From the Soil to the Soul

"It is, dare I say it, chillout music but it's far, far cooler, funkier and much more soulful… playful, super laid-back swagger and makes for sexy, restful listening.”
- BBC.co.uk

Once upon a time, the City of San Francisco gave birth to a diminutive 3-headed beast named Tommy Guerrero. From a very young age, the kid could skateboard up walls and down hills like no one else. He played in punk rock bands well before he could even get into the clubs legally. And he displayed an artistry in Life that few folks ever achieve.

At 40, the guys resume reads like a dream: member of the legendary Bones Brigade skate team in the '80s, a number of movie appearances, co-founder of Real Skateboards and '40s Clothing, art director for Krooked Skateboarding and prolific recording artist, from the 'Fat Jazzy Grooves' and 'Another Late Night' compilations, to albums for standout indie labels like Mo' Wax, Galaxia, Function 8 and now Quannum. There's no doubt T.G. has lead a full life! Then there are the collaborations with Lyrics Born, Jack Johnson and Prefuse 73, and remixes for Money Mark, Poets of Rhythm and Sean Lee. His band Jet Black Crayon have toured with Isotope 217 and Tortoise. He wrote tunes for the surf film 'Sprout' and has packed houses from Fujirock to Café DuNord in San Francisco and MaxFish in N.Y.C.

Tommy's music, like his graphic design, is beguilingly simple. He sounds like a guy messing around on his front stoop, and maybe that's exactly what he is - but the result will touch you down to your toes. From Mission District punkers to Shibuya-Ka hipsters, his melodies dance lightly around your head, while the rhythms build under your feet. His is SOUL music, made by a street kid raised on Santana and Bill Withers. With more than a little nod to the Clash and Public Enemy in there, too.

'From the Soil to the Soul' shows the man reaching another level in his songwriting and craftsmanship, and features appearances from Lyrics Born, Curumin, Bing Ji Ling and more.