Come Into Knowledge album cover

RAMP are a soul/jazz group that hails from Cincinnati, U.S.A.

The group consists of:

• John Manuel (Drums and Percussion)
• Sharon Matthews (Lead Vocals)
• Sibel Thrasher (Lead Vocals)
• Nate White (Bass)
• Landy Shores (Guitar)

Often it has been believed that RAMP actually stood for 'Roy Ayers Music Production', but bandleader and drummer John Manuel claims this: "The name actually refers to taking you on a journey, elevation, as in an on or up ramp, an access to another place as in highway ramps. It, contrary to some belief, does not mean Roy Ayers Music Production, though that fits the acronym."

The group released one album, 'Come Into Knowledge' in 1977, and is now considered a classic among rare groove collectors, artists (such as PM Dawn and A Tribe Called Quest who have used RAMP samples in their tracks) and Roy Ayers fans.

Featuring the female vocals of Sharon Matthews and Sibel Thrasher, the album was recorded in New York and California. The group were a vehicle for the songwriting talents of Roy Ayers and Edwin Birdsong.

Released in 1977, the set featured a version of Roy Ayers' 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' along with the 'rare groove' track 'Daylight'.

The group split up shortly afterwards, but reformed in 2006 for new tours and recordings.

RAMP is scheduled to June 30, 2007, with Washington, DC, jazz pianist Will Rast at Central Park Summerstage in New York City.

Discography

Come Into Knowledge (ABC Blue Thumb 1977)

Tracklisting:

A1 The American Promise (6:30)

A2 I Just Love You (4:55)

A3 Give It (4:40)

A4 Everybody Loves The Sunshine (3:42)

B1 Come Into Knowledge (4:37)

B2 Try, Try, Try (4:55)

B3 Daylight (4:12)

B4 Look Into The Sky (4:42 )

B5 Deep Velvet (3:33)

External links

• Official site: http://www.myspace.com/ramp77
• The band's detailed history: http://www.digisoul.co.uk/artists.php?id=17
• Nate White's official site: http://www.natewhitemusic.com/
• Yahoo's Biography: http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Ramp:1927619562:page=biography

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