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 Natalie ‘Floacist' Stewart comes back to her poetic roots with the new CD release, ‘Floetic Soul'
By Eunice Moseley
As I was listening to the new CD of Natalie "Floacist"
Stewart, "Floetic Soul," I was taken back in time when clubs where full of poets doing their spoken word thing in
a delivery manner that made the audience just as excited as any other act. Well, with this highly anticipated solo project
of the seven time Grammy nominated former Floetry member, you get both poetic spoken word with the supported of Floacist's
beautiful voice.
"I understand the audience and response of
the audience, "Floacist said about her delivery and performing in general.
On the "Floetic Soul" album
her, though spoken word, her delivery changes with each selection: some sultry, some funky and some a bit jazzy. Joining Floacist
on the "Floetic Soul" project is Music Soulchild, Raheem DeVaughn and Lalah Hathaway.
"I absolutely
adore all three," Floacist said about her featured guest artists. "I adore...what they stand for...what they choose
to sing."
It just so happens that included in some of my favorite cuts on the CD are those featuring
theses artists. Musiq Soulchild assist her on "Forever," the first single off the CD; Lalah Hathaway's hot jazzy
moaning in the background on "Come Over;" Raheem DeVaughn on "Keep It Going," with its slight Jazz flavor;
"What R U Looking 4" for its impressive piano support, and "Alright Then" because I get to hear her beautiful
voice a bit more in this one, the horn support and the Jazz feel are impressive as well.
"(Floetry) was
a large journey of identifying and understanding," London native Floacist said about the ending of the duo Floetry -
which she co-founded with partner Marsha Ambrosias. "I was manager, PR, travel agent, etc..."
Now
managed by her husband, who in the beginning was the motivation for her to take her poetry to the stage (which is where she
met Marsha), Floacist is going solo with the release of "Floetic Soul." I feel not only will she be setting the
tone to revitalize the spoken word genre, but releasing a strictly spoken word project by such a successful artist is almost
trend setting.
Ava DuVernay directed film, I Will Follow, premieres at the historic The Egyptian Theater
 I was invited to cover PR guru - turned film producer/director - Ava DuVernay's (My Mic Sounds Nice) film, I Will Follow,
red carpet movie premiere and screening during the AFI Film Festival presentation at the historic The Egyptian Theatre. At
the end of the night I walked away so proud of her. Not only did all the cast members come to support her night, but by the
tears of joy in Ava's eyes, I can see she was quite surprised at the turn out for the movie screening. This true-life story is about the death of a mother, played by Beverly Todd (Crash),
who was the center of her niece's life, played by Salli Richardson (I Am Legend). Pledged with jealousy about that relationship,
the daughter, played by Michole White (She Hates Me), finds it hard knowing she never said good-bye - because she refused
to help tend to her mother.
Richardson's character, while dealing with packing up her aunt's possessions, is working
through her own personally problems - a husband (Blair Underwood) she left a year ago to come tend to the aunt and a budding
relationship with a local played by Omari Hardwick ("Dark Blue"). I Will Follow also stars Tracie Thoms ("Rent"),
Dijon Talton ("Glee"), and Damone Roberts (Essence). "I
had such a great cast," Ava DuVernay pointed out to me. When asked about any challenges the film brought as director
she said, "I think the budget. We had a very low budget and not as much time as we'd like. Next time we'll have more
cash." I Will Follow is an awesome film, simply award winning
material. It was deep, something every family goes through (even me with the death of my husband). It made me think, reflect,
laugh and cry. Great storyline, awesome script, great acting and directing - bravo! (Photo: Omari Hardwick, Salli Richardson,
director Ava DuVernay, Blair Underwood, and Beverly Todd)
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