Grapefruit Sound Lab reimagines Ghosha & Tao’s ‘Original Face’

25th April 2022 BWM Staff

Grapefruit Sound Lab has released a reimagined EP from songwriting genius and performance legend Ghosha featuring guitarist Tao entitled Original Face.

Original Face represents the new wave revival in her purest form. Recorded between 1985 and 1991, Ghosha’s vocals and Tao’s guitars sat shelved for over 35 years. At long last, these songs are enjoying a postmodern formulation for their worldwide premiere.

Rainbow is a warning to wake up before the rainbow is gone (Peter Gabriel, George Harrison, Loreena McKennitt)
Modern Age is a love song about the days of future past (Eurhythmics, Jess Glynne, Deadmau5)
Words, ahead of its time, is a song about texting (Kate Bush, Berlin, Dido, Imogen Heap)
Taking a Chance Again is for someone on a mission (Cabaret Voltaire, London Grammar, Art of Noise)
Sensitive Nature is a song for reflection, with the flavor of an afternoon summer disco pool party (The Pointer Sisters, Amii Stewart, Voyage – Souvenirs)
Modern Age (Legacy) is a retro electro-rock remix with a hint of vintage new wave (Genesis, Patti Smith, Pat Benatar – Heartbreaker)

Original Face subtly and subconsciously completes what was missing from the era, reimagined for the present moment; Original Face is a Buddhist concept where subject and object are one.

GHOSHA (Patricia D’Aguanno)

Ghosha was a songwriting genius and performance legend in greater Philadelphia and beyond for over 40 years. Her legacy started in the mid ‘70s perform ing in the local folk scene which developed into a lifetime of writing country, folk, disco, pop, rock, and musical theatre. She moved from Philly to NYC and then to Oregon to join the storied Rajneesh commune, where she and Lesley became Ghosh a & Tao. In 1984, they returned to Philly to pursue their eclectic and cutting edge musical obsession.

As Ghosh a grew older, she found herself performing at many venues throughout Philadelphia. She landed a fifteen year engagement at Tavern on Camac in Center City, and was the primary entertainer for Governor Ed Rendell, who considered her a friend. Ms D’Aguanno was called home in April, 2018. She left her mark on the city which will never fade.

TAO (Lesley Mowat)

Tao has known about the power of playing music since the age of eight when she took to the piano, and her love of music is rooted in both classic rock and the standards of yesteryear. In the late ‘70s she continued her creative journey as a photographer, capturing NYC nightlife including such greats as Liza Minnelli, Andy Warhol and Bette Midler.

In 1980, Lesley met Pat after seeing her perform in Greenwich Village, and a thirteen year musical adventure began. Tao earned her BFA & MFA, and she taught at University of the Arts in pioneering days of new media. In her musical life, Tao studied rhythm, including West African drumming and Indian Tabla. Tao inhabits a world of sound, creating music which assists in the personal healing process. Through her shamanic and sound healing studies, she uses drums and other instruments to assist in consciousness-shifting. She facilitates musical improvisation as a means of personal expression for musicians and non-musicians alike. Tao is still rockin’ it on guitar.

GRAPEFRUIT SOUND LAB (Robert Cotnoir)

With influences ranging from quintessential freestyle, electro, and house, to classic rock, synth-pop, and back again through the classical repertoire, New York native Robert Cotnoir has honed a sound that is at once both comforting and familiar, pensive and nuanced, all while being undoubted Iy of the times. Riding the success of a distinguished career as one of Hollywood’s top award-winning motion picture music editors, Robert’s successes include joining forces with George Clinton protege Amuka for their hit single Don’t Fall For It, which reached #14 on the Billboard dance chart and #41 on the Billboard electronica chart. Robert is the producer behind the poignant chamber song Dunn Dunn Gun featuring the vocals of Broadway ingenue Sarah Naughton. Grapefruit Sound Lab has secured sync on the hit shows Instinct, Medium, Rizzoli & Isles, Tommy, and many more.