NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/
Verve Music Group) - On Tuesday August 28th 2007, The
Verve Music Group will release LOST AND FOUND, a stellar 16-track body of work from Ledisi, the critically-acclaimed soul vocalist who first came to attention of the music-loving public with her two self-produced and independently released CDs '2000's Soulsinger and 2003's
Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue.
Ledisi (whose name means 'to bring forth' in the Yoruba language of Nigeria) has been known for delivering electrifying and memorable live performances, and over the course of her career she has earned the respect of fans and music writers alike. Now, with Verve's release of LOST AND FOUND, Ledisi will have the opportunity to further develop and expand her fan base, and share the gift of her r&b, jazz-influenced musical style with a wider audience.
When urban adult contemporary radio latched onto Ledisi's cover (produced by Rex Rideout) of the Luther Vandross single, 'My Sensitivity (Gets In The Way),' from Forever, For Always, For Luther the 2004 Verve/GRP all-star tribute to the late R&B icon, listeners new to Ledisi's unique vocal skills embraced her immediately. Verve took notice. It had become clear that Ledisi had established herself as an artist with an exceptional vocal gift and Verve, long-known as a laboratory for nurturing emerging talent, signed her. 'I have three reasons why I decided to make the leap to a major label: The first reason is I like the idea of Verve Records being a jazz label, so when I grow musically, I can develop into what is natural to me'singing jazz. The second reason is I wanted to continue to feel free to be an artist under a major label's umbrella. At Verve they allow me to be myself,' says Ledisi. And the third and final reason, I want a wider audience to hear and appreciate my older recordings.'
LOST AND FOUND showcases the multi-talented artist who co-produced all of the songs with veteran music producer/composer Rex Rideout, Jamey Jaz, Mano Hanes, Lorenzo Johnson, and her longtime producing and writing partner Sundra Manning, with whom she formed LeSun Music the independent label which released her two earlier projects.
Each song on LOST AND FOUND is a poignant look at life and love in all its phases ' whether it's an examination of what it means to fall in love with one's 'Best Friend,' or the disappointment and sense of defeat that accompanies the decision to call it quits, 'I Tried,'(which features Errol Cooney on guitar), or the sensual, R&B-drenched 'In The Morning,' each track expresses a particular point-of-view and is an honest outpouring of Ledisi's heart ' both as an artist and as a woman. The first single, 'Alright,' is a life-affirming message of comfort, warmth, and reassurance that will remind the listener that no matter what, in the end, everything will be alright. The title track features Ledisi's textured vocals showcased against the simple accompaniment of Rex Rideout on piano and Karen Briggs on violin.
LOST AND FOUND is a sonic m'lange of jazz, classic R&B, and scat, all fused with rib-thumping bottom notes of unadulterated funk and gospel, and Ledisi moves fluidly between these genres, mixing it up to create a flavorful aural Gumbo that is melodically lush, lyrically appealing and unabashedly soulful. After hearing it, music aficionados will understand why Stephen Holden of The New York Times said: 'Her voice is her own portable playground.'
Nate Herr, General Manager of The Verve Music Group enthused: 'Artists like Ledisi come along so rarely. She is a peerless singer whose many talents are matched only by her remarkable spirit. Verve is a label with an incredibly rich legacy, and Ledisi is the kind of artist who will enhance that legacy in the years to come.'
Prior to recording LOST AND FOUND, Ledisi made the move from her home base of Oakland to New York where she played a pivotal role in inspiring characters and musical compositions during the development of Oprah Winfrey's stage adaptation of THE COLOR PURPLE. More recently, Ledisi performed 'Blues in the Night' as part of the talent line-up that appeared in the PBS special 'We All Love Ella.' Ledisi's cover of 'Blues in the Night' was previously recorded for the companion CD with Phil Ramone serving as the project's executive producer.
Later this year, Ledisi will appear in Leatherheads, a feature film starring George Clooney.
