J. PHOENIX'S SINGLE 'FOR THE PEOPLE' KICKS OFF NATIONAL RADIO PROMOTION AND OFFICIAL ALBUM RELEASE

Photo: Devon Cass Art: Isha Shabaka

2008-07-22 08:47:35 - The Heatmakerz Produce First Single from ASCAP Award Winner and Dove Award Nominated Singer/Songwriter J. Phoenix

New York, NY July 23, 2008--Nancy Wilson, Tupac Shakur, Michelle Wright, Joe and Gary Barlow, he's written for them all. Now, after creating hits across genres, recording artist J. Phoenix comes out swinging on his own on July 29, 2008 with his first single, 'For The People,' and the official release of his highly-anticipated debut album, MASTERPIECE (From The Soul Music), available word-wide at iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, Rhapsody, Ruckus, CDBaby, and a host of other digital retailers.

'For The People,' is produced by The Heatmakerz, the phenomenal Hip-Hop team known for their work with Cannibus Cam'ron, Lil Flip, and Lil Wayne. The high-spirited, infectious song has recently enjoyed more than 7,000 plays online and is called 'a winner and real crowd pleaser with good melodies and a great message' by the A&R team at Taximusic.com.

'This song is about getting people back to happy, and reminding them that regardless of how the world is changing our souls never die,' J. Phoenix says. ''Ultimately, for me, music is about healing. That's my goal always', he adds.
J. Phoenix has been likened to Jill Scott for his vibe, Anthony Hamilton for his soulful delivery, Eric Benet for his vibrato, Seal for his diversity, and Avant for his lyrical approach to romance. Music insiders and J. Phoenix's global fan base have already placed their seals of approval on MASTERPIECE. David McKinney at Music-Reviewer.com says '-.the entire album is one of the most well-written I've heard in a long time;' and the staff at Indie-Muisc.com describes Masterpiece as an album of "excellent production, great vocals, nice grooves, quality songs!" 'J. Phoenix's CD is a Masterpiece,' is how Soultrack.com sums it up.

J. Phoenix is currently performing in Europe and will embark on a U.S. tour in 2009.


About J. Phoenix
J. Phoenix was born and raised in Brooklyn NY and now calls Harlem, NY home. He is a graduate of Brooklyn College. In an effort to be heard he has performed on cruise ships, in clubs, at special events and abroad. During his career he has penned songs for such artists as Earth, Wind & Fire, George Benson, Randy Brecker, and Michelle Wright, one of Canada's premier recording artists. J. Phoenix's distinct voice can be heard on albums by Patti LaBelle, Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, and Randy Brecker. He is a winner of the ASCAP/Sammy Cahn Award for Excellence in Lyrics, and a Dove Award nominee for Urban Recorded Song of the Year. At the end of 2006 he was heard wailing the Chambers Brothers' classic, 'Time,' along with American Idol Bo Bice; and at the end of 2007 he was featured on The Best of 2PAC, Part 2: Life.

About Masterpiece
Inspired by such classic soul artists as Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Bill Withers, MASTERPIECE adds to a musical landscape that persists long after other songs cease to be heard. The result is lyrics addressing everything from the power of individuals to make a difference ('Heart of a Solder'), to heartbreak ('Just Another Memory') to the negative views often directed toward African-American men ('Just Like You' and 'Maybe One Day').

Other highlights from MASTERPIECE include 'Sweet Freedom,' a song with strong crossover appeal, described by an A&R as 'far from amateur with an organic quality, from the vocal performance to the music, a much needed break from the sexually driven songs that dominate the market.' Two of the album's ballads, 'Hate To Love You' and 'Money Don't Mean A Thing' are also showing strong. The groove driven 'Hate to Love You' entered the Indie-Music.com R&B chart as an editor's pick, rose to #2 and holds steady in the top 20. The sultry and soulful 'Money Don't Mean A Thing,' won a Northeast Region championship at OurStage.com and was voted among the top 10 R&B songs by OurStage.com artists. The rock-driven 'Heart Of A Soldier' and mellow 'Conversation' are also touted as hits.

J. Phoenix co-executive produced MASTERPIECE with long-time collaborator Gary Haase, known for his work with such artists as Celine Dion, Chaka Khan, Randy Brecker and Michael Bolton. Additionally, his reputation in the industry as a driven creative force allowed him to assemble an outstanding team of producers and musicians. In addition to Haase and the Heatmakerz, MASTERPIECE features the work Los Angeles R&B hitmaker, Kip 'KP' Wilson, who handled the remix of Tupac's 'Mama's Just A Little Girl,' Eric Codee who boasts a client list that includes Mary J. Blige, Neo and Marcus Miller, and title song producer, Bert Price, known for his work with R&B legends Blue Magic and contemporary artists such as Alicia Keys.

Other musicians on MASTERPIECE include American Idol tour guitarist Tim Stewart, who has performed with Jennifer Hudson, Mary Mary, Heather Headley and Omarion, and played on albums with Lionel Richie, Destiny's Child, Marvin Sapp, Mary J. Blige, Tamia, Tupac, Vickie Winans, and Rodney Jerkins; Alex Stiff, the accomplished producer, songwriter and guitarist with song placements on television and in advertising, who produced for Tupac's Better Dayz album and was featured on Quincy Jones & Bill Cosby - The New Mixes, Vol. I.; violinist Angeliqua "Gailybird" Cowart and bassist 'Phat' Albert Parker, both members of the alternative hip hop band 4th Avenue Jones; and Chris Taylor, who has worked with Celine Dion, Grover Washington, Jr., and Randy Brecker.