Lady
US - Truth & Soul Records
All you have to do is listen once, and you’ll remember - in case you forgot - and
you will know - in case you never knew, Nicole Wray. The honesty, the aching
weetness, the raw power of her voice and the songs will remind you that nothing
can move you as much, or touch you as deeply, as that single voice that some
how explains your every emotion.
At 17, Nicole was the first artist signed to Missy Elliot’s Goldmind Records. In
1998, her debut single, “Make It Hot,” would go on to reach certified gold status.
Her voice would later lend itself to features and hit singles by Missy Elliott,
Cam’ron, Kid Cudi and to The Black Keys’ critically acclaimed project, Blackroc.
She was then enlisted to lend background vocals on their seventh studio LP,
Brothers. The Akron, Ohio duo encouraged Nicole to expand and mature as a
vocalist and musician and from this experience rose a Phoenix, rose a Lady.
Lady is Nicole Monique Wray and her band, and also the title of her debut album
— the latest from Truth & Soul records. She had no idea linking up with
producers Leon Michels and Jeff Silverman (Aloe Blacc, Adele, Jay Z) to write for
the latest Lee Fields album would lead to her writing 12 songs for herself and
launch a new career with a sound a little like the songs your Mama loved best —
and at the same time like nothing you’ve ever heard before.
“Lady” the album, unites the mellowness and pop flair of 60s soul with the
driving beat of hiphop, and the silky rhythms of modern R&B. Nicole’s powerful
voice and Truth & Soul’s authentic instrumentation unite to create a fresh sound
that would reveal all of her stories of growing up and never giving up, of love and
friendship, of yearning and losing, bad girls and good hearts.
Since the release of “Lady” the band has gone on a worldwide tour supporting
Lee Fields and The Expressions. They have received accolades and praise from
the likes of Essence Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork and Rolling
Stone to name a few. Lady will be on their first headline tour through Europe this
fall.
Prepare to take your hat off to Lady. Get ready to fall in love.
Press Quotes:
“A first listen turns up nods to Curtis Mayfield, Ann Peebles, the Temptations,
Honey Cone and the O’Jays. Listen longer and you’ll find more.” New Yorker
“Working with the house band from New York’s Truth & Soul Records, Lady nails
that magic formula of sweet vocal stylings anchored by the heavy thump and
growl of a crack rhythm section. It’s an update on the classic sound of early
1970s Memphis soul: part Sundaymorning glory, part Saturdaynight slow grind.”
NPR „All Things Considered“
“The music is a nod to Motown’s founding acts that finds the ghosts of funk
brothers past driving the chrome fenders and congolene aesthetic – a feel that
falls as easily into the territory of Martha Reeves as it does The Miseducation of
Lauryn Hill.” Okayplayer
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
SOUNDCLOUD