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A talented singer who has paid dues in showbiz as a choreographer and girl group member, Carla Duren yearns for the simpler things. The album title may be brassy but her songs are more demure.
Duren’s debut, a collection of genuinely pretty songs, displays a sweet innocence, or at least desire for such, showing that the industry hasn’t ruined her yet.
“Can I Sing For You” speaks for itself and showcases Duren’s clear and pure tone that soars. On a scale from Chapman to Arie, Duren vocally falls closer to Joni Mitchell. Many songs are stripped down, simple etchings, reliant on the beauty of her soulful voice.
Offbeat songs like “Cornflakes & Honesty” stop the set from sounding too slick but may be too whimsical for some. The bongos and poetic sermon of “Green Bananas” may sound a bit too coffee shop chick-ish.
Although Duren never sounds dishonest, the results sound more pleasing when she sings from her heart rather than her mind as on “Resuscitate my Soul” or “Ostrich.”
Title song, “Black Folk Rock Star” succeeds in blending conviction with radio-appeal. Duren explains her journey to folk music and battle against closed mindedness: “People said that ain't gonna take you far, you might try a little R&B, but I don't see the point in not being me.”
After partying like rock stars, listening to this song bird follow her heart may just be what our souls need.
- Sonia - OKAY PLAYER
Discography
BLACKFOLKROCKSTAR
Resuscitate My Soul
Ostrich
Can I Sing 4 U?
Cornflakes & Honesty
1st Day of Forever
Lullabye
Belove
BlackFolkRockStar
Daddy's Little Boy
Green Bananas
Why?
Woman
Photos
Bio
With an extensive background in the arts, Carla Duren is making her way into the collective stream of consciousness that is Neo Soul meets Folk. Hailing from Peoria, Illinois, Carla honed in on her many talents and found an outlet for such in performance. Realizing her gift as an inspiration to those seeking a free spirit through song and dance, Carla made her way to New York, to become a Knicks City Dancer.
She soon began to work on other significant projects, working for artists like Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton and Janet Jackson on TRL. She then began to establish herself as a choreographer lending her talents to the pop stylings of Lindsay Pagano and the club house bass beats that defines Amber("This Is the Night" ). She placed emphasis on her signature style when she assisted as choreographer for the MTV Video music Awards and for Deborah Cox on the Lilith Fair tour.
Deciding to push herself to the forefront Carla took her career to next level by focusing her attention on song. She has toured the world as the lead singer of Geffen's pop group SheMoves. She has also lent her talents to various industry veterans such as Amel Larrieux, Pink and Talib Kweli. Taking breaks from the sounds of the city, Carla has toured singing backup for the electric hip hop beats of Kelis on the Britney Spears tour and the intricate melodies of Robin Andre on the Dave Matthews Tour, and as a Harlette for Bette Midler on her Australian Kiss My Brass Tour.
Carla is currently applying her infectious vibe to stylistic tones of the solo movement that is her life. Her collection of original, heartfelt songs is innovative and inspirational.
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