It’s hard to believe that Eclecto Groove Records is only seven or eight months old and that our debut album, Ana Popovics’s “Still Making History,” was only released in June of this year.  In the United States, that album hit the Billboard Blues charts a month ago at #8 and then disappeared.  Then, inextricably, three weeks ago it came back at #7 and now is at #4 for its third week.  The fact that Ana Popovic is recognized world wide as an incredible blues artist is undisputed.  What isn’t well know is the fact that Ana is moving at a rapid pace to crossover into the rock/pop arena, and her popularity continues to spread worldwide.

In the United States, her last tour garnered critical praise from all who had the good fortune to watch her perform.  I count myself among those people.  Most of you know I became President of Eclecto Groove Records in June, just as “Still Making History” was being released.  I talked to Ana many times on the telephone and was deeply impressed by her knowledge of the industry, as well as her sincerity and genuineness.  But I didn’t get the opportunity to meet her personally until her September/October United States tour due to her extensive European tour schedule.  I met her in Nashville and watched her take the stage and literally blow everyone away.  As someone who has worked closely with the likes of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, I can honestly say I consider Ana one of the best guitar players and performers I have ever seen.  I can understand why her legend continues to grow.  Her career has no where to go but up.

Ana went on Listening Stations in more than 350 Border Stores nationwide in September for a two month period.  The stores themselves requested that she stay an additional month.  Then, once again, they unanimously have decided to keep her there through March.  She is consistently the number one selling artist in the blues category.

Recognizing the call for Ana to crossover onto the rock/pop arena, we approached Rudy “Mayon” Maya about doing some remixes on two of Ana’s songs.  The results were stunning and took Ana to an entirely different level.  Rudy, of course, is best known as the producer on Rihanna’s multi-platinum album “Music of the Sun” on Def Jam.  We are now in the process of working on a “Still Making History Remix” with Rudy, and Ana will be in the studio working on that project and recording two new songs for that album.  We expect that to crossover and help to establish Ana as a crossover artist, very much like both Clapton and Hendrix and, of course, Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Ana recently traveled to New Orleans and appeared in the Big Sky Motion Pictures’ film “Spring Break ’83,” along with Zito, another exciting Eclecto Groove artist.  The film is a hilarious coming of age teen comedy that celebrates everything that was great about the ‘80s, from the outrageous parties and tiny bikinis, to the rock music and big hair.  You will see some of both Ana’s and Zito’s music in this comedy coming to a theater near you in the future.

Jason Ricci and New Blood’s album was released here in the US and simultaneously in Europe in mid-October, and its sales are exceeding every expectation.  Jason, who tours incessantly, continues to pick up die hard fans whenever and wherever he performs.  His harmonica playing is legendary, but the depth of his music criss-crosses the audible landscape leaving no stone unturned.  He freely explores the blues, jazz, funk, rock, punk and even draws inspiration from the current crop of jam bands, and all the while retaining the stamp of his own indelible style.

Look for Jason and his CD “Rocket Number 9” at all 350 Borders Stores in January continuing through March.

The recording is now complete for the debut release of Zito’s new album “Today.”  The eagerly awaited album is produced by Tony Braunagel and David Z and, in addition to Zito, features such incredible musicians as James “Hutch” Hutchinson (winner of over 27 Grammy Awards), keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty’s pianist), Tony Braunagel on drums, and a host of other great artists.  This is a highly personal work and one that you won’t easily forget.  Certainly, you won’t be able to overlook its power and Zito’s incredible presentation.  Look for “Today” to be released on Eclecto Groove Records in the near future.

There are many other exciting projects on the drawing board here at Eclecto Groove that we will update you on next month.  In the meantime, all of us here wish you very happy holidays and may 2008 be your best year yet.  We are certain it will be a banner year for our label.  We hope you familiarize yourself with all our Eclecto Groove artists have to offer.  We are sure you’ll find it all entertaining, exciting and well worth the effort.

Sincerely,

Robert Fitzpatrick