Donny Hathaway

  Christmas time has come again. Even here in Japan, which is not a predominantly Christian country, the holiday lights, decorations, events and songs declare the season's popularity.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is Donny Hathaway's This Christmas. I love listening to his version and I love singing it as well. In fact, I've performed it a few times this month at various Christmas events.

Today, I'd like to share a beautiful version which I discovered recently on YouTube. What is even… Read more

Saul Williams (from Buzzfeed)

Where does one begin when speaking about the wonderful Saul Williams? 
He is so prolific - an actor, rapper, musician, artist, and writer. 

No wonder that he was commissioned to write a book about about the United States of America. 
In US (a.), he reflects on the complicated issue of identity, of being an American, and the ways in which race informs that identity.
Check out the beautiful interview on Buzzfeed here.

Enjoy this video below. He is definitely one of the artists… Read more

Sananda Maitreya

He's back.
I have loved Sananda Maitreya since way back when he was known as Terrence Trent Darby.
His voice, his wonderful songs, his style, his sex appeal--- it was all enthralling. I followed his career as he became more and more philosophical and continued to produce beautiful music.  Today, my respect for him increases with the release of his new, powerful, passionate song and heartbreakingly beautiful music video.
The song is called I Wanna Breathe. According to AfroPunk, where… Read more

Hi Friends,

I've been wanting to do a music podcast for a while now, to promote the great independent artists I have discovered over the years and to introduce more and more people to the gorgeous music coming out of my homeland, Trinidad and Tobago.

Finally, here it is! Thanks to Blackan Radio, Japan, for hosting the show. Blackan has been a great champion of independent music by foreign artists in Japan, as well as a big supporter of my music and my albums, Rose, with indigo jam unit, and my solo album… Read more

'Doctor' by Alicia Saldenha Makes No. 1!

Well, this was certainly a great way to end the year! It means so much to know that people at home appreciate my music. 

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for my song. It has been on the chart for 21 weeks!! That is so much more than I could have expected. 

Congratulations to all the independent artists who also made the charts, and to the Indigenous Crew for working so hard to promote independent musicians in Trinidad and Tobago.

To all the music lovers, a big… Read more

 I was very honored and pleased to be invited to do an interview with Sisters with Beauty, a hot new blog about natural hair and beauty based in the United States. If you've seen my photos, from the past braids and dreadlocks to the present fro, you'll know that natural hair is a passion of mine. So I was very happy and excited to do the interview.

Like me, Diana Ramsey, founder of the blog, is passionate about what she does and very dedicated. I wanted to be a part of her growing online presence as well… Read more

 

Thanks to Junior Campbell for his feature on me and my new solo album, Dance with the Sun, on AllVoices. 
Please check it out and share with friends. As an independent artist, the promotion is priceless. Without a record company, I rely on friends and fans to get the word out about my music. 
I truly appreciate all the support and I'm so happy to be able to share the new album with you.
Official release - June 13.

Read the article here.

My solo album, Dance with the Sun, is finally ready! Hooray!! 

The CD release is coming soon - Saturday May 12 at Janus in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
I can't wait for the show and for you to listen to the album. :-)

Here is a preview - the album cover!

Photography by the multi-talented Zak Baney, who also directed the music video for my single, "Ooh Boy."

Album design by my dear friend, Bernhard Rothbucher, in Austria.

You really must buy the CD because the art work inside is just beautiful.

Thank you so… Read more

Hi Friends,

I'm happy to announce that my solo debut CD release show is set for May 12. 
Here is a little video teaser I made to announce the news.
Tickets will go on sale soon. Hope to see you there!!!!

It is still difficult to accept the passing of Whitney Houston. The loss is compounded by the fact that it was so untimely - she was only 48 years old - and the fact that she was in the middle of a comeback. I, like countless other young children, sang to Whitney Houston in front of the mirror, or in front of the TV screen watching her on MTV, dreaming of the day when I, too, would be on the stage.

I don't want to think only of the sadness, however. This post is meant to focus on the happy news that we… Read more

Rumours have been circulating for years about a come-back for soul sensation, D'angelo, all leading 
to dead-ends and disappointment for his legions of fans around the globe.

We have been waiting since The Voodoo Tour of 2000. 

Then, last month, a leak of a new demo on the internet - "Black Hole Sun."

Now, concrete proof - clips of D'angelo's concert on January 26 in Stockholm at the Filadelfiakyrkan. 
(Pronounce it if you can.) 

He has ended his retreat and our frustration with the first of a… Read more

I'm so happy to report that "Rose," by indigo jam unit feat. Alicia Saldenha, was voted Album of the Year @ Tokyo Jazz Notes!!

What an honor to have been part of the project and to have so many of you love and support it.
THANK YOU!!!

Other honors for "Rose" include:

4 Weeks in the Top 100 and Top 50 Billboard Japan Charts for Independent Albums and Singles.

The "Rose" CD Release Tour in Shibuya, Tokyo on September 10, 2011 was the favorite for the Best Gigs of 2011 @ Tokyo Jazz Notes.

None of… Read more

"ROSE" by indigo jam unit feat. Alicia Saldenha
Release Date - September 2nd, 2011

It is wonderful to write these words. This will be my first full album.
I recorded it with one of my favorite bands, indigo jam unit.
Having them invite me to record the album with them was such a joy and an honor in itself.
Being in the studio every day was exhilerating.
And now, I can share the music we created together with you.

Here are a few pics from the recording session at Alchemy Studio in Osaka.