Tag: soul

ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND

Unlike many Southern soul singers who earned their wings singing from the pews of their local church, Acantha Lang’s musical accomplishments were born of pure vocal talent and self-determination. Though raised in New Orleans, Lang didn’t find her voice until she stumbled into the good graces of New York’s most accomplished R&B session musicians — and now, she’s London’s best-kept soul secret on the cusp of a solo breakthrough. 

Growing up, Acantha Lang wasn’t drawn towards the spotlight, but she felt a calling towards music that she just couldn’t ignore. After moving to New York, this calling eventually led her to take the stage at the famed Harlem Grill, a now-defunct space where Black musicians would congregate after performances in the borough. From Puffy, Stevie Wonder, and Alicia Keys to the session players that ran with Prince, wrote songs with Jocelyn Brown and backed Acantha each Monday for her weekly “Monday Night Blues” residency, the Grill was home to the best of Harlem’s soul scene, brimming with the community and the culture of Acantha’s hometown. 

After nearly three years at the Grill, Acantha was headhunted for Manhattan’s renowned cabaret, The Box, where she became the club’s first female MC — a role that ultimately catapulted her to London to open the UK’s sister club. There, she was able to put together her band, write her own music, and start polishing her sound, evolving her voice into the mesmerizing, full-bodied instrument that American Songwriter has compared to the venerable vocal flutter of Aretha Franklin. “When I started making the music I wanted to make… there was no second thought, no confusion,” says Acantha. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do, exactly what I wanted to say… and I couldn’t have done that before now.”

That newfound musical confidence shines through on her 2021 EP debut, Sugar Woman, which Soul Tracks selected as their featured album of the month upon its August release. As Acantha Lang blends Stax-inspired funk with Southern blues, she tells highly personal tales atop spirited, shimmering grooves. Acantha’s storytelling style harkens to age-old blues traditions while grounding itself in contemporary themes, delivering head-on lyrical attacks on fake news (the tell-all “He Said/She Said”), odes to motherly love in the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s disaster (the gripping “Lois Lang”), and celebrations of Black strength and womanhood with confidence and pride.

Acantha Lang’s growth has been slow but sure: a whirlwind journey from humble beginnings to a steadily burgeoning career songwriting for the GRAMMY-nominated Robert Randolph, and earning endorsements from legends like Joe Bonamassa, Robert Elms, and noted tastemaker Craig Charles (BBC 6Music / BBC Radio 2) who distinguished Acantha as “brilliant… an independent artist destined for world domination” in a recent interview for Blues & Soul Magazine. Acantha’s rousing “He Said/She Said” appears on his recently released compilation album, The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Vol. 2, where he notes that it’s a track that “…will blow the cobwebs out of your eardrums and leave you breathless and eager for more.”

Acantha has established a dedicated legion of fans online through her “Standing On The Shoulders Of…” Soul series (currently over 10 million cumulative views across IG, YT & TikTok), where she honors past Stax and soul legends with spirited reimaginings of jukebox classics. Her exceptional take on the song, “I Wish I Knew How I Would Feel To Be Free” ultimately landed her a recent McDonald’s TV spot in Europe, too, proving she’s the perfect Nina Simone vocal stand-in. She was accepted into the Recording Academy’s (Grammy) 2022 member class and her single “It’s Gonna Be Alright” was on the first round of ballots in three categories for the 65th Grammy Awards nominations.

She continues to move from strength to strength. On May 13th, Acantha made her national TV debut, delivering a dazzling performance on CBS Saturday Morning, which included three tracks – “He Said / She Said,” “It’s Gonna Be Alright” and “Sugar Woman” from her forthcoming debut album Beautiful Dreams, out June 30th.  Watch Lang’s full CBS Saturday Session here. 

Armed with passion, a unique perspective, and a voice that stops people in their tracks, Acantha Lang’s full-length debut “Beautiful Dreams” is destined to propel her from an undiscovered gem into the pantheon of modern soul greats. 

Stay up to date at https://acanthalang.com or @acanthalang on IG, Twitter and TikTok.

Big Daddy Wilson was born more than 50 years ago in a small town called Edenton, North Carolina. The population of Edenton counts less than 6000,  55% African Americans, 25% below the poverty line. “We were very poor but I had a very beautiful childhood“, Wilson remembers. “Me and my sisters were raised by Mom and Grandma. We lived a simple life, we went to church every Sunday, school on weekdays. I also worked back then on the tobacco plantation and in the cotton fields, I was a real country boy.“ Wilson sang in church but he never thought about going on stage. “I was extremely shy.“ His guardians meant well for the fatherless boy and they often sent him to church also during the week. “That won´t hurt him, keeps little Wilson away from drugs and off the streets.“ 

Young Wilson quit school at 16, and sometime later joined the US Army. Being a poor black man in the south and living in a small town, jobs were scarce. After being stations in  Germany, the young man became homesick. “I found out the quickest way to go back home was to see that you got married. They’ll allow you a vacation time about two weeks to go home to get married. Wilson convinced his officers of his impending wedding and returned Stateside, refusing to return to Germany. After six weeks his mom was so worried that she begged him to go back to the military. “And so I was back in Germany.“ 

A few years later Wilson met a German girl who became his wife. She is the reason for him staying and also the reason for a poem which became Wilson´s first song. 

And then Wilson heard the blues for the first time. Back in Edenton he had listened to music only in church and from the local, country radio station. But now he went for the first time to a real blues concert. “I met the blues here in Germany. I didn’t know what the blues was before“ Big Daddy Wilson says. “It was here that I found a part of me that was missing for so long in my life.“ It did not take long and the shy guy who had written some poems started looking for melodies. He went on stage, jammed all over the German blues scene and made an impression with  his warm and soulful voice. He began touring with bands and as a duo and even released a few records. “My sister came all the way to see me perform and she couldn’t believe it. No, that’s not my brother. It seems like all my shyness was gone – thanks to my music. “ 

Champion Jack Dupree, Louisiana Red, Eddie Boyd… many musicians who made Europe their home and brought the blues with them succeeded here better than in the U.S. Even Luther Allison lived in Europe for 14 years before his big break. 
And now there´s Big Daddy Wilson, an American singer and songwriter who found his home in northern Germany. But something is different regarding Big Daddy Wilson. When he came over from the U.S. there was no blues in his baggage. He initially discovered the blues here in Germany which is where he will begin his international career. 

With his international solo debut on RUF Records Big Daddy Wilson is going to take one step further in his late career as a musician. For “Love Is The Key“ he recorded his own songs exclusively with a small band; taking it back to the roots, often reduced to acoustic instruments, but always full of soul. You can listen to his very first song here,“ Anna“  the song about his wife. Gospel is the foundation for “Keep Your Faith In Jah“, but this doesn’t keep the songwriter Wilson from praising the talents of a gypsy queen from New Orleans, “Jazzy Rose“. In “Hard Days Work“, Big Daddy uses monotone drones for hypnotic effects on the listener, while breezy off beats Jamaica-style let “Dreaming“ to swing along. Autobiographic aspects can be found elsewhere: “Ain´t No Slave“reminds us of the African-American history and at the same time makes us aware of Wilson’s grown confidence. His good friend Eric Bibb guests on two songs about Wilson’s roots ,”Country Boy” , “Walk A Mile In My Shoes”. He’s very proud of Bibb´s presence because “I’ve learnt so much from him,” says Wilson. 

The fruits of this learning can be tasted on Big Daddy’s imminent European Tour. Does he dare to imagine that he could take this music all the way back to his roots in North Carolina? 

“That’s a dream, but one that makes me nervous“ the Father of three laughs; it’s clear that his homesickness is gone – along with his shyness.

Platinum @nd Gold Award Artist Phil Joseph Newly released single entitled “Babe You Are Mine” Is truly inspiring song which has taking the world by surprise with the smooth lovers touch [ Golden ladies making joyful noise listening to babe you are mine on the radio ] Phil Joseph musical thoughts, Have been inspired by vision and thought, and pure passion for his musical talent from within. Is a pleasure to listen to a soulful artist who makes it their own.

Listen on Radio Chart:

( Video )

This lovers rock video is about a man expressing himself with beautiful words how he feels about the women who he is in love with.

Visit Phil Joseph here: http://philjoseph.biz/

 Worldwide:_2021 

Artist/Composer Perry Michael Allen Memphis, Tn.  Allen continues to make his own space in the Indie arena.    © Nugen Group Itnl_U.S._HOLLAND_ITALY

Years of recording hits for other artists pushed him to master the art of producing independent music. 

Perry Michael Allen was born and raised in Memphis U.S.A., the heartland of Soul. Allen’s’ musical roots run deep into the contemporary music marketplace. His father Perry Allen, an educator and Memphis’ foremost jazz radio disc-jockey, left a lasting impression on the young and talented musician. During high school, Allen was awarded the unique opportunity to study the art of record making with some of Memphis’ greatest session musicians. You can hear his Memphis roots and the influences in his music. For example, early in his career under the wings of master producer “Papa” Willie Mitchell and Stax hit writer David Porter (of “Soul Man” fame), Allen sharpened his song writing and production skills and later became an artist / writer and arranger for both Stax Records, and the legendary Hi Records where he worked for many years with Mitchell and soul legend Al Green during their chart topping careers.

…”the whole experience was very humbling and unreal at times” says Allen.

Since then, Perry Michael Allen has collaborated on numerous successful albums. In addition to his own records for Stax, Hi and other record companies, Allen penned three hits for Al Green; “Hanging On”, “So Good To Be Here” and “Soon As I Get Home” as well as recording and arranging for other well-knowns such as Boz Skaggs, The Sweet Inspirations, Albert King, Wilson Pickett, Anita Ward, The Memphis Horns, Bobby Rush, The Soul Children, Syl Johnson, European groups “Wet Wet Wet”, Axelle Red, Zucchero  and many others. 

As a composer and arranger, “Session-Man” Allen has received many awards including RIAA Certified Gold and Platinum Albums and the coveted Memphis Blues Foundation “Blue Note Award”. His songs and tracks are also licensed to many movies and TV shows.  Some are: “C.S.I.” -”Dr.  House MD” -”JAG”, “Ally McBeal”, and for movies “Pulp Fiction”, “Munich”, “Mickey Blue Eyes”, “American Pimp” and many more. 

Berklee College of Music recognized Master Perry Michael Allen as a Music Production Specialist. Adding to an ongoing career Allen now offers “The Clinic”: “Session Man” courses and Music Production Counseling to emerging artists/musicians and European music institutes and studios. 

When asked why he wanted to take a break from recording and offer his courses, Allen replied:

 “ I was lucky to be inspired by great artists and producers and to have them as mentors I  want to convey inspiration and knowledge to musicians and artists who feel they are on the outside looking in. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than the feeling that you get when someone tells you that their success is due to what they learned from you and the things you’ve been able to convey to them” 

Italian Journalist: Massimilliano Buonamici.

© Nugen Group Itnl_U.S._HOLLAND_ITALY

Worldwide Update: Artist / Composer Perry Michael Allen Memphis, Tn. releases his single “JUST LIKE THAT” on all music streaming platforms. Allen continues to make his own space in the Indie arena.

“JUST LIKE THAT” has jazz–hop infused R&B and a New Memphis Funk arrangement that lifts the mood and inspires you with a much needed honest perspective. One seamless blend of style and personality, very inspirational and refreshing. A unique mix of groove, arrangement and melody, 

Allen says “I wanted to do a single with a new personalized sound, my take on where Memphis Music could be. Collaborating with friends , I was able to do what would normally be done in a recording studio environment. The sessions were a smooth online exchange of tracks and ideas leading up to the final master.”

After a two-year hiatus, Perry Michael Allen has returned with “Just Like That”. Allen’s last album “Tracks Vol 1” introduced “The New Easy” the Jazz / Funk version of Adult Contemporary. “JUST LIKE THAT” .. is a very strong return for Perry Michael.  .. A breath of fresh air 

.. worth adding to your playlist.    Maxine B.  © The Nugen Group Intl. 2021

Looking for a dynamic entertainer for your next event?! Look no further! Billy Buchanan, The Ambassador of Rock ‘n Soul, will have you swinging and swaying through the decades, from the 50’s to the 80’s and beyond. From Ray Charles, to James Brown, to The Temptations, to Stevie Wonder, To Prince, Billy’s only objective is to keep you on the dance floor. Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, the city where DJ Alan Freed first coined the phrase “Rock and Roll”, Billy Buchanan has a deep musical heritage. Digging into his father’s LPs at a very young age, he became a disciple of all the soul, blues, and rock trailblazers. He is also an exceptional, award winning songwriter, and in his original music, you can hear the backbeat rhythms and musical influences of all the artists he admires. He performs solo or with his band, ‘Billy Buchanan & his Rock ‘n Soul Revue’, behind him. His latest album, “Live! Act 1” was released in November 2019. Go to BillyBuchanan.org/contact to book one of his amazing shows! 

As an award winning recording artist, he’s released nine albums as a solo artist and two albums with his former band Fusebox (Elevate/EMI). He’s had three Top 20 songs on the CCM charts and has performed in all 50 states and in 26 countries. As a sideman, he’s played bass, guitar, or sang background vocals for many great artists, including Grammy winners Rebecca St. James, Michael Tait, and John Carter Cash. As a songwriter, he’s written songs with Busbee, Clint Lagerberg, Mike Hartnett, Marc Byrd, and other established writers. As a producer, he produced all of his solo albums, numerous independent artist’s albums, and co-produced Fusebox’s “Once Again” album. As an actor, he was nominated for a Dove Award for his role in the touring production, Hero The Rock Opera. As a celebrity impersonator, he’s been nominated for four Sunny Awards (including the prestigious Bea Fogelman Award of Excellence), and won one for “Best Website” in 2018. In 2020, he won “Best Soul Artist” at Las Vegas’ Reel Awards. 

Billy has opened for or shared the stage with Jersey Boys on Tour, Tower of Power, Harry Connick Jr., Betty LaVette, Paul Anka, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Josh Turner, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Brothers Osborne, David Ryan Harris, Morris Day and The Time, Chaka Khan, Shawn Mullins, Sixpence None The Richer, JohnnySwim, The New Orleans Suspects, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Joy Williams (from The Civil Wars), Super Cat, G Love and Special Sauce, 24-7 Spyz, Switchfoot, Extreme, KC & The Sunshine Band, Funky Meters, P.O.D, N’Dea Davenport (from The Brand New Heavies), Skillet, Alice In Chains, Rebecca St. James, Salt-n-Pepa, and Jennifer Nettles (from Sugarland), to name a few.

Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Persevere Entertainment Group Announces New Album by Billy Buchanan,
“Live! Act 1”

Jacksonville, Florida – Persevere Entertainment Group is thrilled to announce the release of the latest album from Billy Buchanan, “Live! Act 1”, which will be available in early November.

“Live! Act 1”, features songs from Motown and Stax greats, and other soul classics from the 50’s and 60’s, performed by Billy Buchanan & his Rock ‘n Soul Revue, recorded live on November 18, 2018, at his Sock Hoppin’, Beboppin’, Juke Joint Jamboree, at Friday Musicale of Jacksonville, Florida! Pre-Orders are now available online by going to: BILLYBUCHANAN.ORG!

In addition to TV appearances on River City Live and Jacksonville Buzz TV, Billy has also made guest appearances on WUFT- 89.1FM, NPR’s All Things Considered, and many more. Buchanan recently opened for legendary artists, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, the incomparable Harry Connick, Jr., The Jersey Boys on Tour, Tower of Power, and many more! Billy starts his two month residency with Las Vegas’ ‘Legends in Concert’ in November 2019 at their Branson, MO location”. Check out his full schedule and more at: www.Billybuchanan.org

“As an artist, my highest aspiration is to celebrate 50’s and 60’s soul and early rock artists, and to educate audiences on these artists’ ginormous contribution to the musical landscape. Celebrate and Educate! That’s what it’s all about for me.” – Billy Buchanan

Billy currently resides in St. Augustine as a fulltime entertainer and songwriter, performing 250+ shows a year. Billy also mentors, consults, and develops aspiring artists through his music company, Persevere Entertainment Group.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sharon Borneman, Persevere Entertainment Group | Manager, Agent
HYPE PR | Publicist, Owner
Cell: (352) 219-1118 / Bus: (904) 342-7874
booking@billybuchanan.org / www.BillyBuchanan.org
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Avenue.7 is a very talented duo from Hamburg Germany. Mista BlaQ & Jemotion have been putting in work for the last 3 years putting together their album which will be released this year.
Last year Avenue.7 released , “G.F.O (grown folks only)” , “Bubble” , “Touch” , “Hands Up , “Why” , and their latest work “Fuck It”.
With a total of over half a million streams on radio-chart.com , and 12 weeks of radio airplay on 92.5fm MIXXBOSSES ,this combination of RnB/HipHop & Soul is really starting to make noise in Hamburg, Germany.
So 2021 will be full of new videos from Avenue.7 for our YouTube fans & an album release!! Also planning a Tour with DJ BOB MITCHELL after the pandemic is over. So stay tuned and become a fan.

Connect with the group below:

https://youtube.com/channel/UCArOOaweX-dgS2jv4Q7At-w

https://www.facebook.com/Avenue7-108398297174500/

https://www.instagram.com/avenue.7_/

https://site.spinnup.com/avenuepoint7

“Soul” by Black ICE and produced by Kv Bangerz is a cool, sweet song written in key C minor. Instruments like hi-hat, acoustic guitars, and bell instrumentations are employed in the song. The juicy track focuses on cool sounds from the “RnB” genres, pop genres, and soul genres. Its heavy use of acoustics can easily be noticed. The song begins with a spoken word sequence on how a man believes he is about to change the world through his music while an acoustic guitar plays in the background, just before Soul Black ICE begins to sing about how he intends to change the world through his music.

Towards the end of the song, at 1:14 minutes, the spoken word sequence is continued again, stating how the same man traveled round all over the world and finally found what he was looking for, in line with the lyrics being heard in the background as the song continues to play till fade.

Black ICE strums his notes vocally gently and powerfully just as the player of the acoustic guitar. The minimal and simple production of this song is commendable as it is done efficiently. The song is a smooth melodious blend of his smooth vocals and a solid upbeat rhythm track. The catchy lyrics would really put you in the mood to change the world. It is comparable to some of the “A- list” songs with universal appeal. The beats of the song have the aura to make you sway heavily and suavely from left to right in an organized calculated rhythmic dancing fashion. The song has an endearing feel that makes you want to continue to hit the play button over and over again.

Phil Joseph, born in Birmingham, England has had a lifelong deep interest in music and over 25 years experience in the music industry.

Having released an album in 1995, entitled ‘Heartbreaker’, Phil has proved popular in Europe gaining regular airplay in Belgium, Spain, France and Germany.  One track from the album, a cover of the Nat King Cole classic ‘Unforgettable’, and a personal favourite of Phil’s, has been reworked and remixed in 1999 and is currently generating plenty of interest and positive feedback from radio stations and local press in Germany and Spain.

Over the past few years, he has worked with artists including Pato Banton, Steel Pulse and Bashara.

This follows an already popular release of Phil’s version of Patsy Cline’s ‘He’s Got You (She’s Got You)’, which was a real ground breaker for Phil in the European market.

To further illustrate his extensive involvement in music, Phil is currently performing in Clubs throughout the UK and also abroad.

Phil Joseph’s music styles are soul, motown, hip hop, and reggae. 

Phil Joseph:- singer, songwriter and performer from a very early age. I started my recording career in the late 70’s with Tony Owens, who was at that time managing Musical Youth. I love soul, reggae, and dance music of most types and of course my hero Nat King Cole.

You can find my five solo albums and countless singles available for sale or download here within my website. I am presently recording a new album. It includes some of my favourite songs of all time. I left some previews for you to listen to. I average around 120 shows a year and would love to see you there. I am always available for gigs and would be interested in working with artists in any genre.

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Artist Website Here > http://philjoseph.biz/index.html