Lynne Fiddmont -][- SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS – [Midlife Records, 2012 ] –

Tags

African American, Lynne Fiddmont, Midlife Records, Songwriter, Vocalist

Lynne Fiddmont, SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Lynne Fiddmont -][- SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS –Mp3– [Midlife Records, 2012 ]

A delightfully cozy companion that pairs perfectly with brandy and eggnog while trimming the tree. Spirit of Christmas is a combination of classics and a few original compositions. A great follow up to Lynne Fiddmont’s, Lady!

Ragan Whiteside -][- EVOLVE – [Randis Music, 2012] –

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African American, Flutist, Ragan Whiteside, Randis Music, Songwriter, Vocalist

Ragan Whiteside, EVOLVE

Ragan Whiteside -][- EVOLVE –Mp3– [Randis Music, 2012] –

Evolve is flutist, vocalist and songwriter Ragan Whiteside’s truly exciting and innovative sophomore CD. Fusing together the coolest elements of contemporary jazz, neo soul and funk, this award winning artist makes an aesthetic statement that marks her evolution as an undeniably talented musical force.

On Evolve, Ragan delivers a 12-track collection of funky grooves, layered with her mesmerizing flute compositions, sexy vocals, slow grooves and ultra-hip melodies. A follow up to her debut CD, Class Axe, which took the Smooth Jazz world by storm and caught the eyes and ears of the esteemed Capital Jazz Festival, the largest jazz festival in the country, the flutist’s latest disc showcases her edginess and creative prowess as a multi-talented artist. It also celebrates her emergence as a versatile and powerful writer, songstress and arranger who hails from Mount Vernon, NY. -[Album Notes | CDBaby]-

::: SOURCE: CDBaby.com :::

VAN MORRISON RETURNS TO BLUE NOTE RECORDS

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Blue Note Records, Male Vocals, Producer, Songwriter, Van Morrison

Van Morrison

June 26, 2012, New York – Van Morrison returns to Blue Note Records for a new studio album Born To Sing: No Plan B to be released on October 2. Morrison previously released the Grammy-nominated What’s Wrong With This Picture? on Blue Note in 2003.

Van says: “With most record companies being so corporate I am happy to be working with Don Was and the team at Blue Note. To have such a creative music person as the head of my recording label assures me that all the effort taken to write and record this new album will be rewarded with a music-based focus and marketing approach. I look forward to many recording projects with Don and Blue Note.”

Malynda Hale -][- THE TRAIN RIDE HOME – [Goldway Records, 2012 | Review] –

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African American, entertainment, Female Vocalist, Goldway Records, Jamie Squire, Lena Leon, Malynda Hale, Mike Veny, Music, Nick Grinlinton, Sam Brathwaite, Songwriter

Malynda Hale, THE TRAIN RIDE HOME

Malynda Hale -][- THE TRAIN RIDE HOME – [Goldway Records, 2012 | Review] –

The soulful yet ambitious vocalist-songwriter Malynda Hale returns with her third and most promising album to date is simply titled “THE TRAIN RIDE HOME.” Unexpectedly this listener friendly gem took me into another zone musically, it’s jam packed with heartfelt, expressive and relationship driven songs spun with her distinct blend of infectious R&B and intense pop delivered by her undeniable approach is absolutely refreshing.

Sandra Nkaké -][- NOTHING FOR GRANTED – [Jazz Village Music, 2012] –

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Composer, Jazz Village Music, Sandra Nkaké, SInger, Songwriter

Sandra Nkaké, NOTHING FOR GRANTED

Sandra Nkaké -][- NOTHING FOR GRANTED –Mp3– [Jazz Village Music, 2012] –

Sandra Nkaké is a singer-songwriter-composer who has grown up between Yaoundé (Cameroun) and Paris. She was bounced back and forth on a regular basis between two different cultures and climates, and was confronted with mostly opposing social codes. Cinema, literature and music became her primary sources of refuge.

As an adolescent, her roommates were the albums “Sisters of Mercy” by Leonard Cohen and “Blue Valentine” by Tom Waits, the movie “Taxi Driver”, the universe of Sergio Leone, the movies by John Houston, the shadows and the lights of the works of Auguste Renoir, the colors of Matisse, the books “The Hotel New Hampshire” and “Boule de Suif”, but also the stories of Boris Vian and Chester Himes.

Rahni Song -][- Breakin’ the Rules [Queen Of Sheba Ent, Hush Music Inc, 2011]

Tags

African American, Jazz, Keyboardist, Producer, Rahni Song, Songwriter

Rahni Song, BREAKIN' THE RULES

Rahni Song -][- Breakin’ the Rules (MP3) [Queen Of Sheba Ent, Hush Music Inc, 2011]

Rahni Song; acclaimed musician, producer, composer, arranger, songwriter, engineer.

Truly a man of many talents, Rahni grew up with wires, microphones, tape recorders and an electric piano in his house. This is what he remembers around him as a child. The influence of his parents love for music would have a profound influence on him for the rest of his life. Not only did he have a discerning ear at an early age for the best musicians – Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Thom Bell – but he had a discerning ear for the best vocalists as well – Aretha Franklin, Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder.

At the young age of 19, Rahni would form and co-found Emprise Records. His vision to mix Gospel with R&B and Pop, back in the 70’s and 80’s, would pave the way for many of the contemporary gospel artists of today. He went on to meet and work extensively with Boosty Collins. Rahni became a regular fixture in the Bootsy Collins and George Clinton recording sessions playing keys and assisting on hits like “Shine-O-Mite” (Bootsy) and “Atomic Dog”(George Clinton).

For more details about Rahni Song, please click here.

..:: SOURCE: CDBaby.com ::..

Motown songwriter Norman Whitfield dies

Tags

African American, Motown, Songwriter, Soul Music

Norman Whitfield

Motown songwriter and producer Norman Whitfield, whose credits include hits I Heard It Through The Grapevine and War, has died in Los Angeles. Whitfield – believed to be 67 – worked at the legendary label in the ’60s and ’70s, adding a rock edge to soul music.

Many of his hits were co-written with Barrett Strong, with whom he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. The pair won a Grammy in 1972 for Papa Was A Rolling Stone by The Temptations.