South
African native and Soul/Pop siren Laura Reed has announced the release of her
highly anticipated debut solo album The Awakening, released worldwide,
August 12th, on Five Foot Giant Records. The album marks Reed’s long awaited
return to the Indy spotlight. Reed’s soaring vocal delivery has often been
compared to soul and pop staples, Amy Winehouse, Emeli Sande, Lauryn Hill,
Adele and even Nelly Furtado.
Laura
took to the studio in Nashville, TN with two time Grammy and Emmy award winning
producer Shannon Sanders (India.Arie, Jonny Lang, John Legend, Robert
Randolph) to construct what will surely be noted as one of the strongest solo
debut efforts released in the past decade. The result is a stunning collection
of ten candid and timely songs about love, unity and acceptance. According to Reed and Sanders, the album was "slow cooked", having taken the time to properly marinade the many genres Laura has explored over her career. Sanders finds himself drawing connections to
his previous major successes, not only regarding her music, but also Laura’s
gift as a performer. “After seeing Laura Reed live, I recognized a rare and
unique authenticity and the presence of true SOUL in what was happening...I
needed to be a part of it,” recalls the highly respected Neo-Soul pioneer.
The
Awakening has already had an impressive liftoff, with the single “Wake Up”
landing a feature on VH1’s “Hollywood Exes”, as well as being chosen by
Alicia Keys for use in her major film production The Inevitable Defeat of
Mister and Pete.
Laura’s
journey has been well guided by mentors such as Paul Worley (Lady Antebellum/
The Band Perry/ Dixie Chicks) and Funk Legend George Clinton, who have worked
alongside her as she toured the US relentlessly with her band Deep Pocket to
support her previous release “Soul:Music”. Worley adds, “I don’t really have
words to express how much I love Laura's music. It's real, it's authentic,
it's what the world needs." Certainly, Worley refers to the
infectious and thought provoking lyricism of Reed, interwoven with a modern
urban sound that seems to share valuable life lessons from a comfortable and
humble soapbox of soul.
As
a signed writer with EMI/Sony ATV, the acquisition of a booking contract
with Madison House, and the development support of Hope Tree
Entertainment the next year will surely find a large new audience
discovering this truly unique and special artist. Currently Laura Reed is
preparing for her CD Release show at The Pour House with supporting artists,
The Chit Nasty Band. Tickets are $10/$12 and doors open at 8.
*Information courtesy of Beast Coast Publicity
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