August 8th, 2013 
Brian Leak 
Tomas Doncker has been involved with music almost as long as I’ve been alive and after two decades of creating and touring the world, his Global Soul movement is in full swing. The Tomas Doncker Band recently released an EP of tracks that help comprise the score for a show called Diablo Love which re-imagines songs made famous by American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, Howlin’ Wolf. The band is also working on some mixtapes that will be on the way shortly.
We had the chance to speak with Doncker about the band’s upcoming works, his history in music, and his Global Soul movement, so read through and get acquainted with the talented, Tomas Doncker.
You have a very long and exciting history in the music scene. What originally inspired you to get involved with music and how did you get your start?
I was always a “band guy,” even before I could play. I grew up listening to and being influenced by groups like Sly & the Family Stone, The Beatles, Santana, Mandrill, The Rolling Stones, and Earth, Wind & Fire. When I first learned how to play “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging” I used to pretend I was Claydes X (Kool & the Gang’s guitarist). To me, that was cool! Then my Mom turned me onto “The 3 Kings” — B.B., Albert and Freddy. That changed everything!
The first two records I owned were Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Jackson Five’s Get It Together. The next record I bought was James Brown’s Funky President. That pretty much sums up how I’m made.
What can you tell us about what you’ve done over the years that you’re the most proud of or that have been big highlights for you?
I’ve been very blessed to have great mentors and collaborators — mega producer/bassist, Bill Laswell, Pulitzer prize winning poet, Yusef Komunyakaa, award winning director, Alfred Preisser, and legendary Ethiopian guitar hero, Selam Woldemariam, are all on my speed dial. To be able work closely with these amazing gentlemen is surely one of the highlights of not only my musical career, but my life.
Traveling all over the world performing with my band and working with musicians from other cultures is always thrilling to me as well.
Specifically, you’re very involved with the global soul music which seems to be almost like a movement. What can you tell us about that?
I believe I coined the phrase “Global Soul.” My comrades at True Groove and I have come up with this “definition,” or manifesto:
Global Soul: The sound of our collective conscience. The unified rhythm of heartbeats creating a positive and spiritually uplifting force for good.
Musically speaking it is not genre specific, but in fact genre inclusive. It is the best of what we have to offer to each other, from Brooklyn to Ethiopia, and every where in between.
And yes, it IS a movement.
You’ve just released a brand new EP recently. Would you say it differs at all from all your previous works?
Yes and no…it’s different in respect to the fact that it is filled with guest performances from all the members of the True Groove/Global Soul family, and that it’s a mixtape. It’s the same otherwise-soulful, positive, and…funky!
Are there any specific themes lyrically on this EP? What have the themes in your lyrics in the past revolved around?
It’s always about the human condition. The relationships we have with each other, I mean all of us. Not so much in the “me and you” sense, but in the “we” sense. A big love song to the planet…Global Soul. John Lennon said it best; “Imagine.”
You have quite a few musicians that contributed to this EP. How do you choose who you work with on your albums?
Well first of all I have a stellar band: Daniel Sadownick (Percussion), Nick Rolfe (keys/vocals), Josh David (bass/vocals), Selam Woldemariam (guitars), Manu Koch (Keys), Mark Henry (Sax/Vocals), Damon Duewhite and Mike Faulkner (drums), and Kevin Jenkins (vocals).
My production partner, James Dellatacoma, also plays guitar with the band. Like-minded spirits always appear and join the crew, like Betty G (an amazing upcoming Ethiopian vocalist), Nhatty Man (also a young Ethiopian rapper/singer), True Groove solo artist Lael Summer, and of course the one and only Marla Mase have all made contributions to the E.P.
Not to mention the legends Bill Laswell, Ethiopian superstars Gigi and Mahmoud Ahmed, as well as internationally known Israeli artist Samir Shukry, Nigerian talking drum master Kofo “The Wonder Man” and New Jersey based reggae/rap assassin, “Juggla.”
Is this EP leading to more new material in the near future?
Yes! As mentioned before it’s a mixtape, actually a series of mixtapes. Power of the Trinity…a slight return (the Global Soul mixtape) Vol. 1 will be released on September 11 (Ethiopian New Year!), and Vol. 2 will be released just before the Thanksgiving/Christmas/Chanukah season.
I would imagine that you’re probably an inspiration to many but who/what inspires you or influences what comes out in your music?
As far as what influences me, and what I/we do our best to project through our music is concerned, I think the late great Don Cornelius (creator/producer of Soul Train) said it best; “Love, peace…and SOUL!”
Really, that’s what we’re all about.
Do you have any touring plans in the works in support of this EP?
Of course. We’re booking dates into next year at this point.
You’ve been in several bands throughout your career and now that you’re kind of doing a solo thing in a way, do you have any desire to work with another band in the future that doesn’t have your name in it?
Yes. I would love to work with an Israeli band, The Idan Raichel Project. It would be an honor to work with him. I’m a big fan! In fact his concept of mixing and uniting cultures through music has been a major influence on me.
What is your favorite part about touring the world and sharing your music with new cultures?
It always amazes me how music speaks to everyone. Legendary Philly Soul writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff wrote in their song “I Love Music”(recorded by the O’Jays), “Music is the healing force of the world.” I believe that. When we toured in China, people would be singing along by the time we reached the second chorus. I’m sure they didn’t know specifically what we were singing, but I Know they could feel it. It was a beautiful experience.
What is your ultimate goal as a musician and how long do you intend to keep doing this?
My ultimate goal is to entertain, and if I’m lucky, hopefully enlighten as many people as possible. You can’t open hearts and minds without a true groove.
And don’t worry ,I’ll be doing this till I drop!
Written and conducted by: Brian Lion – Follow him on Twitter
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