Music
Press
"Steve's beats can mosdef get you Chicago stepping--while sensitive
melodies are a soundtrack for urban seduction.”
-GORDON CHAMBERS /Grammy Award Winning Producer-Songwriter-Artist - Singer/Songwriter
Steve Wallace has a special connection from his
SOUL to his fingers! Whether its writing, producing or drawing, the
love just pours out of him!.. And on top of that, dude seasons it all with
a soulful voice.”
-Eric Roberson, Award Winning Singer-Songwriter-Producer & INDEPENDENT
ARTIST!
- Singer/Songwriter
"Chicago-born and bred Steve Wallace delivers the most inspiring
coming-of-age concept album since Ms. Hill’s Miseducation…It’s a
blend of hip-hop, soul, gospel and even house without being limited by
the constraints of any genre. Wallace, a multi-instrumentalist, sings
of life, love and innocence lost with lyrical honesty. But it’s the
skits that truly sew this debut together, as listeners follow an
adolescent Wallace through his own youthful journey toward inner discovery."
-Rodney Carmichael, Rolling Out Magazine - Rolling Out Magazine
STEVE WALLACE is a brilliant musician, a thoughtful songwriter, and an
inspiring producer with a dynamic vocal instrument with a broad range
of expression. His music has a classic feel and is also youthful and
relevant to the present generation, spiritual and socially conscious
without being preachy...
Steve Wallace is a needed energy in our world and is definitely the
next breakthrough artist on the music scene!
- African Voices.com
"In music what sets an artist apart from his peers has to be their
unique style, their ability to convey their message so you can feel what
they feel. To accomplish this kind of feat it takes a lot of talent. One
of the many things that is striking about Steve Wallace is his vocal
versatility. From the head nodding title track (Come with the real) to
the house groovy "Goodbye", Steve's voice is right at home with any kind
of instrumentation. Steve Wallace sets himself apart from many of his
peers with his uncanny knack create fresh original grooves. Steve
Wallace is the type of musical mystic that will keep the nu-soul movement
moving progressively forward. This CD is just too damn good." - AyeJay Da’ Muzik Hunta' Spraggins-arthausnyc.com
"A really excellent set from vocalist Steve Wallace-an artist with a concept and presentation of his music that's far deeper than his peers! The album's only Steve's first, but it's got a well crafted groove that's really classic soul. A blend of raspy vocals, warm keys and compelling rhythms--set to themes that go way beyond the usual Neo-Soul set, and which mark Wallace as one of the most intriguing new soul artists that we've heard in a long time. There's a freshness that's really apparent, and many of the tunes themselves have an incredibly infectious sound--one that kind of snakes around with an earthy warmth that we first loved in Jill Scott's music, but which has a vibe which is all Steve's own." - DustyGrooveAmerica.com
An Indie Soul Scene FIRST from SOUL Star Steve Wallace!
"Hope 4 Tha Holiday's" is a soon-to-be-classic indie SOUL holiday album complete with traditional, original songs and even a Negro spiritual. Steve Wallace, "The Ambassador of Urban Soul "(A moniker in which he's truly earned); has created a special treat for those who seek out this genre. Steve Wallace has created a holiday album that is never cliché but is a work of art to be enjoyed year 'round! Steve has cleverly put his own funky spin on some Christmas classics and created holiday originals that are an absolute aural pleasure.
Steve Wallace's performance on this holiday album brings to mind the holiday soul classics like Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" & Bill Wither's "The Gift of Giving". Like the aforementioned classics, Steve has put his signature style, a wondrous blend of FUNK, SOUL & HIP-HOP, into a great holiday album! "Hope 4 Tha Holiday's" is that kind of album that uplifts listeners and creates a down home Soul Christmas vibe. So if you are really feeling Steve Wallace and I know you are then you'll love this new album."
-AyeJay "Da' Muzik Hunta" Spraggins - ArthausNYC.com
Discography
The Throwback Mixtape-(PROMO)2005
Come With Tha Real!(ALBUM)-2005
I've Been Searchin'(SINGLE & Music Video)-2007
Hope 4 Tha Holidays-(First EVER Indie Soul ALBUM)2006
Come With Tha REMIX!(EP)-2007
Photos
Bio
Smack! The doctor’s hand slapped the slippery, brown bottom, and a soulful wail burst forth from deep within the newly born Steven Wallace. He hasn’t stopped making music since. The Ambassador of Urban Soul, Steve Wallace, was the youngest soloist in his church choir, leading the congregation in musical praise at the age of four. Making a stage wherever he was, Steve would perform at his parents’ parties, bible study meetings, and of course on the playground. He began studying piano at the age of six. By the time he was nine, his undeniable talent led to an audition for a weekend music conservatory at THE MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC. The young Mr. Wallace so impressed the staff that he was awarded free admission to train fulltime. For eight intensive years, Steve studied voice, composition, ear training, music theory, and music history. While at MSM, the twelve-year-old Steve wrote his first lyrics for the student-composed opera, A Suite Musical Interval. Steve put together his first singing group in high school called, UPPERCLASS. The ever changing line-up, helped Steve hone his songwriting skills and schooled him on the ins-and-outs of music management and deal making. Steve scrutinized the production work of artists such as Brian McKnight, Boyz 2 Men, and Babyface, in preparation for his first studio session. When it was his turn at the boards, he was more than ready. The young impresario had all the musical parts completed in his head and as a result, despite unavoidable delays, was able to finish the framework for 4 tracks in under 60 minutes. The astonished engineers and fellow producers, lauded him with assurances of greatness to come. Dissatisfied with the rate of progress he was making in his piano lessons, Steve left his first piano instructor and at 15, he returned to the keyboards under his own tutelage. Starting off by making arrangements of The Star Spangled Banner for his singing group (one of which was performed at a Chicago White Sox baseball game), it wasn’t long before Steve was picking up the tricks of other pianists and playing by ear. Eager to flex his musical prowess, Steve, after some initial coaching by his brother, mastered the guitar before he had gotten his high school diploma. By the time he entered college, Steve had written approximately 75 R&B songs, sung in Italian, German, and French, and received scholarship offers from schools nationwide. Steve began his undergrad studies at Illinois State University before transferring to UNLV. He received vocal training and composition, respectively, under the incomparable Dr. Alfonse Anderson and the world renowned Virko Baley. Skilled in singing and writing everything from classical to hip-hop, Steve had already sung the lead in seven operas, toured worldwide, and composed a 3-act opera, a piano sonata, and 10 classical art songs by the time graduation rolled around. Influenced by an eclectic collection of artists including The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Premier, Puccini and Beethoven, Steve Wallace continues to be a beacon of inspiration for those lucky enough to know and work with him. He is a dynamic vocal coach, energetic band leader, brilliant composer, and dazzling producer. As a performer, Steve exudes a spirited radiance that complements the seasoned intelligence of his work perfectly. The social relevance of his music naturally leads to comparisons with Stevie Wonder and the legendary Donnie Hathaway. With his intoxicating exuberance and positive outlook on life, Steve Wallace is poised to take up the mantle.
-Josey Flyte
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