Rise: The Ascension of Music, Heart, Soul by United Cities of America

RISE is distributed by CDBaby, and is available at all major download and streaming centers (iTunes, etc) as well as through the catalogs of the major retail shops (Tower Records, BestBuy, etc), and from this site.

THE UCA STORY:

For those of you who still don't know, UCA (United Cities of America) is a 5 piece Seattle area-based band that brings the honesty and message of Bob Marley, mixes it with the smoothness and passion of Santana, adds some Diva vocals, timeless songwriting, an ear for dance club stylings, plus great live showmanship from high-spirited veterans of the Seattle music scene, and spreads it over a thick Afro-Cuban, funk-rock beat.

UCA is the brainchild of Bronx-born-turned-Seattle musician/singer/songwriter/No Excuse Records president, Keith Anderson. Known for his energetic live shows, stellar jazz/pop/reggae original songs on previous albums "Fire With Fire"(1994), "Somewhere in Your Heart" (2000), and the "I Can Make Believe" Remix album (2003), the seeds for UCA started growing out of Keith's UK solo music tour and 6 month stay in England.

After working with top-notch British Producer Stuart Wakeman (Jamiroquai, Phil Collins) & sensational young UK vocalist Emma Stakes to record 5 tracks for the Rise album, Anderson returned to Seattle in 2004 to finish Rise, recruiting Producers Jake Perrine & Aaron Fitzgerald, Singer/Songwriter Wynne C. Blue & Electronic Artist DJ Norml to finish the album and put together the live band.

THE BAND:

Susan Burke brings her R&B influenced Diva vocals and beauty to the mix. For the past 7 years Susan has strutted her vocals for the Starchiefs (Blues/Rock) and the Magnetics (R&B/Motown). Now she's belting it out for UCA.

Keith Nordquist (Kiki Baba) anchors the band on bass, soprano/tenor/baritone sax, flute, keyboards, and when he's not too busy, adds solid background vocals. A mainstay on the Seattle scene since the 70's with bands like Denny Regrade, Albro Swift, The Stingrays, and the Fanatics, Kiki Baba (as he's known to the initiated) has played just about every juke-joint up and down I-5.

Lead guitarist Dave Albert brings his finely-honed guitar sounds to UCA after stints with the Magnetics and the Free Reign Band.

Drummer Doc MacNab is the glue for the band with his rock-solid hands and feet. Originally from the East Coast, Doc has studied and played with many masters in jazz and rock. His other current project, Haak-MacNab, is a mainstay on the Seattle music scene.

Keith Anderson is the ring-leader in charge of all this; playing keyboards, guitar, singing, and creating general mischief whenever he can.

With 2007 well under way, everyone involved with UCA and No Excuse Records has a lot to be thankful for: downloads from Rise selling in Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and the US, songs covered by other artists (including One Touch), a song featured in a Japanese movie, great live shows coming up, as well as several new recording projects.

We wish everyone peace and happiness, and we promise to rock the dance floors even harder the next time you see us live!!

UCA (in the house)...Keith, Kiki, Susan, Dave & Doc.

Who loves ya, baby!!

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