Amp Fiddler March 21, 2008

Joseph "Amp" Fiddler began his career in popular music with the Detroit based group, Enchantment. Amp's versatility and talents spanning jazz, R&B, soul, funk and hip hop have enabled him to work with a vast range of well-known artists. The Baltimore-based sextet Fertile Ground's power lies not only in its rich blend of soul, jazz, funk and African-inspired rhythms, but in its positive, progressive lyrics. Proclaiming themselves pioneers of "live soulful house," the members of Tortured Soul operate under a simple premise: why not make house music with a live band instead of a DJ? With the pared-down instrumentation of a classic soul trio--drums, electric bass and keys--the band creates hypnotic grooves that recall vintage masters like Stevie Wonder and contemporary dance culture stars like St. Germain.