The story behind the CD
The driving force behind JUNE GENERATION was actually the first song that Jeff Ray wrote at the age of 17, the song "Essex", track 3 on the CD.  Essex has been played in the bands that Jeff Ray played with through the years, and a version was even recorded for Jeff's first solo CD SUNSHINE CITY TREE back in 2001, but never reached the CD.  The song was written at a park outside Rochester, MN - appropriately called Essex, and it was originally entitled "Essex (June Generation)", which was changed to "Essex" upon the release of JUNE GENERATION.

Fittingly, the songs that ended up on the CD revolved around the same themes explored in "Essex", themes of consumption and greed, introspection, preservation of nature, and hope.  Like the song "Essex", the album addresses things like rampant commercialism ("get in line to win, the competition's gonna draw you in"), and universal cooperation ("we are the stars, we're endless, some of us are unclear, we are the stars").  Magically, every song seemed to fit within the theme of that first song that Jeff ever wrote - "Essex (June Generation)".

The Instruments
Recording for the CD began in early 2002, and wasn't finished until late 2003.  By taking over one year to complete, some say this is Jeff's current masterpiece.  JUNE GENERATION has a range of instruments common to a modern rock album, recorded in a style like that of a mid-70's Led Zeppelin album, with some songs having as many as 30 different instrument tracks playing at one time.  

Some of the instrument tracks are subtle and almost subconscious, while other instruments like the electric slide-guitar are very "up front" and are the driving force behind the music.  Every song was originally written as a solo guitar and vocal piece.  Therefore, the acoustic guitar remains the primary rhythmic center of the CD.

As the CD was recorded and tracks were layered, the acoustic guitar began to be overshadowed by louder instruments.  Eventually, the emotional center of the songs became endowed in the vocals and lead guitar.

On this CD, Jeff Ray has experimented more and more with alternate guitar tunings as a basis for songwriting as the influence of east-Asian and African music has become more apparent.  Songs like "Samadhi" and "A Quiet One" showcase Jeff's use of modal improvisation and African percussion as a basis for musical exploration.

The Musicians
Believe it or not, all of the music on June Generation is performed by the songwriter himself, Jeff Ray.

Originally skilled as a guitarist and vocalist, Jeff has been performing for years with various blues and jam-oriented bands.  Frequenting venues in Memphis, TN from the age of 17 as well as Madison, WI and Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN in later years.

Over the past four years, Jeff Ray has gained notoriety as a Singer/Songwriter and Slide-Guitarist, and performs as many as 100 shows each year as a solo artist.  Influenced by songwriting greats like Jimmy Page and Nick Drake, Jeff has accumulated over 60 original songs and released two original CDs.

After recording his first original CD in 2001 entitled SUNSHINE CITY TREE, Jeff was left with a longing to record a CD of his original music with a full band back-up.  Without the resources and musicians available for the undertaking, Jeff began recording June Generation - using his knowledge of a wide array of musical instruments.

In it's entirety, Jeff Ray recorded June Generation playing all of the instruments himself; Bass, Hammond B3 Organ, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Latin Percussion, Drums, and African Percussion.