Singer-songwriter and producer RAHSAAN PATTERSON has released his sixth studio LP Heroes & Gods via Shanachie Entertainment.
The 13-track project features production from Patterson, Jamey Jaz and contributions from Rachelle Ferrell, Joi Gilliam, Lalah Hathaway ("Break It Down"), Trina Broussard and Latoiya Williams ("Rock & Roll"), a cover of Luther Vandross 1981 top 10 R&B hit "Don't You Know That?" and the lead single "Sent from Heaven" which peaked at No. 25 on the Adult R&B Chart.
On the album, Patterson adds:
“I didn’t say to myself that I’m going to take seven years between albums, but it was intentional in that I always allow myself time to live and experience life so that I have something to say when I come back.”
HEROES & GODS ALBUM TRACKLIST
01 Catch Me When I Fall 02 Wonderful Star 03 Silly Love Fool 04 Rock And Roll 05 Break It Down 06 Don’t You Know That 07 Sent From Heaven 08 Wide Awake 09 Soldier 10 Oxford Blues 11 Sweet Memories 12 I Try 13 Heroes & Gods
Our next #IndieArtistSpotlight hails from South Carolina by way of New York City and goes by the name RĀI. RĀI (pronounced Ray), is the breath of fresh air that R&B has been waiting for. Known for bridging elements of traditional R&B with contemporary R&B, RĀI produces smooth, clean, and mesmerizing vocals. 'RnB Junkie Official' had the opportunity to interview this talented, independent artist. RĀI shared details about his musical background, influences, debut album "Love's On The Way," and more. Check out our interview with our #IndieArtistSpotlight RĀI below.
Can you tell us a little about your background and where you’re from?
RĀI: Sure, I am actually from South Carolina. As far as my background musically, I studied music in school and grew up listening to all types of music, but my passion and love is R&B music. I started writing songs years ago and just over the course of the past of two years really committed myself to create what I think is good R&B and Soul music.
For those who aren’t familiar with your music how would you describe your sound?
Rāi: My sound has a lot of feels of traditional R&B with a lot of elements of today’s contemporary R&B. It’s like smooth and cool R&B. That’s probably the best that I can describe it.
You’ve credited Maxwell, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Luther Vandross as your musical inspirations. What was it about those artists that impacted you?
RĀI: That’s a great question. I discovered them at various times in my musical growth and my musical development. Each one of them contributed to sort of my love, passion, and the formulation of how I express music through my words and thoughts. Donny Hathaway from now and until the end of time I will be doing my best to try to replicate his vibrato. It was like perfect! Marvin Gaye was just conscious and aware. He had a sense of being able to musically evolve into a person that was able to connect his music to the struggle and what it meant to be black. He was socially conscious, but he was also smooth, and that’s what I appreciated about Marvin Gaye. Luther Vandross has a beautiful tone. The way he would approach his phrasing and the dynamics is something that I, even without thinking try to replicate. Maxwell has a beautiful falsetto, and he’s creative, artsy, and unique. I may not necessarily sound like them, but I’ve taken from all of them when I create music. I don’t even try to come across it's just what's embedded in me from listening to them for so long.
How important is it to ensure that your production, vocals, and visuals are clean and precise?
RĀI: I think it’s pretty important. I am a person of excellence, so everything I do some people are going to like it, and some people aren’t, but they will at least be able to look it at and see that I put my all into it and that it is of quality. So, I think it is very important when you are presenting yourself. The thing about being an independent artist you have the opportunity to present yourself to the world how you want to be because your independent and you can actually do that, so I think it’s very very important.
You recently released your debut album “Love’s On The Way.” What was the creating process like for you?
RĀI: It took about a year and a half to put the album together. Creatively there were collaborations with various producers, songwriters, many nights of writing, sessions, many days crafting background vocals, arranging background vocals, and writing a lot of the songs. It was a collaborative effort. I can say, a lot of long hours. Creatively I wanted to put together an album that I would be really proud of, and that would like I said before have a familiar feel to it, but because it's traditional kind of R&B, but also fresh and new to the ear.
How much of the album did you write?
RĀI: That’s a good question. I personally wrote 60-65%, where I physically sat down and sort of penned the songs. Some of the songs I have two main songwriters we work together. I would do a verse, and they would do the bridge, or I would do the second verse, and they would do some of the background vocals. So, it was a collaborative effort. Yeah, it’s about 60% I actually sat down and wrote most of the songs myself.
When I listened to ‘How To Love’ from your album I could instantly hear your Maxwell influence come into play, yet still RĀI. How important is it for an artist to be able to be inspired, yet still find their own sound in a sea of influences?
RĀI: I think it is very important because you ultimately are a product of your environment and the things that you take in. The fact that you hear the Maxwell influences is a huge honor, just for you to even say that you could actually hear his influences. You know the way my life experiences, all of those things come into to play in an artist and how they express themselves. I think it is important to find your voice, be true to yourselves, even if you get comparisons to other people. Ultimately you are wanting people to like you and like your music, and to have a long career because people gravitate towards you and like you.
If you could give one piece of advice to fellow independent artists, what would it be?
RĀI: One piece of advice, I would say just to grind. As an independent artist, there is a grind; you have to wear many hats. You are the singer, songwriter; you have to be the main marketing person, the main person advocating for you. You have to grind. It doesn’t stop when you finish recording the album. One piece of advice I say is to invest in the art and craft of creating music, but leave a little something in the bank for the marketing on the other side because that’s also going to be important!
Where can our followers find your music and how can you be reached on social media?
RĀI: Yes, so my music is on all digital platforms iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Tidal. My social media is @RaiMusicWorld, and Rai is spelled R-a-i, so @RaiMusicWorld on Instagram and my Twitter. My Facebook is @therealraimusic. I actually have a website, and it’s https://www.therealrai.com/.
Alfa Anderson formerly of the iconic funk soul band Chic who brought the music world legendary hits such as “Le Freak”, “Good Times”, “Everybody Dance” to name a few, has returned with new music “When Luther Sings” in tribute to longtime friend Luther Vandross. I caught up with Alfa Anderson to discuss the music, Luther, her earlier years with Chic. Her album From My Heart is out now.
Terrance - First can you share with me a little backstory on how you got involved with Chic?
Alfa Anderson - Luther Vandross is the reason I became involved with Chic. He was a much sought after New York session singer and would call me to do some of those sessions with him. I'll never forget the day I received the call to do a session for a new group his friend Nile Rodgers had formed with partner Bernard Edwards. I was excited about the possibility until he said, "It's disco music." I thought I was losing my hearing. "Disco! Are you for real? We aren't disco artists, we are R&B artists." Come on, he urged. It'll be fun. Not only was it fun, it was the turning point in my career. I went to the studio expecting to hear a very formulaic four on the floor track. What I heard was Dance, Dance, Dance and it was perfection. I was not the only person who shared doubts that day. Before the session began, Bernard Edwards pulled Nile to the side and asked "are you sure these are the singers we want on these tracks." Nile reassured him that it would be fine. Was it ever! Luther, Norma Jean Wright, David Lasley, Robin Clark, Diva Gray, Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards and I sang background on that first album. When it came time for Chic to go on tour, they asked Luther and me to go out and provide tour support. When Norma Jean left the group to pursue a solo career, they asked me to stay on and join Luci Martin. It was the best decision I could have made. And it all happened because of my friend Luther Vandross.
Terrance - What has been the biggest highlight thus far in your 40 year career?
Alfa Anderson - The biggest highlight for me thus far is that many of the classic songs on which I sang are still being played somewhere in the world everyday. Who knew that Le Freak or Good Times would stand the test of time? These songs continue to be introduced to a new generation of fans in movie soundtracks and television commercials. That's pretty awesome!
Terrance - You mention the classic songs being introduced to a new generation of fans, what’s your honest take on Chic sampled heavily in the Hip Hop, R&B and Pop world?
Alfa Anderson - I love that the younger generation is embracing the work that we did. They are taking what we did and interpreting it their way. I love it all from Sugarhill Gang's use of the track from Good Times for Rapper's Delight (1979) to Luther Vandross' sample of My Forbidden Lover on Shine (2006) to LA by The Game feat. Snoop Dogg, will.i.am and Fergie (2015).
Terrance - What were going through you guys minds during the creation of the critically acclaimed Risqué album?
Alfa Anderson - Everything about Risqué; the music, the lyrics, the arrangements, the vocals make this one of my favorite Chic albums. We were really in the zone vocally. Fonzi Thornton, Michelle Cobbs, Luci Martin and I perfected the Chic vocal style on Good Times and My Forbidden Lover. The phrasing of those syncopated rhythms worked so well with the music. Above all, we had fun and you can hear that. A Warm Summer Night was sensuous. The strings and the tap dancing on My Feet Keep Dancing were cutting edge. The ballads suited Luci and me perfectly. And oh, that cover!
Terrance - It’s interesting Chic has been nominated for induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame eleven times why do you think the band haven’t been nominated yet?
Alfa Anderson - That's hard to say. This year they inducted Nile Rodgers for his work as a producer. Maybe one day the group will be inducted. It will happen if it's meant to be.
Terrance - Getting back to Luther, you released a new single “When Luther Sings” talk about that.
Alfa Anderson - I wanted to offer a public thank you to the man who started it all for me. The song is autobiographical and it came to me so clearly I just had to share it with the world.
Terrance - People have their opinion or theory about Luther what’s one misperception you could clear up?
Alfa Anderson - Some people might have called him difficult. He wasn't. Luther was a perfectionist. He knew what he wanted and would accept nothing less. At the end of the day, it was his name on the marquee, his reputation, his career and his fans. He loved and respected his fans. He always wanted to make sure that when you bought a ticket to see him, you got your money's worth. He would say on stage, "we don't mess with your ticket money." And we didn't.
Terrance - What’s the most fond memory or advice from Luther you will always cherish?
Alfa Anderson - Believe in yourself. If you like what you're doing, others will like it too because the honesty will come through and connect with people. This sentiment is expressed in a lyric from the song When Luther Sings.
Terrance - Talk to me about your solo debut album From My Heart and what sparked that interest.
Alfa Anderson - I have received so much love, support and encouragement from family, friends and fans that I wanted to show my appreciation. At first, I was hesitant but last year I started writing. I didn't realize how much I had bottled up inside of me until I did that. The melodies and lyrics flowed effortlessly. It's as if this project was meant to be because I finally followed my heart.
Terrance - From the beginning to now how has the process changed being a recording artist?
Alfa Anderson - The process has changed significantly. Some of it for the better. The technological advances are incredible and make it a lot easier. You can sing something and then fly it into other places. You can add all kinds of effects. I did some of that, but I am an analog girl at heart. I started writing songs the old fashioned way by just singing the melodies and lyrics into a recorder. Then I took my songs to arranger/producer Bert Price, who helped me turn them into demos. Finally, we produced the tracks. A lot of what you'll hear on From My Heart are vocals that I sang straight through like we used to do. No stopping and starting again. We went for the feel. If a performance felt good, we kept it.
Terrance - Is there anything you’d like to add not discussed?
Alfa Anderson - For the past two years, I have been working with former Chic vocalists Luci Martin and Norma Jean Wright. “Perfectly Chic” is another tribute song on the From My Heart album and it rocks!
Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist and American Idol alum Ruben Studdard has confirmed that he will be releasing Ruben Sings Luther album on March 16th as well as launching a 22-city ‘Always & Forever’ tour to pay homage to his hero and idol Luther Vandross.
About the album and tour, Studdard says, “My goal was to not only pay tribute to Luther but to add my own passion on top of Luther’s brilliant songs. As for the tour, we are not only recreating some of the production elements, musicians, background singers, wardrobe and lighting that were ever present when Luther took the stage, but my heart and soul will be in every note I sing as I honor one of the greatest vocalists we’ve ever had.”
