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| LINA |
A breath of fresh
uncontrived air would be one of the most proper ways to introduce
Hidden Beach Recordings newest addition; LINA.
Finally ending a six month jihad to solidify the deal, the
singer-songwriter has found peace at the company that is home to
Jill Scott, Kindred, The Family Soul, Mike Phillips, Darius
Rucker, and more. “It’s
been great. Hidden
Beach allows artistic expression and is willing to support my
contribution. We see
eye to eye on things. There’s
no hype, it’s real,” she relays.
Not a novice to the music business, LINA has
previously blessed us with her 2001 debut album Stranger
on Earth (Atlantic Records) which demonstrated a unique
and eclectic concoction of swing, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop that
has currently been dubbed “LINAesque” by her new peers.
Using that same formula for her next offering (which has
yet to be titled… but stay tuned), she plans to take it up notch
and speak plainly from the heart.
“This is the first time that I’m talking about myself,
my growth. There are
so many moods. The sounds change.
The only thing that is consistent is my voice.
This album is an emotional journey of my experiences,”
she expresses. While
everything is not set in stone, fans can definitely expect a
January 2004 release in Europe and a March release in the states.
You would think that with all the excitement
in LINA’s life that she would just be satisfied with being a
star, yet she has other things on her mind…business that is.
She is the CEO and Founder of MoodStar Recordings.
Once solely operated by the sultry chanteuse (she has madd
help now), LINA will produce her future solo projects through her
company to be released on the Hidden Beach imprint.
There’s even a compilation album set to drop which
features a range of artist and genres that span from hip-hop to
alternative rock. “I
know so many talented people and just wanted to help them,” she
says. “My goal is
to raise the standards back to where they should be in music.
I’m not being judgmental, but that’s what a lot of
people want.” While
LINA does admit she laments on the state of music quite often, she
does know that her art, be it singing, songwriting, or producing
etc. is like that dawning of a new day next to the mass-produced
mania of today’s half-hearted attempts.
LINA’s musical crusade started in Texas at
the age of four. Her
mother (a singer as well) would fill the house with gospel, jazz,
and funk. Yet it was
the sounds of Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holiday that truly strummed
the notes of her soul. At
the age of 8 she wrote her first song that she admits was bad
lyrically, but had a melody that was strong.
After high school her brother and cousin persuaded her to
move to California to pursue a musical career.
Once there she put herself in the mix and got a gig writing
for RCA artists Keisha and Tyrese who recorded her Ain’t
Nothing But A Jones for his debut album.
Things took a turn for the good once she hooked up with
producer Travis “T-House” House and co-producer Jeeves who
helped make Stranger On
Earth a reality. LINA
then blew up in Europe receiving rave review and accolades on an
international scale. Once
that door was opened she found herself sharing the stage with the
likes of Craig David, Joan Osbourne, and Guru and even had a
chance to perform with jazz legend Herbie Hancock at the Midem
Jazz Gala in Cannes, France.
Currently, she looks forward to introducing
the world to the new crop of talent she has on her label and is
planning on collaborating with Good Vibe artist Mystic and rap
maestro Mos Def in the future.
She even managed to snag soul stirrer Anthony Hamilton for
the track “Been Around The World” which will appear on her new
album.
Allure, grace, and the spirit of the past, it
looks like LINA is the new sun setting on the horizon.
For more information on
LINA check out:
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MoodStar
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