San Francisco native Maurice Tani has long been one of the Bay Area's most skilled music creators, though his name has unjustly been ignored by the mainstream media of his own hometown. Among many things, Maurice was an original member of Roy Loney and the Phantom Movers, he wrote and released dance tracks with famed EDM pioneer Patick Cowley, he collaborated with the composer and guitarist Henry Kaiser, and he played countless sold out shows as a key member of two of the biggest "revue" bands to come out of San Francisco. Most importantly he is know these days as the leader of the band, 77 el Deora, where he has steadily grown a small cadre of appropriately zealous fans through his sophisticated yet hooky songwriting, consistent and critically adored studio recordings and tireless schedule of live appearences.

Today on Axel Chitlin we talked to Maurice Tani and listened to the songs and sounds from the long and wonderous road that has lead him to 77 el Deora. Maurice Tani is an artist in the strictest definition of the word and we are quite pleased to share with you this career retrospective.

77 el Deora will be appearing for two sets at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley on May 2.