DECEMBER 2011 GIRL ON TOP OF THE MONTH

FEATURING MARISSA GUZMAN

As the holiday season continues, so does Girl On Top’s philanthropic support of the NextAid charity. On that note, please allow us to introduce you to our December 2011 Girl On Top of the Month, another avid NextAid supporter, the lovely Marissa Guzman. This singer/songwriter was born and raised in Detroit. Musical talent is embedded in her genes, as she is the daughter of Eddie Guzman who was the congas and percussion player for noted Motown Records’ rock band Rare Earth. Eddie passed away when Marissa was seventeen.

Marissa Guzman’s personal musical journey began 2 ½ years ago following a spiritual awakening at a retreat. Marissa was inspired to quit her high profile marketing career to learn how to produce her first album. Already well known in the house music scene as an up and coming vocalist, now Guzman aims to gain recognition as a producer for her work on the album Joy Road. Guzman devoted the last two years of her life to learn how to create catchy baselines and head bopping drum beats combining her lyrical skills and vocal talents. Guzman received guidance from top artists and producers Rithma and Josh Marquez (from Uneaq), as well as mixing and mastering from the talented Detroit Grand Pubahs’ Andy Toth. Since Joy Road’s first single, a Black Coffee remix of “Time To Go” went straight to number 1 on Traxsource earlier this year, fans from all over the world have been eagerly awaiting the full album.

Guzman feels very strongly about the importance of using music as a platform to help those less fortunate, so she is graciously donating 50% of her album sales to NextAid, the Los Angeles based nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of music to support sustainable development projects that serve vulnerable children, youth and women in Africa. Guzman notes, “I am hoping to spread awareness through my music and make a positive impact in Africa. While we here in the US are trying to get a fair shake for our 99%, in Africa, the global income distribution is even more skewed with hundreds of millions of people living on less than $1 a day.”

Like most artists, love has played a huge role in Guzman’s songwriting. “Time To Go” and “Fifth Moon” are clearly about a relationship gone wrong, while other songs including “Thank You” and “Outta My Head” are about how music has been a savior in her life. “Song For Eddie G” is a tribute to Marissa’s father, Eddie Guzman, while “Magic Door” and “Free to Be” have an encouraging, inspirational message behind the lyrics designed to reach the soul.

Purchase the full length album at http://marissaguzman.bandcamp.com/. Without a doubt, Marissa’s hard work has paid off in this liberating, heartfelt album. Joy Road will be available on Itunes, Traxsource, Beatport, and Stompy, as well, with a limited number of vinyl records coming out in January, and a remix album coming shortly after featuring artists Black Coffee, Demarkus Lewis, Jazzanova, Corderoy Mavericks and more. More information: www.juicylucyrecords.com www.nextaid.org

Credits:

1) Free To Be - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman

2) Song For Eddie G - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman

3) Thank You - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman

4) San Frandisco - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman - guitars by Joshua Marquez

5) Now I See - Written, Produced, Performed by Tony Peebles & Marissa Guzman

6) Your Face - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman

7) My Balloon - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman

8) Time To Go - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman

9) Outta My Head - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman, co producer Lance De Sardi

10) Fifth Moon - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman, co producer Joshua Marquez

11) Magic Door - Written, Produced, Performed by Marissa Guzman, co producer Joshua Marquez

Girl On Top and Marissa Guzman team up to support NextAid ‘s efforts in Africa. 50% of all proceeds for Marissa Guzman’s album sales http://marissaguzman.bandcamp.com/ are going to NextAid and 10% of all online orders from Girl On Top http://girlontopclothing.bigcartel.com/ are going to NextAid. Thank you to anyone who supports the cause! ‘Tis the season to give back.

Girl On Top is grateful for the opportunity to feature Marissa Guzman as our December 2011 Girl On Top of the Month! We hope you all enjoy her music as much as we do. Have a happy, safe holiday season!!!