at a glance...

Hometown: Detroit, MI
First Recordings: 2002

Personnel:
Amp Fiddler - keys, vocals
Ron Wright - drums
Paul Randolph - bass
James Shelton - keys
Patric Petway - backing vocals
Anetria Wright - Backing vocals

Bands in the family :
Moodyman, George Clinton, Only Child, Carl Craig, The Detroit Experiment

Notes:
Joseph ‘Amp’ Fiddler was raised in Detroit and began his musical career with the band Enchantment. Fiddler served a long apprenticeship, writing and recording with artists including Prince, Money Mark, Lucy Pearl, Was Not Was, Seal, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Moodyman, Carl Craig, the Brand New Heavies, and Primal Scream, as well as touring the world with the P-Funk All-Stars before realizing his potential as a solo artist. Fiddler built an underground following in Europe with debut EPs Bass Mentality (2002) and Love & War (2003). Fiddler also appeared on the Detroit Experiment album, along with big jazz names such as Francisco Mora and Marcus Belgrave, with a cover of Stevie Wonder’s "Too High," and collaborated with Only Child on "Child Find A Way" and "U Bring Me Vibes." Waltz of a Ghetto Fly was released in January 2004 on Genuine Article. Amp Fiddler’s website is www.ampfiddler.com.
 

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Inheritance is a dangerous thing, be it money or knowledge. As next in line to Sly and Stevie, Amp Fiddler's position is precarious. But his knowledge is well-earned - Fiddler spent 12 years as a keyboard player for George Clinton and the P Funk All Stars and has done stints with artists from the new breed including Dwele and Maxwell.

Whether learned or instinctive, Fiddler's voice, on first airing, seems to have the same roots as these Soul legends. But while he does delve into the clouded funk terrain pioneered and crystallised by Sly Stone his own take hybridizes traditional soul and funk with modern r&b and dance. Most importantly, Fiddler's songs possess a melodicism rare in the new soul generation, as "I Believe In You", "Dreamin'," and "You Played Me" all testify.

His previous work with the thoughtful end of the Detroit dance scene -- namely Moodyman, Detroit Experiment and Carl Craig - also permeates the album on tracks such as "Love & War." Here Fiddler delves into political territory with commentary on the most recent conflict in Iraq. He doesn't preach, but urges people to think, and never sacrifices the uplifting mood of the track.

At the very least, Waltz of a Ghetto Fly should be good news for everyone awaiting the follow-up to Voodoo. Fiddler certainly provides more competition for D'Angelo than just about any other pretender to the throne of Stevie, Marvin and Sly.