LOTL-Radio The Comfort Zone

Atlanta-based singer Rhonda Thomas has become a favorite in the new Soul music scene, and for good reason. She's paid her dues over the last decade backing such artists as Isaac Hayes, India.Arie and others, and has captivated audiences during her sporadic solo stints as well as her participation in one of the most enjoyable new recording groups around. Possessing a deep, soulful voice that is most reminiscent of Maysa (with whom she has occasionally performed), Thomas scored a hit in the UK with her 1999 EP Rhonda. She followed in 2004 with Breathe New Life, a jazzy soul album that included a handful of very attractive cuts and which achieved notice both in America and Europe. It peaked at #3 on Listmania's Top Nu-Soul on the Net chart. It also received notice from syndicated radio host Michael Baisden, who featured Thomas on his show, introducing her to a larger urban music audience. “Wow, a human voice singing songs of substance. Not to knock anybody else but, this kind of presentation is missed by the mature music lover and should be a study by the younger generation. Hats off to production, musicianship, arrangement, vocals and don’t miss the lyrics, it’s a breath of fresh air. You go Rhonda!” –Isaac Hayes This review is from: Amazon.com Rhonda's incredible range and lush voice coupled with masterful production makes "Listen" a dynamic musical voyage! This is a SOUL ALBUM perfectly balanced with gospel influences on "Unmerited Favor", R&B

DiLauro's sophomore disc, Jump n' Jivin' Live @ The Swing House, incorporates many of those concepts; thanks to the seamless musical direction and arrangements by Pageot and DiLauro. DiLauro's electrifying alto lights up the five-song mini concert that includes the first single "Why U Raggin?" (which won the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best R&B/Soul Song) and an updated arrangement of "Shout Out" from A Study of a Woman's Soul - renamed "Shout Out 2.0." The three-piece Regiment Horns and rhythm section of Brandon K. Brown and Stanley Randolph nail down the swing factor while keeping the modern R&B attitude. Two of the songs are also available in studio versions. With Jump n' Jivin' Live @ The Swing House, DiLauro and Pageot's musical chemistry is stronger than ever. And the audience on that special night was truly jumpin' and jivin' right along with them. She has had feature roles on Cirque du Soleil and sang background vocals for the likes of Patti Labelle, Deborah Cox, & The Neville Bros. He has toured with Madonna, written and performed on Jill Scott's new album, The Light of The Sun. Now Dessy Di Lauro and her producer/husband Ric'key Pageot are ready to take the music world by storm with their neo-ragtime sound & music video of their award-winning single,, "Why U Raggin'?"

One of the most popular funk bands of the 1970s and ’80s, the Ohio Players is back in the spotlight, this time emphasizing the distinctive voice and musical style of its frontman, Hamilton native Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner. Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players will join Lakeside, Con-Funkion, Dazz Band and The Barkays Aug. 29 at the Soul Food Festival at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, and that’s close enough to home for Sugarfoot. Although Sugarfoot was born in Hamilton, he hardly calls it home anymore. Since he left as a teenager, he’s only been back once, for a funeral last year, and just zipped in and out of town as fast as he could, he said. “Everything I used to know has been gone,” he said. “I have too many bad memories about Hamilton and I don’t like to go back.” But it was in Hamilton where he first started learning about music, playing harmonica on the street corners for change, learning his first few guitar chords from “some wino,” and sneaking into the Rendezvous Lounge when he was 12 years old to play with the musicians there. But by the time he was 14, he ran away from his Front Street home, where he was the oldest of 14 children, left town and never looked back. “We were poor and I wanted to go anywhere I could make some money,” he said. He first went to Cincinnati, then to Dayton, where it was easier to make money playing music. There, in 1971, he hooked up with a band called the Ohio Untouchables, but when he joined as singer and guitarist, they changed the name of the band to Ohio Players. Within two years, the Ohio Players cracked the Billboard charts and in 1974 scored the first of six consecutive No. 1 albums on the Rhythm’n’Blues charts, “Skin Tight.”

N’dambi’s purposeful songwriting offers the listener detailed lyrical snapshots largely created from observations, rather than her own life. “Sometimes I write from my experience, but mostly I use my imagination to express myself through story telling,” she explains. “I think of the place, the time, the setting of a story, and invent a situation that shines a light on a particular issue or theme. They are rarely from my own life. More often, they’re someone else’s story.” The striking singer’s storytelling skills are at peak form on Pink Elephant with tunes like the Rod Temperton, ‘80’s hip-hop flavored “Nobody Jones,” the story of a girl with big dreams who won’t let her humble beginnings stop her, and the delicious “L.I.E.,” a tale of a man living a double life along New York’s Long Island Expressway. Delusions of love spring up in the old school, love-gone-wrong melodic funk of “Daisy Chain”; “Ooo Baby,” is the smooth-grooving tale of reconnection with a former lover; while the blues-inflected “Imitator,” finds a young woman suffering over the collapse of her lover’s promises. “You’re not the man I used to know, you’re an imitator,” she sings on this mid-tempo urban gem. The hope of true love cries out in “The One,” a disarming jazz-tinged ballad kissed with a touch of classic Stax. The album’s lead single “Can’t Hardly Wait,” is a biting chunk of scorching sarcasm delivered in the commanding singer’s rich tone. Her opening complaint, “I don’t know why I keep f***in’ wit you,”

By any measurement Vivian Green has the whole package. A songwriter and singer since she was an early teen, at age 25 Green has the voice, the songwriting skills and the looks to be a major star. However, she has yet to apply her considerable talents into a uniformly satisfactory package. A Philadelphia native, Green paid her dues as a background singer for Jill Scott before being signed as a solo singer by Columbia Records in 2003. For her debut, A Love Story, Green followed her mentor Scott's penchant for intelligent, personal lyrics (though almost exclusively about troubled personal relationships) and combined them with modern R&B and jazz elements that made the album more interesting than the slew of other female neo-soul albums that were released that year. And though the album was of uneven quality, her hot single "Emotional Rollercoaster" and her willingness to experiment with varied musical styles made her an artist to watch and one who appeared to have the ability to further differentiate herself from the pack in subsequent releases.

"Sensational yet subtle. A singer to die for who creates an urgent need for superlatives yet to be invented." Meet Julie Dexter, a world renowned, award winning, British vocalist considered by many to be one of the most influential female vocalists of our generation. She has shared the spotlight with a host of cutting edge artists, including Mint Condition, Jill Scott, Bilal, Omar, Loose Ends, Rachelle Ferrell, Ledisi, Eric Roberson and Raheem DeVaughn to name a few.   Born and raised in Birmingham, England, this classically trained artist composes and arranges her own music.  Influenced by  legends such as Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, and Bob Marley,  as well as popular icons Omar and Sade, Julie takes classic soul to the heart of Artistry   Fans and critics across the globe have followed her journey  through the circles of  Jazz, Soul, Broken-Beat, Bossa-Nova, Reggae and Afro-Beat. Her dynamic voice was first heard in 1994 on "The Jamaican Beat" Vol I with Jazz Jamaica. Soon after she was invited by Jazz legend Courtney Pine OBE to join him on tour as lead vocalist for his ensemble. She later  became a member of J-Life, a European Jazz quintet formed by Gary Crosby and led by Jason Yarde. They toured several continents as Ambassadors for the British Council winning numerous international a wards and released their debut on Dune Records in 1997.

Frank Mccomb is one of the most exceptional musicians and Vocalist of our time. He simply allows his works of art to create the intimate picture to reflect each listener lives. His current works will not disappoint new and old listeners. He simply expresses the experience of every day struggles and the wonderful faith we develop thru the process of living with music as the soundtrack. You will be inspired and uplifted by every phrase, word, and vocal inflection as well as the embrace of every note. To find your soul filled with music the will accompany your memories as time goes by. The seeds of this beautiful music will continue to Grow! This album is fantastic & really make me smile. Personally I don't agree with the other reviewer giving it 1 star!!? What?? (I understand what he means though but listen to ANY R&B album out there & this is still a 5. LOL). And yes, I own all Frank's CDs, even the Japanese imports. This CD has "almost" no weak tracks, the weakest ones I consider to be "& now I'm fighting" (little sad "wasting" Branford Marsalis on this one) & "Open My heart". The rest are fantastic! & funky! I think FM concentrated on writing very good songs this time, so yes the "playing" gets the backseat. To me this isn't a bad thing although I'm a HUGE jazz fan. I feel that FM developed as song writer & that's what he's trying to show. As a fellow songwriter I appreciate this. Also, the production is very laid back & soft which is brave move to make with the result that nothing really stands out, not even the solos & real funky bass & drum playing. Instead you have to listen very closely for the sweet licks. The upside is the whole album is very soothing & non-fatigueing. The sound quality & production is superb!  

THE GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS NEW CD, "THE SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS" IS COMING SEPTEMBER 27, 2011! 1st Single "FLY AGAIN" Featuring JAMECIA BENNETT THE DAUGHTER OF ANN NESBY MOTHER OF PARIS BENNET AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 5 ,TOP  5 CONTESTANT- Since January 1971, the Grammy Award winning Sounds of Blackness have consistently performed, recorded and proudly proclaimed the music, culture and history of African Americans to audiences around the world. The Sounds of Blackness have embraced and presented every “sound of blackness”: Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Reggae, Ragtime, Spirtuals, Work songs and Field Hollers. On three occasions, Sounds of Blackness has peformed for audiences of over one billion people: the Opening Ceromonies of the 1994 World Cup, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and the 1998 World Figure Skating Championships. The group has also performed at the White House on five separate occasions. Three Grammys,One Emmy Nomination, Soul Train Music Award,Three Stellar Awards,Two Gold Records,International Time For Peace Award,Three NAACP Image award Nominations,International Dance Music Award.  

“Lifeology 101”, Winston Warrior fashions a relatable storyboard of experiences common to all. As love’s soundtrack, most of the songs’ themes revolve around the phases of love. However, the overarching message of the album is one of progression; maintaining the pursuit of your goals in spite of life’s obstacles. It’s the basics of life’s lessons. With the creative genius of collaborators and producers, Don Vito and Sean McMillion from Don Vito Productions, Selasi “The African Kid”, Lenny Hamilton, Jr., and Trey “DJ Gman” Thomas, as well as international special guest, SeizVres Palace, Winston Warrior reminisces on his heartbreaks, failures, achievements, and how he found closure and knowledge in every experience to become the man and artist he is today.

THE LEGENDARY ANGIE STONE STOPS BYE TO DISCUSS HER UPCOMING PROJECTS AND HER NEW RECORD LABEL In the ever-changing universe of contemporary music, there are very few artists who have remained as creatively consistent as singer, songwriter, producer and actress Angie Stone. Whether belting out tunes on Broadway (most recently she appeared as “Big Mama Morton” in the Tony Award winning production of “Chicago”) or crafting new songs on the tour bus, Angie Stone fiercely manages to bring real soul to the table.  

After releasing three independent albums, and recently releasing her new book “Get a Man, Keep a Man”, the twinkle behind Shei Atkins’ star certainly shows no signs of fading. Shei has worked in the recording studio with industry giant, Beyonce’ Knowles, and the likes of platinum-selling rap artists, Lil Flip, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire. She has also traveled the United States and abroad while sharing the spotlight with such notables as Mary J. Blige, Mary Mary, J. Moss, Kirk Franklin, Avant, Tonex, Fred Hammond, Tank, Mario, Lil Mama, B5, Trey Songs and even an international European tour with the Grammy Award-winning Kelly Rowland. While it soon became obvious that Shei Atkins was a worthwhile asset to all of these endeavors, the demand for her electrifying, yet warm presentation, became more and more in-demand and Shei even went on to be featured in one of America’s largest publications, VIBE Magazine. “It’s not enough to just have talent,” Shei says. “I’m doing something different from what you and I currently hear on the radio. But I knew my beats and lyrics still had to come correct in order to reach the masses with the message of hope in everyday situations.” Currently in the studio working on her new album ‘Emotional’, Shei’s talent is undeniable. Her style is undefinable. To hear her is to feel her.

Shirley Murdock's first "Live" CD/DVD recording on April 28, 2011 in Charlotte, NC. In what is already being billed as an "Amazing Live Music Event", attendees will enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening filled with an abundance of audience participation and entertaining surprises from beginning to end. April 28th will be a Night of Firsts for Ms. Murdock along with her phenomenal guest artists who will join her "Live" for the first time including Regina Belle, Beverly Crawford, and Kelly Price. This groundbreaking project is being produced by two time Grammy & Stellar Award Winner, Cedric Thompson (Donald Lawrence & Tri City, Karen Clark-Sheard, Marvin Sapp, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong). The word out is that every song has been hand picked to show the many sides of Shirley. Attendees and music lovers will have a bird's eye view into Shirley's relationship with God. Shirley Murdock is eagerly anticipating her first live project as she prepares to share her heart and express her love for God on each song. Murdock stated, "I am excited about the opportunity to capture the experience of live ministry. When you capture the live moments, they are captured forever." "With this new project, titled The Journey, I want to convey and evangelize messages of hope to everyone. For me, the journey has been a process and I can see the checkpoints in my life and how all the pieces of the puzzle are coming together."

  As a singer, entertainer and host, Gloria Loring is known for her energy, commitment and joy. She is the recording artist of the #1 hit song Friends and Lovers; co-composer of television theme songs Diff’rent Strokes and Facts Of Life; an audience favorite from daytime TV’s Days Of Our Lives; spokesperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; author of four books; a keynote speaker for corporations and non-profits; and one of the few artists to sing two nominated songs at the Academy Awards.   

Raised in New York by a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother, Angela Bofill was a student of many styles of music, from the latin sounds played regularly by her family to the soul and jazz sounds of her neighborhood in the Bronx.  She began singing professionally as a teenager as a member of New York's All City Voices and as featured lead soloist for the Dance Theater of Harlem. After completing her studies in California, Bofill was introduced by her friend, jazz flutist Dave Valentin, to Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen of GRP records, and they signed her for her 1978 debut, Angie. The album was a breakout smash on contemporary jazz radio and the tastefully arranged jazz vocal disc showed a gifted young artist with a rich voice beyond her years. 

OVER 100 MILLION ALBUMS SOLD WORLDWIDE 6 GRAMMY'S , 13 NOMINATIONS, ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME, & SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE. With his funky keyboard playing, Larry helped transform Earth, Wind & Fire into one of the all-time most successful R&B bands in the world, with sales of more than 100 million albums worldwide, 6 GRAMMYs, 13 GRAMMY nominations, 4 American Music Awards, 32 Gold & Platinum/Multi-Platinum Records & Albums, a Star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame, induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (2000) and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame (2010) as well as other industry awards. In addition to playing organ, synthesizer, piano, keyboards, and clavinet with the group from 1972 until 1983, Larry held the position and handled the responsibilities of the band's Musical Director. As one of the key people behind the scene, much of the group's musical success can be attributed to him. In addition, he rehearsed Earth, Wind & Fire for live stage performances and wrote many of the musical segue ways and medleys. Larry had major creative influence in, and is proud of his contribution to such Earth, Wind & Fire classics as: "Shining Star," "Spirit," "Be Ever Wonderful," "Runnin'," "See The Light," "Let Me Talk," "And Love Goes On," "Jupiter," as well as other melodies that will live on in the hearts of fans and popular music lovers alike.