Lanar, Pamela Cornelius and Venus Adore were all performers in Barry White: Guided by Destiny a Musical stageplay about the life of Barry White. Emmitt Thrower, the Producer of that Off Broadway show is also producing this concert. In Barry White: Guided by Destiny, he portrayed the unforgettable “Ali”. The Concert will feature Instrumentals by the “Kingsters Unlimited Love Band’, Hit songs like “High Steppin” by the Love Unlimited Singers and of course Lanar singing some of your favorite Barry White tunes like “Practice What You Preach”, “The First My Last My Everything”, “Let the Music Play” as well as a surprise Duet originally performed by Barry White and Glodean White. A day of Love songs, Dance tunes and an incredible dancing exhibition that takes you back and brings you to the future.

Ticket Price Info:
$40.00 in advance
$47.50 at the door
$35.00 Student, Senior, Groups
Order Tickets By Phone:
212-352-3101
online www.theatermania.com
Groups 917 716-6635
The Times Square Arts Center
300 West 43rd Street
5th floor Off Bway Theater
New York, NY 10036

It’s a funny funky little tune wishing “you-know-who” a final farewell.

Stop by www.memshannon.com and listen to a clip.

His is a unique vocal style, a one-off musical vision and an out of the ordinary personal story. Unlike many of his musical peers, Osaru has spent years honing his talents before cutting a record, and the maturity shows.

Having learnt African percussion at the age of 8, church organ at 9 and subsequently discovering the joys of the keyboard and bass guitar, Osaru went on to play music in three separate continents. His inspirations coming from the worlds of soul, jazz, R&B, hip hop, reggae and even traditional African music. Only after such an extensive musical education, and while simultaneously working as a physician in North Carolina, has Osaru decided to share his gifts with the world.

Listening to the quality and diversity of Home, you will agree that it was certainly worth the wait. The album combines hip hop and R&B beats with jazzy instrumentation and even elements of classical music. This all comes together to form a whole that is satisfyingly head-nodding at first, but deeper and more interesting the more you listen.

There is something here for everyone, without the quality ever being compromised. From the dance floor inspired Start the Dancing to the slow, contemplative soul of the title track Home, Osaru is adept at supplying every musical need.

There is music for getting into the groove at the club, in the shape of I Know and Made Up My Mind, and there is also music for those quieter moments – The ‘Piano version’ of Pretty Lady and ‘24′ spring to mind here. However, most of all, this is music for lovers of great music who do not want to be constrained by the narrow boundaries of genre.

The best news is that this is only the beginning. Although Home has only just hit the shops, Osaru is already working on his next album, which he promises to deliver in the next Year. If it’s anything like this one, it can’t come soon enough.

Home is available now on CD Baby.

http://www.osarumusic.com
http://www.osarumusic.com/audio/OSARU-Home-2.m3u

Contact:

Cheryl Hughey Promotions

cherylhughey@charter.net/314-660-1755

G John Martin “Black Ice” Releases Debut CD

Tokyo, Japan
After touring the world and opening a record label in Japan, G John Martin “Black Ice” releases his debut CD, Black Ice.

R&B/contemporary jazz vocalist G John Martin, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA, is an artist who personifies art with unified melodies manifested with balance, life and wisdom. Martin’s musical journey began with the discovery of the bass guitar at the age of seven. By age twelve, he was writing and producing his own and formed a local band. Additionally, he taught himself drums and guitar before developing a unique vocal style that would mark the beginning of his musical career.

Martin’s professional journey began at age eleven during a visit to Hollywood. He quickly caught the ear of performer James Mitchell of the “Detroit Emeralds,” who offered him a role in the development of musical pieces for several projects including his first tour. With Mitchell’s encouragement, Martin quickly moved to study music and began what would become a long history of music production with groups like 7 Mile under the Sony label. World tours would also include the likes of Earl Klugh/George Benson, After 7, Clark Sisters, Universal Nubian Voices (UNV) opening the “The Madonna Girlie Tour” and Japan’s Speed, Anri, Yuki Kokanagi and Ken Hirai, just to name a few.

Within the next ten years, G John Martin felt the pressures and practices of the music business overshadowed his passion of music. Deciding he would no longer work under the influences of corporate ideals and demands, he chose to quiet himself, find spiritual solace and honor his soul. This led him to Japan, a culture based on divination and order. Martin transformed his career into a company venture - JP Entertainment & Nitram Records.

“My life is music. I was a singer when I was born and remain a singer today,” said Martin.

The self-titled CD, Black Ice, marks the solo debut for this R&B singer. The CD is available for sale in Japan and world-wide via CDBaby.com.

www.myspace.com/glynismartin

www.cdbaby.com/cd/gjohnmartin

A Review by Mark Kirby

Over a decade ago, rappers Chuck D and Public Enemy asked, “Who Stole the Soul?” Today, after Christina Aguilera’s R&B-infused Back To Basics double CD and the Amy Winehouse soul explosion, the real question is, “Who stole it back?” Part of the answer can be found in Lorraine Reid’s single “How Can I Keep Him Lovin’ Me?“

It always comes as a surprise when I hear a modern R&B singer who has both the pipes to belt out with intensity and the good taste to let the song tell the story, choosing to not over-saturate a classic melody with vocal gymnastics. Reid dazzles her listeners with the perfect balance of vocals, just like the classic soul, rock and pop singers did back in the day. This timeless track by the Canadian, 7-time Juno nominee would fit right in with the best of soul and funk in any age.

“How Can I Keep Him Lovin’ Me?” begins to amaze listeners with its instrumentals — the keyboard starts with mellow soul chords and is followed by gently plucked guitar and sparse bass that flows with restrained energy even while in ballad mode. The drums play a beat that has previously anchored old pop and soul songs as well as bawdy stripper show tunes; it’s a beat that is part-waltz, part-easy-going phat back groove. While this stew is bubbling, Ms. Reid tells the story: “No more than 15 but grown before her time / This young girl was seekin’ love from men who would dim the lights / How can I keep him lovin’ me? / Here she was still seeking love / it was no where to be found.” Aside from the modern beat of the drums and the contemporary soul sound, the track is undeniably old school because it deals with real people and real-life issues, concepts that are often lost in mainstream music today.

The sales of R&B records — as with those of hip-hop and most other genres — continue to slump. Illegal downloads aside, the vast majority of these records deal with unattainable fantasies of sex, glamour, white linen suits and matching Bentleys. People who have just been laid off, had their benefits run out, or their home foreclosed don’t want to hear about such lavish topics. And they can’t even afford to buy overpriced CDs, anyway. That’s why real people, especially women, like Mary J. Blige’s tales of being a survivor. Like Blige, Reid tells a tale of survival and, like the best soul and gospel singers, past and present, she goes beyond this simple tale: “At 22, a mom of two, but she was still a child / Her mama’s advice to her was a message meek and mild / what this baby boy sees in you I tried my whole life to find / so dry your tears, my baby girl, you’re lookin’ at piece of mind.” Throughout the song, Reid’s vocals follow the lyrics and melody on a rollercoaster of emotion, saving the soaring peaks of her sweet yet powerful voice for the pinnacles of the song, especially the last lines. By the end of “How Can I Keep Him Lovin’ Me?”, the sadness becomes both redemption and a spiritual epiphany — all because of the power of love. Now ain’t that what soul music is all about?

www.myspace.com/lorrainereid

The immensely-talented singer and producer long-harboured a dream of turning professional from an early age, self-producing over 250 tracks, writing thousands of lyrics, and playing his songs to close family and friends, but all the time agonising over playing in public. The fear became so great that KJ began getting panic attacks and even finding it difficult to leave the house. Kevin himself admits:

“At the time I didn’t realise and I didn’t get any help, so it developed. The panic attacks turned into depression and sometimes just going to the supermarket was difficult.”

Searching for ways to combat his fears, KJ began to write about how he felt and was finally persuaded to upload his tracks to MySpace where they caught the eyes and ears of SavageTrax boss Kevin Savage, who immediately signed him up for a £1m, 4-album deal. The deal changed everything overnight, giving KJ a new-found boost of confidence, enough to get up on stage and perform in front of 25,000 people at 2007’s Cardiff Mardi Gras.

Realising how empowering overcoming such an adversity can be, KJ and the mental health charity ‘No Panic’ have joined forces in an effort to reach sufferers who still shy away from seeking help. As a Patron of ‘No Panic’, KJ hopes to inspire sufferers to come forward as he did, proving that it is possible to beat a panic disorder.

‘Deep Within the Skin’ showcases KJ’s love of 80’s pop, hip hop and R & B, indeed it’s no surprise that KJ has been compared to a British Justin Timberlake, and with a reverential nod to studio maestro Timberland very apparent within the production. Due to be released on all major download sites, the single is backed up by 4 killer club remixes by a crop of producers renowned for their dancefloor-destroying productions.

First up is GRN, aka DJ and Producer Glen Nicholls, who has just topped the Buzz Chart with a remix of the Champion Classic ‘Show Me Love’ by Robin S and has been busy remixing the Yazoo comeback project after numerous chart-topping remixes for Depeche Mode, The Prodigy, Sander Kleinberg and Bomb the Bass. 7^th Heaven have produced a breezy club version that compliments their remix roster for the likes of Booty Luv, The Ting Tings, The Freemasons and Eric Prydz. The House Junkies add a touch of their floor-filling electro house style that’s been consistently wowing crowds at the Heaven nightclub in London. Finally John-e Jay, a talented Club DJ/Producer from Worcester, puts in a seriously wonky bass rework very much in the Sinden vein, sure to be cropping up in prime time sets everywhere this summer.

It just goes to show, fear need never get in the way of dreams.

For further information please contact:

Danny Payne or Rob Hyde
Zest PR
Tel. 0044 (0)207 734 0206
danny@zestpr.com rob@zestpr.com

Talented songstress Lorraine Reid is not just reveling in her previous success as lead singer for dance group Temperance; she’s making a major shift in her career with the release of a hot solo R&B album “Lessons Learned.” Hailing from Toronto, Reid has opened for Lou Bega, Monica, Coolio and Destiny’s Child, and “is vocally ready to take her place beside other international R&B songbirds. Some would even go as far as to grade her deep, rich voice against the bluesy sounds of Billy Holiday or Sarah Vaughan” (Georgette Charlicombe, Mic Check).

It’s no surprise that Reid lists Whitney Houston as one of her influences, since her new album contains vocals comparable to those of Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and India.Arie. Says Charles Bouley II from Billboard, “Reid delivers inspired vocal[s] that prove she’s a seasoned performer; it could easily elevate her to diva status. Her delivery is reminiscent of classic Donna Summer.”

Reid’s musical style can be described as a combination of R&B and soul with an edge. Having recorded two previous albums with Temperance, Virtues of Life and If You Don’t Know, she has the experience and the skills to infiltrate the music industry by simply sharing her powerful voice– with her help, Temperance was able to secure more Juno nominations than any other dance group to date.

Soon after Reid’s 7th Juno nomination in 2000, she began to feel as though her life needed a new direction. She decided to pursue a teaching career while continuing to record commercial jingles for radio and television, as well as perform backup vocals for countless other artists.

In the fall of 2005, the combination of full-time teaching and evening-gigging eventually took a toll on Reid’s health. She suffered a lengthy and extensive bout with laryngitis and was diagnosed with vocal nodules. Reid went through with an operation to have her nodules removed, which caused some loss in range and forced her to use an amplification system when speaking publicly.

Lessons Learned couldn’t be released at a better time in Reid’s life; the album’s title emulates the various challenges she has faced to make this record a reality. You are sure to hear a more soulful and established artist, as Reid provides a window into her heart by sharing the experiences that have made her the talented vocalist she is today.

You can expect to see the highly anticipated album out soon this summer, and while you’re anxiously awaiting the album’s release, go see Reid live July 12th, 2008 at the Montreal Reggae Festival (www.montrealreggaefest.com). Reid is also scheduled to play the Michigan Reggae Festival this coming August.

www.myspace.com/lorrainereid
www.musicdish.net/lorrainereid/

Lattimore has a smooth voice reminiscent of the velvety Luther Vandross. The first few listens I found it difficult to find focus on the fine musicianship of this recording, instead I was listening to how incredibly warm and inviting this vocalist was. This is the kind of music that forces you to stop life for a moment-turn the lights down low, relax, and spend some time with the one you love. It is important to take the time to share the joy of the music and let the spontaneity of conversation take you somewhere else. That does not sound all that complicated but in today’s busy world and our fast moving lives, how often do we stop to smell the roses? I can honestly say not nearly enough for this listener. Music from people like Alex Lattimore make me reevaluate things and force me to relax and take it all in.

The process of making such an appealing blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, and blues must be similar. The task of creating the music then making the right interpretation in words must take every ounce of energy an artist has to offer. Stopping to enjoy the moment and be a part of the process is a key factor. Lattimore has recorded an excellent album and surely dug down deep to pull out his very best creative juices to make such a consistent and enjoyable album.

Of the 10 tracks on this CD, I cannot seem to come up with a true favorite or pinpoint any one outstanding thing and the reason is that I thought the entire effort was excellent. One track seemingly melted right into the next, never giving way to any weaknesses with the arrangements, recording quality or musicianship. “Jazzman Blues” deserves some attention because it did catch my ear and it has a nice ring to it. It sounds like something that would be a choice single for airplay.

If you enjoy smooth jazz, R & B or soul…this is an album you need to check out. Alex Lattimore is not a household name yet, he is not a superstar, but that is not a prerequisite for the true music lover looking to discover new talented artist. This would be a good CD to start your journey if you have been looking for the latest indie artist on the rise in this genre of music, I Promise.

Artist: Alex Lattimore
Title: Promise
Genre: R & B-Jazz-Blues
Label: Independent
Website
Source Link

Tracks:
01. Kissing You
02. Bernadette
03. Lullabye
04. Promise
05. Jazzman Blues
06. Sunlight in My Rain
07. Windows
08. Keep Risin’ to the Top
09. A Million Ways
10. In Your Eyes

© MuzikReviews.com

7-Time JUNO Nominated R&B/Neo-Soul singer Lorraine Reid has been invited to perform at the Montreal Reggae Festival on July 12, 2008. Known to many for her work with the dance group Temperance, Lorraine will be performing songs from her debut solo album “Lessons Learned,” to be released this summer. Lorraine is also scheduled to play the Michigan Reggae Festival this coming August.

Montreal Reggae Festival
July 12, 2008 12pm - 8pm
“Loto-Quebec” Stage
Old Port of Montreal
http://www.montrealreggaefest.com

The Montreal Reggae Fest’ has ranked among the top annual festivals held in Montreal each year. The 3-day weekend-long event is by far the largest of its kind in Canada, currently attracts over 30,000 people with fans traveling from across the globe to attend.

Lorraine Reid pours her soul into the mic every time she steps on stage to sing. While recording dance music for Temperance, Lorraine’s heart as always been with soul and rhythm and blues. Lorraine attributes her unique vocal style to the influences of Billie Holiday, Sade, Sarah Vaughan and Whitney Houston and primarily enjoys listening to vocal jazz, rhythm and blues, and reggae. While with Temperance, Lorraine achieved many successes on top of her Juno Nominations, including six top ten singles on the Canadian National Dance Chart and a Much Music Video Award for Best Dance Video. She also toured extensively throughout North America, the U.K. and Europe.

http://www.musicdish.net/lorrainereid/
http://www.myspace.com/lorrainereid

Artist development and marketing firm MusicDish LLC has been selected by Canadian label Soundcheck Entertainment Records to support the development of The 7-Time JUNO Nominated Lorraine Reid and her new album “Lessons Learned.” The album represents significant soul searching on the part of the powerhouse vocalist of Temperance by establishing a more mature sound and reflecting the various challenges and changes Lorraine has endured to make this record a reality.

MusicDish will roll out a full online marketing campaign in support of the album and single “How Do I Keep Him,” while developing brand identity and creatives that reflects Lorraine’s new musical direction and growth. The mutli-pronged campaign will coordinate efforts on a variety of platforms, from MP3 blogs and webradio stations to social networking sites and genre-specific communities, combined with syndicated marketing and street teaming.

Lorraine Reid is perhaps best known as the former powerhouse vocalist of Temprance. Temperance fared extremely well in both the dance and mainstream markets, and can now boast more Juno nominations than any other dance group to date.

As the lead vocalist of Temperance, Lorraine earned 7 Juno Award nominations. Their first album, Virtues of Life, released in 1995, attained these incredible feats and much more. In 1996, the Canadian Euro dance group released a cover version of the song, “Forever Young,” which reached number 8 on the Canadian Dance Chart. The single, “Forever Young,” was also released in the United States in the summer of 1997, and immediately won the hearts of many new fans and critics south of the border. Their debut album featured 6 consecutive National Top Ten charting dance singles, and 4 MuchMusic Video Award nominations, which resulted in a 1994 MuchMusic Video Award. Along with a feature in Billboard Magazine in June 1998, their import follow-up single, “Lost In Love,” created immense anticipation for their second follow-up album release titled, If Yu Don’t Know.

Recording for the majority of 1999 yielded Temperance’s stronger sophomore album entitled, If You Don’t Know. This new album gained admiration from new fans, while maintaining a loyal pre-existing fan base who was excited to grow with Lorraine. Even before the release of the album title track, “If You Don’t Know,” Temperance had already garnered acclaim for their first single, “Hands of Time,” as it won a SOCAN Award for climbing to #1 on RPM’s Dance Chart. Its success continued and it cracked the Top 40 Radio Charts. The video for Hands of Time received nominations for both a Juno Award and a MuchMusic Video Award in 2001.

In the fall of 2005, Lorraine suffered a lengthy and extensive bout with hoarseness, including throat pain, which ultimately became complete laryngitis. She was diagnosed with vocal nodules and was advised to undergo the procedure to have them removed. The resulting nodule surgery meant learning to retrain her muscles for use, compensating for some loss in range, as well as the use of an amplification system when speaking publicly.

It is with great anticipation therefore that Lorraine’s new album, Lessons Learned is slated for release this spring. Listeners are sure to hear a more soulful and established Lorraine, as she provides a window into her heart by sharing her experiences that have made her the talented vocalist she is today.

MusicDish Network is the artist development department of MusicDish LLC, a leading music magazine publisher and marketing firm. Launched in 2001 as a marketing service for independent artists, MusicDish Network has grown into a complete artist development program, leveraging brand development, saturated and relationship marketing, digital distribution, event planning and industry outreach to support emerging artists and bands careers.