NOW IS THE HOUR...THE BACK STORY

The lead track on Now Is the Hour is essentially the genesis and the reason for this EP in the first place. Rise Up was written and recorded in 2007 and made available digitally at that time to a very small market, but now really is the hour for the worldwide debut of this reggae anthem. I sincerely believe that the song's urgent message is something everyone can relate to, and that it can help lift the collective spirit at a time when we all truly need it. The thunderous drums which drive this track were laid down by Denny Pelletier, my longtime musical brother who has been in my corner for decades in a number of ensembles including Timestream, The Ebacher-Hyde Group, The Roger Ebacher Quintet, The Air Department, and Re:Groove.

Written back about 1982, This Time Around is both the oldest song on the EP and the most recent recording. When it was new I performed it live at several concerts with my working quartet featuring John Hyde on keys, and more recently a few years ago with the Re:Groove Trio and Quartet. John is a brilliant keyboard player with whom I have created original music onstage and in the studio for many years, and we still channel some serious magic as the duo of Ebacher & Hyde. It surprises me how many people remember and love this composition, especially the lyrics. As with Rise Up, the message here is about resilience and perseverance...two qualities sorely needed to survive these challenging times.

The new EP's closing track is lean and to the point. The simple but potent Gospel treatment bespeaks the time and place it comes from, when I was the musical director of the Unity Church in Cambridge Massachusetts in the mid 2000's. The Power carries the message that each and every one of us has the potential to be extraordinary, regardless of circumstances often out of our control. I truly hope that this song will inspire all to believe in their personal power.