BEHINDtheBEAT Artists

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	There's More To Music	Urban/Hip-Hop

Goapele Goapele
Even Closer
(Skyblaze Recordings)
"Even Closer," the debut recording from Oakland, California's Goapele Mohlabane, is an alluring mix of introspective, romantic and political songs from a notable young jazz and soul singer. Goapele's voice is set against a range of sparse but sophisticated urban- and jazz-inflected tracks, enabling listeners to share her thoughts and feelings. It's an impressive debut from an artist who deserves wider recognition.
1. "Even Closer" - Goapele says her first CD mixes many influences and personal thoughts.
2. "Romantic" - Goapele says it's unusual to write a love song about a good relationship.
3. "Another Side" - Goapele says writing about other people or society is hard, but necessary.
4. "Things Don't Exist" - This introspective, jazzy song is about her struggle with race issues.

Visit artist's web site: http://www.goapele.com

© Copyright 2003, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Vivian Green Vivian Green
A Love Story
(Columbia Records)
Though only 23, Vivian Green has been writing songs and working for years to launch her solo career. With "A Love Story," Green's debut on Columbia, she has turned that page with a CD that showcases personal lyrics and her exceptional voice.
1. "A Love Story" - Vivian Green says the songs in "A Love Story" are like chapters from a book about losing and finding love.
2. "Personal Songs" - Vivian Green says she likes to write personal songs about what she's going through.
3. "Affected" - The right track and a chance encounter with her ex led to this song about being angry.
4. "Be Good To You" - Vivian Green wrote this song for her husband when they were falling in love - and both had fears.
5. "Musical Range" - When asked, Vivian Green calls her CD 'R&B.' But there's more to it than that.

Purchase this CD
at Amazon.com

Visit artist's web site: http://www.viviangreen.com

© Copyright 2003, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Joshua Thompson Joshua P. Thompson
Writer-Composer-Producer
Joshua P. Thompson started his music career as a guitar player. Over the years, he's studied with many musical greats - from jazz and pop worlds - and today he's a noted writer-composer-producer on many hit recordings, collaborating with artists such as Joe, Babyface, Luther Vandross and Alicia Keys.
1. "Collaborating" - Joshua Thompson describes how he began working with his main writing partner, Joe, and what makes a good collaboration.
2. "Reason For Breathing" - This song was initially written for Joe, but was recorded by Babyface.
3. "Luther Vandross" - Joshua Thompson describes how he and five other co-writers collaborated on this song, recorded by the great vocalist Luther Vandross.
4. "Writing Hits" - Joshua Thompson says there's a careful balance between writing songs in a conversational style - with just a hint of poetry - that will have impact.

© Copyright 2002, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Maysa Maysa
Out of the Blue
(N-Coded Music)
Maysa Leak is a notable jazz-and-soul singer who says she simply decided to record songs that moved her on her latest CD, "Out of the Blue." She first became known for her singing with 'Incognito,' but has branched out to explore a variety of jazz, soul and pop sensibilities.
1. "Maysa Leak" - Above all, Maysa Leak says her music is jazz-influenced soul music.
2. "Out of the Blue" - The title cut comes from the surprising early birth of her son - while on tour in Japan.
3. "Head to the Sky" - The CD's biggest musical surprise was the version of this "Earth, Wind and Fire" song.
4. "Simple Life" - Will Downing insisted on singing on the CD - and ended up on this song.

Purchase this CD
at Amazon.com

Visit artist's web site: http://maysa.com

© Copyright 2002, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Martha Redbone Martha Redbone
Home Of The Brave
(Blackfeet Productions)
Martha Redbone's "Home Of The Brave" mixes an upbeat soul sound with a singer-songwriter's sensibility. Redbone says her mixed-race roots and upbringing in Kentucky and New York City have shaped her writing and music, making her attuned to life stuggles while remaining optimistic. She follows other neo-soul singers who combine songs about real life with classic grooves and modern production.
1. "Home Of The Brave" - Martha Redbone wanted her CD to be a journey through life's experiences.
2. "Underdog" - Martha says "Underdog" is her personal theme song.
3. "Boyfriend" - A song about a not-entirely unexpected reality on the dating scene.
4. "Liar" - Martha's song about facing a certain kind of adversity.

Purchase this CD
at Amazon.com

Visit artist's web site: http://martharedbone.com

© Copyright 2002, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Raphael Saadiq Raphael Saadiq
Instant Vintage
(Universal)
Bassist, singer and producer Raphael Saadiq adds another accomplishment to his notable career, his first solo recording, the multiple-Grammy-nominated "Instant Vintage." Saadiq, who's played with Tone Toni Tone, Lucy Pearl and many others, plays old school soul and funk that others like to sample, but then adds modern beats and his own touch - all without losing the gritty heart that he says makes music work for him.
1. "Old School, New School" - Raphael Saadiq says his sound is a mix of all the music he likes - old and new - with a gritty touch.
2. "Solo Saadiq" - Saadiq says he wanted to create a CD that would please himself and two types of fans.
3. "Songwriter" - Raphael Saadiq says he writes songs for people who've lived life's ups and downs.
4. "Still Ray" - Saadiq says his singing is finally in the place he wants it to be.

Purchase this CD
at Amazon.com

Visit artist's web site: http://www.raphaelsaadiq.com

© Copyright 2003, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Remy Shand Remy Shand
The Way I Feel
(Motown)
Remy Shand's music and story are a testament to talent, hard work and dedication. Growing up in Winnipeg, Canada, he taught himself to play many instruments, and sing, and write, and produce his own recordings fusing soul and R&B. His debut CD on Motown, "The Way I Feel," has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, including best R&B album, R&B song, male R&B vocal and traditional R&B vocal. Wow!
1. "The Way I Feel" - Remy Shand says his struggles with women and other musicians who didn't appreciate his vision were the emotional backdrop to his debut CD.
2. "Thank You, Dad" - Remy Shand credits his musician father with helping him develop his ears and talent to become the writer, singer and producer he is today.
3. "Take A Message" - Remy Shand says this Grammy-nominated song was written for a girl who fell in love with him - but he was more in love with his music.
4. "Rocksteady" - Remy Shand describes how this song - nominated for best R&B male vocal - was his first exploration of the low end of his voice!
5. "Bookends" - Remy Shand describes what prompted two of the most inspired tracks on his CD, the opening and closing cuts.

Purchase this CD
at Amazon.com

Visit artist's web site: http://www.remyshand.com

© Copyright 2003, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Shaggy Shaggy
Hotshot Ultramix
(MCA Records)
Shaggy is a Grammy-winning reggae-pop star known for tongue-in-cheek vocals and a party vibe. His latest CD, "Hotshot Ultramix," shows these and other sides of his musical personality, ranging from upbeat club and dance tunes to more relaxed grooves with confesional lyrics. Produced at his home recording studio, "Hotshot Ultramix" shows you don't need a large label or big studio to create topnotch modern music.
1. "Homemade Music" - Shaggy's latest CD was made in his basement studio - with his friends!
2. "Hope" - The first single from the CD wasn't about love; it was about not giving up.
3. "Sampling And Writing" - Shaggy says he selectively uses samples to get his music on the radio.
4. "The Voice" - Shaggy discovered his voice during running exercises while in the U.S. Marines.

Purchase this CD
at Amazon.com

Visit artist's web site: http://shaggyonline.com

© Copyright 2002, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Damian Marley Damian Marley
Halfway Tree
(Motown)
"Halfway Tree," Damian Marley's Grammy Award-winning Reggae CD, takes its name from the Kingston, Jamaica, neighborhood that sits between the city's privileged and poor. It's the aptly named recording by Bob Marley's youngest son, who grew up in both worlds but follows in his family's musical footsteps with songs and rapping that seek to lift oppressed peoples' spirits and dignity.
1. "Halfway Tree" - Damian Marley says he wanted this recording to showcase him as an artist who has really come into his own.
2. "Educated Fools" - A political song with very personal roots.
3. "Reggae and HipHop" - Marleys says HipHop grew naturally out of Reggae and from other sources that inspire music from the streets.
4. "It is Written" - Marley explains what it is to be a Rastafarian and why Ethiopia's Haile Selassie is known as the 'Lion of Judah.'

Purchase this CD
at Amazon.com

Visit artist's web site: http://damianmarleymusic.com

© Copyright 2002, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Toya Toya
Toya
(Arista)
Toya's debut on Arista Records is an impressive collection of energetic, personal songs about going out, meeting guys, having good relationships and taking care after disappointments. It's a stylish, alert and confident mix of having fun and being wise that's not what you expect from most 19-year-olds. But St. Louis' Toya Rodriquez isn't a typical teenager; she's a notable young artist with poise and flair.
1. "Toya" - Toya says most of her songs are about situations she or her friends have been in.
2. "How Can I Be Down?" - The CD starts with going out and meeting the right guy in the right way - not sacrificing your style.
3. "Truth" - Then comes a trio of songs about insisting on honesty and communication in relationships.
4. "Untouchables" - And then come songs about disappointments, moving on and building yourself back up.
5. "Fiasco" - Toya says this song, one of her favorites, encourages women to be wise.

© Copyright 2001, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Spearhead Michael Franti and Spearhead
Stay Human
(6 Degrees)
Michael Franti and Spearhead's "Stay Human" is a striking album that looks at some of today's biggest issues and offers encouraging songs for personal growth and social progress. Led by Franti, the CD features wonderfully warm and insightful songs interrupted by pirate radio broadcasts covering the execution of a beloved community activist. The infectious music and radio drama combine to create a CD that's poignant, memorable and inspiring.
1. "No Ordinary CD" - Singer-songwriter Michael Franti says he wants his music to inspire people to make real change possible.
2. "Oh My God" - "Stay Human" starts with a stark assessment of modern life and is followed by songs encouraging solutions.
3. "Be the Media" - Franti says the pirate radio show segments between songs are part of the solution: anyone can broadcast their thoughts.
4. "Death Penalty" - Franti says his portrayal of the death penalty is a both a statement about that practice and a metaphor for how people lead their lives.

Visit artist's web site: http://stayhuman.org

© Copyright 2001, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

Artist KRS-ONE
The Sneak Attack
(Koch)
"I only speak when I have to speak," says MC KRS-ONE, who rose from living on the streets at age 15 to become one of the most respected MC's in hip-hop. "The Teacher," as he calls himself, has much to say about hip-hop values and culture, and "The Sneak Attack" drives it home with the hard-core beats and aggressive rhymes that are KRS-ONE's signature.
1. "The Sneak Attack" - KRS-ONE says he set out to make a hard core album with a positive message.
2. "Hip-Hop Culture" - "Rap is something you do...hip-hop is something you live."
3. "Land of the Boogie Down" - KRS had help on this very danceable track from hip-hop's man for all seasons, Wycleff Jean.
4. "True Knowledge" - Sometimes real truth is hard to take.

© Copyright 2001, BEHINDtheBEAT, Inc.

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