The Eclectic Collective

The Eclectic Collective was a crossover band from Boston, Massachusetts. Members include Dua Boayke (vocals), Salim Akram (guitar), Sheel Dave (drums), RP Thompson (keyboards), Graham Masser (bass), Special Blend (turntables), Santi Araujo (guitar), AfroDZak (trumpet/rap vocals), Rob Oswald (saxophone), and Noni Kai (vocals). The group released two albums, but many reviewers have complained that the quality of the band's recorded material was not up to the standard of their live shows.

In 2001, Dua Boayke, vocals, and Salim Akram, guitar, joined to form the acoustic group The Kazien Komplex. The duo played mainly for local coffee shops, singing politically influenced songs and sets. In 2003, after writing a few songs with Dua and Salim, drummer Sheel Dave signed on. Later that year, Sheel brought in him guitarist Santi Araujo, keyboardist RP Thompson, and bassist Graham Masser, members of a band he had been filling in for. Turntablist Special Blend also joined on in 2003 and by 2004, the band, now going by The Eclectic Collective, were performing throughout Boston.

Later in 2004, rap artist and trumpet player AfroDZak signed on, along with saxophonist Rob Oswald, and the sole female member, soul singer Noni Kai. The group played at a variety of venues, from rock to jazz to blues clubs. The group not only boasts an elective instrumental collection, but also a diverse group of band members. As of 2007, AfroDZak and Special Blend haven’t been as active in the band; the second album, The Flux, focusing on the other main eight. Drummer Sheel Dave also plays in the popular band Irepress and has been juggling his time spent working with both.

Time Flies is the name of The Eclectic Collective’s ten-song debut album. The Boston Phoenix described the band as "(peppering) the disc with the musical equivalent of exclamation points".

The Flux was The Eclectic Collective’s second album, and debuted in 2007. Michael Barbiero, a 3-time Grammy winning mixer, worked with the band on mixing the album’s tracks. Mike Poorman, of Strangeway Recordings, also helped to touch up the songs before they headed to the studio to record. Despite producing another moderately successful album, the band is still without a record label.

After the second album debuted, the band was in preparations for a tour throughout the South to help push the record. They also planned to back up Slick Rick on some shows on the East Coast. They then planned to take some time off from touring to work on getting some new material together.

The band disbanded soon after The Flux and the members went their separate ways. Dua, Salim, Graham, Santji, and Sheel later formed the experimental rock-soul group Bad Rabbits.

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