Composition - Mike's latest all original music CD...
Mike Surratt once again shows us his musical mettle—his innermost composition, if you will. Through his music, experience and explore a vast array of musical emotions. Surratt invites us to again accompany him on another remarkable musical journey, in which he encourages us to explore the deepest pathways of all—the emotional composition within ourselves.
Surratt skillfully conducts you along the twisted highways and byways residing within us all, with the deft maneuvering of his Alesis keyboard, Hohner Accordion, and vocal texturization.
From troubled and brooding (Dark Sea), to bouncy and playful (Barcelona Bop), to creepy heebie jeebies (Marionette Madness), to wistful and longing (Thinking of You), Surratt eloquently showcases how our thoughts and feelings can be added to a rhythm section and turned into something both enjoyable and entertaining, as well as imminently danceable!
Polkanceptions - Released August 2008
“Polkanceptions” is a natural progression of Mike Surratt’s critically acclaimed, 2006 CD “The Polka Element.” As with “The Polka Element,” all tracks on “Polkanceptions” were written, produced and performed by Surratt using only an Alesis QS6.2 keyboard, Hohner accordion, & his voice.
In his follow up effort of more, all-original, polka material, Surratt provides listeners with new and unusual combinations for the quintessential American Polka roots music.
Stuff We Do by the ECB Band - Release date 2/1/08
The Eclectic Coalition Band – a.k.a. ECB
The Definitions:
Eclectic: all-embracing, assorted, broad, diverse, many-sided, mingled, mixed, universal, wide-ranging
Coalition: allied group, association, combination, consolidation, fusion, integration, unification, union
Band: combo, ensemble, orchestra, symphony, troupe
By definition, the Eclectic Coalition Band is an all-embracing, assorted, broad, diverse, many-sided, mingled, mixed, universal, wide-ranging, allied group, association, combination, consolidation, fusion, integration, unification, union, combo, ensemble, orchestra, symphony, troupe of musical entertainers here for your dancing pleasure.
Whew, that’s an earful!
Now do you see why we’re just the ECB? Much easier to say, and covering all the musical bases.
The ECB wants you to enjoy a full spectrum of dance music for your next function. The average music lover doesn't enjoy only one musical genre or style, so, why should your band play only one type of music?
Our musicologists are fully qualified and capable of sending you back to the grand ballrooms of the 40s, to the sock-hops that rocked around the clocks in the 50s, under the summertime boardwalk of the 60s and 70s, or, onto a sunset beach while enjoying timeless, tropical, Caribbean rhythms.
All that, and now the ECB is creating its own distinctive musical flavor to add to the mix! Visit our websites to find out more: www.swingiscool.com or www.myspace.com/mikesurratttheecb.
The Musicologists:
Alan Jones: Tenor, Alto, Bari Saxes, Flute and Clarinet
Joe Stec: Drums
Mike Surratt: Keyboards, Vocals
Not Accordion 2 The Rulez - Released June 2007
Featuring the Accordion as the lead instrument.
Mike Surratt has long maintained that the accordion, when played correctly, can enhance and improve the performance of practically any type of music. Herein, he sets out to demolish all the rules or stereotypes pertaining to accordions, accordion music, and even accordion players. With this CD, Surratt successfully proves that the accordion is an incredible, beautiful instrument, capable of transcending generations, cultures and genres, as a lead instrument, and not just as an unusual accent.
From the parched sands of ancient Saharan citadels, to the crashing surf parties of American beaches in the 60's, majestic victories of ancient Greece, to the lazy, hazy days of summers long gone, Surratt's nimble fingers will keep your ears spellbound in amazement. His original compositions were written specifically to celebrate his life-long passion for the accordion, and it shows. From fun and frolicking to plaintive and mournful, and all points between, the evocative sounds will haunt you from the first note to the last chord.
The Polka Element - Released May 2006
The Polka Element is the culmination of more than three decades of discovery and experimentation through the musical innovations of Mike Surratt. He has long maintained that polka at its purest is a true American art form, and need not be constrained by boundaries established by culture, heritage or geographic location.
Surratt presents modern, original stylings of iconic American polka music, while still maintaining strong associations with their unique cultural origins. From the far corners of the desolate steppes of the Ukraine, to the dry and dusty plains of a south Texas border town, he revisits the close-knit neighborhoods of years gone by, gives a nod to the alpen rebellion movement and even dances in the waves of the Caribbean.
Not only does Surratt explore diverse ethnic heritages, each of whom claim the polka as their own, he does so while seamlessly mixing musical influences from classical to hard rock. In his pursuit he has combined genres from across the country and around the globe, and has reduced the international style of polka music to its most basic common denominator - the pure 2/4 time signature. In so doing, he has discovered The Polka Element.
Calm Creativity - Released November 2005
See the visions and feel the emotions of Mike Surratt as his musical meanderings take you around the world and beyond with his all original, New Age styling of mood music. Experience the sounds and sensations of an incredible voyage like no other.
Difficult to describe, impossible to forget. From playful to powerful, the evocative instrumentation will stimulate mind & spirit, & set soar your imagination. This haunting collection of meditative offerings is sure to make your journeys memorable.
Mike Surratt has been writing original compositions and arrangements, as well as performing for more than 35 years. He has entertained audiences from South Dakota to Florida, New Mexico to Michigan, and many points in between, as well as on the high seas during his career. This project was inspired when Mike began to unleash creative energies he had not previously explored in the genre of new age / mood music. He simply let his fingers discover various sounds during his musical mental travels, with only an Alesis keyboard and Hohner Morino accordion for company.
Journey with Mike and see the desolate beauty of the American southwest, feel the lonely windswept Andean mountaintops, and play in the cool waters of the Chesapeake. Behold the awe-inspiring pipe organs from days gone by, playfully dance a suggestive tango, and then taste the cool droplets of rain before they splash into the Bay. Mike will share with you a victorious entry, paint an exquisite sunrise in the Sierras and then finally out it all in perspective with a breathtaking view from space.
