'Classique' Will Downing to drop another winner on Peak Records
By Eunice Moseley

"It's not all my doing. I think that God is arranging (things)," said R&B's baritone singing sensation Will Downing about his long career in the music business.

That start in the business for Will started when he would work on the albums for Jennifer Holiday, Kool & the Gang, Gerald Albright, Regina Belle and Billy Ocean in the mid-80s. He later signed with 4th & Broadway, then Island Records and ended up at Mercury Records. It was at Mercury that he recorded four albums "Love's the place to be," in 1993; "Moods" in 1995, "Invitation Only" in 1997, and in 2000 he received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional R&B Album for ""All the Man You Need."

Now at Peak Records Will Downing will release "Classique" a collection of original and cover classic songs. Downing beautifully covers Barry White's 1973 hit "I'm gonna love you just a little more baby;" David Ruffin's 1976 hit "Stature of a fool," and Marvin Gaye's "Baby I'm for real," which features the tenor vocals of Phil Perry.

"Not that I have anything against artists and what they are doing, but it doesn't last," Will said about the meaning of the CD, "Classique" which is classic in French. "The music I grew up with are classic songs (now)...their stuff is lasting."

"Classique" (Peak Records/Concord Music Group) will be in stores June 16, 2009 and marks his 20th anniversary as a recording artist. Aside from those covers songs mentioned some of my other favorites on the album include the foot tapping "More time (Tic Toc)," "Just think about it" and "I won't stop," which is sure to be a classic love song. Will received production help from his long time friend Rex Rideout.

For more on the CD log onto his website at www.willdowning.com.

Former Def Jam executive announces new label and CD release, 'Bishop Eddie Long and friends'

With just his love for music former Def Jam executive, James Jones, formed Ultimate Entertainment and released his first CD project "Bishop Eddie Long and Friends: The Kingdom Vol. 1 Featuring GW." The album includes selections by Mary Mary, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Tye Tribbett, as well as the Bishop and the choir GW.
"I think people get frustrate with big labels," James said about why he started the indie label and choose to sign Bishop Eddie Long. "I worked with the best and for this I wanted the best."

The best is certainly what you will find with multi-award winning Gospel duo Mary Mary on "Give God Something;" Gospel sensation and a member of The Clark Sisters, Dorinda Clark-Cole, on "Wrapped up in you," and contemporary hit-man Tye Tribbett on "Down with the King."

"(Bishop Eddie Long) He has a three CD deal," Jones pointed out. "The first volume is with his (Gospel) friends, the second will be recorded live with Kirk Franklin, and the third his secular friends Sheila E, Fantasta and T.I."

James said one of the things he likes about Bishop Long is that he relates to the youth, his style and his preaching.

"I went to a service and there was T.I. and Bow Wow," James stressed.
Ultimate Entertainment is distributed by E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The first single off the "Bishop Eddie Long and Friends..." CD is "Righteous Forsaken."

For more information on Bishop Long log onto www.bishoplongthekingdom.com or for more about the label and the new CD log onto www.ultimateentertainment.net.