*“Things developed,” said multi-platinum selling saxophonist Najee about his new Shanachie Entertainment album release, “Center of the Heart,” due out November 15, 2019. “We did a cover song, ‘Alfie,’ one of my favorites and I was like, this is not going to be a Smooth Jazz album, but my personal favorites.”
Aside from the Bacharach/David classic “Alfie,” Najee also covers a Maxwell hit – “Somthin’ Somthin’.” The “Center of the Heart” project features Kenny Lattimore on “Better;” pianist Greg Manning (Jonathan Butler) on “The Way She Moves;” saxophonist Darren Rahn (Dave Koz) on “Face to Face,” and keyboardist Demonte Posey (Eric Benet). A Billboard topper, Najee collaborated with bass player Blair Bryant on the title track “Center of the Heart” and Rod Bonner and Superb Clawson on “One Note Love.”
“I been touring. I have a two week break then I’m at Blues Alley for four nights. I’ve been doing it (touring) since I was 17. At 18 I was on the USO Tour, right out of high school,” Najee informed me when I asked what he had been up to. “(While in college) I toured with Prince for three years. After college, my first major tour was with Chaka Kahn.”
CYNTHIA ERIVO (‘HARRIET’) ADDRESSES BACKLASH OVER HER ‘GHETTO AMERICAN ACCENT’ COMMENTS
Najee normally produces his own music, but on “Center of the Heart” he has production assistance with producers he says he can trust.
“The way I do records now, that interest me, its from the writers…in this case my bass player wrote the title song,” Najee said. “When it came to recording…I bring on producers I can trust.” www.Shanachie.com www.NajeeOfficial.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: Eunice is founder of the annual “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), into its 20th year. Next event dates include Los Angeles Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (511) and Baltimore Saturday April 18, 2020, held in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times. The free conference offers an Entertainment Business Panel and a Talent Showcase and Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes/product/services to selected artists. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com for more information or to participate as a panelist or talent call 562-424-3836.
www.GoFundMe.com/Uplifting-Minds-II-Entertainment-Conference
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