The Pulse of Entertainment 2019 Archives

The Pulse of Entertainment:  Ray, Goodman & Brown Headline Soul Train Cruise January 20 - 27, 2019 and ‘Love Hard' by Joyce Ruiz Available as Book and Audio

"I love ‘Special Lady' and types like that," said Billy Brown of the legendary Ray, Goodman and Brown who are headlining the Soul Train Cruise (January 20 - 27, 2019) to the Caribbean with Gladys Knight, The Chi-Lites, Morris Day and the Time, New Birth, Ohio Players, George Clinton and Evelyn "Champagne" King, with a special performance by Smokey Robinson (January 23rd). "But I really love ‘Love on a Two-Way Street' it was recorded before...it didn't do anything. I told Joe (Robinson) I like that record and he said, ‘You like that syrupy stuff' and he took the 45 and flipped it across the room and said, ‘take it and learn it.' I learned it that night and the next day I recorded it."

"Love on a Two Way Street" became a break through single of Sylvia and Joe Robinsons via their label Stang/All Platinum Records through the group The Moments. It reached #1 on Billboard's R&B Charts. It was re-recorded by the label with Brown in the lead vocals as Ray, Goodman and Brown in 1969 for legal reasons. It sold over a million copies. That hit single and others from Ray, Goodman and Brown such as "Sexy Mamma" and "Look at Me (I'm in Love") has the group constantly on tour to this day - 50 years later.

Brown continued, "So I took him the ("Love on a Two Way Street") recording and he said, ‘This is the new single'. The way they released it was crazy too...the next day the distributor called for 50,000 more copies. And as they say the rest is history." 

You get to see how legends perform if you are on the Soul Train Cruise taking off January 20, 2019 for seven entertaining days. www.AAEG.com/RayGoodmanBrown 

A passion for the love of her children's artistic talents Joyce Ruiz, along with her husband, sacrificed and the result was their children reaching unbelievable heights in entertainment. Twins Ashton and Ashley are named 2-UNeek and have toured as opening act for Disney's Raven Symone, Beyonce's Texas pre-show and Robin Thicke. They have also performed as actors in major sit-coms and films. Now Joyce Ruiz offers in more music with poetry in a book called "Love Hard." The topic however is on finding the passion of love in your marriage.

"I worked with 2-UNeek, the Texas Twins, as far as getting them out there," she explained about her part in the husband and wife management team. 

Today Joyce promotes her own projects with the help of her children. The "Love Hard" book is also an album version produced by her son Ashton. As a producer Ashton is known as Tone and his credits include a commercial for a Texas Company's advertising campaign. 

"I had no desire or intent to do so (publish a book) until that tragic season when I got the news of my husband's transitioning. I felt God birth this project to me. At first it was one poem, then I said...put music to it. It built from there. I talked to my son, who produces under Tone, that one poem led to 22 poems so he did 21 original tracks and one track is from a producer out of Germany."

The collection of sweet and inspiring selections cover all topics with one selection dedicated to her late husband simply titled "A Prayer for my Husband."

"Our family is musically inclined," she explained, indicating the depth and level of talent the Ruiz family has to offer. "2-UNeek, myself and my husband, he was a DJ on the side. We were very much into the music scene."

"Love Hard" by Joyce Ruiz, featuring Tone is available at Amazon and iTunes.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

January 11, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment:  Nickelodeon Premiers New Sit-com ‘Cousins for Life' and Will Downing's ‘The Promise,' Featuring Kirk Whalum and Regina Belle, is Amazing

On Saturday January 5, 2019 Nickelodeon premiered a new sit-com, "Cousins for Life," starring Dallas Dupree Young (HBO's "The Good Place") as Stuart and Scarlet Sofia Spencer (Netflix's "Bright") as Ivy, cousins forced to live under one roof. "Cousins for Life" airs on Nickelodeon Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.

"I watch so many Nickelodeon shows when I heard I was in the car going to acting class. I was screaming in the car," said Dallas about when he found out he got the lead role in a Nickelodeon comedy series. "I felt so bad for the people in the car with me."

Young is not new to acting even though he started in 2016. His credits already include the HBO series "The Good Place" from 2016 -2017, ABC's series "The Mayor" (2017), The Steven Spielberg director and Warner Bros Pictures presentation of Ready Player One (2018) and ABC Family's "The Fosters" (2018). 

"My mom told me to bring my phone to her and she started recording me," Scarlet said about when she heard the news she would had a lead role in a Nickelodeon sit-com. "She called my agent who said I got the role, I was screaming!"

Guess the screaming on both their parts tell you how much passion they will put into the roles of Stuart and Ivy, who are 12 years-olds from very different back ground forced to live in one household. They learn however they are better together.

"This is the biggest role I've every had...I had recurring roles. It's a multiple camera show," Dallas pointed out about being on Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment network watched by children reaching over 90 million household in just the United States. "(Stuart) He is an entrepreneur who is very creative but gets in sticky situations."

"(Ivy) She is an activist who wants to make the world a better place, but has a hard head," Scarlet said about her character. With the help of her mother she admitted that her character sounds a lot like her.

When asked what they hope kids watching the show learn from it Young said, "That even though you are cousins and you don't get along sometimes, you have to respect them."

Spencer said she hopes the show teaches viewers "how important family really is and to always be positive." www.Nick.com/Cousins-For_life 

Will Downing recently released his first full Gospel album simply titled "The Promise" (Shanachie Entertainment). Downing and Randy Bowland produced the project that features saxophone support from Grammy Award winning Kirk Whalum and vocal support from Grammy Award winning Regina Belle. It is an amazing piece of work, thanks to the heart-felt vocals of Downing, the lyrical messages Downing and Bowland provide as songwriters, the exquisite harmony the background vocalists give and the cherry on this spiriting cake is the power Kirk and Regina bring.

Offering 10 selections "The Promise" gives a Jazz twist to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My favorite selections on the album include #1 "Take it to the Cross," which features Kirk Whalum, just for that reason it puts a Jazz twist to Gospel and uses the old spiritual phrase "take it to the cross." "Take it to the cross" means give your problems to Jesus and don't worry about them - he got you. I also love the Praise and Worship feel Will Downing brings to "Take it to the Cross" as he takes the role of Preacher leading the choir in the "take it to the cross" chant. Of course Whalums' signature wailing on the sax brings the Soul to the single. As soon as I heard the sax solo I knew it was Kirk Whalum. I also love #3 "I Hear a Voice" because of Downings' sweet Jazzy voice, his excellent harmony with the background vocalists, the lyrical message and Will's vocal tone. The #4 selection "You Blessed My Life" was a favorite of mine because Will Downing's vocal superiority is kind of showing-off, along with the heart-felt message of the song and those high-notes Downing does really blessed me. I liked #5 "He Will Be There" because it's a great hand-clapping Praise and Worship song that inspires. The remake #7 "God is so Amazing" is a favorite because Will's heart-felt vocals are Heavenly and I love the message it gives that defines Jesus Christ, The last song on the album #10 "Changed" featuring Regina Belle is a favorite because it's a powerful love song to the glory of God. The lyrics reminded me of the one day when I was five years-old God "changed" me and I started to see the world differently. Regina's vocal support on "Changed" also makes it a vocally powerful song.

"It's the most attached I been to an album," Will said. " I did ‘God is so Amazing' in 2007 when I was real sick. It sounds weak. Listen to the original and this one back to back to see God."

I did and he was right. www.WillDowning.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II" Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), held in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

January 18, 2019

 January 24, 2019

 February 1, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment:  Grammy Museum's ‘An Evening with Thelma Houston' was Inspiring

Grammy Award winning Thelma Houston was honored at the Grammy Museum's "An Evening with Thelma Houston" where she performed and received a replacement Grammy Award for one she won in February, 1977 that was destroyed in an earthquake. The evening also included an intimate interview with the songstress by Grammy Museum Executive Director Scott Goldman and the audience, which was a full house.

Thelma Houston's career started at a time when she was a wife and mother. She joined a Gospel group called Art Reynolds Singers. Raised in Long Beach, California Thelma was soon signed to Dunhill Records as a solo artist. She debuted in 1969 with "Sunshower" produced, arranged and composed by Jimmy Webb. Jimmy Webb is a Songwriters Hall of Famer and was the first to every win a Grammy Award for songwriting.

When talking about working with Jimmy at Dunhill Records Thelma compares him to other producers who made her sing the songs over and over, she said, "Jimmy never did that with me. They would say, ‘Let's do it again.' I would say, ‘Do it again!?' Jimmy would say, ‘Ok that's it. How you like it, feels good. Feels good to me, let's move on."

Jimmy Webb hit songs include the 5th Dimension's "Up, Up and Away," "By the Time I get to Phoenix" and "MacArthur Park" - to name a few.

"I moved to Los Angeles," said the Mississippi native. "...And I started to realize who he was. You know Jimmy would drive to Long Beach to pick me up because I wasn't driving, to come up here to his house to practice our songs."

In 1971 Houston signed to Motown Records; however her singles were not too successful until 1974 when her single reached Billboard Charts and she received a nomination for her vocals. It wasn't until 1977 that she received her first #1 Motown hit with "Don't Leave Me This Way," a remake of the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes song.

It was Suzanne DePasse, Berry Gordy's (Motown Records) top level executive, who gave Thelma the song to record. Suzanne heard the song on the radio and thought Thelma could do a better job with it. Thelma did just that because it earned her a #1 Billboard position and a Grammy Award win. Thelma told the audience that she wasn't even at the Grammy Awards to receive it.

When she received a replacement Grammy Award from Grammy Museum's Scott Goldman she said, "I've had a career that has stretched almost 50 years."

Houston, no relations to Whitney Houston, was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in New York City, honored as an "Apollo Legend" and has performed at The Vatican. She has also performed her hit song "Don't Leave Me This Way" on "American Idol" and "America's Got Talent." The Grammy Museum is a non-profit and was established in 2008 as a partnership with the Recording Academy and AEG to cultivate a greater understanding of the history and significance of music. In 2017 it integrated the Grammy Foundation to broaden its reach in music education and preservation.

The end of "An Evening with Thelma Houston" provided the audience with a performance by the living legend of her hit single and those of her Motown label mates. See coverage of the event at https://youtu.be/nf5Ss1SygeE. www.GrammyMuseum.org  www.ThelmaHouston.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com. 

February 8, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment:  Tyscot Record's Casey J's ‘The Gathering' Debuts at #2 on Billboard

"People have a misconception that gathering (In God's name) is just on Sundays," said Contemporary Gospel artist Casey J (Casey Janice Hobbs) about the meaning behind her new album's title "The Gathering" (Tyscot Records). "I think its more than that, it's in the park, in the car... So we decided to do it different. We took 50 friends to the park and recorded the album."

Upon the release of Casey J's project, "The Gathering," it debuted at #2 on Billboard's Gospel Chart. The passionate Contemporary Gospel artist debuted in 2015 with "The Truth," and its single "Fill Me Up" reached #1 on Billboard Gospel Chart.

Casey J's label-mates on Tyscot Records include VaShawn Mitchell, Deitrick Haddon, the Anointed Pace Sisters, Bishop Noel Jones and Rev. John P. Kee. The label was founded in 1976 by Dr. Leonard Scott and his nephew Craig Tyson to record their choir, the Christ Church Apostolic Radio Choir.

An Atlanta native Casey J sings on the choir at her church Lilly Hill Baptist Church, the church of her mother and grandmother.

"I grew up singing in the choir. For this record...me and my friends did pop-up worship in local parks...and it was a success," she said about why they recorded the project in the park.

Casey J and friends were able to minister to people who didn't or couldn't come to church on Sundays.

"We never took up any money offering," she continued. "That was never our purpose. One week someone dropped off a case of water, someone brought bug spray."

Casey J even admits that some Souls were even saved at her pop-up worship ministries.

"Even to this day...I have seen people genuinely respond to the Spirit of God. A natural response...the lights turn on," the 11-time Stellar Award nominated Casey J said sincerely. www.CaseyJMusic.com www.Tyscot.com 

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com. 

February 15, 2019

February 22, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment: Norman Brown Offers ‘The Highest Act of Love' on New Album / Reggaeton Artist PLF on New Rick Ross Single, ‘Party'

"Back in 2002 I did a version of ‘Free' and never used it," said Grammy Award winning Jazz guitarist Norman Brown about the infamous single, "Free," appearing on his new album "The Highest Act of Love" (Shanachie Entertainment) featuring Paul Brown (drums, guitar) and Grammy winning Deniece Williams, who is the original artist and co-writer of the song. "Free" was co-produced by Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire). "I went back to my archives looking for ideas...three/four months later I was on a cruise with her."

Of course Norman mentioned including her single "Free" on his next album and next thing you know Deniece Williams is a featured vocalist on the "The Highest Act of Love" album.
"It took me two records to get to this record," Brown laughed about a project he feels very "spiritual" about. When talking about having Paul Brown on the album Norman said, "He's a producer I have a history with. He produced my Grammy record."

"The Highest Act of Love" releases February 22, 2019 on Shanachie Entertainment. Paul Brown is co-producer along with Norman and he is featured on the single "Inside the Garden of Peace and Love" and Deniece Williams, of course, is featured on the single "Free."

Born in Missouri Norman began playing the guitar at the tender age of eight. During his career as an adult he has played with such notables as Brian McKnight. Kirk Whalum, Mikki Howard, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Everette Harp and Chante' Moore. His debut solo album was released in 2002 titled "Groovin'," featuring Rick Braun on trumpet and Kirk Whalum on sax. In 2004 he released "West Coast Coolin'."

Collectively Norman Brown as sold over two million albums and he comfortably masters Smooth Jazz and then he fuses it with Pop, R&B and Blues. Aside from a Grammy win, Brown has garnered a Grammy Award nomination. www.NormanBrown.com  

Fusing genres of music together is not new and seeing the Hip-Hop culture in more countries than America is not new to me either. I have interviewed Hip-Hop artists from outside America, such as South Africa, Australia, Spain and even the UK. Hip-Hop icons Wyclef Jean and Jay-Z have been fusing Rap and Latin music for a while. Latin music, like American music, includes a collection of all genres. The fusion of genres on "Party" gives it a fresh sound that I like. Rick Ross released the "Party" single in late January on MRe/Maybach Music featuring Latin/Reggaeton singer PLF and Latin singer/producer J Val (Jay-Z, Jadakiss).

"The Latin community together with Hip-Hop," said Sergio Morales, co-founder of Monumental Rebels Entertainment imprint, about the single that offers a Reggaeton/Latin flavor thanks to the fusion of Latinos PLF and JVal and Hip-Hop's Rick ‘The Boss' Ross. "Rick loved the track and is excited to broaden his audience - Columbia, Ecuador... Hundreds and millions are engaging in Latin (Hip-Hop). We're doing the video shoot in New York and the Dominican Republic in three or four weeks...working with a band, A-listers and emerging artists in a Latin space and a Hip-Hop space."

As a producer/songwriter J Val has worked with Jay-Z and Jadakiss, and Latin Reggaeton artist PLF, a Dominique Republican, has several singles released "She Wants to Love Me," "Ellos Se Quillan and "Devious." Rick Ross, who began as a music industry executive before signing a record deal with Def Jam Records, is also known for his Wingstop franchise.

"PLF stands for ‘perfection', ‘loyalty' and ‘faith'," said PLF. "For 10 years I've been going back and fourth (to the Dominican Republic). I've learned how to speak (proper) Spanish, not the Spanish you learn in school. My sound has something different. I grew up listening to 2Pac, Jay-Z, Jadakiss and Daddy Yankee."

"Thanks to Val ...he has done a lot in this Hip-Hop game," said PLF as to how they became featured artists on a Rick Ross single. "He's worked with Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Akon. This is the best record...it bridges Latin and Hip-Hop. Big Boss, he said, ‘alright lets go'...and he took the best record."

Sergio added about J Val, "Val produced it. He's been around along time...been talking about merging Hip-Hop and Spanish...He's born from Hip-Hop. All these different sounds...same spirit...Latin community." www.MonumentalRebels.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (November/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com. 

March 1, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment: Donald Lawrence Reunites with Original Tri-City Singers on new Album / Koryn Hawthorne Releases ‘Unstoppable' Featuring Rapper LeCrae

"This is a 25 year commemorative piece. The first album was in 1993, so its 2019 and we're together to celebrate 25 years," said Grammy Award winning Donald Lawrence about his newest album release "Goshen" recorded with the original members of the Tri-City Singers. He added about his reunion with the retired singers, "It's just for the album."

The Stellar nominated singer, songwriter and producer took over as music director for the Tri-City Singers and they debuted on their own label GospoCentric Records with "A Songwriters' Point of View." By 1995 Lawrence was sharing the billing with them as Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers. The "Goshen" album release celebrates that union with the original singers, that came from three different cities (Spartanburg, Gastonia and Charlotte), by his side on the project.

The Tri-City Singers retired in 2006 and Donald released his solo album in 2004 on Verity Records, which featured Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Faith Evans, Carl Thomas and Richard Smallwood. The first single from the new album, "Goshen," was "Deliver Me" featuring Le' Andria Johnson. The current single is "He Heard Me Cry" featuring Sir the Baptist and Arnetta Murrell-Crooms of The Murrells. The title track features Sheri Jones-Moffett. "Goshen" also features Grammy nominated Jekalyn Carr and Jason Nelson.

"I'm always inspired," Donald confessed. "For me when I do music it comes from an honest place and I finish when it's finished. If you end it too soon it's not authentic."

"Goshen" is produced by Lawrence, Sir the Baptist and Troy Taylor.

"This (album) has been in my head for three and a half years," he pointed out. "And we started recording it two years ago." www.DonaldLawrence.com

The Louisiana native Koryn Hawthorne came to fame as a Season 8 finalist in the television singing competition "The Voice." Her debut self-titled album on the RCA Inspiration imprint was released in 2017 yet it is still on the Billboard charts and releasing new singles. The latest single "Unstoppable" features two-time Grammy Award winning Gospel Rapper LaCrae comes with a music video.

"God," Koryn said when I asked to whom she gives the credit for her debut having such staying power. "He gets all the credit...also the team. They word hard. People see the passion and authentic. The record is real. People need it (the Gospel) and when they get it, they hold on to it."

Her first Grammy Award nomination was for the first single from the album, "Won't He Do It," along with four Stellar Award nominations, for which she could win when the Stellar Awards takes place March 29, 2019. Hawthorne recently performed during the Super Bowl celebrations.

On working with hot Gospel Rapper LeCrae Koryn said, "I've been a fan of LaCrae for a very long time. He has been in the game a long time."

Koryn, a Dove Award winner, said they had no plans to feature a Rapper, but when the idea was suggested she went with it and recently had a change to perform with him. Koryn Hawthorne was the first artist to hold the #1 position on Billboard Hot Gospel Songs Chart for, it stayed there for over 40 weeks. www.KorynHawthorne.com 

March 8, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment: VaShawn Mitchell Release Single from Upcoming New Album ‘Elements' / Smooth Jazz Pianist Keiko Matsui Gives Love and Light on ‘Echo'

"I prayed and asked God. ‘What has kept me in the industry?'...and ‘the elements' came (wind, earth, fire and water)," said Grammy nominated VaShawn Mitchell about his upcoming new album "Elements" (VMan Enter/Tyscot).

When I mentioned how outstanding the musicians, especially the guitar, are in the live music video of the project's first single "God Can Do Anything," which plays as soon as you log onto his website, he said, "Most are from Nashville. Some I know on regular bases...I have several guitar players!"

VaShawn Mitchell, a singer/songwriter/producer, was noticed by Bishop Larry Trotter and hired as Minister of Music at Chicago's Sweet Holy Spirit Church. Though he has a degree in Psychology, music is his calling. In 1998-99 he debuted as a solo artist with "So Satisfied". His break-through single was "Nobody Greater" in 2011, which stayed on the top of the Billboard Gospel Charts for nine weeks.

"Part of it is also giving God the power," VaShawn said about the meaning of the upcoming album "Elements." "We have to put our trust and hope in Him."

Born in Harvey, Illinois Mitchell's achievements so impress his hometown that they names a street after him. As producer he has worked on projects for Grammy Award winners Smokie Norful and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. He has garnered a record breaking 11 Stellar Award nominations, as well as two Grammy Award nominations. VaShawn has won two Dove and a Stellar Award for his music. In 2014 he was a featured artist on Billboard nominated JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise's single "Nothing Compares."

"It's amazing," Mitchell said about the "Elements" project to be release this summer. "It's a fresh body of work that will bless generations to come such as ‘Wind of God is Going My Way.' This is for church goers and hopefully those who just want to be encouraged."

The first single "God Can Do Anything" is out now and is as a powerful Praise & Worship selection that is sure to bless generations to come. VaShawn Mitchell's projects have had distribution support from EMI Gospel, Motown Gospel and Tyscot. The musical achievement of VaShawn Mitchell has solidified him as a Contemporary Gospel icon. www.VaShawnMitchell.com www.Tyscot.com 

World renowned Smooth Jazz pianist Keiko Matsui releases another Shanachie Entertainment project called "Echo," where the Japanese icon gives love and light via the piano. Keiko released the "Echo" project on February 22, 2019 with a CD release party at The Rose in Pasadena, California and a debut at #2 on iTunes.

"I'd been touring so much so last summer...I stopped touring to concentrate...for a month. I received inspiration. It's hard to explain in words the way of life and love, and light...many emotions expressed through this album," Matsui said passionately. "Songs started coming to me that same month. Four or five songs were very strong, did not go away. I said, ‘I know this is a sign.' So I went to record them."

That passion is "felt" when you listen to "Echo," which features Grammy Award winning Kirk Whalum (sax), Grammy nominated Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar) and Grammy nominated Marcus Miller (bass). Produced by Keiko and Bud Harner, who also lends vocals, the project offers ten selections.

"The first song...the first time I hear this baseline it became the opening song...the melody of the blues," she said.

Keiko Matsui is referring to "Unshakeable," which is one of my favorites on the project because of the use of the horns (trombone, trumpet and alto sax) are done in an outstanding way and Keiko on the piano keys seem to uplift that tremendous sound in a way that Paul Jackson, Jr,'s guitar playing could make you feel "unshakeable." I also like #2 "Moon Over Gotham," featuring Paul Jackson, Jr., because it's a masterpiece that is simple but intriguing because of the way Keiko's fingers fly on the piano. My next favorite is the title track and first single #3 "Echo," featuring Marcus Miller (bass), because it sounds like a song on the soundtrack of a fairytale movie - I had to reach for a tissue. The fourth selection "Espirt," featuring Kirk Whalum (sax), is a favorite because the two makes it is so soulful I forgot for a minute both are considered "Smooth Jazz" musicians. I'm ending my favorites with #8 "Now is the Moment" because Keiko brings the light with her piano.

"Echo (the name) came after all the recording sessions," she pointed out about the title track.

"Echo" (Shanachie) also features Robben Ford and Ramon Stagnaro on guitar, Kyle Eastwood on bass and Gretchen Parlato on vocals. Keiko debuted in 1980 in the Cosmo band she founded with her husband Kazu Matsui. Cosmo released eight albums and Keiko recorded three albums with her husband. She debuted as a soloist in 1987 and has released 27 albums. In 1996 she received a Soul Train Award nomination. Matsui tours constantly and will be headlining the Smooth Jazz Cruise at Celebrity Infinity March 14 - 21st, performing at the Berks Jazz Festival April 6th and in Alexander, Virginia at The Birchmere on April 7th. www.KeikoMatsui.com www.Shanachie.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (November/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (November/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

March 15, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment: Ben Tankard's ‘Rise' Inspires, Garners NAACP Image Award Nomination / 50th NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon Holds the Spotlight on Talent

"We appreciate all the attention, but when your own people say you did a good job I get tears in my eyes," said 15-time Stellar Award winning Smooth Jazz/Gospel pianist Ben Tankard about his nomination for a 50th NAACP Image Award. Winners will be selected when it airs live on TV One from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday March 30, 2019. Ben was nominated for his latest album release "Rise," featuring Paul Jackson, Jr., Kirk Whalum and Marion Meadows.

Tankard's "Rise" was released in late 2018 and aside from a nomination from the NAACP Image Awards the album reached #2 on Billboard's Jazz Radio Chart. The project also features 1LV, Dejuan Williams, Kyle Schroeder, Unlisted Number and Neb Draknat. Ben Tankard is hailed as the "Godfather of Gospel Jazz". He is a pianist, drummer, guitarist, percussionist and music producer. In 2018 he received the Stellar Awards' "Hall of Fame" honor. He also has a reality show that has been airing on the Bravo Network, but will return on another network which Ben says is a more family oriented network.

"What I can say is it will be named "The Tankards' or ‘Bigger Than Ever'," Ben said about his reality show. "We finished season three with Bravo. We're moving on ...to a family oriented network, which I can't tell you about yet. There was a comfort level with Bravo on CBS, but when God say do something... I was with Sony for 16 years and was scared to move out...but five years later I had the #1 record in the world of Jazz."

Ben Tankard's label Ben-Jamin is now distributed by Universal Music. He has worked with Gerald Albright, Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, Take 6 and Kelly Price - to name a few. He signed Yolanda Adams to his label when she was a 3rd grade teacher and credits her for bringing his music to a wider audience. To hear him play you realize why he is honored so much. His musical talent is unquestionably a gift from God. Once homeless Ben Tankard's reality show "Thicker Than Ever: The Tankards" is very popular and shows the now wealthy Jazz mogul as a family man - husband and father. Ben and his wife Jewell started the Destiny Center Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 2002 - his father who was a minister and his mother a missionary.

My favorite selections of the "Rise" project include #1 "Rise", the title track, which features Marion Meadows (sax) because it's Smooth Jazz simplified and the combination of Ben's keys and Marion's sax playing gives it that rhythm that makes you want to "rise" to your feet. I also like #5 "Still Here", featuring Dejuan Williams, because Ben's key playing offers Praise & Worship in a Jazz format and I love the way the keys be hopping at the end, the superb guitar playing and the horns sound like honey bees. I like #6 "Afternoon Nap" featuring Kyle Schroeder (sax), because it starts with a Latin feel and ends with a Funky dance between the keys and the horn, which gives it that Jazz flavor. I like #8 a cover of Drake's "PassionFruit," because it's an outstanding Smooth Jazz rendition of the track and I love the way the key playing takes off at the end. To end my list of favorites on the Ben Tankard "Rise" project is #9 "Unlisted Number," featuring Unlisted Number, because of the drum roll in the beginning and throughout bringing back memories of my time serving in the military singing cadence as we marched - and we marched everywhere! www.BenTankard.org 

The NAACP hosted its 50th NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon recently at the Loews Hotel in Hollywood, California to put the spotlight on talent that was nominated for a possible win at this year's NAACP Image Awards to be aired live on TV One at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday March 30, 2019, hosted by Anthony Anderson ("Black-ish"). I covered the red carpet arrivals and I had a chance to talk with some of the nominees, such as the event's co-host Major ("Better With You In It") nominated in three categories - Outstanding Male Artist/Traditional Song/Best Album; Emmy winning Lynn Whitfield-Green (HBO's "Josephine Baker Story") nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress for the series "Greenleaf"; Tracey Bing, producer of Nappily Ever After, which was nominated for Outstanding Independent, and Sheryl Lee Ralph (CBS ‘Fam"), who co-hosted the event with Major.

"I'm co-hosting with the queen right here," said Major during the red carpet arrivals. "I'm super honored...I'm up for three nominations. Ya'll pray for me. I'm just living the dream."

Nominations for this year's NAACP Awards are led by Bruno Mars and H.E.R. who received five; followed by four nominations for Beyonce' for The Carters (plus "Entertainer of the Year"), Ella Mai (Interscope Records) and Academy Award winner Regina King (Enemy of the State). Those with three nominations include John Legend, Major, Kendrick Lamar, Childest Gambino, Michael B. Jordan, Saana Lathan and John David Washington. Of those who received two nominations Lebron James, Janelle Monae, Toni Bracton, Koryn Hawthroen, Tori Kelly, Rupaul, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett-Smith's "Red Table," Russell Hornsby, Winston Duke and Trevor Noah were among them.

"I'm nominated for best supporting actress for ‘Greenleaf'," said Golden Globe nominated Lynn Whitfield-Green during the red carpet arrivals. "And I am part of the cast of Nappily Ever After. This is Tracey Bing who produced the film and it's nominated for best Independent Feature Film. I'm just honored to be involved in two projects honored by the NAACP...it's exciting."

Tracey Bing added about Nappily Ever After nominations, "And best actress (Sanaa Lathan)." When I asked her about casting the iconic Lynn Whitfield Bing she said, "We always wanted Lynn to play the role of Paulette so it's a dream come true and we're so happy to be here and so honored to be nominated for two awards....it's incredible."

The 50th NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon was held to put the spotlight on "all" nominees with food, fellowship and entertainment, before the winners are announced live on March 30th on TV One.

In closing my coverage of the red carpet arrivals for the NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon co-host Sheryl Lynn Ralph wanted to tell you that she is, "So excited, because I want everyone to tune in Thursday nights at 9:30 for my new series ‘Fam' on CBS and my new Podcast ‘Diva Defined,' enriching and enlightening entertaining conversations with some of your favorite people. I need you to listen, download and subscribe." www.NAACPImageAwards.net 

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (November/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

March 22, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment: Rev. Stef & Jubilation Celebrate 20 Years with Gala and Single Release / Jazz Funk Soul's ‘Life & Times' Project Soars

"It's the first single He let me write since my stroke," said Rev. Dr. Stefanie R. Minatee, giving God the credit for bringing her back from a stroke that left her in bed for almost a year. The single she is referring to is titled "It's All About You," recorded and released to mark 20 years of being the founder and artistic director of the Grammy Award winning Jubilation Gospel Choir of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). "I have been in music since I was a young girl. I grew up in Mt. Zion, Sara Vaughn's church. I joined First Baptist Church, where Queen Latifah was at. He (the Pastor) allowed me to direct the adult choir."

And as they say, ‘The rest is history." Minatee earned a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance/Music Education from Kean University and a Masters and Doctorate in Theology from Drew University. In 2002 she was ordained a minister. It was also in 2002 that she performed with the Jubilation Choir during the iconic Ray Charles' tour of Japan.

However, before that collaboration with Ray, Dr. Stef Minatee was approached by the CEO of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Larry Goldman, and her uncle Councilman and Civil Rights Activist Donald K. Tucker to create a choir for NJPAC. She took on the task that currently boasts over 300 members in over 25 different cities, of which Queen Latifah's mother Rita was a "charter" member. The choir, called Rev. Dr. Stef and Jubilation, was featured on Queen Latifah's album "Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration," which received a Grammy Award win.

"My uncle was Councilman and they were building an arts center," she recalled for me. "My uncle spoke to me about doing some work. He said, ‘whatever you can do to help.' So I worked after school with the choir."

Dr. Minatee has served over 30 years teaching music education in New Jersey's public schools. She also serves as minister at the Community Baptist Church in Englewood, NJ. The Jubilation Gospel Choir offers music scholarships and has collaborated with Gospel as well as secular artists, such as Hip-Hop artist Queen Latifah.

When I asked how she was able to get the Hip-Hop Queen to collaborate with her, Rev. Dr. Stef said, "Dana, also known as Queen Latifah, was a member of the first Baptist Church. I asked her if she new any Gospel songs, She said she knew only one....I called her up to sing the one Gospel song she knew, a Harkins song, and the rest is history."

That is true. Who knew iconic Rapper Queen Latifah had a voice like an angel! From there Queen not only started singing, she released a full album. Aside from being featured on the Queen Latifah's project, Rev. Dr. Stef and Jubilation sang with her on the single "Spirit" at the US Tennis Opening. They have also collaborated with Shirley Caesar, Isaac Hayes, Dionne Warwick and Kenny Logins. Rev. Dr. Stef and Jubilation, which has released six albums, has also performed on stage with Albertina Walker, Kurt Curr and Donnie McClukin.

"(Spreading the Gospel) It's needed," Rev. Dr. Stef said about acknowledging the power of God. When we were talking about her stroke, which started with a headache and ended with her not being able to move, she said, "God saved my life. I'm so grateful He allowed me to live. All I can do is spread the word."
Rev. Dr. Stef and Jubilation is doing that, not only with the released of a new single "It's All About You," but they will be hosting a 20th Anniversary Gala June, 22, 2019 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. www.JubilationChoir.org 

The latest project of the trio Jazz Funk Soul titled "Life and Times" (Shanachie) soars on the wings provided by Grammy Award winning Jeff Lorber on piano/keyboards, Grammy nominated Everette Harp on sax and new comer Grammy nominated Paul Jackson, Jr. on lead/rhythm guitar. The project is dedicated to the memory of the Jazz Funk Soul founder multi-Grammy Award winning guitarist Chuck Loeb. Loeb, Harp and Lorber toured so much together they decided to form a group in 2014. "Life and Times" is the trio's third album release together and their first without Chuck. "Life and Times" also features on the album David Mann on sax, Michael White and Gary Novak on drums, Alex Al and Rickey Minor on bass and Lenny Castro on percussion.

Jeff Lorber is also a producer who has worked for such iconic musicians as Dave Koz and Kenny G. He has his own band, Jeff Lorber Fusion, which scored a Grammy Award win for their 2014 album "Prototype." Everette Harp's unique saxophone playing combines Jazz, R&B, Funk and Pop. He has collaborated with such living legends as Chaka Khan, Anita Baker and Patti LaBelle. His most recent solo album is titled "First Love." Paul Jackson, Jr. is a living legend who has recorded with such mega icons as Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. His unique style of playing the guitar is also heard on the soundtracks of many movies, such as "Zootopia."

My favorite cuts from the "Life and Times" Shanachie Entertainment release include the first single #4 "Windfall," written by Jeff Lorber, because I could actually feel the wind thanks to Everette's sax playing and Paul's guitar, which was regulating the wind's temperature, as Jeff's key playing made it all dance until the end. The title track "Life and Times", written by Lorber and Harp, is another favorite of mine because it's one of those highway driving kind-of-song. The Lorber and Jackson, Jr. written song, #7, "Sunset Rock" stands out for me because it's piano driven and it made me want to rock until the end. Everette's sax on "Sunset Rock" was dancing in the background while Paul's guitar Rock-n-Rolled its Blues/Jazz rhythm all the way to the end. The Lorber and Harp written "Room W Vu" is the last of my favorites, though the whole album is smooth. On "Room W Vu" the playing sounded like the instruments were singing sweetly together and I could almost hear the lyrics. www.Shanachie.com 

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (November/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

March 29, 2019

The Pulse of Entertainment: Baltimore's ‘Rambling Rose' Celebrates Over 60 Years in Entertainment / Norman Brown's ‘The Highest Act of Love' Album is Charming

"It's been over 60 years working with singers. I have a keen ear for notes," said Baltimore's living legend Rosa "Rambling Rose" Pryor-Trusty about her humble beginnings in entertainment, which started as an R&B singer. Her presence at Baltimore's night-clubs developed into a huge following and fan/base. It was that following that prompted the publisher of The Baltimore Times, Joy Bramble, to reach out to her to help develop the newspapers' entertainment section. "Joy found me at the Sphinx Club. I would write about them - the clubs, bars, restaurants...they gave me cash for ads. I had 3 and 4 pages. I surprised myself. I just started asking."

Rosa took the job and called her entertainment section "Rambling Rose," which also appears in the Afro Newspaper today as a syndicated entertainment column. She also wrote for the Baltimore Magazine for a year under the heading "Buzz N' Around Baltimore Magazine." Rosa received the nickname "Rambling Rose" from legendary singer/songwriter Nate King Cole.

When explaining how Nate King Cole gave her the nickname "Rambling Rose" Rosa said, "I love hanging. I wouldn't stay still. We had no cell phones. The band would be talking to each other and I couldn't stand it, being in doors. So I'd leave to go to another bar and be checking out bands. One day Nate King Cole said to me, ‘You a rambling girl,' and then he wrote a song about it."

Rosa is a self taught piano and sax player. She started as a singer in a band she founded called Little Johnny and the Twilights, but because of throat problems she had to give up singing and decided to manage others singers. She wrote and produced for the group a song called "Thanks Mr. DJ" (Decade Records). Her group was managed by Paul "Fat Daddy" Johnson and Rockin' Robin, who were high-profile radio personalities at the time. The "Thanks Mr. DJ" song was about them. Her group performed as opening act for The Shirrelles, The Chantels, Nate King Cole, Jimi Hendrix and Sam Cooke - to name a few. Her trademark, the red rose, is because her favorite color is red and she would perform in red exotic and sexy gowns giving out red roses.

"Rambling Rose" received her Entertainment License to book talent world-wide in 1967 for her company Rosa Pryor Productions. Acts that she has managed include First Class, The SoftTones, Nikki Cooper and Mickey Fields - to name a few. She also managed several clubs, such as Club Casino owned by Little Willie Adams and the Elgin Lounge. Today Rosa manages three acts - two from Baltimore and one from Washington DC. She was also a dancer who won multiple awards for her skills. "Rambling Rose" founded the Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Fund (1991-2016), which offered scholarships to children for their artistic development and she has published two editions of picture books about the history of the entertainment environment in Baltimore titled "African American Entertainment In Baltimore" (2003) and "African-American Community, History & Entertainment in Maryland" (2013). The books are so popular they are used in schools and colleges.

"I never thought my life would be in music," Rosa said. "I grew up in a house with music. Someone gave my father a piano and I taught myself how to play and write music. I look at it as being normal. I received three awards for dancing. I've come to the conclusion it's a gift. I have 27 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and non have ever been in entertainment. No cousins, no one."

Aside from managing her groups and hosting events of her own, "Rambling Rose" supports local community events to provide advice to young upcoming artists. She will be speaking at the 20th "Uplifting Minds II" entertainment conference Saturday, April 20, 2019 from 1 - pm at Security Square Mall, which is offering a panel discussion on the business of entertainment and a stage to showcase young talented singers, songwriters, dancers and actors.  www.Rambling-Rose.com 

It's so nice to hear the signature sound of Grammy Award winning guitarist Norman Brown again on his newest album release, a Smooth Jazz/Spiritual project, titled "The Highest Act of Love" (Shanachie Entertainment). Brown gives us a charming project we can cherish. "The Highest Act of Love" features assistance from Deniece Williams on a remake of her song "Free," saxophonist Kim Waters on "Peace of Mind" and guitarist Paul Brown on "Inside the Garden of Peace and Love."

"The Egyptian spiritual system is based on the ‘highest act of love,'" Norman explained about the meaning of the projects' titled. That "act" is to achieve the purpose God has for you.

My Christian spirituality equates that to God "ordering my footsteps." When I do that, I've noticed no one seems to understand. When you fulfill your purpose maybe sometimes people won't understand that either. Norman tries to make it simple for you, by example. The ease of how he plays is nothing but natural and divinely ordered, a skill some may not understand.

"The Highest Act of Love" is executive produced by Norman and Daniel Weiss. The project also features Emanuel Wells, Roberto Vally and Tres Gilbert on bass, Lew Laing, Phil Davis, Chris "Big Dog" Davis on keyboard, and Gordan Campbell on drums. Producers include Paul Brown, Big Dog, Phil Davis and Kim Waters.

My favorite tracks on this charming project includes #1 "Inside the Garden of Peace and Love," featuring Paul Brown accompanying Norman on guitar, because it gives me visions of a long winding road with two guitars dancing perfectly together. I like #2 "The King is Here" because it offers that signature Norman Brown guitar playing sound that always makes me rock. The title song #5 "The Highest Act of Love" because its simplicity makes it perfect. The beat and the strings on #6 "Don't Make Me Wait" offers a charming Smooth Jazz feel. I like the cover of "Free," featuring four-time Grammy Award winning Deniece Williams, because together they offer a sweet musical combination. Last, though I must say the whole album is good enough to listen to over and over again from beginning to end, is #9 "Peace of Mind" featuring saxophonist Kim Waters, because the fairytale flavor that Waters bring somehow matches perfectly with Norman Browns' playing as he makes the keys flip. www.NormanBrown.com www.Shanachie.com 

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: "Uplifting Minds II," a Free Entertainment Conference held annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019), in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (November/TBD). Offering an Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes for each category.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.