“Soul To
Soul,” a passionate new song cycle from vocalist, songwriter, producer and
musician Carmen Lundy, is set for release September 23rd, 2014 via Afrasia
Productions. “Soul To Soul”, Lundy’s
14th album, is the next chapter in her critically-acclaimed career as both a
musical artist and a visual artist; a return to her roots but also an
exploration of these roots -- and the journey that those roots can take you
on. The release of “Soul To Soul” will
be accompanied by tour dates both in the U.S. and overseas.
Carmen
Lundy began working on “Soul To Soul” well over a year ago in a very hands-on
manner – literally composing, co-composing and arranging eleven of the thirteen
tracks and then playing and recording all the instruments - including bass,
drums, piano, guitar and percussion - in her home studio to get a working
“feel” for how the music might sound. She then “sweetened” the songs by adding
string sounds and other software instruments to elaborate and experiment with
the aural mood of each track, interpreting and identifying with each track’s
sound individually as well as part of the overall song sequence. On the final CD, Lundy plays guitar on all
tracks, piano and Rhodes on many tracks, and drums on two.
“I wrote
the music with specific players in mind for each respective instrument,” says
Lundy. “My producer and label co-owner
Elisabeth Oei encouraged me to reach out to those musicians whose music I have
loved and have been inspired by; some of whom I had worked with but never
recorded with. I consider these artists specialists on their instruments. These are players who bring a distinctive
sound to everything they play and
add
another layer of individuality to my original music.”
Patrice
Rushen, for example, is featured on nearly every track on “Soul To Soul”
because of the deep musical connection Carmen felt with her. “I could hear her sound in my music,” says
Lundy, “Patrice creates these beautiful sonic palettes from which I could soar
freely through the music. This project
would not be as special to me if it were not for her incredible contribution.”
Featuring
the stellar talents of guest artists Patrice Rushen, Geri Allen, Randy Brecker,
Mayra Casales, Simphiwe Dana, Bennie Maupin, Carol Robbins, Ada Rovatti, and
Warren Wolf along with Carmen’s core rhythm section members Darryl Hall and Jamison
Ross, “Soul To Soul” invites the listener on an intriguing journey. Whether the
source of inspiration comes from time spent in Sardinia, Italy (“Soul To Soul”
and “Sardegna”) or from her hometown of Miami in the songs “Kindred Spirits”
and “Grateful” – “It’s important to acknowledge and remember where you come
from and all those who provide unwavering moral support” says Lundy; from the
beauty of Mary Lou Williams’ “What’s Your Story, Morning Glory” - “Geri Allen
and I have spent many years performing the works of this great pianist,” Lundy
remarks, “I could not miss the chance to have yet another of the great
pianists/composers of our time be a part of this musical journey”; to the sexy
bossa nova beat of “Everything I Need”, the moods and moments of “Soul To Soul” are genre-bending and traverse
many borders, both literally and figuratively.
Of
special note is the story of the track “Grace,” the result of a meeting with
South African vocalist Simphiwe Dana. At
the time of the meeting – which coincided with tour dates Lundy and Dana had in
Johannesburg and Los Angeles – Lundy was in the process of writing the song on
guitar and had been haunted by it for months.
She then played the track for Dana who immediately began to sing the
melody in her native tongue, and whose contribution to the track on the CD adds
yet another dimension to the journey of “Soul To Soul.”
Added
Lundy, “It is an honor to have these players joining in this majestic musical
adventure. I hope listeners – both new
and established - enjoy the voyage.”
Carmen
Lundy is also a celebrated mixed media artist and painter, and her works have
been exhibited in New York at The Jazz Gallery in Soho, at The Jazz Bakery in
Los Angeles, and at a month-long exhibition at the Madrid Theatre in Los
Angeles, CA
SOUL TO SOUL TRACK
LISTING:
Kindred
Spirits (Carmen Lundy)
Life Is
A Song In Me (Carmen Lundy, Julie
Raynor)
Soul To
Soul (Carmen Lundy)
When
Will They Learn (Carmen Lundy, Julie
Raynor)
Daybreak (Carmen Lundy)
Between
Darkness and Dawn (Carmen Lundy, Julie
Raynor)
Grace (Carmen Lundy, Simphiwe Dana)
Grateful
Pt. 1 (Carmen Lundy)
Grateful
Pt. 2 (Carmen Lundy)
Everything I Need (Carmen Lundy)
Don’t You Know How I Feel (Marilyn Castilaw)
Sardegna
(Carmen Lundy, Deborah Ash)
What’s Your Story, Morning Glory (Mary Lou Williams)
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