The Queen of (K)New School Soul, Roz Shepard, is a child music prodigy. Roz stumbled into the knowledge that she could sing at a youth sleep over at her pastor's home at the age of seven, and has been singing ever since. As a child, many praised her gift of singing. Today she is still given that same praise. Ask her what she thinks and she will tell you she just sings what she feels.
Singing for the joy of it, Roz' debut album was released in April 2008 and is pleasing crowds everywhere while still in its testing stage. Her unique combination of smooth and gritty vocals fuse Soul, R&B, Jazz, funk, hip hop, house, and gospel music. Her mission is to bring soul music back to the industry. Yes, that same soul music that labels like Motown created, that made R&B music what it is today, but seems to be missing from the airways, e-commerce and records stores. That music!
Passionately looking for talent for her label, Purple Panther Records, to accomplish her mission, little did she suspect that she would be in the forefront of this worthy endeavor as an artist. "There is a void in the music industry. I believe I've filled it! I decided to produce my album because while we have wonderful classic (old school) R&B music, that music is from yesterday, it was made decades ago. It's time for new soul music, of equal quality, to enter the music industry." And the Queen is bringing it with a flavor that is hot and reflective of the lost soul that has been M.I.A. from the music industry for more than a decade.
In addition to her HOT CD, her live show, "Cafe Roz" is phenomenal!! "Until now, new soul artists did not have much of an outlet of expression for their gifts and talents because the music industry had moved away from what it once was when it didn't really matter what age you were, or how you looked. All that mattered then was the strength of your talent and artists and industry people were dedicated to producing music and creating songs that were written with a relevant story line, using live musicians, real instruments and pure unprocessed vocals.
My album consists of all the above. Every song has a relevant story with a message and music that anyone can relate to, whether male or female, adult, teenager, child, Old School, Today's R&B or (K)New School Soul."
Do you have "Sense-u-ality"? If not you need to get it because Roz worked non stop to put together a collection of music her fans can appreciate. Her first track, the pulsating "Heat" is everyone's favorite and IT IS SIZZLIN!!!!! YES!! "You Chose To Be With Her", has smooth R&B vocals and a hardcore rap. On the title track, "Sense-u-ality", she breathes new sound into an industry looking for a change. "Time To Think Of Me" is sure to please the grown and sexy crowd and the Today's R&B crowd who are looking for soul music to add to their collection of today's current sound.
This awesome album also contains the classic "Never Gonna Let You Go", the gripping "Don't Love Me Anymore", and the uber funky "You Make My Heartbeat", "Tell Me (What Ya Gonna Do!)" and "Gotta Get Over U!". Plus, with her rendition of "Neither One Of Us", this CD is ser-i-ous! And, the second CD of Roz doing duets with familiar Old School legends that comes with this two CD set makes this a smorgasbord of real music that touches your soul from the first song to the end.
Ms. Roz, has performed with such legends as Blue Magic, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Ernie Isley, GQ, The Delfonics, The Stylistics, Col. Abrams, Glenn Jones, Keith Washington, The Ultimate Persuaders, Najee, DTrain, Johnny Kemp, Curtis Blow and more. Next on her agenda is the Today's R&B circuit performing with Mary, Keisha, Jennifer, Beyonce', Alicia and Jill, where she will bring her brand of “New School Soul” that her audiences can't seem to get enough of.
"Old School artists' soul music is still popular today, however there were little to no opportunities for new soul artists to impact the R&B market, until now. I'm doing it. The barriers have been broken. You heard it first from me, "Old School is now New School". It's called (K)New School Soul and the people love it!!! I put the (K) before the new because I K-New this was coming! Now it's here!! "Old School Soul with a New School Flavor", and that flavor is New School Soul.
I'm pioneering this endeavor to bring soul music back to the music industry for music lovers to appreciate and enjoy, and to pave the way for talented, new soul artists to come forth and receive the baton from our awesome music legends while we still have them with us.
It's time for some new sounds to echo from the music industry. I really don't mind if it begins with me and with others like me. The sky is the limit. The world is waiting for something new to listen to. (K)New School Soul that is", says The Queen.
////
