Sam Bostic September 29, 2009

Sam Bostic - Soul Supreme: The Eclectic Collection

Does the name Tracy ring a bell? Maybe Sam Bostic sounds more familiar to you? As the lead singer and founder of the acclaimed `90s Oakland, CA based trio Art N’ Soul, he was featured on the Billboard Top 20 hit single “Ever Since You Went Away” (on Big Beat/Atlantic Records). The 2008 Bay Area Music Award winner for (Best Neo Soul Performer) writer/platinum producer and the infamous creator of mob music, he has been at the helm of several Bay Area hip hop tracks including E-40’s hits “Sprinkle Me” and “Dusted & Disgusted” from the platinum “In A Major Way,” “Heavy in the Game” from 2-Pac’s double-platinum selling “Me Against the World” CD, as well as “Come On” from Master P’s multi-platinum “I’m Bout It” soundtrack.

Baptized in the soul of the masters that came before him, Sam is ready to step onto the scene again releasing his solo debut CD, Soul Supreme: The Eclectic Collection, under his independently owned and operated House of Soul Recordings L.L.C imprint. Describing the vibe, Sam states, “We’ve heard all the so-called off springs of soul...Neo Soul, Contemporary Soul, etc. On this record, I wanted to capture the vibe and textures of authentic Soul – Philly Soul, Stax and Memphis soul, yet still making it commercially valuable in todays market. My goal was to keep the record lean with 12 quality songs from start to finish, absolutely no filler or fluff.”

Leading off the “Soul Supreme” set is the sexy tale of a love gone bad “Take Our Time” feat. The Jacka. The single is currently receiving spins @ KBLX and KMEL San Francisco, CA, KJLH - Los Angeles, CA, KIIZ-Waco- TX, KKST- Alexandria- LA, WZHT- Montgomery, AL, R Dubs Syndicated Sunday Night Slow Jams as well as peaking on Billboard at # 2 position on the Hot R&B/ Hip Hop Singles Sales and #13 on the Hot Singles Sales chart. Another fine piece of work is the mesmerizing throwback “Zodiac Sign” for which Raphael Saadiq contributed to the hook. Also, there’s the hope filled hood anthem, “Get Away” feat. the Bay Area Ambassador E- 40, an exploration of a young hustlas journey to make it out of the ghetto, away from the grime of the streets, and the lush “This is your song” which weds creamy falsetto crooning…ala Curtis Mayfield, along with a classic Benjamin Wright Jr. string arrangement. “I’m staying away from microwave music,” Sam promises. “You know, the kind that’s poured into a cup, stirred and heated up to be good for about six weeks. I want to make music that will still be here 100 years from now”.

Raised up from the Richmond, CA bootstraps, where true pimps and playas adorned almost every street corner, young Sam, was first influenced by his father, William Bostic, the lead singer of several groups that played the Bay Area to L.A. club circuit, most notably the Western Union Band. Sam actually taught himself to play several instruments left behind after band rehearsals held in his fathers basement. Though he was warned not to mess with the costly equipment, once everyone was out of sight, his grandmother gave him the green light to carefully “get his learn on.” Sam happily strapped on a Fender Jazz bass, followed by other axes, and proceeded to perfect his chops emulating the grooves and licks of old school favorites such as Sly & The Family Stone and Earth, Wind & Fire. Recognizing game, his father invited a then 9- year old Sam to get on the mic during another band rehearsal. When he stomped a mud hole through the Ohio Players’ funk staple “Skin Tight,” dad put young blood front and center for local talent shows and TV tapings. The funkadelic dye was cast. He was a music junky pure and simple and the energy from a crowd was his fix.

Since that time, Sam has immersed himself into the full 360 degrees of the music making process. As a member of Art N’ Soul, Sam impressed Tony Toni Tone’ member Timothy Christian Riley enough that he produced the trio’s debut album.

While Art N’ Soul is still very much in tact, the group is currently on a temporary hiatus. So Sam has been flexing his solo skills. Just prior to waxing Soul Supreme, Sam landed a slot with his Bluesy/Soulful track “1 More Try” in the 2003 Martin Lawrence film, “National Security.” The song was nicely featured during a scene where Martin was frisking and cuffing a butter scotch toned foxy culprit. And now that his album is complete, Sam has taken his package out on the road to give people a show and win the respect of audiences worldwide. He has opened for Emily King@ Kevin Brown’s Anniversary Party for KBLX, Con Funk Shun and Patti Labelle @WDKX Musicfest Rochester N.Y, Jon B, Raheem DeVaughn and more. Longtime fans may even expect to see members of Art N’ Soul among his backline. Sam has also via his House of Soul Recordings L.L.C imprint, inked licensing deals in the U.K. and Japan and is currently enjoying success in both territories with his “Soul Supreme” set.

“This is like my child,” Sam concludes of Soul Supreme: The Eclectic Collection, which he recorded at his own Retro Room Studios in the Bay Area and mixed in Los Angeles. “I’ve been developing this body of work for a while now. It was the truth… from the very birth of the record. “This thing I’m doing, it’s not about big name bling, bling or smoke and mirrors. I wrote, produced and played mostly all of the instruments myself. I wanted to keep it raw and un-cut so I went in the studio, lit some candles and incense, and kept things intimate and spontaneous. “I would sit quietly in the room, and let the music speak to me, just allowing the magic to happen.”



American Idol 2004 finalist Donnie Williams is looking to make his presence felt on today’s Contemporary Urban Music Scene with his first CD for Chump Change Records which features an incredible collection of R&B, Soul, Rap and Gospel combined with tender love songs. This new release, produced by R&B, Pop and Jazz music veteran’s Paul Tillman Smith, Nelson Braxton and Norman Connors, features the best of the Bay Area’s top recording artists along with guest vocals by American Idol 2004 finalist Latoya London who is on two tracks. The CD also features lead vocals by Donnie’s sister Terrell Williams. plus a special cameo performance by Bonnie Boyer from Prince.

Guest musicians include Mariah Carey and Jessica Simpson’s musical directors Eric Daniels and Herman Jackson, veteran keyboardist Rodney Franklin from Stevie Wonder and the Isley Brothers, Donald Tavie from Lakeside and Kevin Choice from Lorin Hill. Sax man Vince Lars from Toni, Tone, Tony. Guitarist’s Tommy Oregon from Janet Jackson, Wilton Rabb from Larry Graham and Charlie Spikes from the Toni’s just to name a few. Favorite tracks are “Running”, “Used To Be” with vocals by Terrell Williams, Feel So Right” and “Higher Power”. Other favorite tracks are “Splashing,” “Always Be,” and “Just Like Magic” which features Donnie and Latoya singing a duet. The good thing is that listeners have picked every song on this CD as a favorite. This CD is truly a masterpiece and a must for any true contemporary music lover’s collection.

Although Adesha Johnson seems relatively new to the music scene, she really isn’t. Adesha was born into a family of entertainers. Both of her parents were entertainers which sparked their want to name their daughter Adesha, which is Sanskrit for “Voice”.
She was born September 16th, to newlyweds Johnny and Detrina Johnson. Her mother worked as a vocalist, doing most of her work in the San Francisco Bay Area while her father, aside from his military duties, also sang and played guitar.
Although she is from the Bay Area, her strong Southern roots are evident in powerful yet sultry delivery as a vocalist and lyrical expertise. In addition to her being a singer, she is acclaimed as a “lyrical genius”. Combing her voice and lyrics with the musical expertise of keyboardist Allen Ross, bassist Aaron Baugh, and drummer Brian Braziel, core members of her band “Seven”, what you get is an awesome musical experience. If you haven’t heard them, you are truly missing out.
Drawing her greatest inspiration from notable artists such as Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder, one can understand where Adesha’s fusion of New Soul originates. When asked about her influences Adesha responds “I want to be responsible for the revival of music with a message. It’s time to infuse people with soul again”.
About five years ago, Adesha who was a recent college graduate, decided to dedicate her time and energy to performing and creating music. Upon the loss of her late cousin George C. Scott, she began writing reflective songs and thought it would be great to share them with the world. With the help of her friends and family she was able to put together a band of extremely talented and skilled musicians. It was not long after their initial coffee house gigs that they started to get lots of positive attention. One of their listeners hooked them up with a well known performance venue in the Bay Area, Kimball’s East. Their first show there had over 200 guests and upon their return a month later they had over 300 guests. By the end of the year Adesha and Seven performed for the “City of Oakland”, Mayor Willie Brown, Terry McMillan, San Francisco’s Juneteenth Festival, and they opened for vocalist Ledisi, Goapele, and gospel diva Kim Burrell.
With the release of a new project scheduled for release in late 2009, Adesha’s listeners will be presented with music that is relaxing soulful, sultry and smooth. It's a neo-soul/easy listening light/ jazz fusion. She writes music from her soul and express in her lyrics, real life experience about people, relationships and life lessons, we can all relate to. Her words make you think about and appreciate life and the gifts it offer. "Givin’ Love a Try" includes soul,
neo-soul, nu-jazz, and inspirational tracks. Music from this project became the soundtrack for new life experiences which included love and a recent marriage. Her vulnerability and new found openness to emotions is what will keep you wanting more and more.
Adesha and her band Seven can be seen live at venues across the country. “Love” is a multiple thing. It can represent a relationship with God, a Father, or a Friendship. It’s about being able to remove the emotional blocks” says Adesha.

Official Website: http://www.yoshis.com/oakland/jazzclub/artistpopup?showid=855