HEAT! is a two-CD set compiled from live performances recorded at The Maple Room in Lewiston, Maine. Featured artists on the disc include international heavyweights such as blues legend John Hammond, jazz guitar legend Bill Frisell, fingerstyle guitar award winner Pierre Bensusan, and singer-songwriters Pierce Pettis, Peter Mayer and Jeffrey Foucault. There are also a number of local Maine artists featured on the compilation. All proceeds from the sales of Heat! will go to the Maine Community Action Association.

Over the past year, local music impresarios Taylor Mesple and Gil Helmick have been working on the project - contacting artists, agents and attorneys from California to France. The artists involved overwhelmingly gave their blessing and permission and "Live at The Maple Room Volume 1 - HEAT" was born. HEAT is a 2 CD set containing over 140 minutes of exclusive live performances from The Maple Room stage recorded between June 2007 and August 2008. These performances represent the cream of the first year's harvest. They were recorded and mixed by Mesple and his company InnerCircle Productions in Lewiston and Durham. HEAT is being released by the Maine-based record label, Old Port Records.

In May of 2008, Maple Room owner Taylor Mesple and creative dynamo and poet Gil Helmick came up with the idea for HEAT!. Relative newcomers to the area, each wanted "leave a positive footprint preceding their arrival" into the hearts and minds of Maine. In August, 2008, Taylor revealed his wealth of recorded art and his desire to give something to the community. He asked for ideas. Gil had been following the cycles of speculation a in the oil markets and the grief on the winter horizon. He mentioned an article about state sponsored "warming centers" in communities across Maine. Gil suggested HEAT! Taylor's reply was immediate. They went to work - and they haven't looked back.

Taylor Mesple is also a talented solo artist and composer in his own right. "It doesn't matter what role I play in bringing great music to listeners - it's all part of my life's work", says Mesple. He believes that Lewiston will become a creative force in New England once again. Mesple's state of the art recording studio in downtown Lewiston features vintage analog equipment and a large vintage guitar and amplifier collection.

Gil Helmick is the Executive Producer of "Heat". In addition, Helmick and his ensemble "snowmonks" are featured on Disc 2 of HEAT!. Gil is an accomplished author and poet who incites musical improvisations amidst his poetry on the snowmonks stage.

Heat! is available online at www.Heat4All.com and at all Bull Moose Records locations. For more information, call 207-400-7543 or e-mail gilhelmick@gmail.com.