NEW YORK (Skyblaze/ Columbia Records) - Skyblaze/Columbia recording singing sensation Goapele, the Bay Area's princess and pioneer of soul to perform in New York City on Saturday, June 24th as part of the Pantene
Total You Tour along with Mary Mary, Tyrese,
Letoya Luckett and more as well as appearances by Susan Taylor (Essence Magazine), Eva Pigford (America's Next Top Model), Jill Marie-Jones (Girlfriends) and more ***
� In an industry that advocates monotony, Goapele, perhaps because of her cultural heritage, is a non-conformist. Her exiled South African political activist father met her New York-born Jewish mother and married while in Nairobi, Kenya. For a woman whose name means 'to go forward' in Setswana, the South African language of her grandmother, Goapele lives her name. The Bay Area native's debut effort, Even Closer was a 14-track masterpiece that she co-wrote and co-produced independently which went on to sell an unprecedented 150,000 units. Now Goapele is back on the musical scene with her highly anticipated sophomore effort, Change it All on Skyblaze/Columbia Records .
"In an increasingly crowded neo soul scene that's produced as many one album curiosities as long haul career artists, Goapele has two assets working for her; a voice as smooth as butterscotch and a sensibility worthy of it." Nylon Magazine
Play her uplifting socially conscious CD and you'll be hooked by the groovy second track First Love.? Marie Claire Magazine
Change it All is an inviting home, built with plans from musical architect Goapele. The album is cozy like the memory of grandma's house. Its foundation is solid songwriting and classic soul with a frame made of hip hop, funk, politics and jazz and cosmetic touches of electro and rock all weather paint. URB Magazine
On her second recording, Change it All Goapele continues to entertain and inspire with love songs and socially/politically inspired jams that express her convictions on many levels.? Ebony Magazine
� The dread-headed beauty was influenced equally by music from Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Nina Simone, Billy Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Prince and Portishead as she was by Miriam Makeba, Zulu Spears and Hugh Masekela.
Goapele trumps her head-wrapped contemporaries by pouring her honey-husky voice over a gumbo of hip hop, mellow vibes and piano ballads for a sound that resists comparison? Essence Magazine
Goapele has performed and recorded with everyone from Michael Franti to Zion I, creating a style that fuses underground hip hop, vintage R&B and jazz. Her eclectic sound reflects the philosophical and musical strains - from Miriam Makeba to Prince ' that she was exposed to while growing up. Vibe Magazine
With Goapele's light, silky touch, though, things never get too heavy handed. She balances the righteousness with plenty of romance.? People Weekly Magazine
� Goapele brings a well-needed enigmatic presence to a mundane industry that is devoid of innovative magic and fascination, but thick with semblance. Her signature of throaty moans and nostalgic lyrical poetry evoke all things old yet somehow manages to be refreshingly new. � Graced cover of Bay Area's premier, San Francisco Magazine "Best of the Bay Area" issue and featured on the cover of San Francisco Bay Guardian's end of the year Music Issue
Goapele, 25 is a petite songstress with a voice that can fill a stadium.She has been gaining popularity here as an elegant romantic who weaves poetic narratives�The introspective and airy vocals combined with sassy grooves make Goapele a bit of an urban music anomaly. San Francisco Chronicle
� Rolling Stone and MTV say she's the No 5 artist to watch
Oakland singer Goapele's major-label debut is a vibrant collection of socially conscious anthems and soulful love songs.? USA Today
� Erykah Badu votes Even Closer as the most creative and innovative album for the 2003 ShortList Music Project and says "Goapele you Shine! I love you. I'm pleased that you demonstrate True Jedi, and the music is beautiful too.
� The Source Magazine heralds Goapele as "The Bay Area's Best Kept Secret."
� No 1 Selling Album in the Bay Area for weeks. Sway of MTV News affirms, She's beating out artists like 50 Cent and R Kelly in Northern California?
�Meshell N'Degeocello, Rosario Dawson, Rodney Jerkins, Magic Johnson, Mos Def, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Shaquille O'Neill and Method Man refer to Goapele as "The next big artist to watch"
� Winner of 2003 San Francisco Weekly Award and Nominated for 2003 California Music Award
� The poised chanteuse delivers a testimony-driven, emotionally aching yet uplifting and candidly charged classic cuts to soul music junkies who feign for organic gutbucket vocals and raw bass lines. Goapele brilliantly experiments with skillful compositions and heart wrenching harmonies, all with a smooth as pearl delivery. The songs showcase the singer/songwriter's impeccable ability to mix classic soul with rhythm and blues along with new-age funk, dripping with sensuality. The multi-layered feel-good tracks effortlessly spirals her superb lyrics and velvety voice around carefree bass laden beats instantly garnering her respect for skillfully uniting hip-hop, jazz, R&B and melodic soul.
"Her name, Goapele is just as intriguing as her music. This arresting set organically mixes R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and electronica in introspective, candid songs that colorfully reflect this soulful sista's diverse range and life experiences. Goapele's smoky, sensual voice is a beacon that shines on a set that wisely steers clear of overproduction. While calling to mind such influences as Nina Simone and Sade, this classic chanteuse-in-the-making is definitely her own woman of substance." Billboard Magazine
This spiritual love child of Sade and D'Angelo mixes sweet soul vocals, jazz funk instrumentation and hip hop rhythms by underground Bay Area beatmasters. Goapele can kick it in the streets as in the lounge� Rolling Stone
"If you're looking for someone who will touch your soul...look no further she touched mine" Jazzy Jeff
� Change it All features production from Bedrock, Jeff Bhasker (The Game, E-40), Linda Perry (Pink, Christina Aguillera), Sa Ra Creative Partners (Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Jill Scott) and Mike Tiger (The Coup, Martin Luther) many of whom contributed to making Even Closer a success. The album also features a duet with fellow soulster and Virgin recording artist Dwele
Sista's cut from a different cloth, no doubt. It's almost a given, and only a matter of time, before people start singing the praises of Goapele.? Trace Magazine
� On Saturday, June 24th, 2006 Goapele will perform in New York City, New York at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Hall on the 2006 Pantene Total You Tour along with Mary Mary, Tyrese, Letoya Luckett, Sammie and more. Also appearing as speakers on the tour include Susan Taylor (Essence Magazine), Eva Pigford (America's Next Top Model), Donna Richardson Joyner (Fitness Expert) and Jill Marie-Jones (UPN's Girlfriends) to name a few
www.goapele.com www.goapelepress.com www.changeitall.org www.pantenetotalyoutour.com
