Miles High Productions: Sakai Releases "Dream Big" CD/On Tour with Pat Monohan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FAMILY TREE RECORDS AND THE ROB NONIES LABEL GROUP
PARTNER WITH KOCH DISTRIBUTION FOR
THE RELEASE OF SAKAI’S DEBUT CD “DREAM BIG”

Sakai’s “Dream Big” Which Aims to ‘Touch Hearts and Lives Through Music’ Will Be Distributed Nationally & Provide the Bay Area Native With a More Expansive Platform

Los Angeles, California― Family Tree Records has joined forces with The Rob Nonies Label Group and Koch Distribution on the release of Sakai’s DREAM BIG. “I Like,” the first single from DREAM BIG is graced with the guitar-playing wizardry of Dwayne Wiggins of Tony! Tone! Toni!. “I Like,” debuted at the #8 position on Billboard’s “Hot R&B & Hip Hop Singles Sales” chart.

DREAM BIG is an 18-track collection of songs, most of which were co-written by Sakai and Family Tree Records’ CEO and President, Kevin “Darkside” Smith, which crosses a variety of genres. Traditional R&B, urban-infused hip hop, salsa, jazz and straight up soul are all represented. Billboard Magazine recently quoted: “Dream Big is reminiscent of the tone set by such soulful chanteuses as Phyllis Hyman and Angela Bofill.”

“If there’s one overwhelming, cohesive theme which weaves throughout the richly textured, aural tapestry of this 18-track set it’s an odyssey through the emotional landscape of the heart,” says Darkside. “At the same time, it is also a soulful ‘Call-To-Arms’ with its message of peace, love, self-affirmation and self-empowerment.”

This focus is clearly evident on the standout tracks “Friendship To Love,” (co-written by Sakai, Darkside and the esteemed Narada Michael Walden), a ballad which charts the progression of a relationship from the friendship stage to a full-blown love affair and all the questions raised in such a transition (the chorus asks: “When did our friendship turn to love?/I need to know/Tell me/Where did we let our hearts go?”); the inspiring and life-affirming “Leap of Faith,” which is about following your heart, spreading your wings, and calling upon the strength of one’s spirit to overcome any obstacle; and “A Place Between” a sensual ballad overlaid with the patina of a Spanish guitar which explores the metaphorical “space” between lust and love, the sadness and the warmth of a smile, the space between “your heart and mine.” Finally, this emotionally engaging set closes with the anthemic ”Dream Big,” which encourages listeners to reach for the stars and give yourself over to your greatest hopes and biggest dreams, and despite what it might look like, Sakai promises us that it’s “Gonna Be Fine” because faith will see you through and it’s time to take control of your destiny.

Darkside formed Family Tree Productions with three friends shortly after his tenure at the University of California at Berkeley in 1990. Darkside’s goal was to explore his talents as a producer and songwriter. A few years later he launched the label, Family Tree Records. Over time, he was introduced to noted producer/composer Narada Michael Walden who suggested Darkside meet with Sakai. The Oakland-based singer was already making a name for herself as a sought after studio session vocalist. Since their meeting Sakai has become electrifying onstage, performing at Yoshi’s, one of the Bay areas best known incubators of emerging neo-soul talent, and a precious and fortunate few already knew of her through her debut album It Ain’t No Miracle which was independently-released in 2001.

Sakai’s vocal skills and range have been duly noted by such industry luminaries as Celine Dion on whose hit single “A New Day” Sakai’s is the first voice you hear. She has also worked with a stellar crew of industry notables such as Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, Oleta Adams, Steve Winwood and Michael Bolton, among others.

With DREAM BIG Sakai encourages us all to approach life and love with strength, faith and courage all the while staying true to oneself.