Nichelle Colvin
Gary, Indiana, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
UK release including the best cuts from Nichelle's two albums Relations and Millenaire.
Cafe de Soul gives us the following information - 'In her career as a singer, Nichelle Colvin has contributed her expertise to a variety of local hit projects. Combining a blend of gospel and r&b vocals on jazz and hip-hop rhythms, making her soulful style unique and promising for the millennium and beyond. Some of her influences are Rachelle Ferrell, Anita Baker, Phyllis Hyman, Erykah Badu and Angela WinBush. Nichelle has worked with producer Vaughn Halyard who has produced artists such as Janet Jackson on "Black Cat" and Johnny Gill "Wrap My Body Tight" remixes. Nichelle has also worked with Tody Welford on the Billboard WINNING "Hold On". Tody Welford played bass for Shalamar with Howard Hewett and Willie Lee played guitar for the Temptations.'
This albun starts with 'Language of love' which has almost choral vocal arrangements. 'Sentimental Brush' is more instant and more upbeat, spoken intro into a strong R'n'B/Soul groove.
'The Man' is downbeat , srong jazz vocal over pleading lyrics. Nichelle wrote all of the cuts on the album, one or two co-written by James "Chameleon" White III who also produced all but one of the songs, and is clearly a major contributor, influence and collaborator with Nichelle.
'For the love of you' has a more chugging kind of rhythm and 'What's the most important thing' has an urban beat-y feel with rap intro and a vocal reminding me of Minnie Riperton.
'Inside' is a beautiful track, deep and thought provoking, self analysing lyric. 'Tears from Heaven' is mellow but strong in vocal. 'Millenaire' the title track of the second album and appears to be some kind of homage or introduction to 'Chamelion' - it does have a nice groove.
'Nothing remains the same' is also featured on the compilation, keyboard intro into a lilting easy thoughtful vocal. 'Show some attention' another floating piece from the first album. 'Inner Pain' from the start when you hear the thunderstorms you know that this is gonna be something slow and hurtful, it is but the vocal isn't quite so instant and concise but trying to capture the mood.
'Picture that' is one not produced by Chameleon but there is no discenable difference, maybe slightly harder rhythm and a neo soul feel. 'For Love' is beatier, bit more uptempo but again that easy floating vocal and sax-y sound. A nice cut that could get a remix maybe. 'You must give way' concludes the album.
I do like this album, it is well written, well produced and well put together. It covers a variety of styles but overall it has a kind of space-y, trippy feel and Nichelle's vocal eases in and out over strong and personal lyrics.
- Echoes Magazine (UK)
Law enforcement officer, saxophonist and recording artist, Darron "The Sheriff" McKinney, has released his highly regarded inspirational album, "A Call to Courage" on Shield Records. The recording is dedicated to the brave men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces and America's Law Enforcement Agencies.
The title song, "A Call to Courage," received national recognition when McKinney (soprano saxophone) and Nichelle Colvin (vocals) performed the composition at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Candlelight Vigil held in Washington, DC several years ago. There, the two artists mesmerized 18,000 law enforcement officers and the families and friends of America's fallen law officers. Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Sen. Trent Lott were among the attending dignitaries who were visibly moved by McKinney's incredible musical salute. (Log-on to http://www.shieldrecords.com to see the performance). Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the song and its meaning have gained additional praise.
Since the release of "A Call to Courage," numerous military and law enforcement agencies (The Pentagon Network and Armed Forces Radio Network) have adopted the song as a source of inspiration and pride. In addition, the song and other McKinney compositions have aired on commercial radio stations around the globe, to include, the United States, Canada, Australia, Russia, France, Germany, The Netherlands and New Zealand. - Top40 Charts.com
Discography
Producer She's worked with
Vaugh Haylard- producer of Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Johnny Gill
Willie Lee(Junie)- who has played with and toured with the Temptations
James"Chameleon" White III - who worked with Miky Mixing Oliver
Aaron B - America's youngest Super producer and who's produced most of the songs on her upcoming album.
LP Releases:
Relations 1 - 1996
Millenaire - 2000
Radioplay in the UK - "The Man"
Language of Love- 2002 (UK)
Berkana - Single - Sounds
Katrina is your Name - Single
Love me, Love me not - Single
A Call to Courage - Single
Recent Winner of 2008 UK Songwriting Contest
Semi-Finalist : Song - "Justin Case"
Photos
Bio
Nichelle - is a Sultry, Powerful, Emotional, Jazzy Songstress tossed into a blend of R&B,Gospel, Hip-Hop and Soul. . .what a tasteful stew of talent!!!
Nichelle Colvin, born and raised in Gary, Indiana, sings with great emotion and sincerity. Her style in one word would be a "Storyteller". Her songs take you on an adventure into many worlds ranging from Love, Hate, Hurt, Pain, Happiness, Laughter and Soulful Ainguish. This sultry singer started her career in church at the Rosa Jackson Youth Choir at Trinity Missionary Baptisit Church. She wrote her first 3 song, which became Billboard award winning songs as a sophomore in college. "Hold On", "Yaweh" and "What turns you on", as a teenager, not bad for your first time out huh?
Her first album project "Circular Soul" was a midwest compilation album of artist in which she wrote a song "Picture That" which would later become on the the songs added to her first album Project "Relations 1". Not only did this album sell out but it also got her, her first licensing deal in the UK with a label called "Street Cultrue Records". This would not be Nichelle's only deal in the UK, which is where her biggest fan base seems to be. Her Sophomore Project, "Millenaire", which is still available on i-tunes as well as the internet and some stores got her another deal with a label called, "Street Culture Records". Street Cultrue decided to take a few songs from her first and second album and call it "Language of Love" which is also available on the web. "Berkana", Nichelle's third project got Nichelle her first deal in the US with a label called "Taste Records". This brings us up to the present. . .this singer/songwriter is working on her 4th Album called "Soulfully Yours, Nichelle". She is working with a very talented producer by the name of Aaron B., who has written numerous hits and this yeam is sure to go to the next level with Nichelle's great talent. They have already claimed an award in the 2008 UK Songwriting Contest for the song "Justin Case" which is one of the cuts off Nichelle's latest Project.
Nichelle has sung on numerous projects. One in particular , "A Call to Courage," received national recognition when Darron McKinney (soprano saxophone) and Nichelle Colvin performed the composition at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Candlelight Vigil held in Washington, DC May of 2001. There, the two artists mesmerized 18,000 law enforcement officers and the families and friends of America's fallen law officers. Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Sen. Trent Lott were among the attending dignitaries who were visibly moved by McKinney's incredible musical salute and Nichelle's sultry vocals. (Log-on to http://www.shieldrecords.com to see the performance). Following this event, the tragedy of September 11, 2001 hit, the song and its meaning have gained additional praise. Since then Nichelle has performed on Detroit Fox News and sang the song in rememberance of the lost lives.
Influences- Nichelle has a very eclitic group of singer/sonwriter that have influenced her style and if you listen closely to her songs, you can almost hear these influences spring for her pores.
Anita Baker, Phyllis Hyman, The Emotions, Jean Carne, Angela Windbush, Luther, The Jones Girls, The Jacksons, Barbra Streisand, Julie Andrews, The Winans, Sting, Eryka Badu, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight.
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