LOTL-Radio The Comfort Zone

Interview with the Legendary Gerald Alston and Winfred "Blue" Lovett of The Manhattans With Gerald Alston's smooth lead vocals, solid songwriting talent within the group and the always wonderful work of Philly producer/arrranger Bobby Martin, the Manhattans began to score on the  R&B charts, putting out a string of fairly traditional ballads that became Soul hits.  Then in 1976, the quintet released Lovett's composition "Kiss and Say Goodbye," the song that would become their signature tune.  "Kiss" rocketed to the top of the R&B and Pop charts, and moved the group to the upper tier of R&B acts.  And the companion self-titled LP became the first of several top notch albums that the group released in the 70s and 80s.  With such great singles as "It Feels So Good to be Loved So Bad," "I Kinda Miss You," "We Never Danced To A Love Song" and "Am I Losing You," the Manhattans' late 70s albums It Feels So Good, There's No Me Without You and Love Talk, were among the decade's best (though they are generally unavailable in CD form).  Love Talk was perhaps the Manhattans' greatest disc - though not their most popular - a near-perfect adult Soul album that sounds as great today as it did 25 years ago. After "Kiss and Say Goodbye," the Manhattans spent the remainder of the decade scoring almost exclusively on the R&B charts.  

The Legendary Russell Thompkins Jr The Original Lead Singer Of The STYLISTICS Stops Bye To Discuss His Career and Upcoming Projects and His New Group and solo projects ********************************                In The Second Hour  The Queen of Disco Gloria Gaynor stops bye to discuss her career and upcoming projects She was 19 when she signed her first record contract. In 1973, Gloria made history as Billboard gave birth to the Disco Action Charts. "Never Can Say Good-Bye" bowed at #1 on the charts and became the first Dance Song to reach #1 status in dance music. Ever since that time, for more than 30 years, Gloria keeps setting the standard. In March of 2001, her single, "Just Keep Thinkin? About You," topped the Billboard Dance/Club charts at #1, while her international hit "Last Night" with Giorgio Moroder debuted at #1 throughout Europe. In keeping with the theme of #1, Gloria Gaynor was the first to record an album especially for clubs, and the first to do a mega-extended dance medley party mix, releasing 12" dance singles that are now high-end collectors items. Her popularity has continuously flourished into the new millennium. In 2002, she was honored at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo with the coveted LEGEND award presented by long time fan Prince Albert.

Charles Barksdale of The Legendary Dells stops bye to discuss his career with the Mighty Dells and the movie The FIVE HEARTBEATS Based  on the Dells The Legendary Percey Sledge stops bye to discuss his career and future tour dates  "When a Man Loves a Woman" re-entered the Top 10 in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #2, behind the reissued Ben E King classic "Stand By Me", after being used in a Levi's commercial. Sledge was an inaugural Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award honoree in 1989. He won the W.C. Handy Blues Awards in 1996 for best Soul/Blues album of the year with his record Blue Night In 2005, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame

The Fantastic Sheri Hixon stops bye to discuss her career and to Debut her newALBUM "LIFE STORIES" ************** Music is life… rhythm caresses each emotion and action. Sheri started writing and performing songs around 5 years old, while never taking her unknown gift at the time serious. In 2005 while sitting at the piano and playing a few chords, just fooling around and singing, her husband asked, “who’s song is that, it sounds good”, she said, “Its mine, I just wrote it”; that was 5am. The rest is history. Sheri has composed many songs, her catalog is multi-genre, she is also a flutist. Sheri's sultry sound and arrangements with deliverable melodic harmonies is truly amazing, hearing the instrumental compositions and lyrics of a song in her head, songs across many genres. In 2009, “Life stories”, her first studio project was released. “Life Stories”, her début album, conceptualized, written, performed and produced by Sheri; she hopes you enjoy the music as much as she enjoyed creating it. Sheri… a gifted artist with a very promising future. We tell all who listen that her music is truly grown folks music, adult contemporary. We have trade marked Sheri’s music… Pop, Country, Latin Jaazzzzzy Neo-Soul, with a folksy twist. "Life Stories" will touch everyone in some way, reminiscent of a lost or new love or remembering happier times… listen to the lyrics of each song with your favored beverage or in your car on a long drive… the music will take you to a reflective place.  

Chuck Brown “The Godfather of Go Go Music Debut his NEW 3 Disc Album! "WE GOT THIS" Chuck Brown is the undisputed sole founder and creator Go-Go music, a hypnotically danceable genre deeply rooted in funk and soul that he developed in the early 70’s , and  the only form of expressive culture  to originate in the District of Columbia.  Foreshadowing rap and many of the major popular R&B styles of the past three decades, Chuck's signature style earned him a place in American musical royalty.  This esteem was maintained by the reputation of his legendary live shows, heavy on audience participation and built around “the beat” to create an unparalleled non-stop party atmosphere. While searching for a sound to call his own in the 1960s, Chuck was deeply inspired by artists like James Brown.  He latched onto the Latin percussion groove from the band he played with at the time, Los Latinos.  Combining this with his roots, his love of blues, jazz, gospel, soul, and African rhythms, Chuck began to develop his own unique sound.   Starting out playing top forty, Brown would break-it-down between songs with percussion and audience call and response, and keep the music going, and the dance floor packed.

The Great Gordon Chambers  stops bye to discuss his lastest  ALBUM "LOVE STORIES ", the eagerly-awaited sophomore album by award-winning songwriter, producer and artist Gordon Chambers is reminiscent of the joyful music heard in the '70s by artists like Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind and Fire. Chambers declares, "A lot of that music was happy-sounding and fun, orchestral but with a beat.  As this album evolved, I found we were recording more material with a tempo.  That wasn't something I planned, but I'd like to think that LOVE STORIES is in that tradition of the classic soul music of the '70s with a fresh, cutting-edge feel."

As a dedicated and consummate performer, Actress Tasha Smith brings style and intense character portrayals to the screen. Her outstanding performances have garnered widespread reactions from audiences and critics alike. Tasha shines in her latest roles as: Shonda in "JUMPING THE BROOM" (2011) directed by Salim Akil, produced by T.D. Jakes and Tracey Edmonds. The cast includes Angela Bassett, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Mike Epps, Loretta Devine, Meagan Good, DeRay Davi, Julie Bowen, Romeo Miller, Gary Dourdan, Pooch Hall, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Valarie Pettiford. Angela in "WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO" (2010) directed/written by Tyler Perry. The cast includes all the originals including Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Sharon Leal, Malik Yoba, Lamman Rucker, Richard T. Jones, Michael J. White, Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett Jr.

Grammy Nominated artist Helen Bruner and Terry Jones  stop bye to discuss their career and debut their latest CD "HOLLYHOOD". "THE SECOND HOUR OF THE SHOW " Grammy Nominated international recording artists Les Nubians Stops bye to discuss their new ALBUM " NU REVOLUTION " Recognized for their colorful auras, Les Nubians’ vogue is a fusion of Funkin’ Fashion and Modern Amazon. Adoring fans pay tribute to the French/Cameroonian sister duo for their continuous flow of jazzy nuances, hard hitting drum ‘n’ bass lines, harmonious melodies, conscious proclamations and humanitarian endeavors. Their hit single “Makeda” propelled their 1999 U.S. debut album to the top of the charts making ‘Princesses Nubiennes’ the most successful French-language album in decades!  

Trumpeter Extraordinaire Lin Rountree stops bye to  discuss his latest ALBUM "Soul-Tree, The Soul-Jazz Experience." Lin continues to push boundaries with his most audacious project to date: This R&B/Soul based jazz project is written and produced by Rountree along with Dana Davis, Jeff Canady, Tony Gordon and Monica Marie Jones. The first single is a rockin’ version of Michael Jackson’s “You Rock My World”, available for download now on iTunes. All of the songs on Soul-Tree represent a new direction in instrumental soul and as a driving force in the new generation of instrumental soloists and polished recording artist; Lin Rountree creates music that will move your soul!

Leslie Wilson and Melvin Wilson stop bye to discuss their Legendary career . New Birth were formed in 1963 with some assistance from music-industry veteran Harvey Fuqua. The group's tunes have been covered (or sampled) by K-Ci & Jo Jo, Notorious BIG, Something for the People, and De La Soul, to name a few. Originally the concept was the brainchild of Vernon Bullock. **********And in the second hour The Beautiful Candace Coles stops bye to Debut her New CD "Fingerprints" Candace Coles is as versatile and refreshing a singer as they come, with a particularly fearless demeanor and impressively nimble soprano voice. As comfortable getting lost in fat, swanky beats as she is in introspective, confessional numbers, Coles offers new twists on the genre.” -BAMcafe Live Step back and take a breath of fresh air with the voice of soulful newcomer, Candace Coles. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, this singer/songwriter began her career singing into a hairbrush at the tender age of 8.    

Tanya Reed  AKA  " Lemonade Jones" Stops bye to discuss her career and debut her new single "POE MAN" Tanya has a richly cultivated voice captivates the souls of her listeners. Through the universal language of music, Lemonade has found her redemption and mean of contributing to the positive evolution of our culture. Lemonade’s time is now; emerging as a solo artist on the music scene 10 years as the premier jazz/ soul artist; she is taking the entertainment world by storm.

Tawana Lael stops bye to debut her Latest CD" Journey to Love" After years of growing and polishing, Tawana Lael is considered a triple threat in the entertainment industry and she's quickly claiming her place on the world's entertainment radar. Tawana Lael was recently recognized by the Billboard World Song Commitee, for her song "Plan B". It was recognized as one of the top songs in Billboard's 17th Annual World Song Contest. Tawana Lael's album "Journey To Love" As an actress and musical theatre artist, she has performed at The Mint, The Trilogy, The National Black Theatre and the 23rd Street Playhouse in such plays as "The Dawn of Rythm and Blues", "Sisters Of The Church", "On The Edge" and the one woman show "Sojourner Truth", under the direction of Hilda Willis. Tawana has shared the stage with some of today's top entertainers including Alimi Ballard (NBC's Numbers), Ankh Ra (Making The Band 4), India Arie, Malik Yoba, Kadeem Hardison, Lisa Lisa, and Doug E. Fresh. Tawana's training has been with some of the best in the business. They include but are not limited to Ankh Ra, Making the Band 4 (Vocals); Alvin Ailey Dance School (Ballet, Tap, and Jazz), Melvada Hughes (Choreographer); George Faison (Choreographer); and Hilda Willis (Acting/Career Coach). Tawana Lael has genuine talent and is destined for a long successful career

Lenora Jaye stops bye to discuss her career an latest CD" THE STORY" LeNora Jaye stands out like a luxuriant diamond amongst the ashes. Possessing a soul-sweetened voice that evokes the magic of the 70s & 80's,.And in the second hour Actress Tasha Smith With over 20 feature films and 70 plus episodes on National television, a dedicated and consummate professional actor, Tasha Smith ,brings style and intense character portrayal to the screen. Her outstanding performances have garnered widespread positive responses from audiences and critics alike. Tyler Perry was so impressed with her stellar work that he cast her to star in three of his films, including the #1 box office hit, “WHY DID I GET MARRIED?” (LIONSGATE), alongside Janet Jackson and Jill Scott. Her accolades are still resonating from Perry’s “DADDY’S LITTLE GIRLS

Neo-Soul Artist Colie Williams stops bye to debut her Latest CD"Light Up The Darkness" Ms.Williams' vocals have a mature, confident sound that recalls many of those jazz greats as well as R&B and soul singers like Roberta Flack and vocalists such as Nancy Wilson and Patti Austin.

Adina Howard stops bye to discuss her career and future projects . Her debut album Do You Wanna Ride?, featuring the #2 Platinum selling hit single, "Freak Like Me", was released in 1995 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The non album remixes "It's All About You (Too Slow U Blow Remix)", "My Up And Down (Something To Ride To Remix)" and "Freak Like Me (Slow Wind Remix)" were released as singles. A second album, Welcome to Fantasy Island, garnered critical raves and a moderate hit with the lead single, "(Freak) And U Know It", but was shelved by Elektra Records in 1997.[citation needed] The album was leaked to the internet in limited quantities and promotional copies sell for hundreds of dollars on online auction sites.[citation needed] In 1998, she collaborated with Jamie Foxx on the slow jam, T-Shirt & Panties for the feature film Woo. During this time, she made her feature film debut in the independent film High Freakquency, starring Deon Richmond and John Witherspoon.