Music
Press
"Joselyn, a bohemian bandleader and inspired vocalist and percussionist, gave her all and then some...showing her ethereal beauty and utter musicianship. She really engaged her audience by being swept away by the music."
- Gina Zollman, The Beverly Hills Outlook - Beverly Hills Outlook
"Most importantly, what this songstress presents...is an altogether exuberant and life-affirming spirit, a healing nature that Joselyn, via her beautiful voice, conveys seemingly with ease." - Music Connection
Upbeat and lively sounds are what possess this CD. With various influences ranging from jazz to tribal drumming to pop rock, JOSELYN & WILD ROOTS puts forth a master piece of heart lifting music that will soothe your soul and make you want to get up and dance. "Shapshifting," is by far one of the most beautiful CDs I have laid ears on to this year. It grasps a hold of your ears and perks your senses, while relaxing your mind and body through JOSELYN's soulful vocals and wispy instrumentation. This is a CD you can spin in your CD player for countless hours and come out of it completely refreshed and ready to take on the world. "For Love" (track 3) was one of my favorites on this album, but I must admit the other nine tracks entranced me just the same! I will definitely be picking up a copy of JOSELYN's next CD when it comes out. - - Space Junkies Magazine, April 2005
Talented Lead vocalist Joselyn Wilkinson sounds like a cross between Annie Lennox and Alicia Keys and her band of Wild Roots offer able support playing soulful dance, Afro-Cuban and pseudo hip hop grooves. This 10-song disc opens with the Latin, hip-hop flavored “Break it Down,” which offers a radio friendly sound without sacrificing the quality of cool. From there, the album flows smoothly and well-crafted lyrics and melodies kept my interest. - - Phillip E. Hardy, Sound the Siren, February 2005
World music band ADAAWE’s founder Joselyn Wilkinson makes her solo debut with the funky, percussive, jazz-influenced “ShapeShifting.” Already a veteran artist/performer, you have every right to expect a lot more than the average debut from this album and Joselyn certainly delivers. While her world music roots are still felt on this album, much of the album is focused on a sort of funk/soul hybrid that is certainly reminiscent of 70’s funk. Joselyn’s biting lyrics give the funk a socially conscious sting that indie music fans will definitely appreciate. The highlight here is the acoustic “By & By”, Joselyn’s voice shines throughout its duration and if you weren’t digging the album by this point you will undoubtedly find joy in this song. While “ShapeShifting” doesn’t have universal appeal, people looking to break the monotony of the latest trends should check this one out. - - Mark Fisher, Musical Discoveries, February 2005
Outstanding, and an early entrant in my record of the year list. Always soulful and always melodic, songs like "For Love" drag you in and refuse to let you go. There's a little bit of funk, a little bit of blues and a little bit of folk, all underpinned by shifting, hypnotic shuffles. The songs are life affirming and positive, a beacon for hope. - - Zeitgeist, Edinburgh UK, March 2005
A funky, jazzy vibe with world music values comes from this artist, who sings with authority and conviction. “Break It Down” has lots of vitality…“No Big Ol’ Thang” has some fetching vocal interaction. (“Shape Shifting”) has a mystical, higher consciousness message. This artist has a strong humanist point of view and will be welcome in an earthy, festival environment. - – Music Connection, January 2005
Discography
Radio Airplay:
• KBIG 104.3 FM Los Angeles
• KPFK 90.7FM Los Angeles, many live appearances & airplay
• KUNM, Albuquerque NM
• KCRW 89.9FM Los Angeles airplay
• Yellowstone Public Radio, Montana Muse, several stations
• WCCS Radio, Norton, MA
• WVOF 88.5 FM Fairfield, CT
• Internet Radio - many stations including: Nette Radio, LUVeR Radio, Entrantress Radio, Goddessa Funk Sanctum, Seasons & Celebrations, live365.com
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
“... a masterpiece of heart lifting music that will soothe your soul and make you get up and dance.” - Space Junkies Magazine, 4/05
“Founder of World music wavemakers ADAAWE, Joselyn Wilkinson makes her solo debut with the funky, percussive, jazz-influenced ShapeShifting. Already a veteran artist/performer, you have every right to expect a lot more than the average debut from this album and Joselyn certainly delivers. While her world music roots are still felt on this album, much of the album is focused on a sort of funk/soul hybrid that is certainly reminiscent of 70s funk.”
- Mark Fisher, Musical Discoveries, 10/05
From her Montana mountain birthplace, her coming of age with Hollywood High hip-hop, her UCLA Arts immersion to her percussive journey through West Africa, Joselyn has become an artist with a distinctive voice, an original image, an uplifting live show, and a joyful spirit. Rising on the soulful influences of the past, she points the way to the future.
Joselyn’s debut full-length release, ShapeShifing, released on Calabash Productions, and produced by Kevin T. Williams (Dave Wakeling, Soulsonics), is the culmination of years of inspiration, heartbreak and triumph. It is brought to life by the chemistry of the musicians in wild roots, including Viviana Rama on bass (Alana Davis), Alan Lightner on drums (Ledisi), Marti Walker on flute & harmonies (X-Tribe), Al Keith on pe rcussion (Michael Rose). The album also features special guests Leon Mobley on percussion (Ben Harper), Don Barrozo on trumpet, Todd Leiberman on guitar, and Tedashi Namba on keyboards. Their “organic soul” is infused with funk, blues, folk, spoken word and world rhythms. Joselyn’s lyrics come straight from the heart, transported by lovely melodies, and tell stories of soul searching, love, and the struggle for justice. ShapeShifting has received rave reviews in many magazines, local radio airplay on KBIG and KPFK in Los Angeles, and national airplay on KUNM, WCCS, WVOF, Montana Public Radio and many internet stations.
Before wild roots, Joselyn founded ADAAWE, with whom she toured festivals and colleges across the nation, opening for: James Brown, Sugar Hill Gang, Mickey Hart, Spearhead, Los Lobos, and many others. They were featured in the World Festival of Sacred Music documentary film (broadcast on PBS) and CD, and in commercials, magazines, and celebrity benefit events. Joselyn has also collaborated with world-class choreographers, percussionists, musicians and theatre artists, creating new works, producing concerts and directing performances in Los Angeles and elsewhere. She is a strong believer in the power of the arts to both heal the community and individual, and has taught at-risk youth theatre, music, dance and percussion for many years, sharing her gifts and giving back. Joselyn is also an ASCPlus award recipient for 2004 and 2005, who believes constant creativiity is the only way to live.
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