Billboard hitmaker Kendra Erika casts a completely different spell
The dance music vixen returns to her jazz roots with a Sinatra remake produced by
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Ralph Johnson and Myron McKinley.
It’s been four years since Kendra Erika cast her spell on the dance music world to capture the number one spot on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart with “Self Control.” At her core, the siren’s burning passion is singing jazz and after a prolific three years during which she dropped eleven singles, most of which reached Billboard’s top ten enroute to amassing millions of streams and YouTube views, Erika is following her muse and changing the tempo. Her sultry version of “Witchcraft,” a Grammy nominated Song of the Year and Record of the Year originally released in 1957 as a single by Frank Sinatra, will go for playlist adds at jazz radio on Monday (July 3).
Having become a fixture in the dance music space, Erika sought a new challenge. Just as she did with her club music releases when she tapped Grammy winner Damon Sharpe (Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull) to produce her, she teamed up with seasoned producers to launch her first foray in jazz. In fact, the idea to record “Witchcraft” came over lunch in Los Angeles with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Ralph Johnson, who along with being an original member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band has collaborated with Drake, Meghan Trainor, Nathan East and Howard Hewett.
“We were talking music direction for our collaboration, and I mentioned Frank Sinatra and that instantly perked Ralph's ears and attention. Sinatra has one hell of a classic style and vibe, and that's what made us sift through the songs he did. When I posed ‘Witchcraft,’ you could feel the agreement in the air amongst us. So, the magic started brewing from there,” said Erika who was exposed to Sinatra’s music at an early age, long before she started singing standards from the Great American songbook in South Florida clubs, bars and lounges as a teenager and in her early twenties.
Johnson brought in Earth, Wind & Fire’s longtime keyboardist and musical director Myron McKinley to coproduce “Witchcraft.” The production duo surrounded Erika’s sultry voice with lush instrumentation, including McKinley’s elegant piano and keyboards, swooning strings and a classy trumpet solo by Anne King.
Just like going home, Erika instantly felt comfortable singing jazz in the company of accomplished pros despite it being a dramatic departure from her dance-pop-EDM music recordings.
“Before I went into the studio to record with Ralph and Myron, I thought that I would have to do a barrel of takes and change the way I sing and do things. However, it turned out to be such a smooth recording process. I only had to do a few takes of the song all the way through. That signified to me, especially going back to my roots and having spiritual confirmation from Frank (Sinatra), that I have come to that level now in my career where all it takes is for me to be fluid and stay true to myself as an artist in order to flow in an advanced environment,” said Erika, who shot a sensual video to accompany the single release (https://youtu.be/3jJAxpLepOk).
In addition to maintaining a constant presence on the Billboard dance charts, Erika’s singles and videos have filled dance floors, been added into MTV rotation and climbed the charts in the UK. “Witchcraft” will definitely introduce her vocal talents to a new audience.
“And it might just lead to a jazz album,” said Erika with a bewitching smile.
Please visit https://kendraerika.com for more information.
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