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::ORGANIC SOUL VOLUME 3 - Artist's profiles::
YEWANDE Yewande (pronounced E -wan-day) is a pioneering Alternative Soul artist whose music captures the essence of the human experience. Her Louisiana roots resonate stories of struggle and triumph in an electic movement of Blues, Rock and Soul - a style uniquely her own and one that has become an undeniable fixture in the rebirth of music. With an instrument even more rare than her beauty, Yewande's earthy vibrato is reminiscent in places of Nina Simone or Etta James. But it is Yewande's birth name (Yoruba for 'Reincarnation of grandmother') that foretells her place amongst the great storytellers, like a female Terry Callier or Bill Withers. Yewnade's talent as a singer, songwriter and producer have quickly reached international acclaim, even before she has had a commercially released record. Classically trained in voice and piano, she has performed with renowned artists like India Arie, Jaguar Wright, Luther Vandross and Roachford and was a member of the group Pure Soul. Anyone who witnessed her PA's at London's Jazz Café or Black Lily earlier this year Knows what a mesmerising live performer she is, and that her recordings don't give her voice the full justice it deserves. In an industry dominated by beats her compositions and alternative approach make Yewande stand out from the crowd, and will surely lay the foundations of future stardom. The track included here 'Rufus' is a bluesy-folky-soul cut produced by Peter Lord and Jeffrey Smith (Family Stand, Sandra St Victor, Desree) taken from a promotional EP, that has won accolades from SESAC and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. It illustrates Yewande's talents as a singer and songwriter far better than any words of mine.
SY SMITH Sy Smith a Washington DC native, now also resident in California studied classical piano and then graduated from Howard University with a degrees in Psychology and music theory. Her signing and song writing ability attracted the attention of producer/songwriter Sauce. Sy has sung background vocals in the studio and on the road with Something For The People, Eric Benet, Ginuwine, Brandy and most recently Frank McComb. She also toured extensively with Whitney Houston and Macy Gray. She has also appeared in a string of Gap Commercials and regularly sings behind Vonda Shepherd in the popular TV series 'Ally McBeal'. Sy is a self-assured sexy soul sister, a born storyteller and charismatic performer whose beauty doesn't get in the way of her stage presence. She recorded an album for Hollywood records 'Psykosoul', which was not released, but yields two of the tracks here 'Waiting Contemplating' and 'That Ring'. The other track with a heavy Sly Stone influence 'Bad On You' is taken from a 5 track EP. Recently Sy guested on seven tracks on Brand New Heavies album 'We Wont Stop' released only in Japan, and has now formed a group Star69 with former Macy Gray backing singers Dawn Belgrave and Stephanie Alexander.
LIZZ FIELDS Lizz Fields is not your typical Philly brand. She attended Creative & Performing High School (CAPA) in South Philly, the same school that gave us Jill Scott, Amel Larrieux, and Vivian Green. She began singing background vocals for Jill Scott as well as performing in many well known east coast venues (Black LiIy, Zanzibar Blue, Wetlands and Freedom Theatre) opening for acts like Kindred and Jazzyfatnastees. Lizz thrives on live performance; her presence is spontaneous, vibrant and infectious. Her nightingale like tone combined with Ella inspired melodies and lyrical consciousness have set her trademark. Lizz has managed to breakout from the habitual 'Philly' sound and cultivate a sound that's all her own. Her captivating vocals are loose and uncontrived; her voice is crystal clear, spellbinding and one of pure beauty. The tracks featured here 'When I See Love' and 'I Gotta Go' are taken from her inadvertent debut CD 'By Day By Night'. It started off as a demo, a friend gave it to a local Chicago retailer and they put it on their best selling list and told other retailers about it. It sold 2,500 in about a month, all by word of mouth and has been amongst the biggest selling albums so far this year in our shop. Unconventional but familiar- Lizz Fields.
KIM HILL Kim Hill a former member of the Black Eyed Peas, now resides in California. The track included here the brassy; funky 'Sunny Blue' is taken from her well received home made debut solo album 'Suga Hill'. This is another album that has seeped out through independent record stores. Last year she scored internationally with the club hit 'Summertime in Aspen'. Her music has a distinctive edge, drawing on her hip- hop background and combining it with real life lyrics and soulful vocals. Originally from Syracuse NY, Kim trained as a dancer studying at the University of Arts in Philadelphia along with Questlove from the Roots. Kim writes produces and plays guitar. After recording an unreleased album for Interscope, Kim prefers to record independently and says the investment you make in your craft exceeds anything a label can do for you. Kim continues to write, produce and perform with her natural gifts, and hopes that she can encourage and inspire anyone else who chooses music as a profession.
BIG BROOKLYN RED The tones of Big Brooklyn Red's self-released album 'Foreword' are deep and mature. His passionate and powerful voice is complimented by soulful organic tracks. The comparisons with the great voices like Marvin, Stevie and Donny that seem to accompany every new male vocalist actually fit Big Brooklyn Red, not that he sounds like anyone else but you can feel a presence in his talent that pre dates him. His lyrics also deal with real life situations as evidenced by 'The War Inside'; 'Paradise' and 'Time' featured on this album. Big Brooklyn Red is an improvisationalist, freestyling is his trademark. His live performances are complete improvisations. His music is an expression of freedom and of the power of letting the creative spirit flow, a deeply spiritual and transcendent experience. Upon completing the album he toured for two months promoting his music across the USA. He hit open mics, sat in with groups and performed many showcases to help spread the word. Each place he played asked him back, everywhere he played the audience became instant fans. Big Brooklyn Red, a native New Yorker now based in California is a man on a mission. His flawless natural soulful voice expresses songs of positivity and love as well as messages of social commentary on what is happening at a specific moment. Watch out for Big Brooklyn Red… keeping soul alive.
JAZZHOLE The Jazzhole is a nucleus of three founder members, the songwriting and production team Warren Rosenstein (Keyboards), John Pondel (Guitar) and Marlon Saunders (vocals), accompanied by guest musicians and singers. The band remains an evolving collective of many of New York's most accomplished musicians. The two tracks included here are taken from their forth album 'Circle of The Sun', possibly their most mature and soulful to date recorded for their own Beave Music label, as was their last 'Blackburst' in 2000. Their first two were more in an acid jazz/hip hop style recorded in the mid 90's for the now defunct Blue Moon label. In the early nineties Warren Rosenstein worked on seminal acid jazz tracks like 'Soho - Hot Music' and 'CFM Band- Jazz It Up', before forming the Jazzhole. John Pondel's emotive guitar playing draws from his many recording and live performances with artists like Gerald Wilson, Carmen McRae and Dianne Schurr. Marlon Saunders provides much of the Jazzhole's signature soulful sound. Raised in Maryland on a diet of church singing, he has recorded with legends like Bobby McFerrin, Michael Jackson and Sting. His solo album 'Enter My Mind' is out on Soul Brother Records from October 2003, destined to be one of the best of the year.
LATANYA LOCKETT LaTanya Lockett hails from San Diego California, and is a passionate songwriter and lyricist. Her debut album 'In The City' from where these three tracks are taken is one of the funkiest soul albums of recent times. The album is full of driving organic soulful grooves to feed the feet whilst the lyrical content is food for the mind. The three selections here 'Just One of Those Days', 'Neva Give Up On Love' and 'What The Hell Fo' bear testament to that. Her live performances with her seven strong band have created quite a stir throughout the SouthWestern states of America. She has also opened for many acts including Steel Pulse, Gregory Isaacs and Naughty by Nature. Having been nominated for several awards, LaTanya is now working on her second album due for release in the autumn of 2003. She has also appeared on many other artist's albums as guest singer including the B-Side Players and Inside Straight. Her music has a certain raw energy not often found in modern music, and live and on her album is a guaranteed good time.