Saturday, 7 September 2013

New Record Label: Tough Monkey Records (TMR)

Clive Farrington and Jon Brooks launch new record label: Tough Monkey Records (TMR)


Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington have launched their own record label, Tough Monkey Records, and have released Mountain, the first single from their forthcoming album as a special remix EP. The EP 'Mountain: The Remixes' also includes a remix from Tony Brown (aka Wi777ard) and a track called ‘Invisible’ from Clive Farrington's forthcoming solo album - 'Independence'.

Jon and Clive have announced they will be releasing their future material, including the new album, through their own label, TMR.

A message on the official website from the duo, read:

"The new album (and all future releases by us) will be released on our own new label via Kobalt Label Services. The label is called TMR (Tough Monkey Records). Maybe we'll also release music by other artists on it in the future. Anything is possible! The EP, 'Mountain: The Remixes' will be the first record the duo will have released outside of the Virgin label."


Independence - Clive Farrington
Tough Monkey Records

NB: Independence was released on 4th July 2013.
Music & Lyrics © 2013: Clive Farrington and Jon Brooks

Friday, 6 September 2013

Songeist Profile Page - JonBrooksComposer

Hi guys, here's a link to my new Songeist profile page: www.songeist.com/jonbrookscomposer

Songeist.com seems pretty cool - It's user friendly and easy to set up your profile.  Hopefully the views and sales will be worth it!  ;-)

Thursday, 5 September 2013

An American In Hollywood - Music Soundtrack

'An American In Hollywood' (Comedy/Drama) features one of my music tracks 'Army of Doom' and has it's World Premiere in New York on 20th September 2013 at the 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by BET Networks and HBO.

It's directed by Sai Varadan and is edited and produced by Jason Pollard.  Richard Carroll Jr. stars alongside JD Williams and Hassan Johnson (from HBO's 'The Wire').

SUMMARY: “A talented young filmmaker from New York who sets off to Los Angeles in pursuit of the Hollywood dream, only to discover through his relationship with a beautiful feisty young actress, that Hollywood is not all that it seems.”

An American In Hollywood
The world premiere is at the Urbanworld Film Festival on Friday September 20th at 10:30pm, AMC Loews Theater, 34th Street, New York, USA.


The following Youtube video, 'Army of Doom', is the track licensed for use in the feature film 'An American In Hollywood'...


Army of Doom - Epic Orchestral Music
Music Composer: Jon Brooks


Please subscribe for future uploads.  Thanks!

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Just Another Love Song - Clive Farrington




July 4th 2013 (Manchester, United Kingdom) - Music producer, Jon Brooks, teamed up with Clive Farrington (lead vocalist - 'When In Rome') to co-write and produce Clive's first solo album 'Independence'.

The official release date 'Independence Day' is significant as 4th July also represents Clive Farrington's independent release outside of 'When in Rome'. When in Rome had a No. 1 hit single in the USA called 'The Promise'. It was released in 1988. In 2004, 'The Promise' was used as the end title theme for the successful movie, 'Napoleon Dynamite'. Due to unfortunate legal issues over the name 'When In Rome', Clive decided to go ahead with a solo album.

The new album exhibits a fusion of styles; blending classical orchestral elements with a modern day electronic sound... as an addition to this, 'Independence' also boasts a hint of the 80's too! It's already receiving extensive radio play and TMR Records have just negotiated and licensed two of the tracks to GAP (Mexico) for use on their latest compilation CD. Some of the album's tracks could be classed as a cross between the 'Pet Shop Boys', David Guetta, Scott Walker and Robert Miles. The songs are honest, suitably original and highly emotive.

Download on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/independence/id670306586

Youtube: www.youtube.com/jonbrookscomposer
Website: www.jonbrooks.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Jon-Brooks-Music-Composer/188521854515524?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonBrooks_Music
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jonbrooks-1
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116519529327731389604/posts

Please comment, like, share and subscribe to be notified of future uploads. Thank you!

Music and lyrics written, performed, arranged and produced by: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington (TMR Studios)
Vocals: Clive Farrington
Piano / Strings: Jon Brooks
Ibanez Acoustic Bass: Clive Farrington
Drum Programing: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington
Mastered by: TGM Audio Mastering

Clive: "I met Jon whilst working as a Technical Install Manager at Castle Rock Studios in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, UK. The CRS studio was being built by the fabulous TSP (The Studio People). At the same time, and unbeknown to me, a smaller version on the same design level as CRS was being built right around the corner from my home in Stockport, Cheshire, UK! The builders on that project would come by CRS and tell me about Jon Brooks and how he's into film score projects... Right up my street, I thought!!! Jon has a Masters in Composition for Film and Television. He had just relocated back to the UK after spending six years working as an in-house composer for one of the best audio post-production studios in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He specialised in music composition and audio production for film, television and advertising. I wanted to get to know him and maybe put something together. I dropped by Jon's studio and left my card with his father. Jon called me a week later, and now... just listen to the new album and breathe in the fabulous results!"

The new album 'INDEPENDENCE' was released on TMR (Tough Monkey Records) through Kobalt Label Services / AWAL on July 4th 2013.

Music & Lyrics - © 2013 TMR: Clive Farrington / Jon Brooks.

Friday, 30 August 2013

Invisible - Clive Farrington

'Invisible' is track 3 on Clive Farrington's solo album 'Independence'.  The album was released on 4th July 2013 (Independence Day).

INVISIBLE: Clive Farrington and I wrote the music and lyrics.  The song highlights cyber bullying abuse, fake profiles, spammers, internet trolls and malicious virus writers. It features the amazing voice overs of Steve Benz (WSDI Worldwide) and DJ 1Love (Paul Todd). Please help to spread the word!

The new album 'Independence' exhibits a fusion of styles; blending classical orchestral elements with a modern day electronic sound... as an addition to this, 'Independence' also boasts a hint of the 80's too! It's already receiving extensive radio play and TMR Records have just negotiated and licensed two of the tracks to GAP (Mexico) for use on their latest compilation CD. Some of the album's tracks could be classed as a cross between the 'Pet Shop Boys', David Guetta, Scott Walker and Robert Miles. The songs are honest, suitably original and highly emotive.


--------------- LYRICS ---------------

NARRATIVE 1: (DJ 1LOVE -- Paul Todd)
"It is being reported that over 40% of new internet profiles are actually fake. Why are so many people setting up fake profiles?"

VERSE 1:
It's time to dance
Like no one's watching
Trust yourself
And no cross talking
Believe in love
No bad religion
Fool no one
Your dreams fulfilling

CHORUS:
Out of all the places we could be
We lose ourselves so easily
Do not mistake identity
INVISIBLE
There are times when fortunes favour me
And times that I no longer see
But all the way, I find the game
INCREDIBLE

NARRATIVE 2: (STEVE BENZ -- WSDI Worldwide)
"Fake profiles are set up by a combination of either spammers and virus writers, or people attempting to say malicious things without the risk of being caught... They believe they are so called -- INVISIBLE -- They're about to find out they aren't INVISIBLE, any longer...
I-I-I—I—I-I-INVISIBLE
I-I—I-I-I-INVISIBLE
INVISIBLE"

VERSE 2:
Take yourself
To the top of the mountain
Breathe the air
Like no one's counting
Now it's time to rise
Above the bar now
You will reach
The furthest star now

CHORUS:
Out of all the places we could be
We lose ourselves so easily
Do not mistake identity
INVISIBLE
There are times when fortunes favour me
And times that I no longer see
But all the way, I find the game
INCREDIBLE

NARRATIVE 3: (DJ 1LOVE -- Paul Todd)
"Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of cyber bullying abuse...
Cyber bullying abuse is the use of the internet and related technologies to harm other people in a deliberate, repeated and hostile manner...
Why are so many people setting up fake profiles?"

NARRATIVE 4: (STEVE BENZ -- WSDI Worldwide)
"Fake profiles are set up by a combination of either spammers and virus writers, or people attempting to say malicious things without the risk of being caught..."

CHORUS:
Out of all the places we could be
We lose ourselves so easily
Do not mistake identity
INVISIBLE
There are times when fortunes favour me
And times that I no longer see
But all the way, I find the game
INCREDIBLE

How lonely must your cold life be
If all the world but you can see
The dull cast shadow that you leave
INVISIBLE
----------------------------------------­------------------

Music and lyrics written, performed, arranged and produced by: Clive Farrington and Jon Brooks.
Vocals: Clive Farrington
Piano / Strings: Jon Brooks 
Narrative: Steve Benz (WSDI Worldwide) / DJ 1Love (Paul Todd)
Drum Programing: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington
Mastered by: TGM Audio Mastering

The album 'INDEPENDENCE' was released on Tough Monkey Records (TMR) via Kobalt Label Services / AWAL on July 4th 2013.

Music & Lyrics - © TMR 2013: Clive Farrington / Jon Brooks.

Friday, 16 August 2013

Breathing - Clive Farrington


I co-wrote 'Breathing' with Clive Farrington for his new solo album 'Independence'. July 4th 2013 (Manchester, United Kingdom) - Music producer, Jon Brooks, teamed up with Clive Farrington (lead vocalist - 'When In Rome') to co-write and produce Clive's first solo album 'Independence'. The official release date is significant as 4th July also represents Clive Farrington's independent release outside of 'When in Rome'.


TMR Blog: http://toughmonkeyrecords.blogspot.co.uk
TMR Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ToughMonkeyRecords
TMR YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ToughMonkeyRecords



- - - - - - LYRICS - - - - - -

VERSE 1
I'm breathin' in but only breathing thin air
Talking all the time but not getting anywhere
Falling for and in and out of love
The breaking heart comes always hand in glove

CHORUS
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her

VERSE 2
I'm walking down your street, I can't stand the atmosphere
A few small steps away, and then I'll be out of here
I'm walking back to freedom and I'm walking in the rain
I'm moving so my head is clear, 'cos I can't stand this pain

CHORUS
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her

When I think about her...

Breathin' in but only breathing thin air
Talking all the time but not getting anywhere
Falling for and in and out of love
The breaking heart comes always hand in glove

CHORUS
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her

I'm barely breathing...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Music & lyrics written, performed, arranged and produced by: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington (TMR Studios)
Vocals: Clive Farrington
Piano / Strings: Jon Brooks 
Ibanez Acoustic Bass: Clive Farrington
Drum Programing: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington
Mastered by: TGM Audio Mastering

When in Rome had a No. 1 hit single in the USA called 'The Promise'. It was released in 1988. In 2004, 'The Promise' was used as the end title theme for the successful movie, 'Napoleon Dynamite'. Due to unfortunate legal issues over the name 'When In Rome', Clive decided to go ahead with a solo album...

The new album exhibits a fusion of styles; blending classical orchestral elements with a modern day electronic sound... as an addition to this, 'Independence' also boasts a hint of the 80's too! It's already receiving extensive radio play and TMR Records have just negotiated and licensed two of the tracks to GAP (Mexico) for use on their latest compilation CD. Some of the album's tracks could be classed as a cross between the 'Pet Shop Boys', David Guetta, Scott Walker and Robert Miles. The songs are honest, suitably original and highly emotive.

Clive: "I met Jon whilst working as a Technical Install Manager at Castle Rock Studios in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, UK. The CRS studio was being built by the fabulous TSP (The Studio People). At the same time, and unbeknown to me, a smaller version on the same design level as CRS was being built right around the corner from my home in Stockport, Cheshire, UK! The builders on that project would come by CRS and tell me about Jon Brooks and how he's into film score projects... Right up my street, I thought!!! Jon has a Masters in Composition for Film and Television. He had just relocated back to the UK after spending six years working as an in-house composer for one of the best audio post-production studios in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He specialised in music composition and audio production for film, television and advertising. I wanted to get to know him and maybe put something together. I dropped by Jon's studio and left my card with his father. Jon called me a week later, and now... just listen to the new album and breathe in the fabulous results!"

The new album 'INDEPENDENCE' is released on TMR (Tough Monkey Records) through Kobalt Label Services / AWAL on July 4th 2013.

Music & Lyrics - © 2013 TMR: Clive Farrington / Jon Brooks.


Tuesday, 13 August 2013

Jon Brookes, the drummer from British indie rock band The Charatans has died.

I was surprised to receive messages thinking people thought I had died today.  However, it is a different Jon Brookes.  My thoughts and love go out to his friends and family at this difficult time.  RIP Jon.



LONDON – Jon Brookes, drummer with British indie rock band The Charlatans, has died. He was 44 and had been treated for brain cancer.  The band said on its website that Brooks died in a hospital Tuesday.

Lead singer Tim Burgess tweeted that the band was “torn apart” by Brookes’ death.
Brookes was a founding member of the band, which drew on funk, rock and psychedelia and came to be associated with the early 1990s “Madchester” scene. The Charlatans’ multiple British hits include “The Only One I Know” and “Can’t Get Out of Bed.”

Brookes was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2010 after collapsing onstage during a concert in Philadelphia. He had been working on new material with The Charlatans this summer.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Relationship Forum & Chat Room Promotional Video - PeoplesProblems.org



Peoples Problems: Introducing www.peoplesproblems.org

An online community dedicated to supporting those with personal problems across a diverse range of topics. This advertising feature sets the theme of the site, and we'd really really appreciate it if you could 'like' this video, so that we can gain further support for those experiencing difficulties - every little helps!

(This is my brother's website - Please do check it out and share, thanks.)


Video Editing: PeoplesProblems.org
Music by: Jon Brooks

PEOPLES PROBLEMS:

Our Vision:
To be the leading relationship forum and free of charge self-help internet resource, facilitating the exchange of advice in an anonymous and welcoming environment.

Site Overview:
You can discuss your relationship problems in our confidential discussion forum, or read and relate to other peoples problems. Our visitors often seem unsure whether to consult with a relationship counsellor or not, so we'd like to think that our forum is the first port of call for any problem, but not necessarily a substitute for professional help.

If you have a Twitter account, please follow us. You'll be featured in our Twitter universe (below), and we'll automatically hyperlink back to your Twitter account to help give you some exposure too!

Miles Franklin said "someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings" - and we like to think that our site facilitates this basic requirement. Therefore, if you just listen to people's problems, you're actually helping them to overcome them to a certain extent.

As mentioned above, the main feature of the Peoples Problems website is the advice forum, so why not share your problems, and see whether our visitors can offer their support.

In addition to the community based problem forum, we have an evolving business directory, so if your company is dedicated to helping people with problems (especially relationship advice), then don't just rely on Yahoo and Google to drive referrals - we'd be delighted to host more information about your business for free! Click here for details

In fact, there's quite a lot going on here, so you might like to bookmark us so you can keep up to date with all the new content being contributed by our users every week.

If you're not here to look for help, or to read other peoples problems, then you might like to take part in our on-line poll, or create your own poll for others to vote on. Another popular feature you may be interested in is our survey which enables you to compare your profile against other people who have already taken part.

If you would like to post your own topic and get advice about a problem or even create a new poll question, you can register for free. On our site, the main problems that people encounter, are to do with their relationships, emotions and sex.

Once registered, you can post your problem or poll question, and then it will be available for others to view and offer advice (using the alias name you provide, as your e-mail address is not displayed). Other people with problems are also looking for guidance, so please assist wherever you can to help build up this community resource.

We reckon it is best to be as open as possible when it comes to discussing relationship problems, as lack of communication is the root cause of many a problem. We hope that you are able to support this site by contributing to the discussion topics - particularly those which haven't yet received a response.

Peoples Problems: www.peoplesproblems.org

Feel free to check out my website too: www.jonbrooks.co.uk
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/jonbrookscomposer

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Coca Cola




I wrote this music for a Coca Cola TV advert supporting Visa and the Beijing Olympics 2008. It features Yew Tuck Seng and I on vocals. Doo do doo do do... It was a fun one to work on. Wow, how time has flown! :-)

Official Website: www.jonbrooks.co.uk

A can of Coke (12 fl ounces/355 ml) has 39 grams of carbohydrates (all from sugar, approximately 10 teaspoons), 50 mg of sodium, 0 grams fat, 0 grams potassium, and 140 calories.

The exact formula of Coca Cola's natural flavorings (but not its other ingredients, which are listed on the side of the bottle or can) is a trade secret. The original copy of the formula was held in SunTrust Bank's main vault in Atlanta for 86 years. Its predecessor, the Trust Company, was the underwriter for the Coca-Cola Company's initial public offering in 1919. On December 8, 2011, the original secret formula was moved from the vault at SunTrust Banks to a new vault containing the formula which will be on display for visitors to its World of Coca Cola museum in downtown Atlanta.

A popular myth states that only two executives have access to the formula, with each executive having only half the formula. The truth is that while Coca Cola does have a rule restricting access to only two executives, each knows the entire formula and others, in addition to the prescribed duo, have known the formulation process. On February 11, 2011, Ira Glass revealed on his PRI radio show, This American Life, that the secret formula to Coca-Cola had been uncovered in a 1979 newspaper. The formula found basically matched the formula found in Pemberton's diary.

Coca-Cola is the most popular and biggest-selling soft drink in history, as well as the best-known product in the world.

Created in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. John S. Pemberton, Coca-Cola was first offered as a fountain beverage by mixing Coca-Cola syrup with carbonated water. Coca-Cola was introduced in 1886, patented in 1887, registered as a trademark in 1893 and by 1895 it was being sold in every state and territory in the United States. In 1899, The Coca-Cola Company began franchised bottling operations in the United States.

Coca Cola might owe its origins to the United States, but its popularity has made it truly universal. Today, you can find Coca-Cola in virtually every part of the world.

Global Brands Include: Coca Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Coca Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Fanta, Minute Maid, POWERADE, Sprite, and vitaminwater.