There are some projects that never really leave you.

They sit in the background - unfinished, unresolved-waiting for the right time to come back to life.

For Richard Cole, aka Amari Rahet, that project is now becoming Bay Area Mental, a new EP built from recordings that date back to San Francisco, Spring 1991. 

The Origin

The foundation of Bay Area Mental comes from a set of sessions recorded during a formative period in San Francisco.

Basic tracks were laid down with scratch vocals -raw, immediate, and full of the energy of the time.

“Originally it was going to be a Chaotic Beat demo or album. Recorded in San Francisco and if not finished there, brought back to St. Louis to complete.”

But like many early creative efforts, the project never fully materialized.

“That idea fell apart for many reasons. I don't remember why I didn't have the master tap, but I did have the cassette. The only track used became Another Moment, which is on the Funky Poetic Bootlegs album.”

What Remains

There is a cassette demo to rebuild everything from the ground up.

Using modern tools, including AI-assisted track separation, the original recordings are being broken down into their indvidual elements-bass, drums, textures - allowing for a complete reimagining.

From there Amari is:

• Writing entirley new songs
• Reconstructing arrangements
• Perfoming new parts
• Recording new vocals

This isn't about recreating the past

“The goal is to really finish them off, Of all the unfinished funk, this one haunted me the most.”

While not a concept album, the EP will pull from the memories of the energy of living in San Francisco, the albums and artists I was listening to at the time (1990-1991), personal reflections and in some cases entirely new lyrical directions.

“The whole story will come out when the EP drops, but the songs will reflect in some way the energy of living in San Francisco and what those songs were supposed to be or what I finally figured out what they should be today.”

Not The Archive-Something Else

While the material comes from the vault, Bay Area Mental stands apart from previous plans.

“Although these are technically vault tracks, this EP will not be part of the upcoming Amari Archive Series.”

The Third Act

This EP represents something deeper than a release.

Its part of an ongoing transformation.

“Becoming Amari for this EP is an ongoing journey in this third act. Its not trying to compete with anything-its answering a question.”

Release date: TBD.

Work on the Amari Archive Series volume 1 has begun. 

Amari Communications, the holding company for the creative works of Richard Cole celebrates its 11th Anniversary. Founded in 2014, Amari Communcations administers the music publishing as well as the record label for the work of Richard Cole. Having released the albums Funky Poetic Bootlegs and The Reset EP, Amari Communications is looking forward to releasing the Amari Archive Series starting in 2025 and a new Richard Cole album, Paralell Echoes in 2026. Amari Communcations is also the production company for the Amari Music Talk podcast. Also look out for the launch of the Amari Comics Universe adding to the world of superheroes with original titles starting later in 2025. 

A remixed version of the Reset EP tracks The Right Time and One have been remixed and are being mastered for release. The remixes will replace the original versions on the website and on Bandcamp while the new mixes will release as a double A side single on streaming platforms. Stay tuned for the release date.

Announcing new music titles coming for the remainder of 2024 and 2025! 3 EP's and one full length album. First will be The Reset EP followed by the first two volumes of the Amari Archive Series. The series will chronicle the 4 track cassette vault of Richard Cole. Volume one is titled Invisible Funk and volume 2 is titled Funkacydal.  “The last year has seen some challenges and it's changed my view on how to create.” says Richard Cole currently in The Lair, the creative space Richard inhabits that has yielded the Funky Poetic Bootlegs album and the recent single Hold On. “Not only was the music affected, but the comics as well.”, referring to the development of the Amari Comics Universe featuring original Richrd Cole characters The Answer and the First Family.

Original plans were for the release of the album Parallel Echoes as far back as November of 2023. Around 10 -15 songs had been written and demoed, but delays in the recording kept it from meeting its deadline. Richard explains, “Parallel Echoes is something I really want the quality to be perfect on. So its going on the back burner until I master the tools to make it a great album. It's going to be different from Funky Poetic Bootlegs sonically.”

In its place was going to be The Reset EP. “I'm still working on that one now. It's 4 songs, but I'm being more meticulous in recording this one. I hope to have it finished in a couple of weeks.” “I've had the last few weeks to reevaluate everything creative and looking to get the best ideas out and how to get them to everyone.”

The 1st archive was in the works over the last few months. “I've picked out about 5 songs including the original backing track of Save Yourself. It's about 8 minutes and I'm going to record something new from it so it will be different from Save Yourself. My goal for the Archive series is to put out everything from the vault that can be released and finish it off or overdub or remix whatever is needed.” 

The Reset EP and Parallel Echoes will see a wide release on streaming, physical media as well as this website, Patreon and Bandcamp. The Amari Archive Series will be released exclusively on this website and Bandcamp. Stay tuned for release dates. 

Work continues on The Reset EP. Originally intended for a November 2023 release, the project was delayed and has recently resumed. Richard is working hard in the studio and hopes to have it finished in the next couple of weeks. The Reset EP will consist of 4 new tracks and will see worldwide release on streaming, Bandcamp and on this website. Meanwhile plans for physical media release of The Reset EP and Funky Poetic Bootlegs are still in development. See this website for updates.

Check out the latest single Hold On available for purchase on the music page on this website and also download the b-side, Nothin' This Funky for free.

Available for the holidays! Visit our merchandise page and purchase t-shirts, mugs and hoodies. Buy for gift ideas or for yourself! T-shirt prices range from $16.99 -$24.50! Mugs $8.99-$10.00! All designs are created by Richard Cole! Visit the merchandise page here: /store

Richard Cole is hard at work on a new EP. The upcoming EP titled The Reset EP will again be released on the Amari Communications label and will debut on streaming platforms, while a physical CD will be available to Patreon supporters first before seeing wider release. “I'm still working on a viable distribution model for the physical media. That is why Funky Poetic Bootlegs is late on the CD front”. Says Richard from “The Lair” where the music and podcasts are recorded.

The Reset EP was originally released in 2015 and was a 4 song EP featuring tracks originally intended for Funky Poetic Bootlegs. This version will feature new never before released tracks and will mostly continue the lo fi 4 track cassette format as Funky Poetic Bootlegs.

 “I was working on a non cassette album that I started writing over the summer and started recording in August. The intention was to have it finished in time for November and a single out in October. There were so many distractions that pushed the focus off. Things like all the breaking news for the podcast episodes. So during the down time, I was also transferring all the Chaotic Beat  material to digital. there's also some solo stuff of mine that I discovered that I think expands on the Funky Poetic theme. I also found a copy of the original backing tracks of Save Yourself, but I haven't decided what to do with it yet. So far that might make it on to the EP, but as a whole new song.”

As of this writing, the plan is to have The Reset EP take the November release slot originally slated for the studio album titled Parallel Echoes.