Norman Brown | "It Hits Different"

Norman Brown, the Grammy-winning guitarist and virtuoso, declares, "Music is a language; it speaks to the invisible part of us that moves the physical part of us." With over four decades of enthralling audiences globally, his jaw-dropping virtuosity and soul-stirring performances have left an indelible mark. George Benson hails him as "one of the greatest and most articulate guitarists out there." Norman Brown, a musician's musician, has collaborated with icons like George Benson, Dave Koz, Brian McKnight, and many others.

Norman Brown's fourteenth release, "It Hits Different," drops on March 29, 2024, under Shanachie Entertainment. This album, comprising eleven originals, seamlessly fuses Jazz, R&B, Pop, and Blues. Brown's intent was to make the music connect with his fans, the "Normantics," and indeed, it hits different from his previous works, revealing additional facets of his character. The lead single, "Anything," is steadily climbing the charts, offering buttery soul riffs, melodious tunes, and a feel-good groove.

"It Hits Different" features gems like "Asur," driven by Lil' John Roberts' funky drum grooves, and "Chicken Shack," a jubilant soul-jazz number inspired by Brown's memories of visiting his grandmother in the country. The sultry "To Forever" showcases Brown's laid-back groove and crisp R&B licks, harmonizing perfectly with singer James Champion. The title track encapsulates the feeling of finding the right person at the right time, featuring vocals by Wirlie Morris.

Connection is at the heart of Norman Brown's music. When performing, he taps into a higher frequency, where the guitar becomes an extension of himself. His joy is palpable, and he aims to pass it on to his fans, inspiring them to find the silver lining within themselves. Norman Brown's love affair with the guitar began at age eight, and he has enjoyed a rare longevity in his career. With a string of successful albums, including Grammy winners and critically acclaimed works, Brown's latest masterpiece, "It Hits Different," promises a fantastic voyage through diverse musical realms. Get ready to experience the unique magic of Norman Brown once again.

In 1992, Brown recorded the albums Just Between Us, the Gold selling and Soul Train award-winning After The Storm and Better Days Ahead. Having recorded a string of successful albums including 1999’s Celebration (in which he teamed up with Paul Brown), 2002’s Just Chillin’ (featuring vocalists Michael McDonald, Miki Howard, and Chanté Moore) scored a Grammy. The same year, Brown joined forces with saxophonist Kirk Whalum and trumpeter Rick Braun forming the group BWB, recording their debut album Groovin’. In 2013 they released Human Nature, a tribute album to Michael Jackson, which was followed by their third collaboration BWB in 2016. Brown continued a trail of critically heralded albums including West Coast Coolin’ (2004), Stay With Me (2007), Sending My Love (2010), and Grammy-nominated 24/7 with saxophonist Gerald Albright. 2017 saw the release of Norman Brown’s anticipated and well-received Shanachie debut, Let It Go. Brown’s recording The Highest Act Of Love followed in 2019, Heart To Heart in 2020 and Let’s Get Away in 2022 (all on Shanachie).