“Soul To Soul,” a passionate new song cycle from vocalist, songwriter, producer and musician Carmen Lundy, was released on September 23rd, 2014 via Afrasia Productions. “Soul To Soul”, Lundy’s 14th album, is the next chapter in her critically-acclaimed career as both a musical artist and a visual artist; a return to her roots but also an exploration of these roots -- and the journey that those roots can take you on. The release of “Soul To Soul” will be accompanied by tour dates both in the U.S. and overseas.
Carmen Lundy began working on “Soul To Soul” well over a year ago in a very hands-on manner – literally composing, co-composing and arranging eleven of the thirteen tracks and then playing and recording all the instruments - including bass, drums, piano, guitar and percussion - in her home studio to get a working “feel” for how the music might sound. She then “sweetened” the songs by adding string sounds and other software instruments to elaborate and experiment with the aural mood of each track, interpreting and identifying with each track’s sound individually as well as part of the overall song sequence. On the final CD, Lundy plays guitar on all tracks, piano and Rhodes on many tracks, and drums on two.
“I wrote the music with specific players in mind for each respective instrument,” says Lundy. “My producer and label co-owner Elisabeth Oei encouraged me to reach out to those musicians whose music I have loved and have been inspired by; some of whom I had worked with but never recorded with. I consider these artists specialists on their instruments. These are players who bring a distinctive sound to everything they play and
add another layer of individuality to my original music.”
Patrice Rushen, for example, is featured on nearly every track on “Soul To Soul” because of the deep musical connection Carmen felt with her. “I could hear her sound in my music,” says Lundy, “Patrice creates these beautiful sonic palettes from which I could soar freely through the music. This project would not be as special to me if it were not for her incredible contribution.”
Featuring the stellar talents of guest artists Patrice Rushen, Geri Allen, Randy Brecker, Mayra Casales, Simphiwe Dana, Bennie Maupin, Carol Robbins, Ada Rovatti, and Warren Wolf along with Carmen’s core rhythm section members Darryl Hall and
Jamison Ross, “Soul To Soul” invites the listener on an intriguing journey. Whether the source of inspiration comes from time spent in Sardinia, Italy (“Soul To Soul” and “Sardegna”) or from her hometown of Miami in the songs “Kindred Spirits” and “Grateful” – “It’s important to acknowledge and remember where you come from and all those who provide unwavering moral support” says Lundy; from the beauty of Mary Lou Williams’ “What’s Your Story, Morning Glory” - “Geri Allen and I have spent many years performing the works of this great pianist,” Lundy remarks, “I could not miss the chance to have yet another of the great pianists/composers of our time be a part of this musical journey”; to the sexy bossa nova beat of “Everything I Need”, the moods and moments of “Soul To Soul” are genre-bending and traverse many borders, both literally and figuratively.
Of special note is the story of the track “Grace,” the result of a meeting with South African vocalist Simphiwe Dana. At the time of the meeting – which coincided with tour dates Lundy and Dana had in Johannesburg and Los Angeles – Lundy was in the process of writing the song on guitar and had been haunted by it for months. She then played the track for Dana who immediately began to sing the melody in her native tongue, and whose contribution to the track on the CD adds yet another dimension to the journey of “Soul To Soul.”
Added Lundy, “It is an honor to have these players joining in this majestic musical adventure. I hope listeners – both new and established - enjoy the voyage.”
Carmen Lundy is also a celebrated mixed media artist and painter, and her works have been exhibited in New York at The Jazz Gallery in Soho, at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, and at a month-long exhibition at the Madrid Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. For additional information and media requests, please contact Chip Schutzman at Miles High Productions, 323-806-0400; e: chip@mileshighproductions.com
A complete track listing with credits is as follows:
TRACK LISTING:
1. Kindred Spirits (Carmen Lundy)
2. Life Is A Song In Me (Carmen Lundy, Julie Raynor)
3. Soul To Soul (Carmen Lundy)
4. When Will They Learn (Carmen Lundy, Julie Raynor)
5. Daybreak (Carmen Lundy)
6. Between Darkness and Dawn (Carmen Lundy, Julie Raynor)
7. Grace (Carmen Lundy, Simphiwe Dana)
8. Grateful Pt. 1 (Carmen Lundy)
9. Grateful Pt. 2 (Carmen Lundy)
10. Everything I Need (Carmen Lundy)
11. Don’t You Know How I Feel (Marilyn Castilaw)
12. Sardegna (Carmen Lundy, Deborah Ash)
13. What’s Your Story, Morning Glory (Mary Lou Williams)
Personnel:
Carmen Lundy – Vocals (all), piano (track 1) Rhodes (track 11), keyboards (track 8), guitar (tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12), drums (track 12), percussion (tracks 1, 6), string arrangements and programming
Patrice Rushen – piano, Rhodes, keyboards (all tracks except 8, 13)
Darryl Hall – acoustic bass, electric bass (all tracks)
Jamison Ross – drums, percussion (all tracks)
Geri Allen – piano (track 8, 13), Rhodes (tracks 6, 9)
Randy Brecker – trumpet (track 3, 10, 11), flugelhorn (track 3)
Mayra Casales – percussion, congas (all tracks except 13)
Simphiwe Dana – Vocals (track 7)
Bennie Maupin – tenor sax, soprano sax (tracks 5, 9)
Carol Robbins – harp (tracks 4, 5, 6, 10)
Ada Rovatti – tenor sax (track 3, 10)
Warren Wolf – vibes (tracks 5, 8, 12)
Background Vocals – Carmen Lundy, Patrice Rushen, Jamison Ross (track 2), plus Mayra Casales, Darryl Hall, Elisabeth Oei (track 7).
All songs composed and arranged by Carmen Lundy, C. Lundy Publishing/ASCAP except * by Marilyn Castilaw (Redfield Music/BMI); ** by Mary Lou Williams (Cecilia Music), Paul Francis Webster, Jack Lawrence; *** by Carmen Lundy and Julie Raynor (Castle Dream Music/ASCAP); **** by Carmen Lundy and Deborah Ash (Compashe Music/ASCAP); ^ by Carmen Lundy and Simphiwe Dana (Black Carrot Publishing).
Produced by Elisabeth Oei and Carmen Lundy
Recorded and Mixed by Don Murray at Firehouse Recording Studios, Pasadena, CA and Mixed at Afrasia Studios, Woodland Hills, CA. Basic tracks recorded and played by Carmen Lundy at Afrasia Studios.
Mastered by Doug Sax at Mastering Lab, Ojai, CA
CD Cover Photo by Victor Dlamini
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