On Carol Duboc’s deeply
personal 2013 release, “Smile,” the contemporary jazz singer-songwriter opened
up in a way that she had never done so before, revealing the pain and heartache
involved with dissolving her marriage while being the mother of a young
daughter. She described writing the album with producer and jazz keyboards
legend Jeff Lorber as therapeutic. Her therapy continues on “Colored Glasses,”
a Gold Note Music ten-track disc written and produced by Duboc and Lorber set
for release on September 18 and launched that evening with a Hollywood concert
date that will be streamed online.
Two years on, Duboc’s new material details her struggles
with cutting the ties of the relationship, one tinged by her partner’s
delusional view of the world. Writing lyrics and melodies to rhythm tracks sent
to her by Lorber, Duboc addresses the realities and realizations of moving
forward with honesty and candor, even if she felt her ex was hiding the truth
behind “colored glasses,” thus spawning the album’s title. But she acknowledges
her own role as well.
“Some people refuse to see the world as it really is or life
as it is, and to be honest, I was so caught up in the hypnotic love that I
didn’t see things as they really are either,” admitted Duboc, who titled the
first single “Hypnotic.” “I think this album is going to surprise people. It’s
about letting go completely and moving on emotionally. And it may be the
funkiest solo record I’ve ever made.”
Lorber’s R&B rhythms are lively throughout the soulful,
sophisticated session of jazzy adult pop tunes. A marquee supporting cast
brings high-caliber musicianship to the taut grooves with stellar performances
by Jimmy Haslip (electric bass), Brian Bromberg (acoustic bass), Vinnie
Colaiuta (drums), guitarists Paul Jackson, Jr. and Michael Thompson, Hubert
Laws (flute), Eric Marienthal (sax), Lenny Castro (percussion) and
multi-instrumentalist Lorber on keyboards, piano, bass and guitar. Dave Mann
punches up several cuts with crisp horns and vivid horn arrangements that add
vibrancy, lushness and depth.
“Hypnotic” will be serviced to radio next month coinciding
with the release of a video lensed on Venice Beach for the album’s
“Wavelength,” a danceable guitar and horn-driven song about intuitive
communication between partners. To mark the album’s release and celebrate
coming through the other side of the relationship, Duboc will perform at the
famed jazz joint the Baked Potato on the release date (Sept. 18), which will be
streamed live on her website (www.CarolDuboc.com). Lorber, Haslip and Thompson
are among the musicians from the album’s lineup already confirmed to be backing
the singer that night.
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Duboc has been living in
Los Angeles ever since she attended USC Thornton’s School of Music. Prior to
launching her solo recording career in 2001with the critically-acclaimed “With
All That I Am,” Duboc wrote hits on gold and platinum-selling albums, including
records by Patti LaBelle, Chante Moore, Tom Jones, Stephanie Mills, Jade, Fine
Yong Cannibals, Maurice White and the late George Duke. Possessing multimedia
appeal, the photogenic blond had a supporting role on the silver screen in “Be
Cool” alongside John Travolta, Uma Thurman and Danny DeVito.
The songs on “Colored Glasses” are:
“Hypnotic”
“Every Shade of Blue”
“Celestial Skies”
“Wavelength”
“Breathing”
“Trajectory”
“Spinning”
“Colored Glasses”
“Walking in My Sleep”
“Code Red”
