A fresh young soul talent will emerge May 8th with the birth of Babysoul, the ARTizen Music Group debut disc from Jackiem Joyner, saxophonist, flutist, songwriter and producer. The artist enters the fray with the seductive soprano sax-led single, “Stay With Me Tonight,” featuring special guest Peter White on acoustic guitar, now collecting adds at radio. Joyner produced the album and wrote ten soul, R&B and funk songs sweetened with touches of contemporary jazz and instrumental pop. Rick Braun executive produced in addition to contributing trumpet and flugelhorn. Joyner impresses with the confidence in his swagger that reflects maturity beyond his 27 years. His compositions are accessible and inviting yet astute and challenging. As a producer, his sounds and beats are imaginative, sensual and dynamic. Joyner’s lead sax is often in tandem on choruses with his flute, which adds richness and warmth as well as uniqueness. Most of the instrumentation you hear on the album was performed by Joyner. Babysoul opens with a shuffling beat on the energizing “This Time Around.” David Dyson pummels the title track with his robust bass. “Just Groove” is a funky, swinging jam with big horns. The amorous “In Love Again” is a mid-tempo flute and sax duet. Joyner beautifully covers the sexy “Say Yes,” originally recorded by Floetry. “Share My Tears” is a down-tempo commercial ballad. Named for his wife, “Lola” is intricately musical with sax and flute carrying the melody while a kinetic beat dances. “Unforgiven” is another steamy Quiet Storm romancer. Upbeat sax and flute engage in a call-and-response dialect on “Elevation.” Closing the album is “Innocence,” a poignant, heartfelt slow jam.
“I want my debut album to speak about who I am as well as make a statement from a baby artist coming into the game. My message is simple: soulful sax, with the emphasis on soul,” said Joyner coolly. “I love writing music and I’m often awoken in the middle of the night with new songs running through my head. In fact, I’ve already started writing the next album.”
Born into a musical family in Norfolk, Virginia (his father was a professional bassist), Joyner’s first experiences in music were in church where he sang in the gospel choir and played drums. After moving to Buffalo, New York for middle school, he picked up the sax. In three consecutive years, the teenager won national youth achievement competitions sponsored by the NAACP in music categories. He moved back to Virginia after high school and became the leader of a church-affiliated music department, which enabled him to travel to perform in Africa. His demo ended up in the hands of keyboardist and Three Key Music label owner Marcus Johnson, who added Joyner to his band. Joyner played with Bobby Lyle and other artists on the label and eventually landed a spot on a 30-city tour opening for Angela Bofill, Ronnie Laws and Jean Carne. He’s also had the opportunity to open for George Duke, Najee, Phil Perry and Bob Baldwin. Now Joyner’s sights are firmly set on supporting his own recordings in addition to creating soul music with impact.
Jackiem Joyner’s Babysoul contains the following songs:
“This Time Around” - “Say Yes”
“Stay With Me Tonight” - “Share My Tears”
“Babysoul” - “Lola”
“Just Groove” - “Unforgiven”
“In Love Again” - “Elevation”
“Innocence”
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