BEVERLEI BROWN

Interviews Menu - Interviews

First we'll start off with the Dome Press Release for the impending album release, following this down the page is an interview we conducted with Beverlei on 12 July 2001.

BEVERLEI BROWN ALBUM DEBUT

Newly signed to Dome Records - for whom she releases her debut album

"Next To You" in September 2001 - Beverlei Brown's first interest in music came from her mother who sang in the local church gospel choir.

As she was growing up in Birmingham, Beverlei couldn't wait to join the choir herself and eventually she became leader of her local choir, even getting the chance to sing a solo part with the US gospel act The Clarke Sisters.

"One day my music teacher told me that a local band were looking for some gospel type singers to help on a recording project, so my mum, sister a cousin and I went along to audition for the group, who turned out to be the Fine Young Cannibals.

"After they got their record deal they asked me if I would perform with them and, although I was only in my early teens I got taken around the world singing background vocals for them in Europe and America. It was a wonderful first experience as a professional singer."

After the tour and her school work finished Beverlei got a job as a receptionist in a lawyer's office, but only until the next touring opportunity came - providing vocal backing for Ruby Turner for more than two years.

Later touring work followed singing for Simply Red, Snap! and the Brand New Heavies, as well as Chaka Khan, one of Beverlei's favourite artists. "She gave me the most encouragement and confidence and told me to believe in myself - and you can't argue with Chaka Khan, can you?"

In 1996 Beverlei got her lucky break to begin work as a solo artist in her own right, recording with writer/producers Gary Benson and Livingston

Brown. The resulting single "On and On" was a huge club hit in the UK and Beverlei completed an album to follow it.

Unfortunately the collapse of her then record label resulted in the album never being released, but after a couple of years of frustration Beverlei was approached by the UK R&B label Dome to resume her solo career with a new album deal.

Now moved to London, Beverlei has been working on the album with a variety of UK producers, including her long-time producer associate Ronnie Knight, Full Crew's Michael Daley, Simon Payne and the Full Flava team of Rob Derbyshire and Paul 'Solomon' Mullings. In all she has co-written six of the songs.

She also flew to New Jersey to record a duet with label mate Dennis Taylor, working with his production team of Fred McFarlane and Darryl James on "Could Be You"

Ronnie Knight has been working with Beverlei for more than two years, and among the tracks he contributed to her album is the co-written song "Part Time Lover", as well as "Unhappily Ever After"

Full Crew producer Michael Daley is part of the hottest production/remix team in the UK, whose work in 2000 included R&B mixes on both the initial Craig David singles and production of the album by Shaila Prospere. He has co-written two songs with Beverlei, including the club-friendly groove "Love You Yes". He also produced Beverlei's treatment of "Somebody Knows How You Feel", first recorded by Ivan Matias. Among the backing vocalists on this cut are Chris Ballin, Sean Cummings of Kreuz and Hazel Fernandes, former lead singer with UK group the Affair and one of Beverlei's closest friends.

Rob Derbyshire and Solomon Mullings first worked with Beverlei when she contributed guest vocals on "Unwrap", one of the tracks on their 1999 Full Flava album, and they were keen to contribute a track to her solo project. The song chosen is another club-friendly tune, "Gonna Get Over You", first recorded in the disco era by Canadian singer France Joli.

Producer Simon Payne has released albums himself in an acid jazz style in both the UK and US under the group name Spirit Level, and has worked closely with Hil St Soul engineer Roger Benou. He co-wrote "I've Had Enough" with Beverlei for her album.

Following a two-week promotional visit to Japan undertaken by Beverlei in March, her album has become the hottest selling Japanese import CD at R&B/soul retailers in the UK. The 14-track UK release of the album includes three songs not included on the Japanese version.

NEXT TO YOU RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 2001

(DOME CD/LP 27)

Further information: SANTOSH ROBINSON 020 8748 4499

June 2001 santosh@domerecords.co.uk

BEVERLEI BROWN INTERVIEW FOR LIFE AND SOUL PROMOTIONS - 12^TH JULY, 2001

This is my debut album so I'm very excited. It's taken a year and a half to complete, partly because I was living in Birmingham and because both the record company and I wanted to choose the right songs. It's very important for me to sing songs that touch me emotionally, or that I can reflect on from my own experiences. Also, I wanted to write tracks for the album, which I've done and I'm very proud of.

The album has something for everyone, young and old, which is what I was trying to capture and I think I've succeeded. Have I?

Obviously I hope the album will be successful, not just in terms of sales but also in the sense that when people listen to it they can relate to what the songs are about.

I was fortunate to work with several top producers and although this can be a risk I felt I was strong enough in my songwriting to capture what I wanted from each song and from each producer. I think the album flows very well and that is all credit to each producer because they each gave me the space to experiment and be creative. I was very happy with the collaborations.

The album is definitely more on a soul tip and I think that is probably because of my influences, i.e. Chaka Khan, Gwen Guthrie, Soul II Soul and, of course, my gospel background has played a large part.

The collaboration with Dennis Taylor was because of Dome Records. It was a privilege and an experience. He's a lovely, gentle, quiet person who definitely knows what he wants. Hopefully, there will more projects in the pipeline - if anyone wants to sing with me just let the record company know!

All the songs are special in their own way, but I guess if I have choose my favourite tracks are "Unhappily Ever After", "In The Summertime" and "Somebody Knows How You Feel", which is the lead single off the album.

Of course, I was disappointed at the time that my first album never got released but looking back I believe that everything happens for a reason. And the reason I'm saying this is that the first album was written for me so I didn't feel it was part of me, whereas this album is 100% Beverlei Brown.

I'm over the moon with the imminent release of my album. It's been a long time coming, but as my beautiful mother would say "all good things come to those who wait" and believe you me, I've waited. I've waited so long I feel as if I'm going backwards!!

I grew up in Birmingham and my background is from the church. My first tour was as a backing vocalist at the age of 14 with Fine Young Cannibals. I've been privileged to make a living as a background singer for the likes of Simply Red, Chaka Khan, Babyface, Joe Cocker - the list is endless.

I got signed to Dome Records when the MD, Peter Robinson, came to see me at rehearsals with the Brand New Heavies. We talked, he liked what he saw and heard and signed me. Here I am today!!

I'm busy doing PA's, interviews and the whole promotion routine at the moment before the album release on September 3^rd.

Early on this year, I did a two week promo trip to Japan which was amazing. The album has been selling very well and has created a real buzz here in the UK. The import version of the album, I'm told, is selling for more than £30.00. The UK release is a total repackage and has three extra tracks, including the duet with Dennis, and you will be pleased to hear that it will cost a fraction of the import price!

I feel that the UK scene could be better. I hope it does get better. We need to recognise that we have talented singers/songwriters/producers, who need to be encouraged by support from the record companies, the media and the public.

The record company is licensing the album for Europe so I hope to be able to tour once things are in place.

My influences past and present include, obviously, Chaka Khan, the Clarke Sisters, Soul II Soul, Gwen Guthrie, Mary Mary, Sunshine Anderson, India Arie, Jill Scott, Whitney Houston.

Working with Chaka is quite an experience it has to be said. She is extremely talented; I have endless respect for her. Unfortunately, there is not a big story other than I was asked to audition as a backing vocalist, she liked what she heard and I got the gig!

If you've heard the album I hope you enjoyed it. If you haven't heard it - I suggest you check it out (not the import version unless you're rich!).

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