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The first solo album by Auckland soul-songstress Bex Nabouta, aka Sassy, this is an un-timid exploration into a sea of musical styles and influences, taking the listener on a ride back into the hip hop of the late ’80s and RnB of the likes of Aaliyah and Mary J Blige. Sassy’s vocal talent is what drives the album and she isn’t afraid of pushing boundaries, coming across as a singer completely at ease with how powerful her voice really is. Simplistic production and clean soulful vocals hark back to late ’90s RnB, with audible similarities to Brandy, and serves to lay down a backdrop for Sassy to do her thing. A large number of well-chosen guests provide a colourful and worldly atmosphere. They include rappers Honebegood and Neli Atiga, pianist Kevin Field and vocalist Bella Shanti, who features on three tracks. Former One Million Dollars band-mate Richie Setford, aka Bannerman, played a big role in providing backing vocals on all the album’s songs, as well as some of the lyrics. While the production is at times a little bland, the variety of styles explored throughout the album, from Latin roots to electric guitar-driven pop, soul, jazz and hip hop keeps things interesting. Much of the recording was done as a live band at York Street with Simon Gooding. Sassy played a big part in the production, with the aid of former Sugarlicks’ label producer Lukas Farry, who came in to add programming and polish. A daring and carefully-crafted debut album, ‘81: The Underlove’ has a lot going on and plenty to commend it.
- NZ MUSICIAN
The first solo album by Auckland soul-songstress Bex Nabouta, aka Sassy, this is an un-timid exploration into a sea of musical styles and influences, taking the listener on a ride back into the hip hop of the late ’80s and RnB of the likes of Aaliyah and Mary J Blige. Sassy’s vocal talent is what drives the album and she isn’t afraid of pushing boundaries, coming across as a singer completely at ease with how powerful her voice really is. Simplistic production and clean soulful vocals hark back to late ’90s RnB, with audible similarities to Brandy, and serves to lay down a backdrop for Sassy to do her thing. A large number of well-chosen guests provide a colourful and worldly atmosphere. They include rappers Honebegood and Neli Atiga, pianist Kevin Field and vocalist Bella Shanti, who features on three tracks. Former One Million Dollars band-mate Richie Setford, aka Bannerman, played a big role in providing backing vocals on all the album’s songs, as well as some of the lyrics. While the production is at times a little bland, the variety of styles explored throughout the album, from Latin roots to electric guitar-driven pop, soul, jazz and hip hop keeps things interesting. Much of the recording was done as a live band at York Street with Simon Gooding. Sassy played a big part in the production, with the aid of former Sugarlicks’ label producer Lukas Farry, who came in to add programming and polish. A daring and carefully-crafted debut album, ‘81: The Underlove’ has a lot going on and plenty to commend it.
- NZ MUSICIAN
Discography
ALBUM: 81: THE UNDERLOVE
ARTIST: SASSY
RELEASED: MAY 2013
DISTRIBUTION: DRM/RHYTHMETHOD
TRACK: Need you
ALBUM: Field of Vision
COMPOSER: Kevin Field/Nathan Haines/Bex Nabouta
STUDIO: Revolver/Roundhead – 2011
TRACK: Love you down
GROUP: M-jay Collective
STUDIO: Red Bull – 2011
ALBUM: Stand up to the Shakedown
COMPOSER: One Million Dollars
STUDIO: York Street – 2007
ALBUM: Soup Kitchen
COMPOSER: One Million Dollars
STUDIO: The Lab/ Platform - 2005
TRACK: Are your eyes still mine?
COMPOSER: Kevin Field/Bex Nabouta (nee Peterson)
Feat. Kevin Field, Aaron Coddel, Vince Pavitt, Miguel Fuentes, Joel Haines, Nathan Haines, Marjan Shahrinia.
STUDIO: Helen Young - 2003
Photos
Bio
Background
Hailing from a musical family Sassy took to the stage at a young age. Her early classical violin, piano and singing training put her in good stead for the career ahead of her as a music tutor, composer, recording and performing artist.
Experience
ONE MILLION DOLLARS 2003-2008
In 2003 Bex joined 10-piece Funk/Soul collective ‘ONE MILLION DOLLARS’ with whom her on-stage persona “Sassy” developed. Together they released 3 albums, performed extensively around NZ, supported Black Eyed Peas, toured to Australia twice and headlined the Fest Napuan festival in Vanuatu. Other notable performances included the Labour Party Convention; Queenstown Jazz Festival; Wanaka Jazz Festival; bfm Summer Series; Music in Parks; Devonport Food & Wine Festival and many more. Following the success of the bands third album ‘Stand up to the Shakedown’ One Million Dollars performed their last gig together in April 2008. Members have gone on to perform with acts including Bannerman, Open Souls, LIPS, Breaks Co-op, SJD, Feist and Batucada Sound Machine.
MOJO FLYSET 2002-2009
Long-term residency – Sassy hosted Jazz/Soul Jam night at Rakinos Bar & Café on High St. This was an institution for local musicians, students and tourists including some very high-caliber touring artists.
BEX PETERSON COLLECTIVE 2005-2007
Bex’s original band featuring top NZ Musicians Dixon Nacey, Ben Turua, Elia Gaitau, Ben Anderson and Josh Sorenson. The band held a number of residencies at Auckland venues including Match Lounge and Skycity’s Bar3.
SASSY 2010-CURRENT
Sassy’s latest musical venture featuring her most recent original material including single “Slumber” which has a new video due for release next month. Her soulful songs with Hip-Hop and Reggae undertones are rich in harmony and lyrical poignancy.
The studio band featured Sola Rosa’s Ben White on guitar; ex-Sons of Zion Marika Hodgson on bass; BSM’s Michal Martyniuk ; House of Shem Horn player Chris Nielson and ex-King Kapisi Drummer Josh Sorenson. The album also features guest vocalists and MCs Bella Shanti, Neli Atiga, Richie Setford and Hone be good.
Education
Bachelor of Music (Jazz) - University of Auckland 2002
The first vocalist to graduate with BMUS (JAZZ) at University of Auckland, Bex went on to teach on both the Pop and Jazz Bachelor of Music programmes at the University for 8 years while maintaining a busy performing schedule with various bands.
MAINZ – Tai Poutini – Music Tutor 2011 - 2012
Tutor on Diploma and Certificate of Contemporary Music programmes at Mainz. Teaching on a range of courses including Vocal performance; Improvisation; Composition and Arranging; Listening Analysis and Band rehearsals.
Recordings
ALBUM: 81: The Underlove – Sassy
COMPOSER: Bex Nabouta
PRODUCERS: Bex Nabouta, Lukas Farry
STUDIO: York Street, Auckland
MIXED: Sound Reservoir, Sydney
Mastered: Elysian Studios, Los Angeles
ABOUT: Soul singer and songwriter Sassy (Bex Nabouta) invites you into her world with her passionate lyrical delivery, displaying a delicate use of her vocal range at times, to counterpoint the powerhouse soul 'moments' that grab your attention from beat one. Featuring the talents of a host of talented NZ musicians and MCs, this album is the next future soul classic.
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