With the October 2017 release of her second album “The Beautiful Project”, Tasha Page-Lockhart is on display as a vocal powerhouse. She has matured musically and spiritually and though sometimes the process is without aesthetics, the result is as Page-Lockhart encapsulates it in this album, “Beautiful”. The album is great, do you have your copy? I’ll share a few of my favorites from the album!
The album kicks off with “You Are Good” which is bolstered by a mix of zydeco driven pop. She follows it up with an instant classic: “I Got Joy”. The song is an immediate favorite when you hear it. It’s soft, smooth and really relaxing. It’s also catchy, very singable, lighthearted and fun. One listen and you’ll be singing this all day long! It’s an early indication of the creative breadth of the album, as the song picks up some gospel heft in the vamp! If you’re anywhere near Tasha Page-Lockhart singing this song, you won’t be the same!
“He has made everything beautiful in its time…” Ecclesiastes 3:11
The album theme track “Beautiful” describes the process in which God re-shapes and restores our lives…the end result is something beautiful. She says of the creative process that gave us this project: “This record is basically saying all that I went through, I’m still beautiful. With my scars, with my pain, with my past…everything that I’ve gone through, everything that I’ve seen…it doesn’t matter, we’re still beautiful because that’s how He created you. But guess what? You’re the project, you gotta keep working on you! A lot of times, we put the pressure on God but He’s asking us what we’re gonna do! How are we going to participate in our own deliverance, what part are you going to play? So that’s where we are with this project. Every song is uplifting, it’s encouraging and every song is pushing you to that next level in God.”
“Thank you Lord, you make us beautiful!” The first single from the album “Over & Over” hit the airwaves with a wave of other retro inspired jams. This gospel spin on the Shirley Murdock hit “Go On Without You” written by Terry and Roger Troutman not only feels and sounds good, it is good! What a testament of the unending love of Christ, it continues even though we fall short over and over again! This ballad is an ode to God’s grace that brings out some of Lockhart’s signature style and phrasing. The vamp…Oh Lord, that vamp! Don’t be surprised if you put this one on repeat. It’s another one you’re sure to love on this great album. Kudos to Zeke Listenbee and Myron Butler for crafting this gem this modern gem!
Tasha takes us straight to church on “When I Think” and says what many of us do: “When I begin to think, I begin to thank!” Melding together a few classic hymns, this one is what I like to call a church banger! It’s a praise party on wheels and you just may find yourself singing out your car window along with Lockhart: “I’m so glad I’m saved!”
The urban anthem “Help Us” features newcomer Izze Williams and is another favorite from this modern marvel. The album closes with rising artist and producer Bryan Popin who wrote and produced the final cut on the album: Beautiful Savior”.
Tasha Page Lockhart’s “The Beautiful Project” is refreshing and a really beautiful work of art! The album was released on Kirk Franklin’s Fo Yo Soul Recordings under the RCA Inspiration, Provident Distribution and Sony Music family.
Essential Compilation–Available Digitally or 12″ Vinyl–Celebrates 25 Years of Music from Groundbreaking Atlanta Label
So So Def Founder Jermaine Dupri Becomes 2nd Hip-Hop Artist Ever to be Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame
Jermaine Dupri (PRNewsfoto/Legacy Recordings)
Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Atlanta’s hottest hip-hop label with the release of So So Def 25 as a digital album coming this summer through Certified Classics, home of the undisputed classics of hip-hop and R&B from the 80s, 90s and 00s. A 12″ vinyl collector’s edition of So So Def 25 will also be available.
So So Def 25 includes essential smash hits, iconic remixes, and deep cuts from the label’s quarter-century catalog and more.
So So Def founder Jermaine Dupri says, “I been dreaming of getting to this point since my very first release.”
Dupri (who has co-written No. 1 hits like Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” and “Always Be My Baby,” Usher’s “Burn” and Monica’s “The First Night”) will be the second hip-hop act ever to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the organization announced on February 6. The 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame will honor this year’s inductees at its Annual Induction & Awards Gala on June 14, 2018, in New York City.
Thus far 2018 also sees Dupri being honored with the 2018 Trumpet Awards Music Innovation Award, the 2018 Global Spin Awards Breaking Barriers Award airing on REVOLT and the 2018 Legendary Awards Trailblazer Award.
The visionary producer/musician/entrepreneur launched So So Def Recordings in 1993, following the success of Kris Kross’s hit song “Jump,” which was written and produced by Dupri and just celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. So So Def brought together strains of Southern hip-hop, R&B, soul, and new club sounds to create an ongoing catalog of music that continues to transform the culture. So So Def’s first act, the female R&B vocal quartet Xscape struck platinum with three albums in a row beginning with their 1993 debut Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha continuing through Off the Hook (1995) and Traces of My Lipstick (1998). A creative wellspring for some of contemporary hip-hop’s most innovative artists, So So Def released Da Brat’s historic 1994 debut Funkdafied, the first album by a female solo rapper to achieve platinum status, and, in 1997, introduced the R&B hitmakers Jagged Edge to the world with the group’s debut album, A Jagged Era.
In 2000, So So Def released Beware of Dog, the debut album from (then) 13-year-old hip-hop prodigy Lil Bow Wow. Supported by four smash singles–“Bounce with Me” featuring Xscape, “Bow Wow (That’s My Name)” featuring Snoop Dogg, “Puppy Love” featuring Jagged Edge, and “Ghetto Girls”–Beware of Dog went triple platinum, propelling Bow Wow into the hip-hop stratosphere.
The celebration of So So Def will continue throughout 2018 with Legacy Recordings set to press 12″ vinyl reissues of select catalog titles and release additional digital content.
Plans for an all-star So So Def Tour are currently in the works with full details TBA.
About Certified Classics Certified Classics is Legacy Recordings’ home for the celebration of Sony Music’s Hip-Hop and R&B catalog. With artists like The Fugees, Maxwell, Nas, A Tribe Quest, Xscape, Aaliyah and many more, Certified aims to pay homage to the legendary innovators of Hip-Hop and R&B by preserving, curating and reissuing repertoire from the 1980s through the early 2000s.
Launched in 2016, Certified creates opportunities to discuss, revisit, and renew interest in a genre that shaped an entire culture, making the leap from a grassroots form of expression to a mainstream juggernaut with staying power. Certified provides contemporary music fans access to rare and unreleased albums, singles, remixes, photos and video footage from iconic labels that have come through the Sony label system such as Jive, Loud, Ruffhouse, J Records, Arista, LaFace, So So Def, Profile, RCA Records, Epic, and Columbia—all in an effort to tell stories that help illustrate the impact R&B and Hip-Hop have made on music and the world.
Historic 45th Anniversary Concert–Recorded July 3, 2016–Includes First-Ever Live Performance of Tapestry in its Entirety + Artist/Fan Favorites from the Carole King Songbook
“Carole King: Tapestry – Captured Live at Hyde Park London,” a One Night Cinema Event, Presented by Fathom Events and AEG at Select Theaters Nationwide on July 11
Special Broadcast Edition of Carole King – Tapestry: Live at Hyde Park Airing on American Public Television Beginning in September
Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, and Rockingale Records will release Carole King – Tapestry: Live at Hyde Park (CD/DVD or digital) on Friday, September 1.
Photo Credit: Brian Rasic (PRNewsfoto/Legacy Recordings)
Recorded on July 3, 2016, in front of a rapturous audience of more than 65,000 fans, Tapestry: Live at Hyde Park celebrates the 45th anniversary of a zeitgeist-shifting touchstone album that established Carole King as the quintessential singer-songwriter, a “Natural Woman” who gave voice to the emotions and experiences of millions of listeners around the world. With songs that are literally woven into the fabric of pop culture, Tapestry struck a universal chord, topping the Billboard 200 for 15 weeks and staying on the chart for six years. King took home four Grammy Awards for the album, including Album, Record and Song of the Year. And the songs, including “So Far Away,” “It’s Too Late,” “I Feel The Earth Move,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and others remain timeless standards and radio staples.
The artist’s largest concert since her legendary 1973 show in Central Park, Carole King’s historic Hyde Park performance marked her first British concert since 1989 and the first time she’d performed Tapestry on stage in its entirety. The album showcases Carole leading a full band (including guitarist Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, who played on the original Tapestry album) through the album with the bonus addition of some of her personal favorite compositions from her formidable songbook. Guest performers include her daughter, Louise Goffin, who joins Carole on several tracks including “Where You Lead” (which the duo re-recorded as the theme song to the popular television series “Gilmore Girls”) plus the Laurence Olivier Award-winning West End cast of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”
Originally released in 1971, Tapestry established Carole King–already a noted songwriter of smash hits for Aretha Franklin, The Everly Brothers, The Monkees, The Drifters and many others–as an extraordinary performer who defines the singer-songwriter genre from the 1970s onward.
The Carole King – Tapestry: Live at Hyde Park package includes the full concert on CD/DVD and is rounded out with insightful recollections from Carole about the making of Tapestry.
Leading up to the home release of the CD/DVD, “Carole King: Tapestry – Captured Live at Hyde Park London” will be broadcast to U.S. movie theaters on Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m. (local time). In addition to the full-length concert, this special one-night cinema event includes an interview with King herself, special introduction by the iconic WCBS-FM radio host Scott Shannon, star-studded appearances from Tom Hanks, Elton John, Graham Nash, Lou Adler, Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, James Taylor, David Crosby, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and includes several timeless Goffin/King compositions. Tickets and more information available at FathomEvents.com
A special television broadcast edition of Carole King – Tapestry: Live at Hyde Park, distributed by American Public Television, will begin airing on public television stations in September 2017.
Additional performances on Live at Hyde Park include a Gerry Goffin/Carole King medley featuring “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “It Might As Well Rain Until September,” “Go Away Little Girl,” “I’m Into Something Good,” “One Fine Day” and more.
Carole King – Tapestry: Live at Hyde Park(CD/DVD/Digital)
CD 1. I Feel The Earth Move
2. So Far Away
3. It’s Too Late
4. Home Again
5. Beautiful
6. Way Over Yonder
7. You’ve Got A Friend
8. Where You Lead
9. Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
10. Smackwater Jack
11. Tapestry
12. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
13. Medley Intro
14. Goffin/King Medley:
Take Good Care Of My Baby
It Might As Well Rain Until September
Go Away Little Girl
I’m Into Something Good
One Fine Day
15. Hey Girl
16. Chains
17. Jazzman
18. Up On The Roof
19. Locomotion
20 I Feel the Earth Move (Reprise)
21. You’ve Got A Friend (reprise)
DVD 1.Opening/Testimonials (Instrumental Music Bed: It’s Too Late, Will You Love Me
Tomorrow?, So Far Away, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman)
2. I Feel The Earth Move
3. So Far Away
4. It’s Too Late
5. Home Again
6. Beautiful
7. Way Over Yonder
8. You’ve Got a Friend
9. Where You Lead (with Louise Goffin)
10. Will You Love Me Tomorrow? (with Louise Goffin)
11. Smackwater Jack
12. Tapestry
13. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
14. Take Good Care Of My Baby
15. It Might As Well Rain Until September
16. Go Away Little Girl
17. I’m Into Something Good
18. One Fine Day
19. Hey Girl
20. Chains
21. Jazzman
22. Up On The Roof
23. Locomotion
24. I Feel The Earth Move (with cast of Carole King the Musical)
25. You’ve Got A Friend (reprise)
About Legacy Recordings Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is home to the world’s foremost library of historically significant commercial recordings, a peerless collection of works by the most significant musical artists of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Across a variety of platforms, the label has revolutionized the catalog market, offering contemporary music fans access to thousands of meticulously restored and remastered archival titles representing virtually every musical genre including popular, rock, jazz, blues, R&B, folk, country, gospel, Broadway musicals, movie soundtracks, rap/hip-hop, world music, classical, comedy and more.
Founded in 1990 by CBS Records (rebranded Sony Music in 1991), Legacy has expanded on its original mission (preserving and reissuing back catalogs of Columbia Records, Epic Records and associated CBS labels) to provide new and innovative avenues for artist and repertoire exposure including Grammy winning curated retrospectives, social media campaigns, Oscar winning soundtracks, new talent signings and groundbreaking campaigns for established artists and catalog projects.
About Fathom Events Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema with participating affiliate theaters in all 100 of the top Designated Market Areas®, and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group (known collectively as AC JV, LLC), Fathom Events offers a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events such as live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, dance and theatre productions like the Bolshoi Ballet and National Theatre Live, sporting events like “Canelo Álvarez vs. Julio César Chávez, Jr.,” concerts with artists like Michael Bublé, Rush and Mötley Crüe, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics film series, inspirational events such as To Joey With Love and Facing Darkness, and anime titles such as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes and offers unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 897 locations and 1,387 screens in 181 DMAs. For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.
About American Public Television American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. For more than 10 years, APT has annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new titles per year. These programs, considered some of the most popular on public television, include prominent documentaries, performance specials (featuring current, popular talent like Carole King, Alabama Shakes and Steven Tyler; classical performers like tenor Jonas Kaufman; and, old favorites like Frank Sinatra), news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. APT distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming for 12 years, and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MOVE COMES ON THE HEELS OF HER SHOWSTOPPING TRIBUTE PERFORMANCE OF PRINCE’S “PURPLE RAIN” AT THE BET AWARDS
Jennifer Hudson has been signed to an exclusive contract with Epic Records, it was announced today by Epic Chairman and CEO LA Reid, following up Ms. Hudson’s historic showstopping tribute performance of Prince’s “Purple Rain” at the 16th annual BET Awards.
Collaborating as executive producers on Ms. Hudson’s upcoming Epic Records debut will be LA Reid and Clive Davis, Chief Creative Officer, Sony Music Entertainment. This will mark the first time that LA Reid and Clive Davis have collaborated in nearly a quarter-century, since they worked together on Whitney Houston’s all-time best-selling The Bodyguard soundtrack album of 1992. At that time, Mr. Davis was President of Arista Records, and Mr. Reid headed LaFace Records and was a go-to producer with partner Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds.
“Jennifer Hudson is the defining voice of this generation,” said Mr. Reid. “Her award-winning presence on records, in film, and on stage establishes her as one of the premiere artists to emerge in this century. I’m enjoying collaborating with my friend and mentor Clive Davis on Jennifer’s first Epic album and excited for her fans to hear what we’re up to…all will be revealed soon!”
“I signed Jennifer in 2007 believing her to be the strongest candidate as the next generation’s Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston,” said Mr. Davis.
“She has become that, as LA and I excitingly reunite to capture Jennifer at her all time best.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this new chapter with two of the most prolific musical legends of this generation,” said Ms. Hudson. “There is no doubt that this is just the beginning of a very special collaboration and I know that the result will be something unforgettable. I am looking forward to the creative process and sharing new music very soon!”
Multi-platinum global superstar Jennifer Hudson, whose tribute at the 54th annual Grammy Awards® in 2012 toWhitney Houston (the day after her death) was an iconic, heartbreaking, musical event, gave the BET Awards ceremony its climactic moment with “Purple Rain,” singing in front of an orchestra led by Stevie Wonder on keyboards and Tori Kelly. Adding to the occasion, Ms. Hudson was wearing the same memorable white hooded tunic that Prince wore the last time he was at the awards spectacular.
ABOUT JENNIFER HUDSON:
Grammy® and Academy Award winner and best-selling author Jennifer Hudson is an extraordinary talent. Having released three albums in Billboard’s top 10, Hudson’s most recent album, “JHUD,” and her sophomore album, “I Remember Me” were both RIAA Gold certified. Her 2008 debut self-titled record was RIAA Platinum certified and won Hudson her first Grammy Award for Best R & B Album. In 2013, she was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her indelible success in the music industry. Hudson won an Academy Award for her role in “Dreamgirls,” an adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Her breakout film performance also garnered a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA and an NAACP Image Award. Additional film credits include “Sex and the City,” “Secret Life of Bees,” “Winnie Mandela,” “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete,” “Black Nativity,” and HBO’s “Confirmation,” among others. In 2012, Hudson released her New York Times best-selling memoir, “I Got This: How I Changed My Ways, Found Myself and Lost Everything that Weighed Me Down”.
She also co-founded of the Julian D. King Gift Foundation alongside her sister as a catalyst for change in children’s health, education and welfare.
With the October 2017 release of her second album “The Beautiful Project”, Tasha Page-Lockhart is on display as a vocal powerhouse. She has matured musically and spiritually and though sometimes the process is without aesthetics, the result is as Page-Lockhart encapsulates it in this album, “Beautiful”. The album is great, do you have your copy? I’ll share a few of my favorites from the album!
The first single from the album “Over & Over” hit the airwaves with a wave of other retro inspired jams. This gospel spin on the Shirley Murdock hit “Go On Without You” written by Terry and Roger Troutman not only feels and sounds good, it is good! What a testament of the unending love of Christ, it continues even though we fall short over and over again! This ballad is an ode to God’s grace that brings out some of Lockhart’s signature style and phrasing. The vamp…Oh Lord, that vamp! Don’t be surprised if you put this one on repeat. It’s another one you’re sure to love on this great album. Kudos to Zeke Listenbee and Myron Butler for crafting this gem this modern gem!
