While a song about the joy of
packing on a few pounds and a widening booty may seem contrary to the messages
bombarding the popular music and media landscapes, smooth soul singer Selina
Albright’s “Eat Something” is instantly resonating with fans and radio
programmers, including SiriusXM Watercolors’ Dave Koz Lounge, which will
feature the song on the February 5 national broadcast. The mid-tempo adult
R&B song bolstered by guitarist Kay-Ta Matsuno’s crafty touch is the lead
single from Albright’s first full-length album, the very personal
“Conversations,” which will be released March 17 by Golden Rays Music..
“Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that I’ve
reprioritized my life and stopped putting so much emphasis on doing and being
what’s most acceptable to others, and instead focused more on appreciating and
expressing who I’ve become. Getting to that place in my life inspired me to
write about topics I normally wouldn’t, such as ‘Eat Something.’ I know it’s
unconventional to write a song about being so happy that you gain weight from
eating more, but there’s a freedom in the candor of the lyrics. There was no
way I was going to change that. It was far too special,” said Albright, who
selected the heartening cut as the first single based upon the immediate and
rousing response she receives whenever performing the song in concert and from the
fervent reaction from her “FanFamily” on social media.
Describing the custom-tailored blend of sensual soul and
sultry jazz album as “my own therapeutic diary through joy, betrayal,
liberation and hope, all written without holding back,” Albright wrote the
lyrics for all nine original tunes and co-produced three tracks on
“Conversations.” Her subject matters are based upon intimate and probing
conversations she’s had, shared as if she’s confiding in a close friend.
Whether skillfully unleashing the full power and magnitude of her
gravity-defying voice or harnessing her passion in a reassuring caress,
Albright’s demeanor remains sunny and glowing on uplifting numbers like
“Possible” and “Highest High.” Even when confronting weightier subjects head on
like she does on “Wifey Anthem (You Don’t Have To Fight At Home)” and “Victim,”
her inherent optimism remains present and undaunted. “Let Go” also is wrought
with emotion and includes dramatic flute flourishes from multiple Grammy
nominee Gerald Albright, Selina’s father. The disc’s lone cover is a stripped
down, jazzy take on “If I Were A Boy” with accompaniment by contemporary jazz
hit-maker Peter White on acoustic guitar and Randy Ellis (Stevie Wonder,
Beyoncé) on sax. Also contributing to the date are producers Chris “Big Dog”
Davis and James “JRob” Roberson as well as guitarist David P. Stevens.
To help launch the album, Albright will perform at three
record release parties: February 12 at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, California,
April 6 at the Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, Pennsylvania and April 15 at The
Soiled Dove Underground in Denver, Colorado. The Southern California show is
already nearly sold-out.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Albright was
reared in the jazz and R&B scene, making her first appearance singing on
one of her father’s albums twenty years ago. She has since sung on several of
his collections, including penning lyrics and singing on the Grammy-nominated
“24/7,” a 2012 duet set from the chart-topping saxophonist and Grammy-winning
guitarist Norman Brown. Oozing stage presence, exuberance and captivating
charisma, Albright has made her own name while singing on records and stages
around the world, shining brightly amidst a galaxy of contemporary jazz stars
and R&B legends that spans Brian Culbertson, David Benoit, Dave Koz, Kirk
Whalum, David Sanborn, Boney James, Richard Elliot and Rick Braun to Chaka
Khan, Will Downing, Regina Belle, The Temptations, Hugh Masakela and the late
George Duke. In an entirely different setting, she injected her soul-powered
energy into the electronic dance music world by collaborating with Manufactured
Superstars, leading to a performance with the internationally-revered DJ duo at
Las Vegas’ Electric Daisy Carnival in 2011. Recording as a solo artist,
Albright placed the spirited jazz original “You and I” on the iTunes Top 100
Singles Downloads in 2010. A few years later, she topped the soul chart in the
United Kingdom for four weeks with her R&B/soul single “Brighter.” Last
year, Albright primed the marketplace for “Conversations” by issuing “Sun Comes
Up,” which outpaced her previous singles.
“Conversations” contains the following songs:
“Eat Something” (featuring Kay-Ta Matsuno)
“Possible”
“If I Were A Boy” (featuring Randy Ellis)
“Talk To Her”
“Highest High”
“Wifey Anthem (You Don’t Have To Fight At Home)” (featuring
David P. Stevens)
“Search My Name”
“Victim”
“Let Go” (featuring Gerald Albright)
“Uncharted Love”
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