Written by Reviewer Victoria Scott & Staff
“Take It Slow” (Gotta Say Hey) is a techno soul/RnB song from the Songs of Love album by Craymo. Signature to the song's sound is Craymo's dynamic vocals. Craymo boasts a vocal tone that encompasses some nice David Bowe fluctuations heard in his husky voice.
The song's rhythmic sections have modern techno influences enhanced by bongos and a shaker that keeps a clean, in-the-pocket time. In the second iteration of the chorus, there's an anticipated build of energy as the kick drum, choir, and hype man riff over the lead vocals. The production by David Sivano, and the musical arrangement and lyrics by Craymo, create a cool party vibe.
“Take It Slow” was originally released in 1989 on cassette and Craymo, revised the song in memory of his father who passed away. As a revision of the original, it reached #1 on the Euro Indie Music Top 200 charts for five weeks. “Take It Slow" was one of his father’s favorite recordings. The phrase ‘take it slow’ was something that his father told him growing up.
“You've got to love to live and live to love / It gets harder every day / Learn to live and give to love / It's the price we have to pay / You gotta say Hey (Hey) Take It Slow (Slow) / You gotta say Hey (Hey) Take It Slow (Slow).”
In "Take it Slow (Gotta Say Hey) Craymo shows that he is a deeply thoughtful artist who, upon using a memorable phrase his father shared) turned a meaningful message into a vibrant and bopping song. The song will captivate you with it's funky and freeing vibe; “Take It Slow” (Gotta Say Hey) compels the listener to dance and feel groovy, and to think about life which is a rare combination and a treat. Craymo is fantastic at resonating magnetic energy musically and lyrically. His effortless and vigorous performance is what makes this song genuine and from the soul.
For more information, visit Craymo's website
Listen on Soundcloud or Spotify
About Craymo
Craymo was born Craig Stephen Raymo in Massena, New York and grew up in nearby Ogdensburg, a quiet little city on the St. Lawrence River bordering Canada. Music seemed to possess his soul from an early age when he took lessons and joined many ensembles. He wrote his first song when he was 16. Craymo eventually went to Fredonia State University. majoring in Broadcasting with a minor in drama.
Feeling the call of the big city, Craig left college and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. He soon landed acting gigs in the TV soap operas General Hospital and Days Of Our Lives, most recently in The Watchman’s Edict (2017), The Misadventures of Walt’s Frozen Head (2017) and the HBO original film Recount. All the while focused on his music Craymo wrote hundreds of songs. Craymo even appeared as a male vocalist on Star Search ;89 with Ed McMahan. He opened up shows for Smashmouth, The Plimsouls and Fishbone.
He then met record producer Chris Irwin and recorded several songs in his Malibu studio. Craymo ran into his old friend, songwriter and producer Brandon Jarrett. They went into the studio and magic happened. Combining their song catalogs into one company, Moho Productions, LLC. They recorded "One Love One World" which became a worldwide phenomenon being featured on the United Nations project UNESCO web site www.newsongsforpeace.org. School teachers all over the world downloaded the song and taught it to their students who then performed it at their schools in the USA, Canada, China and Australia! The opening scene in his music video One Love One World features students in Pang Liu Village in China who were taught to read English using the words and music to his song.
Awards and Nominations:
Best Alternative Video and Best Easy Listening Video for December Rain (Carol Of Love) in the 2019 Indie Music Channel Awards at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, California.
Best Rock Song for December Rain in the Fall 2019 Clouzine International Music Awards.
December Rain was a Semi-Finalist, Adult Contemporary Category, in the 2019 UK Songwriting Contest.
Bronze Medal Award for Male Vocals, December Rain, in the November 2017 Global Music Awards.
Best Male Easy Listening Artist in the 2017 Indie Music Channel Awards for his beautiful ballad “So Far Away.”
Honorable Mention in the Comedy/Novelty Category of the 22nd Annual USA Songwriting Competition for his song “Passion For Fashion.”
Best Alternative Recording in the 2016 Indie Music Channel Awards for “Moment,” a song promoting suicide prevention awareness.
“Love You More” won Best Alternative Recording in the 2015 Radio Music Awards and was a Finalist Best International Song for “Moment” 2016 Australian Music Oz Awards.
Craymo has been a semi-finalist and finalist in several songwriting competitions including the 2012 Australian Music Oz Awards ,”Passion For Fashion”
2012 Hollywood Music In Media Awards Unisong, the Hollywood Spiritual Film Festival, UK Songwriting Competition, Pacific Songwriting Competition and the Artist Undiscovered Competition.
Anti-Bullying Advocate / Awards Craymo is also an anti-bullying advocate who recently won back to back Worldwide Music Contests, in Version 3 he won Best Song for “Be Myself,” his anti-bullying anthem and in Version 4, Best Video for “One Love One World (We Are One),” another anti-bullying anthem that also promotes equality, tolerance, brotherhood, human rights and world peace.
Film and Television
Craymo's songs have been licensed in the indie films, Lucky Dog, Culture Shock, Gabe The Cupid Dog, Cinnamon, Super Southern Sweet Sixteen, Miss Castaway, Leaving Hollywood and Successful Failures 2. Craymo has licensed several songs in television including The Mysteries of Laura (NBC), The X Games (ESPN), The Orlando Citrus Parade (SYND), Sinbad's Reality U (pilot), Toddlers and Tiaras (TLC) and Chris and John To The Rescue (Canada).
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