Artist Spotlights

From New York with Love:  The music of Latitude

    If one looks back at the LifeStyle record label in 1986, it is hard to understand how it could fail. It certainly can not be attributed to the label's incredible roster. The label's darling child, new American duo from New York, Latitude, had a critically well received debut and a #1 NAC follow up by 1988. Yet, LifeStyle did not survive to see the 1990s. Unsurprisingly, the three major creative forces on the label, Latitude, Robert Schroeder, and Serge Blenner all moved on the other labels, other albums. Latitude's sound, however, is more remarkable than their story.

    Craig Peyton and Ben Verdery created a style that went beyond the burgeoning new age movement in the United States. Verdery's classical and electric guitar still sounds remarkably fresh as it circulates with Peyton's synths, percussion, and addictive grooves. Verdery's classically accomplished craft is juxtaposed brilliantly with Peyton's identifiable sound garnered from work as a dance producer for Nona Hendrix, Dan Hartman, and James Brown. EarthFlight Productions marked a special anniversary last summer with the release the latest album from Latitude, Blue Curve.

    Ten years after the self-titled debut caught the ears of new age, jazz, classical, and electronic music listeners, Blue Curve once again proves that founder Craig Peyton still has the vision of some compelling new musical territory. New member John Putnam replaces Ben Verdery on guitar, creating a synergy with Peyton that spans tuneful melodies to deep atmospheres and slick contemporary grooves with an overall more organic "live" sound. Putnam's experience shows him to be no newcomer from working with Peyton's early fusion project, Madonna, Manhattan Transfer and extensive live work including the lead guitar on Broadway in The Who's Tommy.

    The return of Latitude comes after a several year hiatus while Peyton worked on solo projects with some of the world top musicians including Verdery, Mark Egan, William Galison, and Roger Ball. EarthFlight, Peyton's self-started label, has re-released the groups debut album One and Forty Degrees North, (with bonus tracks) and possibly Emotional Velocity sometime in the future with new cover art, an overall remix, and under the group name.

Discography