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"Be Creative" - at Beaumont Street Studios

"Be Creative". That's the message from Braziloca, a local street percussion band who recently recorded a CD with a Freetime Studio Award from Beaumont Street Studios.

Braziloca grew out of a community music project led by Brazilian percussionist, Claudio Kron do Brazil. The group, initially organised by Loca - the cultural development agency, has been running for two-and-a-half years. Recording the "Be Creative" album gave the group the opportunity to create a permanent record of all they've learned so far and their impressive progress to date.

The group had never been in a recording studio before. The whole experience of working in the Huddersfield studios where famous acts including Embrace, Shed Seven, Blue Amazon and Terrorvision have recorded was a real eye opener.

"We were fortunate to have musical direction from Claudio and support from Beaumont Street Studios' Sam Roberts and sound engineer Matt Bernard. The recording session was a fantastic experience and one we would never have had without the Freetime Award. We're all very happy with the end result which is now selling well at all our gigs" said Braziloca member Maria Bottomley.

The CD is a collaboration between Braziloca and guest artists from Jamaica, Gambia, Italy and the UK all inspired by the rhythms of Brazil. "Be Creative" features African guitars, DJ scratching, salsa trumpet and a touch of funk. It was launched at an event attended by over a hundred people in March. It has raised the profile of Braziloca and is now on sale with profits supporting the group's workshop programme.

Beaumont Street Studios in Huddersfield helps bands new to recording, community projects and local unwaged people with financial support to use their recording studio. With assistance from KMC Cultural Services' Arts in the Neighbourhood Scheme, a grant towards recording costs can be used by local people to express their musical talent and "be creative" in Beaumont Street's professional recording studio.

Notes:

For information about recording at Beaumont Street Studios and the grants available, contact Sam Roberts, Studio Manager on 01484 452 013 or email samroberts@beaumontstreet.co.uk.

"Be Creative" is available from Braziloca and costs £10.

Braziloca hold workshops most Wednesdays 7.30 - 9.30pm at Loca, Redbrick Mill, Bradford Road, Batley. Workshops are open to everyone - all ages and abilities, no previous experience necessary. Workshops are £4 for adults and £1 u-18s.

For more information about "Be Creative" and Braziloca workshops, call 0781 373 8421.