NEW YORK (J Records/BMG) - J Records will release the first inspirational album by 'American Idol' 2003 winner
Ruben Studdard on November 2nd, with the lead single, "I Need An Angel," written and produced by award-winning hit maker R.
Kelly to go to radio on October 4th. The yet-untitled album includes new versions of several inspirational classics and traditional tunes, along with a Studdard original composition, "Don't Give Up." The mainstream contemporary inspirational album is Studdard's follow-up to his two-million-plus selling 2003 J Records' Grammy-nominated debut "Soulful."
"With this album, I'm going back to my roots," says Studdard, who emerged as the winner of the top-rated "American Idol" television show in the spring of 2003. "I've only been singing non-spiritual material for about three or four years, gospel music was all I sang before that, so doing an inspirational record was a natural thing for me." The Grammy nominated Studdard, who won an NAACP Image Award for his debut album, spent much of late 2003 and early 2004 touring across the country. "Gospel music is what I was raised on and is the foundation for all things musically for me. I am incredibly passionate about every song we selected to record for this album, each song has a special meaning." In addition to the original R. Kelly's track, producers include Warryn Campbell (known for his work with gospel duo Mary Mary, Luther Vandross, Brandy, Dru Hill) and Eric Dawkins (of the gospel group Dawkins & Dawkins and writer of songs recorded by Quincy Jones, Tyrese, Commissioned and CeCe Winans).
"I think it's bold statement for Ruben to release an inspirational record at this point in his career. He's saying this is what I stand for, this is what I believe in, this is where I come from," says Dawkins. "You get the best performance when something is coming your heart and your vision. I think people will really appreciate this record."
Studdard whose musical journey began in his native Birmingham, Alabama when he sang with the local choir at the age of three chose all the songs for the album, focusing on tunes that have played an important role in his life. Covers include Campbell-produced cuts such as Al Green's "Everything's Gonna Be Alright," "Ain't No Need To Worry" (a 1987 hit for The Winans featuring Anita Baker) and "Running Back To You," previously recorded by Fred Hammond, who Ruben acknowledges as one of his earliest influences; Hammond wrote and produced the track, "We Have Not Forgotten" for Studdard's critically-acclaimed "Soulful" CD. Commenting specifically on the Al Green song, Ruben notes, "My mom and I used to clean the house to that song when I was coming up! It has a great message that is as relevant today as when Al Green first recorded it."
Traditional material on the upcoming album includes Dawkins-produced renditions of "Amazing Grace," "There Is Not A Friend Like Jesus" and "I Surrender All," songs that the singer says "I've been singing for a long time! Making this album has been a lot of fun for me and I think the gospel field will be open to it while my fans will find that the music we're doing is comparable to anything that's on the radio today."
