Ward Brown had an advantage over most music-loving kids living in Chicago.  He grew up as a child living next to the legendary blues guitarist Muddy Waters, and by his teen years he was playing drums professionally. Being one of Chicago’s most sought after session drummers, offered Ward various opportunities such as studio sessions with top local acts and performing with local acts that opened for artists such as Carl Carlton, Alexander O'Neal and Denice Williams.

During the mid-eighties, Ward signed with a Chicago based independent record label (Black Hole Records) as a songwriter/artist where he honed his songwriting, recording and production skills.

In the mid-nineties, Ward opened his 32 track recording facility Early Park Limited which offered production opportunities with such artist as Pop Staples, Al Hudson and One Way, Latanya, TVT Records, ARS Records and a host of other industry professionals.

During the late nineties, Ward formed the band King Kat, which played around Chicago for several years before he returned to the studio as Brown's Bag, Defenders of Soul.  The mission: to play authentic soul music with real instruments that captured the classic soul sounds of the seventies.

In late 2005, Brown's Bag released its debut album Labor of Love to critics acclaim. The intention of Labor of Love is to capture the spirit of early 70s soul. As well, Brown’s Bag “No More Love” is found on the Soulbrother Records release “This is Soul 2006”. Being dubbed “the act to watch in 2006”, Ward Brown’s Brown’s Bag signed with Soulchoonz Records for its sophomore release Soul Satisfied.

Get your copy of ‘Soul Satisfied’ now at Specialist Record Stores & on-line at soulchoonz.com

When you hear Joslyn, you hear songs set deep in rhythm, a city vibe, a voice that makes the hair on your neck stand on end, and real soul. Along the way, you hear the echoing influences of Marvin Gaye, Jill Scott, Jamiroquai, and Prince.
Joslyn Petty, born and raised in Washington, D.C., was the seventh child in a family of eight. She was born into a world of music. Her parents met while performing in resort lounges back in the 60's so it was no surprise that they would eventually turn out a family full of vocalists, musicians, DJs, and music business professionals. As a child, Joslyn was exposed to an eclectic range of music that influenced and subtly molded her.

Her mother will never forget a performance at the age of six where Joslyn's voice brought an audience to tears. There was something undeniable about her that needed to be set free. Her smooth inflections and incomparable gracing set her apart in the ranks of her fellow music school classmates. Even though she was classically trained at one of the best performing arts schools in suburban Washington, Joslyn was always drawn back to the gritty and soulful sounds of her neighbouring urban habitat, defeating any lure from the homogeneous suburban arts school. This girl was ready to bust out.

A family move to Utah at the age of 15 further developed her will to stand out in the crowd. A vibrant music scene in Salt Lake City led to session work, many performances and finally a receptionist job in a local recording studio. It was here that the break she was hoping for occurred. Canadian boys Craig Poole and Rob Wannamaker, producing in this studio overheard Joslyn helping out with a vocal session. The three immediately connected and commenced to write, produce and perform a number of hit tracks for the artist Kaskade, including the dance floor smashes "What I Say", "It's You, It's Me" and "Sweet Love". In 2005, Joslyn's blazing performance of the song "Everything" propelled it to #1 on the Billboard Club Play chart.

After accomplishing so much with Kaskade; Joslyn, Rob and Craig embarked on a project of their own and came up with something that transcended all they had done before. They have tapped into a real nostalgia with brilliant songs rooted in the healthiest soil of R&B. The new CD, simply entitled "joslyn", will thrill music enthusiasts worldwide. Selections have a nice range from soulful to funky with some pop crossover appeal. Joslyn's lifelong dreams of bringing her brand of soul music to the culture are sure to be realized. This is the new style, and the girl you won't forget.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

New Jersey’s The Lab Addicts are far more than just another band. This highly talented group of musicians produce and write their own style of soulful R&B.  Lab Addicts was formed by JCT in 1997 when he started to vibe on original music with a group of friends in his parent’s basement.  The Lab moved out of the basement, but the vibe remains.  Lab Addict songs are a collaboration of “elements,” whichever elements are present in the lab on any given day. The primary elements are:
John Thomason (JCT)    Element- Oxygen

Jct has developed his musical skills and talents by singing in the choir of his father’s church, writing lyrics, poetry, and constantly producing and arranging his own music since the age of 10. Always striving for originality, JCT has taken time to further develop his own style of soulful R&B “groove” with just enough edge to always remind his audience that his ears stay to the streets. Today, JCT’s music has matured to a level that exhibits the signs and sounds of some of his strongest influences including Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Intro, Redman, The Roots, and Stevie Wonder.

Robert Betrus (the Principle)     Element- Helium
The Principle has been performing in bands and writing music since the age of 15.  Coming from a background of rock and blues music, he has since immersed himself in the sounds of soul, R&B, hip hop and reggae. A consummate musician and producer, the Principle can play guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and sing. He has also spent time honing his production, songwriting, and engineering skills. His vision is to bring the essence, rawness, and soulfulness of the past with the innovative sound of modern music. His influences include such diverse acts as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Tribe Called Quest, Marvin Gaye, Sly and the Family Stone, and James Brown.
Marcel Brooks (Choir Boy “D”)  Element-Sulfur

D was born on the small, but very popular island of Jamaica W.I. He is the youngest son of a second-generation family of ministers. Marcel’s soulful singing style was shaped in the Pentacostal Churches of Jamaica, where gospel lyrics are sung over heavy reggae rhythms. With this special talent, his father wasted no time and placed Marcel in the church choir. Marcel is no stranger to the center of the stage.  Choir Boy “D” has developed a unique writing style that compliments his singing style and delivery. Choir Boy will take you to church at the drop of a riff.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Rooted within a gospel tradition, exceptional singer/songwriter TY CAUSEY began his career as many great ones do, singing in the church. The Indiana native’s talent as well as word of his ability would quickly blossom affording him the opportunity to perform with such gospel music icons as James Cleveland, the Hawkins singers, Shirley Caesar and a host of other notable gospel artists. But because he was also heavily influenced by the sounds of Soul, R&B and Jazz his aspirations went beyond just Gospel.

After stints in musical theater, performing on jingles and as lead vocalist with a promising vocal group Collaboration which opened for artists such as Glenn Jones, Silk, and Howard Hewett, Causey would ultimately shift his sites to a solo career that proved to be the right choice indeed. During this time of building a solid rep for himself as a singer /songwriter and becoming known as a local star back in is home Fort Wayne, Indiana, a series of fateful connections brought him to the attention of noted contemporary jazz saxophonist, Najee while there for a tour performance. So impressed with a demo of Causey’s, Najee quickly invited him to California to work on his next project. That project ultimately became Najee’s release, Morning Tenderness and Causey would not only be a featured vocalist on the CD, co-writing several of it’s tracks, but he would also fill that spot on the subsequent worldwide tour which had him sharing the stage with other artists such as Pieces Of A Dream, Norman Brown and more. This great opportunity introduced him to a number of eventual fans of his style and sound. Needless to say the enthusiastic response he received while on the tour with constant queries as to whether or when his own project would be available encouraged Causey upon his return home to set his sites on doing just that.

Taking his time, fuelled by the desire to release a quality project, he tested the tricky waters of the music industry with a few EPs and then ultimately released his aptly titled full-length debut, N-TYSING in 2004. The winning collection that featured guest spots from saxophonist Najee and bassist Nelson Braxton of the jazz duo Braxton Brothers drew enthusiastic reviews and found its way to the playlists of radio programs in both the U.S and abroad. Even though the availability of this great release was unfortunately and abruptly cut short the resulting exposure gave notice to an engaging new voice with the timeless qualities and flair of renowned R&B/Soul singers moving many to still include N-Tysing on several “best of” lists for 2004.

In addition to his own soulful performances which include performing at the legendary Bluenote Jazz Club in New York, Causey has opened and shared the stage with a number of noted R&B and jazz artists spanning from Smooth Jazz guitarist Peter White to the popular R&B group, The SOS Band continuing, in the process, to reel in a burgeoning number of fans. In 2005 Causey released his excellent follow-up project, Love Notes, which has also received worldwide acclaim with many tracks being played on various radio formats internationally. And expect more to follow.

A brand new album from a great newcomer, Blast Off is destined to be a great radio track. Love, life and tears from the heart, are formed to create Cognac, an accomplished young singer, songwriter and producer of smooth and sultry R&B lyrics. Born and raised in one of the world's most beloved cities New Orleans, LA. Cognac grew up in the lower ninth ward, just blocks away from famous blues artist Fats Domino. Living in a city where jazz bands marched the streets, he took an enthusiastic interest in music at the age of five. His smooth rebel tone has been compared to the late great Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway. New artist such as Maxwell, Carl Thomas and Joe will be proud to know him as a new-sprung young artist.

Where does Cognac get his motivation and ideas? Relationships, fantasy, visions and private venture. He believes that lyrics should be like painted canvases of life. While serving in the United States Armed Forces in support of Iraqi freedom, he focused on writing lyrics and settings his goals. Early 2005, Cognac won the Sony Showcase in New Orleans on radio station Hot 104.5. He was scheduled to tour with the finalist for a record deal, but duty called to serve his country. Now a free man, Cognac, 23, says "he is still brewing and his time will come." He believes his music is the music of life, maturity and real love.

It is easy to hear the quality of the overall production of the Blast Off album. Tyrone R Powell delivered this production together with Shelby White and Them Dam Crumps. It is also Tyrone who has written most of the tracks including the title track Blast Off. Mix this talent with Cognac's voice that will surely remind you of Babyface, and you get a CD that keeps you hooked throughout. Blast Off by Cognac is definitely a CD that will stay in your car for more than a few plays!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND SAMPLES