JAMES JUBE / JAMES CHASTEAUNEUF December 2006

James Jube is the music artist pseudonym of James Chasteauneuf who lives in South Wales, a direct descendant of a French Midshipman captured at the end of the Campaign of Trafalgar 200 years ago.

James developed his song writing ability initially to supply material for the different manifestations of his gigging band, in which he jointly fronted on vocals and guitar, and more recently, in exploring opportunities of working with good record producers. James strives to remain conscious of his spiritual roots and loyal to the source of his motivation, 'Tapping into that joy that creates good things...' that James says influences and inspires his work. 'The spiritual thread, the sense of journey, struggles, seeking and finding love, is obviously common to us all. My song lyrics automatically reflect these aspects in varying depths, using suitably easy language in melodic music genres. It is natural for me, and obviously not unique for a Christian as an artist, to refer to the core relationship with Christ, and in so doing, also at certain times to reveal more explicitly, my personal experience, the faith that keeps me going, that I like to share in a honest and gentle way.'

James has also worked for a number of years as a graphic designer, and amongst family life, continues this work on a freelance basis, exclusively on select Christian publications.

Recording for the debut album 'James Jube Happens' from producer Nigel Gray (former producer of The Police and Siouxsie and the Banshees), was completed during 2006. 'James Jube Happens' contains ten songs by the artist and songwriter James Jube. These songs can be easily listened to at jamesjube.com or http://christianbands.co.uk/bands/47/

WORKING WITH PRODUCER NIGEL GRAY

James first recorded two songs with Nigel Gray in 2002, as part of James' four piece independent song writing band 'Jube', from the south coast of England. This was during the bands seventh and final year of collaboration.

In 2003 James began writing the collection of songs which form the material of 'James Jube Happens'. In the formation of 'James Jube Happens', Nigel Gray selected approximately half, ten of James' new compositions to produce.

The majority of these songs are upbeat, a mixture of contemporary and nostalgic flavours, and were specifically written by James to be easily listened to, performed and busked, and ultimately easy to be enjoyed and remembered.

BROADCASTS

During 2004, two of the songs, 'Burning strong' and 'Only way of life', achieved air play across Europe and Australasia, by being released to radio stations through promoter Paul Davis of NCM, ('Burning strong' on compilation CD NCM 9 and 'Only way of life' on NCM 11). In 2006, a further two songs, 'Easterlight' and 'It happens' were released on compilation NCM 30 and NCM 32. 'Easterlight' was also released on Hotdisc 88 April 2006.

TOPPED NCM EASTER CHART IN 2006

The optimistic themed, country song 'Easterlight', from 'James Jube Happens', topped the New Christian Music Easter Chart in 2006. This version is an adaptation, with modified verses, of an earlier religious work by James, originally intended as an Easter hymn, it was first circulated as a recording in 1998 along with a collection of his Catholic liturgical pieces which were gathered together at that time, as 'Easterlight Jube Mass'. James hopes to re-record and re-release 'Jube Mass' which has since been partly re-written and has had pieces added, most recently recording 'Reggae Sanctus' with producer Thomas Gray.

The country version of 'Easterlight' has since played on networks covering Spain, Radio Cove Spain Program 330 and national Radio Estel Channel, and Italy, Radio Gold Popular Network, as well as numerous individual stations in other European countries: UK, Germany, France, Austria, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Sweden and Eire.

'Easterlight' also achieved air play globally having been broadcast on stations networked across USA, with Dial Communications Global Media, and nationally across Canada on Vancouver Radio, and stations in Central America and Carribean, Chile, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canary Islands, South Africa and on Just Country Radio network across New Zealand.

The song 'It happens' from the debut album has also received similar extensive international air play.

BROAD APPEAL - JAMES' ROOTS

The songs from James Jube's debut solo album 'James Jube Happens' have broad appeal, reflecting a diverse appreciation of melodic influences, using styles ranging from country 'Easterlight', pop 'Fit the crime', the nostalgic rock n roll of 'Im OK', touching on gospel with 'Burning strong' and the relaxed reggae of 'Santa Maria'. The various subject matter and patterns of the songs have flowed instinctively from James, loosely showing evidence of his retro melodic 60s / 70s childhood influences, including and occasionally revealing his underlying Catholic / Christian spiritual roots. James spent a number of years providing guitar and vocal accompaniment at his local parish church, when living on the south coast of England. Traces of influence from popular 20th century composers such as George Gershwin, and the later, Lennon & McCartney, have been detected in James' approach to his creation of musical structures, emanating from James' interest in the songs of the era of the great Hollywood musicals and also the songs of The Beatles.

The songs of 'James Jube Happens' cover some popular common themes, and yet, good original lyrics and James' distinctively natural, expressive and flexible voice, adds further to the uniqueness of the album. All ten songs are executed with appealing positive overtones which make easy, yet constantly entertaining, and interesting, listening.

Nigel Gray treats James' performances instinctively and sensitively, with secure music arrangements, accurately manipulated contributions and sound environments. He creates a fine lustre for the appreciation of a wide range of discerning listeners and at the same time keeps the songs easily accessible for those easy listeners, always creating an appealing water tight sound that works.

BONUS SONGS AND FURTHER LISTENING

Happen to catch James Jube in performance and you will also be treated to some extra songs written since the recording of 'James Jube Happens', such as the popular, introductory, and invitational, song to his set, 'Closest friends', one of a number of new songs lined up for his next album 'James Jube Realise'.

A selection of James' earlier work with 'Jube' (1995-2002) can be listened to at: jube.co.uk or http://christianbands.co.uk/bands/370/

James currently enjoys promoting the songs from the album 'James Jube Happens'.

NCM RADIO MIKE AWARDS 2007
JAMES JUBE - Rock Male Artist - UK & Eire

del.icio.us   Technorati   YahooMyWeb