New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Elise LeGrow releases 'Playing Chess,' an ambitious, bold debut album that showcases the Canadian powerhouse's spellbinding ability to redefine the permanence of pop. Out via S-Curve Records/Awesome Music/BMG, the 11-track collection masterfully channels LeGrow's peerless vocal power and visionary mystique, featuring the backing of Questlove and The Roots, The Dap-Kings, and R&B legend Betty Wright.
The album is a re-imagination of highlights and obscurities from the catalog of Chicago's seminal electric blues label, Chess Records. LeGrow's takes on pioneers like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Fontella Bass have found fans in the likes of
Action Bronson and Jools Holland, while amassing acclaim from Billboard, Okayplayer, Salon, Relix, MOJO, and many more. Made for newcomers and crate diggers alike, 'Playing Chess' features hidden gems like "
Can't Shake It" - a little-known, unissued
Etta James track - and "Long Lonely Nights" by Questlove's father, Lee Andrews.
Hear standout track and new single "Going Back Where I Belong" in Girlboss' Boss of the Week feature.
Produced by S-Curve Records founder Steve Greenberg, Betty Wright, and studio wizard Mike Mangini (the same trio of Grammy-winners behind Joss Stone's twelve-million-selling 'Soul Sessions' album) in Brooklyn's Mission Sound and The Bunker, 'Playing Chess' is a dynamic introduction to LeGrow's "seductive powers of invention" (Okayplayer). She previously performed on BBC's 'Later...with Jools Holland' and Arte's 'Berlin Live'. She has topped Spotify's viral charts in Canada and has climbed them in the U.S. Recently signed to Paradigm Talent Agency, she's preparing for a series of international tour dates in May 2018.
Raves for Elise LeGrow and 'Playing Chess'
"dreamy and velvety...the singer's innovative arrangement makes for a delicate piece of music that LeGrow fosters as her own, creating her personal vision and story." - Billboard, on "You Never Can Tell"
"a soulful force to be reckoned with...seductive powers of invention" - Okayplayer
"Her voice is suited to singing the emotional complexities of the genre with its natural richness and tone." - MOJO
"LeGrow's groovin', infectious, bluesy interpretation stands out and demands attention...electrifying" - HuffPost, on "
Who Do You Love"
"gritty, heartfelt vocals, effortlessly delivered with sass and strut." - Parade
"new arrangements that shine a fascinating, instructive light on these classic compositions." - Relix
"re-imagining soulful classics for a new age...on the verge of a musical breakthrough" - Girlboss
"superb voice...these classic tunes take on new life when shown through LeGrow's lens." - PopMatters
"husky range and dynamic vocals" - American Songwriter
"There are some voices that are so good, they captivate you immediately upon first listen. Singer-songwriter Elise LeGrow has one of those voices." - Baeble Music
'Playing Chess' Track List
1. Who Do You Love
2. Hold On
3. You Never Can Tell
4. Over The Mountain, Across the Sea
5. Searching For My Love
6. Long Lonely Nights
7. Going Back Where I Belong
8. Rescue Me
9. You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover / You Can't
Catch Me
10. Can't Shake It
11. Sincerely
Tour Dates
3/6 - New York, NY @ Top of the Standard
