The Hands On Fire Band

James Henry's latest musical offering, Hands on Fire, known primarily for its adept percussive and drumming skills, has released Dragonfly, a collection of compositions that further explore and reveal the groups talent for combining all aspects of the African, R&B, and World Beat musical experience. James Henry is founder and director of this musical unit, and through his vision has created a melodic and rhythmic ensemble with an appeal that knows no boundaries.

The not-to-be-missed Dragonfly combines extraordinary drumbeats and percussion with the sounds of vocals, trumpets, electric bass, guitar and other instrumentation, all played in perfect, almost spiritual union. The title track serves as an expression of the need and desire for freedom, symbolized by the dragonfly. The track possesses the innocence and purity of music performed honestly, making this recording a rarity in this age of contrived, hyper-marketed, over exposed discs that usually leave out whats best about creating and listening to music. For those needing a reintroduction to unspoiled funk, the track Funk Bata delivers beautifully. Feel Like Rocken is rife with infectious African rhythms, chants, and melodies. The Dragonfly CD serves James Henry and Hands On Fire well as they expose their audiences to music that touches the heart and spirit, inspires the listener to dance, and celebrates the vibrancy of music played and recorded in its purest form without the trappings of the commercial mindset. Dragonfly is reminiscent of a time when recorded music brought forth the likes of WAR, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Roy Ayers and Ubiquity, with even more emphasis placed on the distinctive sounds of African drums and other percussion instruments.

Recorded in San Francisco, the disc serves up a bevy of notable talent including vocalists Rhonda Benin and Regina Espinoza, sax players Vince Lars and Dayna Stephens, bassist Troy Lambkin, drummer Billy Shoes Johnson, and guitarist Carl Lockit. James Henry serves as producer, engineer, songwriter, vocalist, and percussionist.

When asked to explain worldbeat music, James has this to say: Worldbeat is a rootsy groove that includes R&B, Afro Samba, Funky Soca, Reggae Soul and Global Rhythms,, which blends into music with elements from around the world, creating music of the soul. James has been perfecting his talents as a drummer since the age of seven, beginning at school and church; he is a master percussionist with a flare for educating others in the art of drumming and singing to worldbeat music James has also performed or recorded with many noted artists such as Pablo Cruise, Santana, Narada Michael Walden, George Howard, Lisa Fischer, Earl Klugh, Sting, Bonnie Raitt and many other talented recording artists. James has also developed and directed an educational program, House of Samba, which seeks to educate the public on the history of World Music, drumming and percussion instruments.

James Henry and Hands on Fire Band strive to appeal to a world audience, as well as communities and families, all the while revealing the healing potential and POWER OF MUSIC.