New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Following in the footsteps of a musical family rooted in success can be a hard task to pursue, but not when you're Ron Louis Smith II. The heir to a rich musical family legacy steeped in everything from
Disco to Funk, Reggae to Soul and much more, Smith's father- Ron Smith Sr and Uncle
Jerome Smith crafted, produced, arranged and played on some of the the greatest records the 1970's and 80's had to offer. From their time as original members of "KC and the
Sunshine Band" to playing on hits such as Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier", records like Jimmy Bo Horne's "Dance Across the Floor" and Betty Wright's "Explosion", the two were power-houses of musical collaboration for decades. Now as Ron Louis Smith II continues that legacy with his very first album titled "The
Prince of Sunshine" released via Sunpire Records 8/11-- he's just penned deal with the European subsidiary of Global
Music Publishers Warner/Chappell
Music and continues his rise!
As the 'heir to the throne' both his father and uncle brought about through numerous contributions to music, Ron Louis Smith II is bringing the same high-energy sound and legendary "feel good Miami vibes" created in the height of the disco era to the 21st Century party scene. As an accomplished producer, arranger, singer, and songwriter in his own right- Smith's debut album brings Disco, Electric Funk, the highly rhythmic and powerful Junkanoo style and Caribbean flavor to eight tracks with an electrifying energy and driving potency that will surely set him as a worthy successor to the 'kingdom' brought to fame by his family!
With the sensual yet danceable grooves of tracks like "Love Talk", the high-spirited funky rhythms of "
Don't Hold Back", and electrifying "Spank" (homages to his legendary father and uncle) the album is as lively as it is dynamic. With "Party Music" and "
Can't Let Go", the familiar grooves of
Disco age classics reach new heights as the stirring beats, bumping basslines, and powerful horn sections reminiscent of so many 70's and 80's dance classics come to the forefront.
Now joining forces with global music publishing giants Warner/Chappell, he'll be in the same league as his late family along with current and past sensations such as Beyonce, Giorgio Moroder, Dr. Dre, Bruno Mars, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Barry Gibb,
Matisse & Sadko,
Paolo Nutini, Trey Songz, fellow music heir Jakob Dylan, and a whirlwind of others!
As the ever-changing dance music scene continues to grow and morph into all kinds of new sub genres and styles, "The
Prince of Sunshine" reflects the era of some of Ron Sr. and Uncle
Jerome Smith's electrifying dance hits with a bold modern twist assuring that Ron Louis Smith II may be a 'chip off the old block', but a rising star none the less- as his recent publishing deal with Warner/Chappell
Europe seems to have proven. But you can decide for yourself, as "Prince" is available via iTunes.
