LOTL-Radio The Comfort Zone

VISIONARY SAXOPHONIST ERIC DARIUS FINDS INSPIRATION FROM THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE AND TEAMS UP WITH ALL-STAR PRODUCERS/ WRITERS FOR SHINING NEW SHANACHIE CD RETRO FORWARD.   Saxophonist, composer, producer, and vocalist Eric Darius likes to play by his own rules. He’s a visionary who has learned to listen to his own inner voice. Steeped in tradition and grounded in the lessons learned from his mentors, Darius is not afraid to push himself and his art forward. The Renaissance man reaffirms this credo on his sixth album as a leader and second recording for Shanachie Entertainment. “Retro Forward represents my musical statement as an artist who’s not confined by any boundaries, genres, or rules. As a younger person with roots in the Contemporary Jazz genre, I feel it’s my responsibility to pay homage to the greats that founded this music, but also push it forward to a new, exciting direction that will keep the music alive and relevant for the younger generation,” confesses the astute business scholar.Eric Darius’ infinite vision has allowed the musical chameleon to collaborate with such diverse superstars as Prince, Jamie Foxx, David Foster, George Benson, Mary J. Blige, and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. He has even appeared on the popular Simon Cowell TV series, The X Factor and TNT’s hit TV drama series, Mob City. For Retro Forward, the Billboard chart-topping saxophonist aligns himself with a new crew of producers and writers and the result is a new found energy and sound. “My goal was to work with producers, writers and musicians who would interpret my music from a completely different and fresh perspective, in order to reinvent myself and redefine my music. I took everything that I had done in the past and pressed the reset button.

Timotha Lanae is an American soul songstress, a dynamic dancer and an award winning theatrical performer who seamlessly joins together her passion for music and theater. Born and raised in Minneapolis, USA, Timotha Lanae is one of the most prominent and significant artists to emerge from the post – Prince era Minneapolis music scene. Named after her father, Timothy, Timotha credits his rich musical collection as being responsible for her love of music. She grew up listening to her father’s music collection of 50’s legends, the Motown artists of the 60’s, the R&B/funk/gospel artists of the 70’s and the Minneapolis sound of the 80’s. The first track on her debut album RED, Smooth Music, describes her sound as “A touch of Jazz, R&B, Soul and Hip Hop too, I mix these all together to make my grooves…”. Timotha Lanae wrote ten of the 12 songs on her debut album RED. RED is a two-part project that bridges the gap between the record industry and musical theater. Timotha Lanae drew inspiration from every day life to write her singles – Radio, Talkin’ To Myself, People Pleaser, Gettin’ To Know You and My Man. Please Pleaser reached number #6 on the UK Soul Charts. Timotha Lanae is the brainchild behind the concepts of her music videos. In the music videos for Talkin To Myself and People Pleaser, she bridges the gap between her love of theater and recording by incorporating her original musical REDdington into the storyline. She portrays herself in these videos, while also portraying, Eva Reddington, the main character from her original musical REDdington.

The “Secret” is out! 2013 Grammy winner Gregg Karukas is back with a new collection featuring his signature piano touch, pristine production, and melodies that are both soulful and sophisticated. Organic, funky, and melodic is how the original Rippingtons keyboardist describes his latest, long awaited 12th solo project, "Soul Secrets". Gregg's elegant grand piano melodies and infectious grooves are everywhere; this time around he digs into his roots, featuring the classic Fender Rhodes, Wurlie, Minimoog and B3 keyboards quite a bit. At a generous and expansive 14 tracks and no covers, "Soul Secrets" reveals Karukas as an artist who has refined his sound to be instantly recognizable while constantly exploring a wide range of styles and grooves – from old school soul-jazz, with hints of gospel, R&B and funk to the world/samba grooves he immersed himself in while touring with Brazilian legends Sergio Mendes and Dori Caymmi. The album’s debut single, “Elegant Nights” is classic Karukas; it was the #1 Most Added Track in its first week on radio. The live interplay sizzles as Gregg surrounds himself with an all-star guest list that includes his friends Rick Braun, Euge Groove, guitarists Ricardo Silveira, Michael O’Neill, Adam Hawley and James Harrah; violinist Charlie Bisharat, Luis Conte, Eric Valentine, Nate Phillips; vocalists Shelby Flint and Ron Boustead and 21 year old rising sax star and occasional touring partner Vincent Ingala.   

Calabasas, Calif. (15 August 2014): Singer-songwriter Kiki Ebsen stubbornly refused her famous father’s repeated suggestions to learn how to sing jazz standards. Rebelliously she insisted upon forging her own path as a solo artist and accompanying keyboardist-vocalist with a bevy of A-list pop stars. Eleven years after the passing of her dad, actor Buddy Ebsen, Kiki will pay tribute by releasing exactly the type of collection he fervently urged her to record, “Scarecrow Sessions” on September 30 on the Painted Pony Media label. The material comes from The Great American Songbook, a stunning original (“Missing You”) penned by the song and dance man turned movie and television star, and songs associated with his career, including an ill-fated starring role in “The Wizard Of Oz.” The first single prefacing the acoustic jazz set produced by David Mann, “If I Only Had A Brain,” is the No. 2 most added radio single this week.      “We are losing the iconic talents many of us grew up with. By recording these songs, I hope not only to honor my father’s memory and his love of jazz, but to create a musical statement that is truly my own. I’m connecting his past to my present in a way that will no doubt leave me forever changed,” said Ebsen, who completed the album as a Father’s Day offering after a successful Kickstarter campaign. “Through this journey I have discovered my voice. A simple yet beautiful tone that emanates from a true place in my heart; a place of lightness and ease.”  

ALBUM INFO Miguel Migs is one of the most respected DJs, producers and label owners in house music; an artist whose influence on the current musical landscape cannot be overlooked. Migs personifies the soul-driven vibe of both the Naked Music and Salted Music Label projects in which he has been involved and, hailing from San Francisco himself, has been influential in cultivating and pioneering the famed ‘West Coast scene’. Combining the best of the electronic music world with live instrumentation, he has carved out a deep, soulful niche, which carries with him the undying respect of his peers. Rather than simply packing it full of club-ready tracks, with Dim Division Migs has created an album more focused on the listening experience. Throughout his multi-faceted career, Migs has always created a wide variety of music. Dim Division focuses on the songs, with intimate songwriting and vibrant yet subtle production taking precedent over peak-time dancefloor appeal. Dim Division is a collection of house and downtempo gems that exemplify the very best aspects of Migs’ production aesthetic: fresh, buoyant and deeply soulful music that lifts the spirit, from the languorous chords of opener ‘I Can Feel It’, through the neon-flecked bounce of ‘Just Fade Away’ to the infectious groove of ‘Heartbeat’. On Dim Division, Migs has also collaborated with an impressive international selection of artists including the multifaceted Meshell Ndegeocello, UK soul singer Omar, long-time collaborator Lisa Shaw, Andy Allo (who toured with Prince on guitar/vocals) and many more all making remarkable additions to the album.

From Medicine To Music R&B Singer Cordula Gives Audience A Choice To Win Or Lose Even though studying medicine has given Dr. Cordula Davis an avenue to have a career, her real career is being a recording artist.  This Maryland native is living a double life, practicing medicine and recording music.   Cordula is a singer-songwriter  and comes from a musically inclined family. Early influences including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Tina Turner sparked her interest in the world of song and dance. Cordula began lessons in tap and ballet at the age of 3, singing at the age of 4 and classical piano at 8. Now, having completed her training as a physician while perfecting her craft in music, she has decided to fully pursue her childhood dream of becoming a recording artist devoting all of her time to her first love. Her sounds can be likened to neo-soul singer Amel Larrieux ; you can’t help but be lured in by her soft, sweet and breathy vibrato, powerfully belted notes, and an impressive range that make her voice both beautiful and distinctive. With her newest single that will be available on ITunes, November 25,2014 Win or Lose, delivers a heart felt single about winning or losing in a relationship.

After literally years of working on this EP and waiting for the right time to release it, today is finally here.  True to it’s title, ‘Undefined’ is a collection of songs and recordings which came from the heart and don’t fit inside a box. The amount of growth and transition I’ve experienced since this process began is somewhat astounding – as I’m sure those of you who have been following my journey will agree. Here’s to the next step and staying true who I am as a creator, which is largely undefined. In what is an extremely volatile music industry, the fact that you care about my music means everything. If you are so inclined and would like to help spread the good word please think about writing a review on iTunes, adding songs from Undefined to your favorite playlist on Spotify, share a link from Facebook or Twitter or purchasing a download. I appreciate any and all support in my attempts to make this world a more listenable place : ) Barra is the first artist to publish an entire album on the site. Working with Blend and their  community of remix artists has the potential to saturate the market and reach new audiences with  hundreds of re-imagined versions of Undefined tracks—house mixes, reggae and Bollywood  versions that catapult her pop sound into a different genre. 

God-gifted beauty, birthright, talent, dedication and intelligence: it’s a rare and spellbinding miracle when all of these intricate puzzle pieces click and are then claimed within one talented lady. In 2014, that lady is Dominique Toney, bowing with her deeply personal and richly impressive debut project, A Love Like Ours (via K-Tone Enterprises). Early support for this impressive new artist has been so tremendous that she raised a significant amount of funding through a Kickstarter campaign toward the post-production of this astounding debut. In possession of a voice that’s full and rich, smooth yet sweet and with an emotional quality that lures the ear, this statuesque newcomer stands out in a landscape otherwise dominated by sound-alike vocals. As a young accomplished singer, songwriter, classically trained keyboardist and actress who’s demonstrated her vast array of abilities with the likes of Ray Parker Jr., The Blackbyrds and Charles Wright, NYU alumnus Dominique is thoroughly prepared for an amazing journey as an artist in her own right. Over 11 eclectic and captivating songs ranging from Alternative Pop and Modern Soul to Dance, Jazz and Adult Contemporary, Dominique shares the arc of a real life love story and the lessons she learned along the way.   “It’s a concept album,” she says of A Love Like Ours. “The first song (‘Loving You’s So  Easy’) is about the beginning of relationship and the last song (‘I Will Love Again’) is about moving on from that relationship. My goal as an artist is to tell stories through melodies and music…and they’re all my stories. I can’t do anything that’s unauthentic to me. That’s what’s so great about finally releasing my first album yet also so awful. The reality of it all is so transparent.” Dominique Toney’s A Love Like Our.    

David Pic Conley is the founding member of the platinum R&B recording group Surface. Born in NJ, David started his career after graduating high school when he moved to Los Angeles. David was a member of Port Authority and Mandrill before forming Surface. When Conley became the founder of the Multi-Platinum Soul/R&B group Surface in 1983 the original group consisted of Conley and Karen Copeland. Townsend collaborated by writing and producing. In that same year Surface released their debut single, Falling in Love performed by Copeland, which peaked at #84 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #67 on the U.K. Singles chart. In addition Surface recorded 2 more singles with her; When Your Ex Wants You Back and Stop Holding Back. After Copeland left the group in 1984 Bernard Jackson and David Townsend replaced her by becoming the Surface we know today. More success came in 1985 when Conley became a staff writer for Screen Gems BMI. Shortly after in 1986 Surface landed a record deal with Columbia leading them to release their debut album in 1987. The album peaked at #55 on the Billboard 200 and #11 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. In 1989, Surface released their sophomore album, 2nd Wave which peaked at #56 on the Billboard 200 and #5 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The single Shower Me With Your Love peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, and became Surface's second #1 R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for a week in July of 1989, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.  In addition to Conley’s long and accomplished career with Surface he has written and produced songs for some of the greatest artists of yesterday and today. Some include; Aretha Franklin’s Grammy nomination title track What You See Is What You Sweat.

  OAKLAND, CA –Addiction.  That’s the only word that comes to mind when you hear about Tamika Nicole’s attitude toward the music industry and her brand new single “Next To Me”.  It’s been five years since the independent artist has released any music, but she’s back with a funky new track and new perspective on her role in music.  “I took some time off because I needed to evaluate why I was doing music…not to mention I found myself unemployed and in jeopardy of losing everything” explains Tamika Nicole.      Tamika took to Facebook with her very public struggle, engaging her nearly 2,000 followers in discussions about the local and global music scene, lack of support amongst musicians in the music community and performing for art versus your audience.  Tamika did not always find a very sympathetic ear to her thoughts, but it did help her put her own path in perspective. “This was one of those times social media was a very positive force during hard times.  In the process I figured out what was important to me and I believe I emerged an entrepreneur.”      That meant no more music as usual. Tamika began producing her signature show-Ladies Rock Da Mic supporting local charities instead of just starring in concerts. She wrote a cookbook, and she honed in on her writing and music production skills.  It’s the latter that makes her so proud of her new release “Next To Me”.        “This song is a culmination of all I’ve learned about producing songs so far.  This song was produced by up and coming Producer/Guitarist Cam Perridge. However, I had a big hand in producing this song from choosing the musicians as well as arranging backgrounds.  

Angela Bofill was born to a white Cuban father and a black Afro-Latino Puerto Rican mother.[1] She performed with Ricardo Marrero & the Group and Dance Theater of Harlem chorus prior to being introduced to Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen (of the jazz label GRP Records) by her friend, the jazz flautist Dave Valentin.[2] Grusin and Rosen signed Bofill and produced her first album, Angie, in 1978. Angie was well received both critically and commercially and included the chart single "This Time I'll Be Sweeter" (co-written by Gwen Guthrie), as well as Bofill's sprawling jazz composition, "Under the Moon and Over the Sky". Less than a year later, a second album, Angel of the Night was released and outperformed its predecessor. The album included the chart singles "What I Wouldn't Do (For the Love of You)" and the up tempo title track, as well as the self-written song "I Try" (covered by Will Downing in 1991). The reception of these albums positioned Bofill as one of the first Latina singers to find success in the R&B and jazz markets.   Following the release of Angel of the Night, the head of Arista, Clive Davis, (whose label had a distribution deal with GRP at the time) showed interest in Bofill, and she switched labels for the release of her next album, Something About You in 1981. The album, produced by Narada Michael Walden, was an attempt to move Bofill into more mainstream R&B and pop material, but performed less well than her earlier releases, despite the relative success of the singles "Holdin' Out for Love" and the title track, which both reached the R&B Top 40.[3] The following year Bofill and Walden reunited for Too Tough, this time achieving a major hit with the title track, which reached #5 on the R&B chart and spent four weeks at #2 on the Dance chart, as well as a Top 20 follow-up single "

LOTL The Comfort Zone  Presents  Angelique Sabrina Debuts new single - I'm Ready " .  Bahamian bred Angelique Sabrina is the exception to the rule. Blessed with an innate ability to charm and entertain, the sixteen-year-old songstress has yet to saunter into a room that doesn’t submit to her je ne se quois (pleasant quality that is hard to describe). From radio stations to television shows, studios and arenas, Angelique is the girl next door who is earning the world’s attention by simply being herself.   Compared by many to Rihanna for her international appeal and reminiscent of Janet Jackson for her soft and sensuous vibes, Angelique’s tendency to summon greatness is a testament to her unlimited potential. Having already established a devoted fan base with two wildly successful singles, “Pull Up” and “Stop Sign,” Angelique’s new material works to introduce a more seasoned vocalist and writer, prepared to take her career to even higher heights.    Her debut single from her forthcoming album, led by the aptly dubbed “I’m Ready,” finds the 2012 People’s Choice Entertainer of the Year on a quest to find real love. Its coinciding video, assisted by famed choreographer Tweet Boogie and filmed in her native Nassau, Bahamas, beckons memories of Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat,” with her uncanny style and mesmerizing dance moves, as she leads a colorful array of dancers across the beach sands and into the viewer’s living room. The ongoing storyline develops with a delicate observation of love among assorted races and ages, ultimately capped by a cozy dinner between the Bahamian beauty and her love interest.

LOTL The Comfort Zone  Presents Award-Winner Songwriter/Producer Preston Glass . Debuts his New album " Soul In The Rear View Mirror'.    You might not recognize his name, but I bet you’ve heard his music.  Preston Glass is a songwriter and a producer who has written over 30 R&B hits and 5 top ten hits with artists such as Whitney Houston, Earth, Wind & Fire, George Benson, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin, and more.  He is a five-time BMI Award winner (three songs received the Millionaire Awards), and he was a professor of music at UCLA (extension programs) With his career peaks including writing Natalie Cole’s 1989 international Number One ‘Miss You Like Crazy’ and producing the biggest-selling jazz/pop LP of the Eighties – Kenny G’s multi-Platinum ‘Duotones’ – fact is Preston’s long range of writing and/or production credits range from such bona fide mainstream black icons as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross and Earth, Wind & Fire; to respected connoisseur favourites like Angela Bofill, Lenny Williams and Phyllis Hyman. Having been initially exposed to many different cultures and musics from his early travels while growing up as an “army brat”, Preston first started out as a staff writer for legendary Philly producer/writer Thom Bell in the late Seventies – before blossoming as both a writer and producer under the auspices of then man-of-the-moment Narada Michael Walden in the Eighties. During which decade he collaborated with most of the aforementioned superstars.    

LOTL The comfort zone Presents Chris Jasper. Debuts his new single THE ONE  If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you know Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, CHRIS JASPER, an integral member of THE ISLEY BROTHERS during the 1970s and 1980s—their gold and platinum years—from the 3+3 (1973) to Between the Sheets (1983) albums. These were the years when THE ISLEY BROTHERS were a self-produced, self-contained group. If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you have heard the music of CHRIS JASPER, who was primarily responsible for writing and producing all of THE ISLEY BROTHERS music during this time, including such beautiful love songs as “For The Love of You” and “Between the Sheets” and uptempo funk such as “Fight the Power.” His arrangements and instrumentation as a classically-trained musician, and his expertise on the keyboards and synthesizers, are the foundation of the legendary “Isley Brothers Sound.” When the six members of THE ISLEY BROTHERS disbanded (1984), Marvin and Ernie Isley joined CHRIS JASPER and formed ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY. Without this crucial musical component, THE ISLEY BROTHERS were no longer a self-produced, self-contained group.

LOTL THE COMFORT ZONE PRESENTS  ANGELIQUE SABRINA DEBUTS NEW SINGLE " I'M READY " Born into a family with an extensive musical background (her father was the person who first signed Arrested Development), Angelique is a true student of music. She started studying piano, guitar, and drums while she was just a child, recently proving her abilities as she was selected #1 on Sidney, Australia’s top 5 Rising Star Countdown, #1 on Jamaica’s Hype TV, #1 on Tempo Video Network, and proclaimed by Crushable.com as one of the 15 artists that the world will know in a year! “I grew up around this passion, love, and creativity for music. From a young age, I knew that this is what I wanted to do,” says Angelique. Angelique’s sound is distinct; Pop and R&B with a sizzling Caribbean touch. Her youthful energy, style, and maturity is highly unusual for someone her age or even 10 years her senior. HOUR 2 May 13, 2014 – Kyla Jade may be best known as one of the standout voices of The Nashville Super Choir, bringing powerful praise into living rooms around the country on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, but she is establishing herself as a formidable singer in her own right. This year alone, Kyla has led morning praise & worship on the Tom Joyner One Love Cruise; appeared in the 2014 production of “Perilous Times” at Music Hall in Downtown Detroit, MI; and is featured on Bobby Jones’ current CD REJOICE WITH ME where her vocals are being praised as “vibrant and stellar.” Now, Kyla Jade is set to release her first single – a stirring rendition of the classic “Hello Sunshine.” The single will be released May 23 and will be available for purchase on