Wednesday, November 10, 2010

BONA FIDE QUEEN OF THE CHARTS ERIKA JAYNE LAUNCHES PRETTY MESS RECORDS


ONE HOT PLEASURE” SINGLE

SET FOR LABEL DEBUT RELEASE

NOVEMBER 16


Vocal temptress, seductive songstress and bona fide chart queen ERIKA JAYNE is aiming to heat up this winter season with the launch of her own label, Pretty Mess Records. Currently working on new music for her second album (title TBA), the glamorous JAYNE will give a taste of what’s to come Tuesday, November 16 with the release of her new single “One Hot Pleasure.”

Written by Dave Audé, Luciana Caporaso (of the radio hit “I Like That” by Richard Vission & The Static Revenger starring Luciana) and Nick Clow, “One Hot Pleasure” sizzles just as the title of the song indicates. As the debut offering from her Pretty Mess Records, the song will be packaged with a striking video by JAYNE’s creative director and MTV Video music nominee Mikey Minden and visual collaborator, famed photographer Mike Ruiz, with remixes by Dave Audé, Ralphi Rosario, Dirty Loud, Sultan & Ned and Los Angeles newcomer Mr. White. In Touch Weekly captured a moment with ERIKA on the set of the video which can be viewed at http://www.intouchweekly.com/2010/09/out_about_96.php and you can catch a glimpse of the making of her video at www.PrettyMessRecords.com.

“Launching my own label allows me to make music that I enjoy and deliver my product,” states ERIKA. “Having full control over the music, the message and concept enables me to make the records I want to make and perform the songs I want to perform. There’s great freedom in that, and it makes for a lot of fun. I can’t wait for my fans to check out ‘One Hot Pleasure,’ it’s a fun sexy danceable track.”

Distinguished by industry powerhouse Billboard magazine for an “uncommon feat” (issue date 6/26/10), the Atlanta-born, Los Angeles transplant sent her first four consecutive singles--“Rollercoaster,” “Stars,” “Give You Everything” and “Pretty Mess”-- to #1 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. These chart-busting hits were featured on her 2009 debut album Pretty Mess. According to Billboard, only 13 acts have taken at least their first four hits to #1 since the chart launched in 1976 as a national weekly survey of the most-played tunes as reported by club DJs. ERIKA joins the ranks of dance giants, including Rihanna and The Pussycat Dolls, who have accomplished similar feats.


www.PrettyMessRecords.com
www.facebook.com/erikajaynemusic

Sunday, November 7, 2010

BLUES ROCK RECORDING ARTIST KIRSTEN THIEN RELEASES THIRD CD "DELICIOUS" COURTESY OF SCREEN DOOR RECORDS

Kirsten Thien and Screen Door announce the release of her third album, Delicious. This album has eleven songs with three of them being covers in which she either wrote or co-wrote. Originally from Maine and now residing in New York City, Kirsten Thien comes to us in an up-tempo fashion with her latest work showing us just why she won the Abe Olman Award for Excellence in Songwriting in 2009.

Kirsten Thien has been on the rise since 2001 and infuses her love for Aretha Franklin, traditional New Orleans jazz and the classic women blues singers of the 20's into all her album releases. Erik Boyd not only produced and played bass on the album but arranged the band for each song so that it would blend the talents of the band that tours with the NYC session cats from her last 2006 recording. They also added veteran blues heavyweights, Arthur Neilson (guitar), Billy Gibson (harmonica) and Hubert Sumlin (guitar) with Grammy nominated mixing engineer Dan Myers.

Performing Songwriter raved that "Thien's got a great set of pipes moving from Bonnie Raitt mellow to Aretha Franklin wailing high notes." Jamie Perkins of Portsmouth Herald says "Thien is a natural at songwriting. Weaving her way through the lyrical intricacies of relationships both positive and negative, she seasons her songs with dashes of instrumental differentiation." While The New Britain Herald says "The city's 'New Britain is Alive' lunch-time concert series ....got a toe-stomping start Wednesday with recording artist Kirsten Thien and her band." Don't miss this tasty, soothing and ripened band that blends with Kirsten's voice like "Warm apple pie your grandmother made for you" exclaimed Muzikreviews.

Kirsten Thien will be touring in and our around your neighborhood in the near future but for now here are some tour dates below.
Nov. 11 7:30 pm Williamsburg, VA J.M. Randall's
Nov. 12 8:00 pm Manteo, NC (OBX Marathon Weekend) Poor Richard's
Nov. 13 10:30 pm Kill Devil Hills, NC (OBX Marathon Weekend) Outer Banks Brewing Station
Nov. 19 7:30 pm Stroudburg, PA Sarah Street Grill

Friday, November 5, 2010

ASHMIN SKYY TO RELEASE “WRAPPED IN LOVE” ON NOVEMBER 9

New single to debut in time for the Holiday season


(Orlando, FL) Ashmin Skyy, 14-year-old singer/songwriter and teen pop sensation will release her very first Christmas single, “Wrapped in Love,” to the world on November 9, 2010. With this new holiday song, Skyy hopes to warm the hearts of fans and families across the country during this very special time of year.

“‘Wrapped in Love’ is all about experiences and memories with family and friends during the holiday season,” says Skyy. “I’m really big on family and spending as much time with them as I can is important to me, especially this time of year. That’s why this song is so special to me, because it really reflects who I am. I’m very excited to release ‘Wrapped in Love’ and I know people will enjoy it!”

Ashmin Skyy will be appearing on the nationally-syndicated morning news show, The Daily Buzz on Wednesday, November 17th (check your local listings for air time), to perform “Wrapped in Love.” She will also be interviewed by the Daily Buzz crew about everything she has been doing leading up to the release of the single, and may even perform some additional songs. Additionally, the video for “Wrapped in Love” will also debut the same day on YouTube.

Ashmin Skyy is a dynamic young woman primed for excellence in today’s music scene. At only 14 years of age, Ashmin is determined to continue learning, living, growing and experiencing life to the fullest. Fans can visit Ashmin Skyy online and get more information about her on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter , Tumblr , and on her newly-launched website, AshminSkyy.com . ”Wrapped in Love” will be available for purchase on iTunes on November 9, 2010. Also, look for Skyy’s debut single and video, “Certified Teenager,” to be released January 11, 2011 (1.11.11).


About H2 Label Group

H2 Label Group has had double platinum hits, like Divine’s “Lately,” which was honored with a nomination at the 2003 Grammy Awards for R&B Song of the Year. H2 has also produced music for Grammy winners Pink and India Arie, and was previously managed by Johnny Wright (Justin Timberlake, The Jonas Brothers, and Ciara). Will Baker, H2 label head, and his partner, super producer Pete Woodruff, are currently in the studio scoring a new film, as well as recording music for the highly anticipated debut from 14 yr old singer/songwriter Ashmin Skyy. Together, they are the production talent behind Skyy’s new Christmas single, “Wrapped in Love.” For more information, visit h2labelgroup.com.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK HEATS UP FALL WITH ENCORE ROLE IN ALVIN AILEY’S DANCE THEATER’S 5OTH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK, HOT OFF SINGLE, “ARE WE A NATION”
HEATS UP FALL WITH ENCORE ROLE IN ALVIN AILEY’S DANCE
THEATER’S 5OTH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO CLASSIC “REVELATIONS”

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING A CAPPELLA ENSEMBLE ALSO HAVE
NEW CD RELEASES ONLINE, “GO IN GRACE” AND CONTRIBUTE TO
“HEALTHY FOOD FOR THOUGHT: GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!” CHILDREN’S FAMILY COMPILATION CD TO PROMOTE HEALTHY FOOD IN SCHOOLS

New York, NY October 8, 2010 – Grammy Award-winning a cappella vocal ensemble
Sweet Honey In The Rock, whose thought-provoking summer single/video “Are We Nation,” stirred up the national debate on the controversial SB-1070 Immigration Law that was enacted in Arizona, will heat up the fall with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater when it celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Ailey’s timeless, classic and spiritual dance piece, “Revelations.” The series of commemorative performance events are scheduled at the New York City Center from December 1, 2010 – January 2, 2011.

Legendary Alvin Ailey Artistic Director Judith Jamison will have the conductor’s baton dancing while directing Sweet Honey In The Rock, a full choir, and a ballet cast of 50 dancers, who will be performing “Revelations” for the first time ever. Sweet Honey In The Rock will bring their soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms to “Revelations,” at the December 1st Opening Night Gala and New Year’s Eve performances.

“Revelations” marks the second collaboration between Sweet Honey In The Rock and
the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 2008, Sweet Honey In The Rock were featured guest performers in an original piece entitled, “Go In Grace,” which was a highlight of Alvin Ailey’s 50th Anniversary national dance tour. Sweet Honey In The Rock composed and performed the music for the mini-musical, which was directed and choreographed with dancers by Ailey protégé Hope Boykin. Sweet Honey In The Rock appeared in the anniversary production’s run at the New York City Center in December 2008, and in selected cities through early 2009. The “Go In Grace,” soundtrack was released independently by the group’s own record label, She-Rocks 5, Inc., and is now available on CDbaby.com.

In addition, Sweet Honey In The Rock contributed their song, “I Like It That Way,” to the recently released compilation CD, “Healthy Food For Thought: Good Enough To Eat.” Sweet Honey member Nitanju Bolade Casel individually penned a spoken word poem, “If I Really Am What I Eat,” which is also featured the CD. The double CD compilation fuses 60 music and spoken word tracks, and special guest appearances by Julian Lennon, Russell Simmons, Moby, Bill Harley, Michael O’Keefe, and Tom Chapin, among many others. In keeping with the nation’s initiatives regarding nutrition and childhood obesity awareness, all profits from the project are being donated to the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food. The CD can be purchased on CDbaby.com and iTunes.

Sweet Honey In The Rock’s single, “Are We A Nation,” is also available on CDbaby.com and iTunes, and the video can be seen on www.youtube.com.

The group has also joined forces for the second consecutive year with the 9th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days initiative. During the month of October, thousands of artist’s around the world will use the power of music to reaffirm their commitment to tolerance and “Harmony for Humanity.” For more information, please go to www.danielpearlmusicdays.org.

If you would like more information about Sweet Honey In The Rock, you can follow their ongoing activities by going to:

www.sweethoneyintherock.org
www.facebook.com/sweethoneyintherock
www.twitter.com/shoney73
www.youtube.com/sweethoneyinrock
www.myspace.com/sweethoneyintherock1973

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

What Nina taught Kellylee Evans

We tend to think of tribute albums as being the work of fans, of musicians whose own identities wouldn’t have been fully formed without the influence of a classic artist. But while that’s true to some degree of Kellylee Evans’s new album, Nina, the young jazz singer’s relationship to the music and legend of Nina Simone is complicated, to say the least.

“I really didn’t like Nina Simone when I was growing up,” she says, over the phone from her home in Ottawa. “My mom listened to her all the time, but I wanted to listen to Michael Jackson and Blondie and stuff like that. I didn’t want to hear any of the stuff my mom had. But I was the one who put on the records, so she’d ask me to go down and put on Nina records.

Click here to continue reading 'What Nina taught Kellylee Evans'

Blues Bytes: Bob Corritore Review

Harmonica Blues (Delta Groove Music) marks Bob Corritore’s 40th anniversary as a harmonica player. Corritore’s life was changed when, as a 12 year old, he heard Muddy Waters on the radio. Within a year, he was playing harmonica and stocking up on blues records. He got his start backing John Henry Davis on Maxwell Street, and hung out with harp players like Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, Little Mack Simmons, Louis Myers, and Junior Wells, learning from each and every one of them. In the late ’70s/early ’80s, he produced recordings for artists like Little Willie Anderson and Big Leon Brooks before heading south to Phoenix.

In Phoenix, Corritore made his mark as a performer (with Big Pete Peterson, Chico Chism, Janiva Magness, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, among others), a radio show host (“These Lowdown Blues” on KJZZ since 1984), and a club owner (the Rhythm Room, since 1991). Over time, Corritore and his band would back many great blues artists on shows and recording sessions. He’s released many of these performances on some outstanding collections since 1999 for various labels. Harmonica Blues captures 15 fantastic performances recorded over the past couple of decades, teaming Corritore with an all-star cast of blues legends.

CLICK HERE to read more on Blues Bytes

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Erika Jayne in Orlando Style

Pretty Mess:

She's equal parts Hollywood glamour and S&M chic.


What does the intersection between fashion and music look like? It looks like stylista, pop princess, dance diva and No. 1 Billboard chart-topper Erika Jayne.


CLICK HERE to read the Orlando Style Article