Music
Press
Neo-Soul review, nuflavamag
"When Smooth Jazz celebrates and finds joy with Soul Funk, you can be sure to know that it would be like no other celebration in town! The artistic gift that can come out from an individual should not be denied nor refused, because in it is the true pure gift that only God above could of provided. Sharon Musgrave is not only an entertainer, but also an individual who knows how to outpour soul music from the heart. Sharon Musgrave is a perfect example why her genre is florishing to the top! It's not only about the beatz, it's about soul music that comes from the heart and rhythm that can be felt among the masses. Sharon Musgrave is not your average vocalist she is a true heart felt performer that knows how to dig it! Seven outstanding tracks that you can just chill to, relax and also embrace as a type of norishment to the soul! And the listener can be confident to know that, the skipping of tracks on this project is not an option! Just sit back and relax to pure smooth grooves. Sharon Musgrave is a wonder woman in her own rights!
Must Listen to Trackz: All"
www.nuflavamag.8m.com June - nuflavamag
The joy and passion in Musgrave's music is unmistakable and infectious. With a voice that's as powerfull as it is warm and smooth, Musgrave creates a pleasingly unique blend of soul, smooth jazz, R&B, folk-rock and funk-jazz rhythms. In conversation, she is frank, engaging and genuinely down-to-earth."
- May 1/2004
- Extract from Arts Beat
"Move over Angie Stone, Jill Scott and even you Lauryn Hill, there is a new soul sista in this game and her name is Sharon Musgrave. Hamilton's newest soul sista is taking off.
Her voice is best described as sensual, sultry and captivating, in what I think is going to be a whole new attitude and style of soul, funk, and sensual groove.
In this I mean, that it has been a long time since I have heard true music with fire, passion, inspiration and feeling that can make you listen and understand soul in a new prospective.
The title track Selah is an earth moving, breath taking and even sexual groove that takes you and that special someone to a higher level.
To sum this album would take a long time for me to explain, so if you really want real soul movin' music in your collection, this CD is a must have."
-Cory J
- The Satellite Newspaper
"She is Hamilton's diamond in the rough. She is the Golden Horseshoe's answer to artists like Lauren Hill and Macy Gray. She is Ontario's soul sister and Canada's best kept secret...... It's the shimmer of passion that twinkles in her dark eyes that assures the audience that her joy is authentic, her talent real and her journey toward fame not too far off. "
-Extract from The Hamilton Spectator
July 2nd/2002 - Spectator
Some albums call for a full-bodied glass of wine, ambient lighting and a long stretch across a chaise lounger. Singer-songwriter Sharon Musgrave's debut, Selah, is such an album. Smooth and relaxing, it fills a room and instantly creates a chic atmosphere of refined maturity. Without breaking a sweat, Ms. Musgrave achieves a work that is among the most calming we've heard in recent memory. With so many daily stressors hemming folks up in life, Selah is a much-needed album to help take the edge off a hectic day or to give your frazzled nerves some breathing room. Though released in 2001, Selah has only recently come to the attention of the SoulTracks family and we decided it would be selfish to keep this secret elixir to ourselves, current release or not. Besides, when the work is as good as Selah, this quietly eternal, it doesn't have an expiration date. Peace is always "right on time."
As much as Selah is a musical massage, its subtleties also present a fascinating, impressionistic approach to jazz fusion worth discussing. To call Selah smooth jazz would be too simplistic. It does have a firm foot wading in that shadowy "catch-all" pond. Yet, the rootsy "Cruising" and "Revolution Children" both could be considered folk music as much as jazz; representative of a music hybrid originated by Wes Montgomery and Dianne Reeves and since furthered by Lizz Wright and Norah Jones. Both compositions and Sharon's caressing delivery evoke Southern sycamores blowing in the breeze and smoky juke joints jamming on the edges of murky bayous. With the title track, the album takes a slight detour from the red dirt into the urbane world of spoken word cafes. Now don't groan; "Selah" is one of those rare, unassuming spoken word tunes that privileges music as the primary focus. To prove my point, the romantic jazz set backing Sharon's soothing poetry is given an instrumental reprise as the album's closer. The percussive and bass guitar banter of "I Feel" starts as a comely light rock tune before gently progressing into a genre-free fusion of heady sounds by the time the horns are introduced into the mix. "U and Me For Days" is suggestive of the blues, but Sharon's vocals are a bit too polished and light of touch to give the tune the heft of more than an intimate groove. "Down by the H20" has a slightly dated, but fulfilling production that is familiar, and yet even it can't be nailed down completely as a smooth jazz cut with its dabbling into Maxi Priest's R&B brand of reggae-lite. Despite the many different influences and genre elements interwoven throughout this seven-track project, there are no inconsistencies or musical schizophrenia here. Selah is a very cohesive, well executed album from beginning to end. If there is a major complaint, it's that this 34 minute album-which is really an EP-is over before it's begun, leaving us wanting more.
It's not surprising that a former dance diva whose catalog includes r&b covers of Curtis Mayfield and British electronica has created a project that refuses to be pigeon-holed. What's surprising in these boastful days is how unassuming she goes about it. Vocally, lyrically, musically, Sharon never gets in her own way, always takes her time and makes listeners the focus. Instead of blaring her ample artistic "cred" from the rooftops on Selah, Sharon Musgrave generously engages her audience in an experience that isn't about her, but about warming world weary listeners' souls. Such grace deserves to be shared. Indeed, only the selfish would keep this spa treatment to themselves. So, cop a copy of Selah, light that scented candle, dim those lights, lean back and enjoy Sharon's healing music therapy. Oh, yeah, after Sharon's got you all rested and restored, don't forget to pay it forward. Tag you're it. Highly recommended.
--L. Michael Gipson
- http://www.soultracks.com/sharon_musgrave_selah_review
Discography
In The Realm
of the Senses (1990) Virgin Records
Get in the
Swing (1998) Hubbcap Records
Selah (2002) Zosar Record
Soulfragettes (2002) Recoup/Timewarp
Iziza
Lounge 3 (2003) Dureco
Photos
Bio
Born in England of Dominican parents but raised in Canada, where she has returned to live, Singer/Songwriter/Poet - Sharon Musgrave shot to prominence in 1991 whilst collaborating with William Orbit on the Bass-O-Matic project. They achieved international status with the hit “Fascinating Rhythm” (Virgin), which Sharon co-wrote. An album soon followed, cementing the group’s worldwide status as a credible dance act and Sharon’s ability as a writer. A world tour established Bass-O-Matic as an act that could cut it live, due in large part to Sharon’s stage presence. In a recent interview with the UK’s Record Mirror, William Orbit, (Grammy for Madonna’s “Ray of Light”), throws accolades Sharon’s way saying, “I don’t have to worry about playing live when I’ve got Sharon on stage with me, because she’s a consummate singer,” William adds “No worries, she’s done it all. The studio’s my home, the stage is hers!”
In 1992 Sharon was invited by WEA to work with jazz pianist Julian Joseph. She collaborated on the “Language of Truth” album singing the Curtis Mayfield song “The Other Side of Town”. This track was eventually used as the single from the album. The video for this track inspired a Teacher’s Whisky commercial, in which Sharon appeared, playing a blues singer in a 60’s bar scene, singing the classic “No Greater Love”. Sharon gigged with Julian promoting the “Language of Truth” album and touring with such jazz greats as Herbie Hancock.
Sharon’s studio work in England, both as a writer and session singer, led her to work with Courtney Pine, Maxi Priest, Tears For Fears, and writers, and producers, Terry Briton, Henry Priestman, Jimmy Haynes, Steve Harvey, Bom The Base, Phil Chill and Adrian Wyatt.
Her final collaboration in the UK before returning to Canada was in 1998 on the “Get in the Swing” album with Steve Alpert.
Since returning to Canada Sharon has enjoyed a successful solo career both live and on record. Her most recent Canadian solo release in 2002, “Selah” (Zosar Records) earned her two nominations, “Best Songwriter” and “Best Spoken Word”, at the prestigious Urban Music Association of Canada award show, held that year in Toronto. Jude Kelly, VP of UMAC claims “The title track “Selah” is especially brilliant”. The video for this track achieved top twenty status on the Bravo video chart.
Her latest international release “Nobody” is a track included on the groundbreaking CD “Soulfragettes”, (Recoup/Timewarp). This is a unique compilation of powerful R&B female singers. Sharon’s track, co-written with Adrian Wyatt of Ear to Eye, has been singled out for special attention, and is included on a number of other compilations one of which also includes Nora Jones, Simply Red and Coldplay.
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