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Mitch Michaels Reviews Rachel Brown's "Love, Life & Relationships"
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South Florida soul diva makes her debut…
My Story
It seems there are only two kinds of R&B/soul...South Florida soul diva makes her debut…
My Story
It seems there are only two kinds of R&B/soul artists these days. You have the vocalists who were inspired by the likes of legends like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Jackie Wilson and Ann Peebles. Then you have the people who get played on the radio. New to the scene, Rachel Brown seems to fall in the former category: a serious artist concerned with leaving her mark on the world of soul as a true student of the greats and an inspiration to her age. Will she succeed?
Her Story
Rachel Brown was born and raised in Lufkin, a decent-sized town in east Texas. She began her singing career as a vocalist in her church choir. She also began training as a classical pianist at the age of 6. By the end of high school, she was a veteran of area choirs and gospel groups.
Brown eventually relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, where she continued to pursue a career as a musician and performer. Throughout the next decade, Rachel slowly built a name for herself as one of south Florida’s hottest attractions. By the mid-2000’s, you could find Brown performing in some of the areas most popular night spots as well as opening for stars like gospel staples John P. Kee and Dorothy Norwood and R&B acts Cameo and Ann Nesby.
In 2006, Brown entered the studio with producers James “JT” Taylor and Israel “The Iz!” Charles to work on her official debut album. The album was released the next year. Brown is currently touring in the Florida area. For dates, check out her MySpace page.
The Album
On August 14, 2007, Urban Music Group released Love, Life & Relationships, the debut album by Rachel Brown.
The Band: 8.0
Rachel Brown: vocals
When it comes to Rachel Brown’s voice, one word immediately pops in to mind: natural. In a world of pre-processed, assembly line-manufactured R&B, Brown and her producers keep the faith firmly in Brown’s ability without performing any of those fancy studio tricks that makes every brother out there singing these days sound like R. Kelly. And that gamble pays off. Brown’s singing is as smooth and fluent as a cloud of cigar smoke, bringing to mind the south Florida night clubs where she no doubt has spent plenty of the wee hours over the decade she’s been plying her trade.
The production on here is interesting too. With such a fine vocalist, JT and Iz could have went the traditional route and had Brown stick close to the soul standards of the 70’s, but they’ve chosen instead to spice things up a bit, with some nice electronic beats and a few other modern techniques that plant Love, Life & Relationships firmly in the present. As a result, the sound of this album becomes a sort of interesting hybrid of classic soul and modern lite R&B. If that sounds like something you could dig, read on.
The Songs: 7.0
1. Thank You (Intro)
2. Rise Again
3. Learn To Love Me
4. Don’t Ask My Neighbor
5. Weekend
6. Spend The Night
7. Where Did We Go Wrong
8. Let’s Fall In Love Again
9. Do What U Do
10. Just A Girl
11. Make It Official
12. Promise Of Love (Wedding Song) (Duet with Reno Walker)
13. Something To Think About (My Child Intro)
14. My Child
15. Let’s Fall In Love Again (Izzy Iz Dance Remix)
Love, Life & Relationships is about exactly that. Brown and her production team have written fourteen tracks that deal with the every day feelings of love, lust, loss, anger and everything else that comes with investing your heart into something. The themes are universal, but the skill with which the songs are written (and delivered) make them ballads for the everyman (or everywoman, rather). They’re songs about what we’ve all been through, made the more believable by the forthright language and Brown’s gorgeous but plain presentation.
“Rise Again” kicks things off and is an amazingly uplifting song about the ending of a relationship. Lyrics like “I might be down, but let me make it plain/Just like the sun, I will rise again” draw the listener in and let us know that this is something real, a quality that has been missing in R&B and all of pop music for too long. Other highlights include “Learn To Love Me”, which deals with loving yourself before someone else can love you, “Just A Girl”, a song about keeping your business straight at home, and “Let’s Fall In Love Again”, the record’s first single.
Most of this record contains uplifting messages, from loving yourself to taking care of your children to not getting caught up in one night stands. Not all of the songs work as well as others (“Spend The Night” is a bit clumsy), but they’re all at worst a good try. Lighter moments include the girls night out anthem “Weekend” and the dance remix of “Let’s Fall”, and those are both fun.
The 411: Rachel Brown’s debut is aptly named, as the songs all deal with love and relationships. Real life, in other words. And it doesn’t get more real than this. From Brown’s honest, beautiful voice to the organic sound of the album’s arrangements, Love, Life & Relationships is a great R&B record for people sick of the BS that the mainstream has been cranking out since new jack swing. If you like well-sung soul or just like a little bit of authenticity in your music, give Rachel Brown a chance.
Final Score: 7.5 [ Good ] legend
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Rachel Brown In Concert - Review
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Better Than: Listening to pillow-talk R&B on the radio
Last Wednesday night, sultry singer, Rache...Better Than: Listening to pillow-talk R&B on the radio
Last Wednesday night, sultry singer, Rachel Brown showcased her long awaited debut CD, Love, Life & Relationships at Jazziz Lounge in front of a packed audience of fans and industry-types. The locally based R&B singer took the stage around 9:30 p.m. and ripped into the songs on her new album with high energy and a strong stage presence.
If you think you've heard the name before, yes, it's the same Rachel Brown whose hit single, "Let's Fall in Love Again," has been getting spins on contemporary R&B stations around the country. The song is a smooth, lover's rock jam and Brown sounded good on stage singing it live but thankfully, it's not the only good song from her album.
The backing band she had accompanying her on stage played well and whoever the lead guitarist was can play his ass off. A funny moment came during an intermission when host, Ken James of Hot 105, said the balding guitarist looked like he had a yamaka on his head due to his receding hairline. It was a cruel but funny joke that even the guitarist couldn't help but laugh at.
Brown kept her high energy going throughout the night, and kept changing her wardrobe every few songs to keep the diva factor in full effect. She even had hired steppers on the dance floor that stepped in unison during the first part of her set. It was a nice touch to an evening that seemed to go off without a hitch. Brown seems like she's set to be a a major player in the contemporary R&B scene locally, and nationally, and if the upstart record label that's backing her, Urban Music Group, can secure good distribution, Love, Life & Relationships should help her achieve that without a problem. --Jonathan Cunningham
Critics Notebook:
Personal Bias: The crowd never got up and "stepped" despite having steppers on the floor trying to lead the way. It's okay if people felt intimidated, or something, but a concert where nobody gets up and dances is a bad sign. Loosen up people.
Random Detail: The funniest moment comes in the middle of Brown's song "Just a Girl" where she sings, "Sister sister, you need to check in on ya home/ you think you got it going on, but you're wrong, your man is sleeping with Jerome." It's all about brothers on the DL but it comes out of nowhere if you weren't paying attention earlier.
By The Way: This is the first release for Urban Music Group, a new record label based in Broward County that fans of urban music will get to know well over the next few years.
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Jonathan Cunningham Reviews Rachel Brown's
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Contemporary R&B quite often seems like a genre that's become a victim of its own name. There hasn't...Contemporary R&B quite often seems like a genre that's become a victim of its own name. There hasn't been a lot of progress out of the genre in the past 15 years, and the best stuff out there is typically recycled Mary-J.-Blige-meets-Luther-Vandross material that doesn't offer anything new.
So it's good to see a fresh face adding something new to the sound of R&B; the fact that she's local makes it that much more enjoyable.
Singer/songwriter Rachel Brown is keeping things grown-up and respectfully sexy on her debut release, Love, Life & Relationships, on which the Texas-born but longtime South Florida resident croons her way through a solid collection of tunes built on hard lessons. The 15 songs on the album cover a lot of ground, but don't expect any babymama drama or ghetto strife.
Instead, Brown keeps it classy, with jams about enjoying white linen parties, stepping in the name of love, and watching out for brothers on the "down low." In that sense, there's a lot of black humor on the album as well as a variety of production shifts that show off her vocal range. One of the best songs here, "Let's Fall in Love Again," is a sexy jam for couples, and it makes for perfect stepping music as well. "Weekend" is an upbeat rocker that, with the right marketing behind it, could easily end up on urban radio stations' "drive at 5" format. There is also a good cover of the Emotions' 1977 hit "Don't Ask My Neighbor" that does much to highlight Brown's singing ability.
If that sounds like what you can enjoy, then Love, Life & Relationships is an album that needs to be in your collection. But without any of those qualifiers, it's just good music — and that's what counts.
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SOUTH FLORIDA R&B ARTIST ON BILLBOARD CHARTS
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Florida R&B recording artist Rachel Brown's star is shining bright and rising fast.
In just ...Florida R&B recording artist Rachel Brown's star is shining bright and rising fast.
In just its second week of release, Brown's new single "Let's Fall in Love Again" enters Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Sales Chart at #7.
The debut single also continues to move up on the Hot Singles Sales Chart where it leaped six slots to #9.
"Let's Fall in Love Again" is a mid-tempo urban groove that's earning Brown a steady fan base and grabbing the attention of music industry insiders. The track was produced by Israel "The Iz" Charles of I.C. Platinum Productions and was released on February 8, 2007 just in time for Valentine's Day.
Brown began her musical journey singing and studying piano at age six. Like many of her musical inspirations she grew up singing in the church. Her rich gospel roots resonate in the soulful texture of her vocals and powerful lyrics. "I've definitely come from the road less traveled and have invested a lot of time and energy over the years carefully and nurturing all elements of my craft. I'm a creative person by nature and really enjoy writing, singing and performing. I've been looking forward to this day for so long and can't wait to share my musical vision with the world," Brown said.
Brown is the first artist signed to The Urban Music Group an independent label headquartered in South Florida. She co-wrote four of the thirteen tracks on her upcoming debut CD scheduled for release summer 2007. "Rachel is a breath of fresh air and a producer's dream. We didn't have to over produce and package her sound because she has so much natural talent," said Charles.
Currently, Brown is on a regional FYE Tour to promote "Let's Fall in Love Again" and additional dates and off site shows have recently been announced. Fans will be able to meet Brown in person and she will be performing at select locations.
For more information on upcoming appearances and performances or to listen to "Let's Fall in Love Again," please visit www.therussagency.com or www.myspace.com/rachelbrownlive.
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'Let's Fall in Love Again' is a Top 10 single for former Lufkinite
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By BRITTONY LUND
The Lufkin Daily News
Saturday, March 03, 2007
She has a hit single currently ...By BRITTONY LUND
The Lufkin Daily News
Saturday, March 03, 2007
She has a hit single currently in the Top 10.
She grew up in Lufkin and lives today in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
For Rachel Brown, life is good — and looking better all the time.
Brown's recent hit single, "Let's Fall in Love Again," has hit billboard charts for the first time. Starting out at No. 15 on Billboard's Hot Singles Sales Chart before moving up to No. 9 the next week and No. 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Chart, "Let's Fall in Love Again," has become a hit among steppers nationwide even before her first CD has been released.
"I've been working at this for so long, wanting to be able to play in that arena, and to see that happen is an indescribable feeling," Brown said.
Brown grew up singing in her church and in school choirs in Lufkin. She started singing as early as five years old and after moving to Florida she began to sing at weddings, lounges and restaurants. Before long she met producer Israel Charles who loved her voice and began working with her on her first CD, "Love, Life and Relationships," which should be available in June.
"Rachel is a producer's dream," Charles said in a press release. "She's so great to work with because of her versatility as a singer and songwriter. Her interpretation of melody and her beautiful vocal timber made my job easy. We didn't have to overproduce and package her sound because she has so much natural talent."
"Let's Fall in Love Again" is about a couple that's been together for several years, rekindling their love all over again, inspiring couples everywhere to not let the romance die in their own relationships.
"All of the songs will have some form of inspiration," Brown said. "In everyone's life they need inspiration when it comes to love, everyday life and relationships."
While Brown loves the song "Let's Fall in Love Again," her favorite song on the album is called "Rise Again."
"It's a very powerful song about beginning again and going through trials and having different things happen but then overcoming them and rising above it," Brown said.
Although Brown loves living in Fort Lauderdale because of the opportunities it's given her to grow as a musician, a part of her still misses her hometown of Lufkin.
"I will continue to remember where I'm from and always give Lufkin a shout out whenever I can," Brown said.
Brown is currently touring for FYE stores around Florida, but hopes to be in Lufkin in April. "I'd like to ask everybody in Lufkin to continue with their support," she said.
Brown's parents are Ray and Lacey Hart of Lufkin.
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Debut Single from New R&B Recording Artist Rachel Brown Lands in Top Five on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Sales Chart
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Hot New Stepper's Anthem Also Enters Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart
Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Billboard P...Hot New Stepper's Anthem Also Enters Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart
Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Billboard Publicity Wire) March 5, 2007 -- South Florida R&B recording artist Rachel Brown's star is shining bright and rising fast. In just its third week of release, Brown's new single "Let's Fall in Love Again" has landed at #5 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Sales Charts. The single also entered the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Charts at #81 and remains in the top 15 on the Hot Singles Sales Chart.
"Let's Fall in Love Again" is a mid-tempo urban groove that is rapidly earning Brown a large fan base and grabbing the attention of music industry insiders. The track was produced by emerging producer Israel "The Iz" Charles of I.C. Platinum Productions and was released on February 8, 2007 just in time for Valentine's Day.
A native of Texas, Brown began her musical journey singing and studying piano at age six. Like many of her musical inspirations she grew up singing in the church. Her rich gospel roots resonate in the soulful texture of her vocals and powerful lyrics. "I've definitely come from the road less traveled and have invested a lot of time and energy over the years carefully nurturing all elements of my craft. I'm a creative person by nature and really enjoy writing, singing and performing. I've been looking forward to this day for so long and can't wait to share my musical vision with the world," Brown said.
Brown is the flagship artist of the Urban Music Group an independent label headquartered in South Florida. Her debut CD "Love, Life & Relationships" is scheduled for release summer 2007 and will showcase a variety of R&B flavors ranging from up-tempo club favorites and smooth grooves to inspirational ballads. Brown is also a gifted songwriter and co-wrote three of the CD's thirteen tracks.
"Rachel is a breath of fresh air and a producer's dream. She's so great to work with because of her versatility as a singer and songwriter," said Charles. "Her interpretation of melody and beautiful vocal timber made my job easy. We didn't have to over produce and package her sound because she has so much natural talent," Charles added.
Brown is currently on an FYE Tour to promote "Let's Fall in Love Again." Additional dates have recently been added to the schedule. Fans will be able to meet Brown in person and she will be performing at select locations.
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DRA Hot List
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From Florida R&B temptress Rachel Brown's sizzling new single "Let's Fall in Love Again," which jump...From Florida R&B temptress Rachel Brown's sizzling new single "Let's Fall in Love Again," which jumped from #18 to #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Sales Chart, registering Greatest Gainer status.
On the Web: http://www.rachelbrownlive.com/
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Rachel atop Billboard Charts
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http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Singles&f=Hot+R%26B%2FHip-Hop+Singles+Sale...http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Singles&f=Hot+R%26B%2FHip-Hop+Singles+Sales
supersonic
