LOTL-Radio The Comfort Zone

Dawn McClain began singing in the church at a young age. Even then her voice was larger than her body. A 70’s baby with an influence backing to the 60’s and thru gospel music she bridges the generation gap with classic soul encompassing a variety of depth, scope, and tone with no limits.  Dawn’s sound can be best described as soul, rock soul, r & b soul, house soul or just plain classic soul. A performance by Dawn is an “experience”. She will take you into a LIVE journey into sound. A natural humanitarian and advocate for women’s health and cancer awareness, Dawn was diagnosed in 2010 with ovarian cancer. Never one to faultier she embraced cancer with GOD’s grace and has been in remission for over a year. When Dawn walks in the room there is an unspoken presence. Originally from Los Angeles she has lived all over the world as a military kid and serving in the Air Force.  In 1998 she relocated to the music Mecca of the South, HOTLANTA. In Atlanta, “the voice” made waves and she catapulted her career has lead vocalist for Sol Factor Band. Sol Factor Band became one of the most sought after bands around Atlanta.  Dawn has been featured on Good Day Atlanta, V-103’s Art and Jazz, 102.5”s Art & Soul Summer Music Series, Centennial Olympic Park, “Wind down Wednesdays, Amateur Night at the Apollo (and won), and the highly acclaimed Michael Baisden Show. Dawn is among the burgeoning Atlanta Renaissance, sharing the stage with local emerging trailblazers including:  Gaelle, Joi Gilliam, Algebra Blesset, and Avery Sunshine to name a few.  She has the flair and finesse to roll with the best as she has shared the stage with Roberta Flack, Melissa Morgan, Jeane Carne, Ann Nesby, KEM, Gordon Chambers, Chrisette Michele, and Malcolm Jamal Warner.  Dawn has performed overseas in Malaysia, Japan, and Germany.   

Gedeon Luke and The People. Debuts his new single ' LIVE FREE ' Hailing from the streets of Memphis, soul music flows through Gedeon Luke’s veins in rainbow colored hues. Weaned on the gospel infused sounds of Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield and Al Green and inspired by the rock ‘n roll passion of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Gedeon and his band The People are here to crash through the boundaries of music and society, to bring Love, Peace and Soul to the world. Fighting through childhood poverty, rejecting the gang violence and drug abuse that surrounded him, Gedeon looked to music, family and faith as his beacon. Refusing to be hardened by the mean streets, Gedeon brings pure joy and passion to his music and his life. His debut record, “Live Free and Love” was cut old school style, throwing his band The People and special guests in a room and laying it down live. It follows no trend. It’s Love, Peace and Soul. It’s Gedeon Luke.

Discuss her latest project  with  Musiq Soulchild "It's Your Time" from Lil John Robert's upcoming EP "The Heartbeat"    Chantae Cann’s voice is the perfect combination of a warm Spring day, the fragrance just before it rains, and a sunset so breathtaking you can’t seem to capture it just right on camera. Her vocal delivery is soothing, sultry and more than just soulful, it’s soul fulfilling. Whether you find yourself listening to her live at a show or turning her up in your headphones, chances are you will have peace in your mind and a smile on your face. Chantae’s music blends the exploratory sounds of JAZZ with the feel good vibes of SOUL which makes for a mixture that is quite delicious. It is her heart’s desire to simply inspire, uplift and encourage the lives of others through music.Hailing from Chicago, IL, Chantae Cann is a phenomenal vocalist that is beautiful on and off the stage. She has performed as a background vocalist for many artists including Leon Timbo, Darlene McCoy, PJ Morton, Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage and India.Arie. While working with these artists she has had the amazing chance to travel the world doing what she loves and has been inspired to branch out into her own solo career

Philadelphia’s best kept secret is out of the bag! Carol Riddick has released her solo debut album Moments Like This for all the world to hear.  The sultry singer/songwriter has graced stages from her hometown of Philadelphia to across the globe, winning fans and admirers with her extraordinary voice. Highly regarded in the music community for her vocal dexterity, mesmerizing performances, and genuinely warm personality, Carol Riddick’s time is now.  Carol Riddick debuts  Her new single  "Love Like I've Never Been Hurt Before" from her forthcoming Album '  Love Phases '                                                                                     Born and raised in South Philadelphia, music has been a part of her life since she was a teenager. It was in her early adulthood that the industry took notice of her vocal talent when she got her start touring with Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff. Since then Carol has blessed the tracks of many notable artists. She is featured on records by Anthony Hamilton, Jill Scott, Norman Brown, and Kindred. Most recently her distinct vocal delivery can be heard on Musiq’s “Soulstar”, the title track on his multi-platinum album. “I so love sharing my gift of music and creativity with others. It’s amazing to have worked with such stellar artists and vocalists like I have. I am blessed to have been able to work on beautiful music with some of the most talented musicians in the universe.” Yet even while working with the industries finest, Carol always dreamed of sharing her own music. Now, with the release of her debut album, Carol has evolved into an artist in her own right. 

LOTL The Comfort Zone Presents Walter Beasley .Debuts new album Sax Meditations II.     Official Bio .Over the past three decades, saxophonist, Walter Beasley, has artfully and dynamically redefined the phrase “musical Renaissance Man” for the modern generation. Considered by fans and critics alike as the “heir to Grover Washington, Jr.’s Throne,” Beasley is the acclaimed saxophonist, vocalist, educator, and entrepreneur of the decade. As the highest selling full-time Professor / Recording Artist in history, the Boston-based musician has long mastered an exhilarating high wire act of balancing a successful career as a contemporary jazz recording artist and performer with an equally thriving presence in the field of music education.    A leading alto and soprano saxophonist and prominent vocalist all the same, Beasley is hailed by fans for his thrilling performances along the East Coast and throughout the U.S. and Caribbean. Notable performances include the all-star tour To Grover, With Love, performing alongside Chuck Loeb, Buddy Williams and Andy Snitzer and performing as the headlining act for the 2011 Playboy Jazz Festival.

Afi Soul is the critically acclaimed soul and r&b music artist whose self-distributed album, Lovely, landed the no. 10 spot on the SoulTracks Top 10 CDs list, putting her in a class with Erykah Badu, Angela Johnson and Jill Scott. Many consider her supportive anthem for the ‘brothas’ — “Baby, Its Cold Outside” — Afi’s signature tune. The music video for that single stayed in rotation on BETJ and VH1 Soul for months, and was featured on VH1Soul.com. Touring with artists such as Lil Mo and Raheem Devaughn, renewed interest in Afi’s debut prompted a 2010 re-release led by “Sorry (Gotta Go)”, a no nonsense hit that asserts a woman’s independence. The music video for this single quickly made its way across the internet in 2011. After Lovely, Afi’s life suddenly took an unexpected turn. At the height of her career, she began watching pieces of her life fall apart with the passing of her father during her fourth pregnancy. Shortly after, Afi experienced heartbreak and a financial downfall that left her homeless. Shocking friends and family, Afi parted ways with the music industry from 2011 to late 2013 to rediscover herself and rebuild a life for her children. Now back in the studio, Afi returns a more empowered woman, mother and soulstress. With fans anticipating new music, she releases her latest single, “I’m Gone Shine” off her forthcoming album. With this most recent music video, viewers witnesses Afi reclaim her strength and independence. Afi attributes her healing to her belief in God, family and talent. “I feel like a Phoenix,” said Afi. “…I just keep living.”

Rebirth of Gene includes a song entitled Vices. Noble calls it, An honest moment depicting a place I was in just after losing my friend and going through a break up, all at the same time. Raw emotion spills from All I Give a About, a song Noble free styled while thinking of his ex. While he continued to work on making the relationship work he wrote Twilight. I was really trying but we were just total opposites. The beat reminds me of New York, he recalls. Nobles entire project was written during the course of moving from New York to Los Angeles. For him it represents self-reflection. He calls Wherever You Are, out of all of the songs hes ever written, his favorite: It marks my first collaboration with black violins and is my most raw vulnerable vocal.

When the going gets tough, D. Woods just gets to #WORK! Displaying her creative talents on stage and screen, we now have some new music from this triple-threat for spring/summer 2014. In a time where accusations and mud slinging have come her way, most people would pack up and CALL IT QUITS. But not here, and with D. Woods new single CALL IT QUITS she tells a fair weather lover (and some fans) she why she won’t let them give up on their relationship. Vulnerable but still bossy, D. Woods is setting up listeners to another shade of her personality in her MY FAVORITE COLOR series. With help from producer Mike Bombz and singer/songwriter Kissie Lee of Write Time productions, CALL IT QUITS will have you doing everything but. The weather is getting nice, drop the top and TURN UP!!!

Juxtaposing invigorating otherworldly sonicscapes under tender sax melodies, “Evolve” is a dynamic, highly-rhythmic session that is unpredictable laced with traces of the familiar. Listening will take you to a different place while defining Joyner as a musician and a writer beyond what we have already heard from the chart-topping rhythm and groove guy. The imaginative new set has a greater purpose with the introductory single, “Generation Next,” serving as “a declaration that the next generation of jazz musicians is here to stay. Music evolves, including jazz. All types of sound evolve. So do people and our imaginations. That is what I tried to put on tape. ‘Evolve’ captures the changes in my musical mind and how I have evolved as an artist. Rather than fitting in with the traditional, I’m bringing the audience along with songs that unfold over different and interesting soundscapes even as I move towards a live organic sound,” explains Joyner. In addition to playing alto and soprano sax on the record, Joyner is a multi-instrumentalist who played many of the instruments heard on the collection along with a couple of high-profile assists from Grammy-nominated sax player Gerald Albright and internationally-renowned keyboardist Keiko Matsui. The collaborations are noteworthy for different reasons. When Joyner was in high school, Albright was his idol thus dueting with him on “Big Step” was a thrill. Joyner tours in Matsui’s band when not performing his own dates and wrote “Europa” with her mind. On a few tracks, he was joined by his touring band – guitarist Kayta Matsuno, bassist Tim Bailey, keyboardist Bill Steinway and drummer Raymond Johnson – to record live in the studio.  

LOTL The Comfort Zone Presents Bobby Caldwell Debuts his new album" House Of Cards " From blue-eyed soul to pop, R&B and standards singer/songwriter, Bobby Caldwell is truly one of the most respected members of the music industry.    Bobby Caldwell's live performances are always electrifying! Drawing from his vast repertoire of rousing R&B, intimate smooth jazz stylings, and big band songs, Bobby has the ability to entertain at any venue, for fans of all ages. In Japan and throughout Asia, he enjoys a feverish popularity, selling out shows and achieving gold and platinum status for his releases in those countries. In addition to heavy touring, Bobby starred as Frank Sinatra in the David Cassidy/Don Reo theatrical production "The Rat Pack Is Back" in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bobby received rave reviews for his performance, both from industry critics and from his loyal fans.  Bobby has been featured on The CBS Second Cup Café, The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno, BET Jazz Central, and has made numerous national and local network appearances. As a singer, he has a successful career with numerous solo releases, which have earned accolades far and wide. His songwriting skills have earned hits not only for himself, but also for well-known artists like Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, Neil Diamond and Al Jarreau. 

Ayanna is an English folk and soul singer, songwriter and cellist who has been nominated for a 2012 MOBO Award. A performer of extraordinary versatility, her live shows are intimate journeys that chronicle her experience as a woman in the 21st century. In 2011 Ayanna released ‘Truthfully’ – an EP produced by 4hero’s Marc Mac and 2013 will see the release of a full album of original work produced by Adem. She has worked with a plethora of UK and international artists including Kronos Quartet, Dutch trumpeter Diederik Rijpstra, Chinese folk artist Xiao Juen, Australian Indigenous musical force Black Arm Band, UK saxophonists Courtney Pine and Jason Yarde, guitarist Nitin Sawhney and singer-songwriters Gwyneth Herbert, Nick Mulvey and Boo Hewerdine. In 2011 she performed in Jazz Voice, the London Jazz Festival’s opening night gala, alongside Michelle Dockerty, Gregory Porter, Ian Shaw, Lucinda Belle, Shingai Shoniwa and the London Jazz Festival Orchestra conducted by Guy Barker. She has also played opposite sensational Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca, Jack DeJohnette and Sibongile Khumalo’s project Intercontinental and the legendary South African trumpeter and activist Hugh Masekela.  A recipient of many awards and prizes, Ayanna is the first non-American to win the legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and is one of only a handful of people to win with an original composition. This year, she received a Musicians Benevolent Fund Special Commendation Award, is a PRSF Women Make Music Award and is also a featured composer on the London Symphony Orchestra’s Soundhub scheme 2012-13.

 Marques Houston discuss his latest album " Famous " A member of Immature/IMx, Marques "Batman" Houston debuted as a solo artist in 2003 with MH (Interscope). Since joining Immature as a young adolescent in the early '90s, Houston has crossed over into television as a recurring cast member of Sister Sister, and he has taken on production duties with some of his IMx mates (as Platinum Status) for B2K and Destiny's Child. Along with producing some of his own material on MH, he enlisted the services of Kowan "Q" Paul, Kenny Whitehead, and Platinum Status member Troy Taylor. Naked followed in April of 2005. During the interim, he appeared in Fat Albert, continued songwriting and production work (Omarion, N2U, O'Ryan, Young Rome), and popped up on a mix of 50 Cent's "Candy Shop." Veteran, released in 2007, marked Houston's 15th year in the music business.

(March 20th, 2014 Los Angeles, CA)  Today multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Brian McKnight launches the first of its kind interactive album via Brian McKnight Interactive atMcKnight360.com . The album will feature 12 original songs along with behind the scenes footage, live chats and full access to the process for members. Without interference from any record label or distributor, McKnight will deliver the album straight to his fans.    “I am fortunate that at this point in my career, I don’t need to answer to anyone except my fans” says McKnight. I tour most of the year, performing about 100-150 concerts  all over the world, and that gives me the unique opportunity to hear what fans want more of – so this album concept was created with those requests in mind”   The interactive experience will include one original song delivered a month with an unprecedented behind the scenes access to how each song is created, produced and finalized. “People will have a chance to watch me write the music, record and interact with me as the song progresses” In addition, there will be bonus tracks, Skype chats, meet and greets and opportunities for backstage passes.

LOTL The Comfort Zone Presents From R&B Divas of L.A. Ms. Leela James. She  first burst onto the scene with her 2006 debut album A Change is Gonna Come, introducing audiences to her considerable vocal chops and garnering nominations for Outstanding New Artist at the NAACP Image Awards and Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist of 2008 at the Soul Train Music Awards. James has gone on to record three subsequent albums including My Soul, which reached #7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart and #37 on the Billboard 200 chart, and earned acclaim from critics for her songwriting skills. Hour 2 LOTL The Comfort Zone Presents  Gospel artist - Latice Crawford -Spain .Debuts her self titled EP.  The gospel music landscape has shifted. The sound has emerged to encompass more beats and drum patterns as the artists have evolved to deliver the message with unmistakable vocal capability while embracing their own unique style. Enter Latice Crawford. Make no mistake, the Queens, New York native is anointed. 

LOTL The Comfort Zone Presents Singer/Actor Anthony Grant  From Tyler Perry hit comedy show Love Thy Neighbor featured on the OWN Network. Tony Grant, a native of North Carolina, is an American R&B singer, writer, producer and stage play actor. Grant replaced Marc Nelson as lead singer for R&B group Az Yet following Marc's departure in 1997 to pursue his solo career. Included in Grant's brief tenure with Az Yet is the popular remake of "You're The Inspiration" with Chicago's Peter Cetera. Grant had star billing in the stage play and DVDs Tell Hell I Ain't Comin', Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married and Love Ain't Supposed To Hurt. In the earlier part his entertainment career, Tony was cast for the lead role in the stage play "A Good Man is Hard to Find" in 1991. From there he has become one of the most popular leading men in the stage play industry. In January 2008, Grant began touring with the Tyler Perry stage production The Marriage Counselor.