keosp

. Eluriel “Tinker” Barfield is expanding his onstage and recording career to include production and entertainment services. He founded Keep on Smilin Productions (KeOSP) in 2002 as a vehicle to continue his work as a composer and producer. Since its inception, KeOSP has produced two CDs and one single for Voices of Shalom, a Brooklyn-based group of women who sing inspirational music. At long last, Tinker is set to release his first solo CD – Tinker B & Lu-Fuki. Known for his electrifying and funky bass playing on the concert stage with people like Luther Vandross and Ashford & Simpson; for his cabaret work with Lillias White and Phylicia Rashad; and for his studio work with artists like Lou Rawls, Robby Roberson and Ray Chew, Tinker is producing a CD that is the penultimate showcase of his musicianship. When asked about the unique name for the work Tinker B & Lu-Fuki, Tinker shares that the term lu – fuki is an African phrase that was used to praise people for the integrity of their art. The word fuk got translated to the word funk when describing R& B music. You often hear people refer to R& B music as funky or a bass line as a funky bass line or a bass player with a great groove as a funky bass player. With Tinker B & Lu-fuki, I am preserving and sharing the funk/the fuk. That’s the common thread that runs throughout my work. One song may have classical elements but it’s fuki. Another may have jazz elements but it’s still fuki. Tinker B & Lu-Fuki features outstanding musicians and singers that Tinker has worked with over the years. Every artist on this CD possesses a unique gift that helped shape classic music genres and they all bring the “fuk” with them. The first single, My Lover’s Arms, heralds the historic reunion of Alfa Anderson, Luci Martin and Norma Jean Wright former lead singers with the classic disco group CHIC. Tinker’s partner in Keep on Smilin’ Productions is his wife, Alfa Anderson, most remembered for her classic recording and stage performances with the disco group – Chic and with Luther Vandross.