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ABOUT HIPBONE RECORDS

Hipbone Records is a label run by artists for artists. From its inception, positioned with an open ear for all styles of music, tied together by a common thread - that it be soulful, that it groove, and a quality that can't be questioned. Mostly known for jazzy, soulful house releases, HipBone Records has had a strong presence in the dance music market since 1998. Having produced 20 single vinyl albums, licensed to over 40 CD compilations worldwide, HipBone is always looking toward the future.

In addition to the organic pulse of the Beats and Grooves Series, the psychedelic resonance of The Open Door and the deepest grooving NYC house music, Hipbone has extended their repertoire to include Blues and Soul phenomenas The Alexis P. Suter Band, multi-instrumentalist/arranger Tom Murray and his American Songbook for the Modern Ear series, and spectacular jazz vocalist Glenn Turner. In addition, the label will re-release titles from Double Drums, Skins, Metal & Wood, 4 On The Floor and Bonafide, underground house music that was previously only available on vinyl. Remixers who have appeared on the Hipbone label include DJ Filthy Rich, Julius Papp, Roy Davis Jr, Sting International, Pal Joey, Richard Les Crees, Ron Trent, Anthony Nicholson, and World Style.

WHO IS WHO AT HIPBONE

vicki bell

VICKI BELL
Vicki Bell has been working hard since she was a young girl. Co-founder of Hipbone Records and a member of the trio, Open Door, whose acclaimed debut release "What's Behind Door #1" was called NY's brightest hope (along with masterful musicians Peter Adams and Ray Grappone ). Vicki is responsible for much of the sound of Hipbone Records vinyl releases.

Perhaps best known as an engineer and producer, her most recent work with Alexis P. Suter ("Shuga Fix") and Open Door speaks for itself. Her music has appeared in films (Stevie, Kingsize and Singularity ) and television programs (Nip/Tuck, Queer Eye For The Straight Guy and Bliss).

An artist in her own right, Vicki has sung countless background vocal tracks with a long list of artists. A scholarship student at Alvin Ailey, Vicki starred in and toured internationally with the Broadway smash A Chorus Line, and had the honor to perform for the President at the White House. Vicki has also worked with artist's such as Coati Mundi, Shaggy, Amy Helm, Glenn Turner, Bennett, Jeannie Hopper and painter Matthew Cusick.

Through the success of her label and her production work Miss Bell has been able to license her music on compilations worldwide. She continues to be much in demand as an engineer, studio musician and producer, and is building a reputation producing and writing music. Vicki has been playing shows at "Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble" as a member of the Alexis P. Suter Band enjoying it greatly.

ray grappone

RAY GRAPPONE
Ray Grappone was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He has performed in over 20 Broadway productions, and has worked with acclaimed composers Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Henry Krieger and Cy Coleman, to name just a few. Grappone has recorded both on drum set and percussion for labels such as Atlantic, Polydor, Columbia, Sony, RCA Victor, Nonesuch, and Varese Sarabande. Ray is also co-founder of Hipbone Records, an independent record label specializing in blues, soul, jazz and groovy underground dance music.

Ray is one of New York's most sought after studio and live performers, having toured extensively, internationally. Drawing from a seemingly endless source of talent and musical knowledge, this versatile, producer, composer and performer is fully adept in diverse styles and genres of contemporary music, including rock, jazz, R&B, dance, blues, fusion, country, chamber and world music. His dynamic skills as a musician and composer shine on Hipbone's "Beats and Grooves" series that include "Double Drums" and "Skins, Metal, and Wood."

A few highlights in Ray's career include recording and performing with rock greats Levon Helm, Carole King, Bette Midler and Stephen Stills, broadway stars Carol Channing, Leslie Uggums, Donna McKechnie, Audra McDonald, Colm Wilkinson and Patti Lupone, celebrated vocalists Eddie Fisher, Petula Clark, Patti Page and Bobby Vinton, and celebrities Martin Short, Twiggy and David Cassidy.