Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
From the opening few bars of a swinging vibe organ to an explosive vocal entrance, Once Beloved evokes memories of that groove led Acid Jazz sound.
Lara did front James Taylor Quartet for 3 years, along the way co-writing their ‘Room At The Top’ album, including the sublime ‘Free’.
This new solo single is smooth and uplifting soul, belted out in that powerful yet sweet voice of hers. “Rise up on the way, to a higher place / See the skies above, what was Once Beloved”. The chorus has a real gospel feel and the funky guitar noodling, breaks things up nicely. ‘B-side’, “Nomad Woman” is a more stripped down and laid back affair all about that voice. Currently lining up a tour, Lara plays around Leeds regularly and a 7 track CD, including Nomad Woman is always available on the night. I’m sure it won’t be long before an album proper is released by this underrated star of ‘Northern’ soul.
- Sascha Boehm
Discography
Once Beloved ( GLP010 ) - Digital Single
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
A chance meeting with James Taylor founder of the James Taylor Quartet (JTQ) opened a new chapter in Laras career The New Master sounds had gone into collaboration with James, and joined by him, played a storming sell out gig at the Atrium in Leeds. Lara had the audacity to go up to James and ask if hell be interested in co-writing with her, the songs Free and Sky were born!
Lara was next invited to step in last minute for two festival gigs in Lancaster and Kent following a temporary leave of Yvonne Yanny, JTQs lead vocalist . Armed with cd recordings of the set list, Lara prepared for the gig. Free was performed for the first time in Lancaster, a gripping success!! This lead to an unscheduled world tour with JTQ that would take her to the far east! Free is also released as a 7 single and on the JTQ Room at the Top album (available in HMV)!
The reviews began to flow in, JTQ.. rawer than usual,(Finland) Lara.. a cross between Martha Whitney and Lydia Pense (New York) and James summarises it all, I think Lara helped to bring the thing to a much higher level, shes such an aggressive singer so that compliments the band and makes it all kick off.
Lara herself says working with James is like walking into a wave of inspiration I feed off James, he plays and I am free to sing, growl, scream, James Taylor brought out the James Brown in me!! Amidst rumors of her been one of James Browns GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT,GREAT GRAND children!!!
Lara now set on a quest to realise the musical phenomena brewing within her. She enrolled at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford under the watchful eyes of tutors, pop rivals etc. Armed with everything from media training, creating dance videos to how to create a promotion plan for a new act, another chapter was unfolding. Lara networked with students and tutors and recorded a couple of demo tracks, headed by DJ/Producer Dr Watson including One man woman, Love pentagon and a remix of Baggies. Lara teamed up with Dr Watson and consequently DJ/Producer Planky at Killabeatz production giving birth to tracks Nasty boy. Then came Fly away andMakes me wanna Which again, was produced and written by Lara and Planky, which led to her first visit with label giant BMG!
On her return to Leeds teaming up with the brain child of Capri, Dan Woodward and Joe Tatton were born the songs, Nomad Woman, You make it feel right, that will also make her new album. She also bagged a place at the last Inner City Festival in Manchester alongside STONE ROSES Robbie Maddix and X FACTOR finalist Sisters with Voices and is excited about her options for a very exclusive recording deal!
Laras unique blend of explosive vocals coupled with softer jazzy undertones and smooth Ballard lingering has branded her a cross between a female James Brown, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott/Whitney Houston. Not surprising her influences are everyone from gospel singer Mahalia Jackson to Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin. Lyn Collins, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown and Fela Kuti!! On a recent interview on THE BBC, with ENO ERUOTOR, Lara was likened to a cross between Anita Baker n Alisha Keys, Laras got everyone stumped, you just cant put her in a box!!
Lara says, Feels like Im in the middle of a huge construction site but I am confident that my foundation is solid and deep!! Shes excited because she is working with so many people at the moment. Asked if this couldnt be a case of too many cooks spoil the broth she says No its a case of Divide and Conquer.
In her latest project Lara co-wrote a new song "Once Beloved" with GLP producer Daniel Woodward and this was released in January 2007 on the GLP label as a digital single along with Lara's track "Nomad Woman" which she co-wrote with Joe Tatton.
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