AKUA TAYLOR

 

 

“Akua” means precious messenger and is a name given to girls born on Wednesday in Ghana, West Africa.  Akua Taylor was born in Milwaukee, WI and was raised with Midwest values: She is opinionated, outspoken and regal. 

Akua is the daughter of retired news anchorman Bill Taylor.  Before reporting for almost 30 years at WTMJ4, Bill Taylor was a disk jockey.  He had a basement full of classic soul records, a sound system to match, and frequent get-togethers that were legendary.  Bill instilled the love of music in his children - the fundamentals of which stuck with Akua. 

Classically trained in piano and vocally rooted in choral music, Akua set her sights on Fisk University in Nashville, TN to be one of the world’s renowned Jubilee Singers.  Not only did she sing with the group, but she also reigned as Miss Fisk University 2004-2005. 

Between classes, Akua wrote, recorded and produced her first album “Reach Higher,” selling it out of her dorm room, bookstores and everywhere she traveled.  She promoted independent music on her campus radio show and performed regularly with area bands.  Upon graduating Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Akua recorded her EP “Just Tryin’ to Live,” and moved to New York to pursue her music and acting career full time.   

It officially began for Akua at the Food 4 Thought Café in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.  She sang at a “Liberation Friday” open-mic night and was enthusiastically embraced by the community.  She has since performed at AIDS Walk 2008 in Central Park, and has opened for Emily King, Brand Nubian and M1 of Dead Prez. 

Precious Messenger Productions - an appropriate name for her company - houses all creations of the singer, actress, dancer, songwriter, playwright, composer and motivational speaker.    

People say she is refreshing, a breath of fresh air because she embodies manners that seem almost extinct with today’s youth.  Many are amazed to see a young lady embrace her African culture so earnestly.  Akua says, “I wear my heritage like it’s going out of style; it’s up to us to keep who we are alive.”

For information on this artist, or to hear her music, visit www.myspace.com/akuataylor and www.akuataylor.com

JOE DROPS “NEW MAN” 9/23/08

Seven-time Grammy Award nominated R&B legend, Joe, is back. The multi-platinum selling crooner is set to release his seventh album, Joe Thomas, New Man on September 23 on Kedar Entertainment Group/563 Entertainment.

Over the course of Joe’s 15-year career, he has released nine top-ten singles on Billboard and R&B charts.  His new single, “E.R. (Emergency Room),” is already shooting up the charts.
Hana speaks candidly with Joe about his career journey.

Q) How do you marry the right music to the right lyrics?
A) I go with a feeling… a vibe.  Executive decisions usually determine which records get pushed. I definitely write my records and a lot of it comes from within.  It’s also about having the right team; I went from a major label to an indie, and picked an impeccable team.

Q) What’s your most successful album to date?
A) Success for me is having an album that’s so good, the fans are eager for the next one – such as was the case with my first album, Everything.

Q) You incorporated hip hop into your 2007 album Aint Nothin Like Me unlike past projects. Why?
A) The rap world has been a part of my whole life. I was a fan of Erik B and Rakim. People like Nas wouldn’t be on a record unless he could feel the essence of what I was doing.  It was a pleasure working with all the artists that came to the table to be apart of this project; there was a respect there that only exists with a certain caliber.

Q) As an R&B artist, what’s your opinion of what an ideal woman is, and what’s your opinion of what a man should be to that woman?
A) It’s a lot of things: I look at my family, how we were raised, how difficult things were. I respect someone who can look at my story and be inspired, and know that my life is incredible and respect my grind. I hustled, took the back seat at times when I should have rode the front. I respect women who can see what the end result will be.
A man’s role to that woman is to provide security, be reliable and trustworthy. A woman doesn’t want a thug, but she doesn’t want a punk either.

Q) For all the romantics out there, what’s your current relationship status?
A) I’m solo, taking my time with life and taking things as they come. If it’s right, then it’s right.

Q) What are your upcoming projects?
A) Aside from the new album releasing September 23rd, I just signed my family to a gospel album scheduled for release next year.

Q) All artists have a signature sound and style. What’s yours?
A) I’m classic. It’s about making something that will last for a long time, and that young and old folks can listen to. It’s important that people get a feel for who I am, so I keep it as honest as possible – and show respect. You can be nice and cool at the same time; you don’t have to be one of these artists that get into the industry and act like they’re too good to talk to people. Treat people the way you want to be treated, that’s the golden rule.

 

Hana G. for Connex List 2008

HE’S BACK!

Producer, singer and songwriter Tomás Doncker, otherwise known as the pioneer of Groovy Sex Music made a come back with his new album “Inside Out,” on July 15th @ cdbaby.com and itunes.com. The album – under construction for the past year – embodies an eclectic blend of blues, soul and pop. Doncker is sexy, soulful and original; his groovy sex music is for everybody, but sophisticated audiences appreciate him most.

Doncker cut his teeth hanging out in New York’s downtown, fertile punk-funk explosion of the 1980′s but after spending some time out of the loop and after seeing him perform, you’d have to agree that he’s back, bigger and better than before!

Although Doncker and his band are independent artists, they represent the echelon of New York’s elite musicians, specializing in songs about relationships among friends, family and lovers.

Alongside Doncker are his vocalists, acoustic-soul and pop-diva, “Morley” and the legendary New York City songwriter, “Chocolate Genius.” Steven Bernstein of Sex Mob [nominated for a Grammy in February, 2007] plays the trumpet. Daniel Sedownick handles percussion, and Booker King tames the bass.

The Hollins Steele Factory production team and Ethan Ryman of the Garden of Ethan Studios of Brooklyn, NY produced the album along with Executive Producer, Russell Cooper.

Doncker, who wrote seven of the nine songs on his album [two being re-makes of Sadé's "Somebody Already Broke My Heart" and Cat Stephens' "Peace Train"] are reflective of his life: Track number one kicks off the album with “Faith and Trust.” The song was born out of the deep depression Doncker experienced over the death of his mother – a period in which he was homeless and unable to move forward. He feels blessed to have graduated from this circumstance unscathed, realizing that the friendships he cultivated were like family: “People may not be your flesh and blood but they’ll treat you like you’re ‘one’ and provide that crutch.”

Although Doncker’s temporary brush with depression transformed him, much has still changed since his hay day in the ’80′s with such artists like Madonna, Jean Michel Basquiat, Bootsy Collins and Yoko Ono for companions and co-workers: “I have found that time and experience have shaped me into the passionate artist I am today and although some experiences were difficult, I wouldn’t trade the lessons for the world.”

The response to his music has been, “…Overwhelmingly positive,” he says. “People are comparing me to Robin Thicke, who I think has the best album of the year!”

Doncker is currently wrapping up production for his new album, “The Mercy Suite” with Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Yesef Komunyaka. “The album is about love, relationships and war and features guest appearances by Chocolate Genius, Morley and Corey Glover,” says Doncker.

Currently residing in Brooklyn, New York, Doncker records and performs with his band and is finishing his highly anticipated acoustic/soul album. It will be co-produced by Ethan Ryman (Garden of Ethan Studios) and the Hollins Steele production team once again.

Speaking of band performances, Doncker and his band are incredible live performers, which means a lot considering this technically-inspired music age we live in: At the Voyage Restaurant and Lounge on September 18th, the bass player guided the performance with such ease and rhythmic calm, that a lock-jawed pit bull could relax. The percussionist contributed a Mediterranean element to the performance and the lovely backup singer Morley, was a pleasant reminder of the performance’s vocal and physical beauty, which balanced the over-all act. Last but not least, Doncker was the glue that held the performance together with his soothing guitar playing and milky, silky voice; he contributed the sexy element in which his groovy, sexy reputation is based. His lyrics and the band’s performance quality were so engaging that any audience would be subdued.

Tomás Doncker on his music: “It’s blues music about emotions; it’s best to create music about things you’ve seen.” The artists he admires are, “…people who are fearless in their commitment to their craft despite the industry limitations.”

He gives special thanks to his band and his guitar endorsers R.Roco Strings, Aslindane and Blueride/Regal Guitars.