The Motown-Inspired Band Collaborates on New Work
After years of paying their dues, performing with soul legends and working their way through the nightclub circuit, the Big Apple based soul brothers Chris Ams & the Favorite States reveal their debut full length release.
Containing a total of eight original songs, the album Chris Ams & the Favorite States features upbeat tunes such as “Looking For A Way”, “Love Surrounding”, the bopping “Music Of Your Love”, the mellow ballad “Walking Between The Raindrops” and the forceful horn-driven “When I’m With You” – all graced by Ams’ sweet and confident lead vocals.
Formerly known as the Funk Machine, the group – consisting of front man Chris Ams, Drew Schultz (drums), Jent Lapalm (bass), Emilio Tostado (guitar) and John Guari (keyboards) – spent many years as a resident act at New York City’s legendary nightclub, the Bitter End. Along the way, the members shared concert stages with legends such as the Four Tops (which drummer Schultz served as the legendary Motown act’s musical director), funk guitar legend Dennis Coffey, members of the esteemed Motown session band, the Funk Brothers and esteemed record producer/executive Don Was for his all-star revue held at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall. They also formed a one-time mega group with The Funk Brothers touring band at Northern Lights in Detroit as a tribute to late Motown guitarist, Eddie Willis.
“It took a while for us to complete the album,” explained Chris Ams in a recent interview from his home in NYC. “Drew Schultz, our drummer, is based in Detroit – he and I are both Michigan natives – so, we split our time between there and Manhattan recording tunes. Also, each of us have ‘day jobs’ which meant whatever free time we had was invested in making the record. It was well worth the time spent and now we’re ready to promote the release as well as perform these new tunes in live gigs.”
Track listings
Music In Your Love
Looking For A Way
Tightrope
Love Surrounding
Walk Between The Raindrops
You Won’t Know It
Words Of The Wise
When I’m With You
Album available on all streaming platforms
Check out the Favorite States at their website
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