Berthel

Born in Louisiana, Berthel experienced a mobile childhood, having moved from Louisiana to Texas, Mississippi, Florida, back to Louisiana, and then to Texas again. He found stability in his mother’s love and his love for music. His first musical impressions were made in the gospel choir of the local Baptist church. At home his mother satiated his musical appetite with classic soul music, delivered on a vinyl platter by Al Greene, The Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin. While fraternizing in the streets with his peers, Berthel was bombarded by the pulsating beats and persuasive bars of Hip Hop. Amidst this musical mélange, Berthell created a signature sound of his own that embodies the essence of classic R&B, yet reverberates with the rhythm of urban reality.
Berthel’s first album, “Into BetterThings,” on Houston, Texas based Upscale Records, is scheduled for a 2005 release. The title is indicative of his current philosophy on life, and the album itself is a combination of smooth ballads, gritty mid-tempo grooves, and sizzling club bangers to satisfy your every listening mood. It combines the producing talents of veteran Royal Bayyan, (ala Color Me Badd, Kool And The Gang, Freddie Jackson, and 2Pac), and several prolific newcomers including Houston’s Key; Chicago, Illinois’ Sound Master T; and Houston's Jab. Stand out tracks include, "Roll With Me", a collaboration with Lil' Flip; “Superwoman”, a solemn tribute to womanhood; and “Slow It Down”, that begs you to do just that. The lead single “Shorty What That Do”, a scorching up-tempo track that challenges the ladies to bounce on the dance floor, was unleashed September 2005.