NEWS Platinum selling Najee shows another side on new Shanachie project, ‘The Smooth Side of Soul' By Eunice Moseley       "It was time," said multi-wind instrumentalist Najee about his newest album, "The Smooth Side of Soul," on the Shanachie imprint. "I wanted to find a different direction."    Najee - who plays multiple wind instruments that include tenor and alto saxophones, and the flute - is known as a Contemporary Smooth Jazz artist. Najee's career, which includes 10 albums, has garnered two platinum and four gold selling projects. On this new CD Najee gets a little choppy with his Smooth Jazz skills and really goes off on the flute.    "The Smooth Side of Soul," features Phil Perry, Chris "Big Dog" Davis (songwriter and producer), Jeff Lorber (keyboardist and producer) and James Lloyd (piano). One selection, that's one of my favorites on the CD, "Just To Fall In Love," has an accompanying music video that features Phil, Vanessa Bell Calloway and N'Dambi. The "Just To Fall In Love" song is a favorite of mine because Najee totally takes off on the flute. I also find myself playing over and over again "Dis N' Dat," a finger-snapping, toe-tapping number that was co-written by Will Downing, Phil and Big Dog, and the "Mari" cut has Najee's flute skills evoking images of me enjoying myself on a sail boat...Read the full February, 3 2012 column...> Grammy and Emmy winning Soweto Gospel Choir launch North American tour By Eunice Moseley      "We normally tour America every two years because it has such a demand," said Beverly Bryer executive director/co-creator and producer of the Soweto Gospel Choir. "America is our favorite place to visit. Americans respond to us."    The 26 member South African Gospel choir has garnered two Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award and an Oscar nomination. The Soweto Gospel Choir tour will visit the U.S. and Canada from January - April, 2012 - a total of 43 cities. The proceeds from the tour will go to their charity, Nkosi's Haven/Vukani, which fights AIDS.    "Most don't read music...but...its part of the culture," Bryer said about the unbelievable skills of the choir members. "...A Contemporary (Gospel) group...in the townships they get American music and other music. We brought in a couple that was dancers and in a year everyone was dancing...natural talent, and it don't stop after the show."    The American Gospel Music Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir will also be seen in the new Pepsi commercial with Keri Hilton and Akon. ....Read the full February 3, 2012 column...>

NEWS   The 43rd NAACP Image Awards to honor Radio One/TV One Founder and President Cathy Hughes February 17, 2012 on NBC (Los Angeles, CA) - TV One Founder and President Cathy Hughes will receive the NAACP Chairman's Award during the 43rd NAACP Image Awards, to be broadcast live on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. EST on NBC.  _________________________________ Multi-Grammy Award winning Bebe Winans set to release new project, 'America America'  (New York, NY) - Legendary multi-Grammy Award winning Bebe Winans is set to release a new project in 2012 that he hopes will inspire unity, and restore much needed pride in the nation, titled "America America." The project is an uplifting new collection of patriotic songs and a celebration of the heritage and history that we all share. In addition to nine songs that honor our nation and are works in the public domain, Winans has penned three new original songs - "America America"  the first single, "We're the United States of America," and the poignant "Ultimate Sacrifice."

"VIDEO OF THE WEEK" Highlighting the Queen of Hip-Hop, Mary J. Blige, original song "The Living Proof," for lack of an Oscar nomination. The song, featured on the soundtrack of the film The Help (which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Leading and Supporting Actress) is the movies' theme song. Watch the official music video below! Eunice Moseley Create Your Badge

SPOTLIGHT of THE WEEK "NEENAH TAYLOR" (Los Angeles, CA) - Pop/Soul singer and actress Neenah Taylor performs as opening act for Roshon Fegan of Disney's "So Random" at the Girl Scouts' B.I.G. Expo in Palms Spring, California. Taylor is also currently in the studio preparing for her debut self-titled album release. The B.I.G. (Believe In Girls) Expo was presented by the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio and the entertainment portion of the event was produced by MoHo Productions. The B.I.G. Expo is designed to help girls learn important skills such as business ethics, banking, marketing and customer service through interactive sessions. Roshon is a winner of the Los Angeles "Uplifting Minds II" national talent competition, as well as Neenah - a winner of the Baltimore competition - an event that list RCA Records' Miguel as a former winner. Fegan currently appears on Disney's "So Random." Currently busy in the studio recording for her debut self-titled album, Neenah's originals have already been included on soundtracks of upcoming movie releases. Two of her songs were placed - "Don't Run Away" on the Imagination film Gabe The Cupid Dog soundtrack (hear the single at http://soundcloud.com/craig-raymo/dont-run-away-featured-in-the) and "Stupid" on the soundtrack for the feature film My Dogs Christmas Miracle, which stars Brenda Song, Greg Evigan and Cynthia Gibb. Recently the singer/songwriter performed with her band (Stewart Jean on drums, Mike Mennell on bass, Bob Emmet on keyboards, and Matt Waldrum on guitar) at the Sherman Oaks Festival in Los Angeles (http://youtu.be/nMH7PsrM-GI). At 16 years-old Neenah Taylor's voice garnered her awards at such prestigious competitions as the Atlantic Records Showcase and the "Uplifting Minds II" national talent competition. Her vocals have earned her opening act for such high-profile artists as Trey Songz and Angie Stone. Also an actress/model Neenah Taylor has appeared in commercials for Chrysler and Apple Computer, co-stars with Image Award winning actor Kadeem Hardison in the feature film Sister Switch and appeared in the movie Invisible Man. Neenah has also starred in musical stage-plays such as "The Wiz" and "It's Not About You." As a model Neenah has appeared in print ads for the U.S. Postal Service and National Geographic Education. For more information on Neenah Taylor call Freelance Associates at 562-424-3836 or Mallia Music Group at 310-721-4922.