Bullfrog, Favorite People sees him crafting some truly sensual and authentic baby-making music in the tradition of D’Angelo, Leon Ware and Lewis Taylor. There are contributions from the likes of Kid Koala, Slim Williams and Guttierrez, which create a languid, romantic vibe and also help frame Robertson’s rich, earnest falsetto on joints like “Beautiful,” “Inside” and “Heaven.” The album is most effective when Robertson gets into the light funk grooves of “Bounce” and “Smile,” which sound simultaneously playful and seductive, especially the former, which features a fat bass line and some particularly tasty keyboard work from Williams. There could have been a touch more funk and grit, since the production, at times, seems too polished and lacks a bit of urgency. That’s a minor quibble, however, since Favorite People is destined to be the soundtrack to more than a few nights of passion.

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November 19 – Thanks very much to all those who were in attendance the other night at the Savoy for making it such a warm reception home. Backed by former bullfrogs Peter Santiago on bass Max Sansalione on drums and Aaron Doyle on trumpet , Robertson played all the new tunes and even some of the oldies .

Photo Credit: Jazmin Million

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Robertson – Bounce

October – Robertson had a special invitation to France to play on the tv show “One Shot Not”. Robertson played some shows in Bordeaux prior to the taping in Paris. For the taping Mark was backed by bass legend Marcus Miller and on drums, Manu Katche, even Kesiah Jones(right) sat in on the jam at the end of the night. It will be aired in both France and Germany on Jan 26. A huge thanks must go out to Julie Cruet for making it all possible.

Favorite People (independent) – Montreal’s Mark Robertson may be best known for his key involvement in local bands Public Enema and Bullfrog, but this seasoned songwriter and musician makes honest soul music that sounds like D’Angelo, Shuggie Otis and Steve Miller stuck in a elevator. True to its title, the album combines the rich and relaxed vocal outpourings of this family man with some of his favourite people, like Kid Koala, Slim Williams, Joanna Peters, Massimo Sansalone, Peter Santiago and Gutierrez, for some baby-making music at its best. Listeners will be happy to know that this pop-funk-soul gem is available free for download at www.robertsonmark.com, a selfless gesture that goes hand in hand with the quality grooves found on this 11-song sure-shot. Robertson is easily one of Montreal’s best kept secrets. 8.5/10 (Scott C)

Robertson / Theatre Maisoneuve / Place des Arts

PRESS: T’Cha Dunlevy, Gazette Music Critic
SOURCE: www.montrealgazette.com/jazzfest2008

Robertson, Favorite People (Independent)
 
Like a sort of fifth Beatle, Mark Robertson has looked on as his old Bullfrog bandmates Kid Koala and Dessy DiLauro graduated to fame and fortune – the former as a world-class DJ and the latter as a singer for Cirque du Soleil.

But Robertson has never stopped making music. In fact, he has gotten better at it. While Bullfrog’s acid-jazz-style funk was always a party, this solo disc (featuring many of his old bandmates, including Kid Koala dropping subtle scratches throughout) has a wonderfully laid-back blue-eyed soul vibe that oozes nothing-to-prove maturity. No tricks or schtick, just sweet tunes sung with feeling by a guy with heart.

If you don’t believe me, download it for free at www.robertsonmark.com.

Robertson opens for Yael Naim and David Donatien tonight at 9:30 at Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts. Tickets cost $27.50 to $32.50. Call 514-842-2112.

Photos by: Jazmin Fillion (click on images to get full view)

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The maker of Bullfrog is back to prove that “baby making” music is cool! After a short time away spent living in Germany and South Africa, Robertson is back in Canada and ready to make his mark, pardon the pun with his new release Favorite People. Having played with the likes of Money Mark and Kid Koala, playing clubs and festivals alike across Canada, Africa and Europe with his 2004 release “Deeper Shades of Green”, singer-songwriter Robertson is back with his new LP “Favorite People” coming out June 2008, He will grace audiences the world over with his new sound steeped in soul, heavily rooted in funk, bluesing on melancholic love songs with tongue in cheek and crooked pop-sensibilities.

Favorite People is available free on the internet and if you are old school and decide that you want a case to include in your collection, you can order cd art with a Favorite People CDR. Download the music and burn it onto the disc yourself.

Mark will be launching his new CD opening for Yael Naim at Place Des Arts on June 27th as part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. A national tour is planned for September,  so keep an eye out!

Le créateur de Bullfrog est de retour sur scène avec un nouvel album. Après avoir passé du temps en Allemagne et en Afrique du Sud, Robertson est de retour au Canada et il est prêt à se faire entendre avec son nouveau LP, . Depuis la sortie de son EP « Deeper Shade of Green » en 2004, Robertson a partagé la scène avec des artistes tels Money Mark et Kid Koala, joué des spectacles dans des clubs et festivals à travers le Canada, l’Afrique, l’Europe et les États-Unis.

Auteur-compositeur, chanteur, guitariste, Robertson est de retour avec “Favorite People“, affichant un nouveau son infusé de soul chanté sur des chansons d’amour mélancoliques touchées d’ironie et de sensibilité pop crochue prenant racine dans le funk et le blues.

Favorite People est disponible gratuitement sur internet, avec la possibilité de commander la pochette, offerte avec un CD-R. Il ne reste plus qu’à graver!

Mark lancera son nouveau CD en faisant la première partie de Yael Naim à la Place des Arts, le 27 juin pour le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. Une tournée nationale est prévue pour le mois de septembre.