Legendary Interviews
D.J. Rogers
He is best known for the tender acoustic piano-based ballad "Say You Love Me," a charting single from his 1976 RCA album It's Good to Be Alive. Natalie Cole's cover of the song was the first single from her album "Snowfall in the Sahara", released by WEA/Elektra Entertainment in June 1999.
Like most soul singers, DeWayne Julius Rogers began singing and playing piano in church in his native Los Angeles. He later worked with Rev. James Cleveland when he was the director of the Watts Community Choir and a member of the Los Angeles Community Choir. The gospel influence was very evident in Rogers' later secular releases, with many of his songs filled with inspirational messages. After signing with RCA Records, Rogers' debut album It's Good to Be Alive was released. Initially gaining radio airplay as an album track, the single "Say You Love Me" peaked at number 51 R&B on Billboard's charts in spring 1976. The 45 was a "turntable hit," meaning that it received a substantial amount of radio play,
Lisa Lisa Of Cult Jam & Full Force
When one thinks of Latin pop icons with distinct vocals and a large influence on the music and world communities, it’s not surprising that the legendary Lisa Lisa is the first name that comes to mind. Historically acknowledged as the originator of the Latin Hip Hop/Freestyle genre, Lisa Lisa gave rise to powerhouse divas such as, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Selena, and Jennifer Lopez. Born and raised in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, Lisa Velez had grown up dreaming of someday being a performer.
At The Fun House, Lisa gained the attention of Mike Hughs, a member of Full Force. However, Lisa Lisa didn’t know at the time that this relationship would catapult her into a super successful, lifelong career in the music industry. Full Force was in need of a singer, which presented a great opportunity for Lisa Lisa. She was asked to audition and was welcomed into the group with open arms. During the course of her career, Lisa has also been featured in many television shows, starring for two years on the Nickelodeon network’s “Taina” and has appearing in numerous Broadway and Off Broadway shows. Still making records and performing today, Lisa Lisa is far from finished. Her genuine persona exudes through her music, embracing the fans into a care-free environment. It is no wonder Lisa Lisa has and will continue to reign as the Queen of Latin Hip-Hop. With six top selling albums and more than 20 million records sold worldwide,
Phil Perry
Phil Perry is a two time winner in the SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards, and is one of the greatest singers of our time. And we always look forward to hearing new music from the master. Well, it's been a couple years so we are very excited that Phil is back with a brand new album on Shanachie Records.
Like many of Phil's records, Say Yes is a tasty mix of Phil originals and fantastic covers of classic soul and pop songs. His longtime fans are going to love it, and newcomers to Mr. Perry's magic will find a new favorite, too.A great vocalist has a way of inhabiting a song, living it and making it their own. It takes especially great powers of interpretation for a singer to take a song definitively recorded by a legendary artist and give it new life with a fresh interpretation. Phil Perry takes on the ultimate challenge with the opening track of his new album, the indelible “You Send Me,” recorded in classic style by the peerless Sam Cooke, whose own unique phrasing style actually shapes the melody of the tune, which he wrote. Yet Phil Perry transforms the song while still retaining its essence, opening in “old school” style and then transmuting it into contemporary soul music. Few singers around today could have done it but those who have experienced the magic of Phil Perry’s talent will not be surprised. On March 12, 2013, Shanachie Entertainment will release SAY YES, Phil Perry’s latest—and quite possibly, greatest—album. With special guests Chanté Moore and Najee, Phil delivers a splendid mix of originals and notable covers in a style befitting the man James Ingram who calls Perry “the most powerful singer I have ever heard.”
