About This Website
This website provides the most current news about Kin Productions and its flagship act Livin Out Loud. This website (www.kinproductions.com or www.livinoutloud.com) is updated regularly and the music section includes lyrics for I Can't Stop, Lately, Brokeazz Radio Edit as well as some other songs.
You can also check out our remixes with our partner Karl Brown, 2TUF4U label, releases Livin Out Loud's dance tracks in the UK. See below for more information about the group and the individual group members.
LIVIN OUT LOUD
Livin Out Loud was first commercially introduced in the UK. UK press says "LIVIN OUT LOUD Americas best kept secret is the best way to describe the amazing 4 piece quality R&B act Living Out Loud." Recognized in the USA as a top Independent RnB group by Billboard Magazine, Livin Out Loud has achieved Billboard chart success with the songs with "I Can't Stop" and "Lately" (#34 and #31 respectively on Urban AC Chart. Both singles achieved #1 status on multiple radio stations in the Southern United States.
Livin Out Loud, a Los Angeles based group has been breaking down doors and blow'n up in UK, Europe and Japan and is becoming quickly appreciated by tastemakers in the USA. The group received a feature article in Billboard Magazine in October 2008 during the rise of its previous USA single "I Can't Stop".
"Lately" was Livin Out Loud's single introduced for their re-entry into the United States. It was the 3rd most added record in Urban Adult Contemporary during its radio impact week. "Lately" was originally picked up at WHUR in Washington DC quickly spreading across the country achieving #1 playlist status in stations such as KMEZ in New Orleans and KOKY in Arkansas.
"All That Really Matters" was the single that had Livin Out Loud topping the UK DJ charts in 2007. "All That Really Matters" opened on UK's DMC Update chart on November 22 2006 at #4 in the ZZUB chart (one of the highest openings for an independent label). It went on to climb the Urban, Mainstream, Dance, and RnB charts becoming #1 in the DJ Pages Charts in the UK for 5 weeks.
"All That Really Matters" single includes the 5AM remix which Reuben performed at the Ne-Yo's show at the Hammersmith Palias in London and also at UK's Southport Weekender. The single also has remixes from Karl "Tuff Enuff" Brown and MJ Cole.
The "What About Us" album was first released in the UK. It included a Hip Hop remix for "What About Us" by London producer 2DARC. RWD magazine had this to say about the album:
"... Just like their name, the two girl/two guy quartet act out their everyday experiences over 14 tracks that give each member equal opportunity to display their talents. The LP sees the group talk about being broke (Brokeazz), falling in love (All That Really Matters) and out of love (Where’s the Love). Elsewhere, You’re My Sunshine offers a new twist on the popular 1940’s tune as the group harmonizes perfectly. All in all, a very consistent debut effort. Track To Check: So Amazing (E’BW’E)"
The UK album was a top ten seller on CD Baby. It attracted US attention leading to the creation of the upgraded USA version. The USA version of "What About Us" is available online today, but will be in stores in April 2008. "What About Us"- USA version includes the club remix of "Lately -Club" (same as the video), as well as, the new track "Do Your Thing", the remake of "Make Me Move-Urban" and remixed & remastered "Hey Yo", "Static" and "What You Came Here For."
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OTHER SINGLES PREVIOUSLY RELEASED OUTSIDE THE USA:
@ "What About Us"- Single, opened at #4 on the DMC Urban Update Chart and was #3 in the M8 Urban Chart in the month of July 2006. This single is a collaboration with 2Tuf5U's Karl "Tuf Enuff" Brown and includes various Hip Hop, & RnB combinations including those from guest re-mixers: Karl "Tuf Enuff" Brown and 2DARC (London) along with Dy-nas-d (New York).
@"Where's The Love" CD single, has the original track that was played on Trevor Nelson's show Soul Nation as well as several remixes from LA, New York and London. It became popular in Portugal during the "World Cup". The Burbree re-mix debuted on Steve Sutherland's Galaxy FM radio show. The Kings of Soul mix hit number 9 on the Buzz Charts.
@"Why U Gotta Lie" and "Cuz I Gotta Know"-- "Why U Gotta Lie" made the Music Week Club Chart for nearly one month and " Cuz I Gotta Know" appeared for two months in Blues & Soul including their Hip list and Street Charts. Both tracks enjoyed radio play in the UK and Europe.
@"More Than A Fantasy" was the single that started it off. It was playing on radio the same week we came to London. It was introduced to the UK by Trevor Nelson on his Radio One show "Soul Nation". It was released in vinyl and enjoyed sales success in the UK and Japan.
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KIN PRODUCTIONS- OTHER PROJECTS
Kin Productions also produces tracks for other record labels as well as tracks for Film, TV, and Commercials. The music has been used on Fox television show "The Shield" and "Firebelts" commercials.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
Reuben MacCalla, Creative Producer, recently completed a dance track for Annick under the name of RMAXX. Annick's RMAXX House track was released January 2008 by ISV Entertainment.
The track "So Amazing" was created to support Bobby Mardis, FAT CHANCE FILMS, on his documentary on Katrina. This documentary shows how "Faith Based" programs are working to rebuild lives particularly in New Orleans. The documentary titled "Keeping The Faith", is getting support from government, corporations, and faith based organizations. "Keeping The Faith" is a not for profit film where the proceeds go to the rebuilding effort.
Reuben also developed a project with Amaballa' recording artist Carla Diamonde, from South Africa.
We have also just completed a project called "Rhythm and Muse" which is a combination of music and poetry in a new media book form.
LIVIN OUT LOUD Group Members
Reuben - Creative Producer and Song Writer/Artisit
BIOGRAPHY
Reuben MacCalla is the creative, visionary producer, and engineer of all of Livin Out Loud's work. Whether it is the smooth rnb feel of "I Can't Stop", the cool swing feel of "More Than A Fantasy", the Urban feel of "Where's The Love" and "What About Us", or the jazz feel of When Can We Get Together, Reuben's style and versatility come through. Reuben's talent is at the heart of the Livin Out Loud sound. He created the original Livin out Loud music, lyrics and vocal arrangements that provide a warmth, energy, and excitement that bring a new musical genre to life. A self-taught musician and composer and a professionally trained sound and film engineer, Reuben draws inspiration from such greats as Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and the late Marvin Gaye. Reuben also is an outstanding stage performer with a dynamic singing range. His vocal dexterity allows him to seamlessly move from lead singer to supporting vocalist, creating a holistic continuity to the entire live performance.
Reuben is also the founder of Audio Lounge Studio, where has done production for various other artists.
Sylvia - Song Writer- Artist
Sylvia MacCalla is an original songwriter with a firm grasp of lyrical style. Sylvia and Reuben are siblings and co-wrote original songs for the earlier Livin Out Loud CDs. Sylvia's charisma and powerful voice creates an instant bond with audiences. Sylvia is the featured artist on the new single "Lately". Her sultry vocal style has been described as a perfect combination of soul, funk, and rnb that gives her a sound all her own. Sylvia has enjoyed a successful stage career that spans a decade. Syliva has most recently appeared in the musical "Hair Spray" playing the role of Motormouth Maybelle both the National Tour and recently in the grand opening of the largest cruise ship in the world the Oasis. Sylvia also appeared in "Princess and the Black Eyed Pea" in San Diego and in "Ray Charles Live" at the Pasadena Playhouse. She was in "South Pacific" at the Hollywood Bowl, and the Ovaition Award nominated Beehive. Broadway Tours include: Joanne in the original company of Rent and Lorranine/Motormouth in the 1st National tour of Hairspray. Television and Film: Scrubs, Rent, Jay Leno, Ellen Degeres and The Wayne Brady Show. Her great admiration for such artists as Sarah Vaughn, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Chan, and her insatiable love of music has inspired her to continue to branch out.
Lisa LaShawn - Song Writer- Artist
Lisa LaShawn's talent is best proven in her many live stage performances. Her voice articulates an innocence that underscores her dynamic stage presence and vocal power. Her songs "Where's The Love", "Why You Gotta Lie", and "Come On Baby".or the duet with Reuben "Cuz I Gotta Know" have all enjoyed radio play. Lisa also is an accomplished and much sought after artist in the recording studio. Some of the producers with whom she has consistently worked are Diane Warren (credits include -- Celine Dion, Leanne Rimes, Aerosmith, Toni Braxston, Whitney Houston), Derrick Bramble (credits include-- Will Smith, Mandy Moore, David Bowie), Lindy Robbins (credits include -- Anastacia, Lisa Loeb, Monica), and Brion James (credits include -- En Vogue, Babyface, Brian McKnight, Anastacia). Lisa co-wrote the song "Feel Me" recorded by Mandy Moore, which was released in the European market featuring Lisa's background vocals. Lisa co-wrote and sang the song "Hop on the Train" which has been featured on the ABC's "Alecia Elliot Show" and also appears on "Livin Out Loud: Live at Humphrey's".
Martini - Song Writer- Artist
BIOGRAPHY
Martini, also known as Jason Martinez, is a songwriter-singer-guitarist and an experienced stage performer with a smooth delivery. His captivating style is well received by female fans. For the past year, "Slip Into Your Groove" has touched the hearts of loyal enthusiasts. "Revolution" demonstrates a sense of social conciousness. Martini comes from four generations of entertainers with roots in the age of vaudeville. He was a back-up singer for the legendary Paul Simon, had a reoccurring role in the Emmy award winning daytime soap opera General Hospital and was an understudy for Marc Anthony in the Broadway musical Capeman.
Others Associated with Livin Out Loud
Thomas MacCalla - Executive Producer Kin Productions, CEO Visions In Motion
dMinor - Producer-Song Writer-Artist
dminor directed and edited the Brokeazz Radio Edit video. dminor, is on Livin Out Loud's albums, Live At Humphrey's, Livin Out Loud: The Sampler, and Livin Out Loud: Then and Now. He still works with the group in the studio environment. dMinor is a self-styled artist, skilled as an arranger, composer, vocalist, as well as an engineer.His track "You Gotta Leave" has been highly requseted on internet radio. His first self-titled CD dminor, rose to the ?Top 100? on the European charts at the end of last year. The song ?All I Do,? which shows off his cool and mellow vocal style, can be heard on Livin Out Loud?s live CD. DJ Magazine called this cut ?the quiet storm of the year--delicious, romantic, soul?. His music is a blend of classic soul, new school hip-hop and jazz. Early in his career, dminor did studio work with such artists as Al Jarreau, Harry Bellafonte, ?Aladdin,? and ?Beauty and the Beast? composer Alan Menken and the Beastie Boys. dminor continues to deliver excellence in both his recorded music and live performances.
Karl "Tuf Enuff" Brown - Co-Executive Producer, UK
UK's Karl Brown owns the label 2TUFF4U and has been collaborating with Kin Production's Livin Out Loud to create club mixes of various styles, including Garage and House.
His first remix of Where's The Love immediately hit the Charts last year. This summers remix of What About Us has received the support of notable taste makers such as DJ EZ of Kiss 100. Karl recently debuted his latest remix on DJ Target's 1XTRA radio show with great response.
Karl was running reggae and 70's sound systems in his teens, then gained an electronics diploma at college. He was part of the pop group/ mixing team 'Double Trouble' in the 1980's, achieving chart success as Double Trouble & The Rebel MC, mixing Morgan Khan's "upfront" acid LP's and producing regular Double Trouble megamixes for the Chris Forbes show on capital radio. Karl left Double Trouble to become an individual DJ and Remixer, working with artists such as J.D.Braithwaite, and producers such as Mark Cyrus, Mike Spencer and Aston Harvey ( who first taught Karl how to program). He teamed up with Matt "JAM" Lamont to form TUFFJAM in 1993, and remix & production work as TUFFJAM increased rapidly over the next 6 years. Karl's own DJ career reached and maintained headline status during the same time. TUFFJAM's own record label UVM was launched in 1997, featuring tracks such as "Peekay - Sweet Sensation" and "Dawn Tallman - New York City Girl". Karl & Matt compiled and mixed the album "Havin' It Stateside" o n D.W.A. followed by two TUFFJAM mix cd's "Underground Frequencies" Vol.1 (silver sales status) and Vol.2 in 1997 and 1998 for Satellite Records. Another album was compiled and mixed for the U.S.A. entitled "TUFF JAMS".
UVM recording studio was built in 1998 to allow the duo more freedom to refine their sound (using logic emagic sequencing to replace the previous atari cubase system), and to produce "in-house" to the highest standards. They remixed numerous tracks for artists such as Rosie Gaines, Tina Moore, Ce Ce Peniston, En Vogue, Brand New Heavies, Mark Morrison, Usher and Coolio, as well as entering the charts with their own productions, such as TJR Feat. Xavier "Just Gets Better" and TUFFJAM Feat.Jaquee Bennett "Need Good Love".
Their first radio show was broadcast on KISS 100 in 1997. The weekly show continued until March 2000. Karl released his first solo mix cd "Pure Silk - A New Dimension" in 1999, which has now achieved silver sales status, followed by second mix cd "KISS - UK Garage" in March 2000. Both cd's entered the music week top 10 dance compilations chart immediately after release. TUFFJAM parted amicably with the end of the KISS show in march 2000, both Karl and Matt wanting to pursue their own individual projects. Those who acknowledge the contribution that the duo made to the phenomenon that is now known as "UK Garage" will be pleased to see that Karl and Matt individually continue to support and develop the genre, taking it to larger and wider audiences ...