BLUES SINGER SHAKURA S'AIDA OFFERS A TASTE OF BROWN SUGAR ON LABEL DEBUT CD FOR RUF RECORDS, OUT APRIL 13

NASHVILLE, TN (Top40 Charts/ Mark Pucci Media) - Ruf Records announces the signing of one of the hottest names in Canada's blues scene, singer Shakura S'Aida (pronounced 'Shack-oo-ra Sy-EE-da'), and the release of her label debut CD, Brown Sugar, on April 13 in the U.S. and Canada. Ruf Records is distributed in the U.S. by the Allegro Corporation, and Ruf is releasing the album world-wide. Already released in Europe, Brown Sugar is S'Aida's second album, and she's currently on tour in Europe supporting the new CD.

Brown Sugar was produced and engineered by celebrated producer Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana, Steve Miller) at Bessie Blue Studios in Tennessee, not far from the Tennessee River. Of the album's dozen tracks, 10 are originals co-written by S'Aida and her guitarist Donna Grantis - a dramatic departure from her 2006 CD, Blueprint, on which she only wrote two of the tracks. The rest of the players on the recording are Lance Anderson on organ, Rick Steff on keyboards, Steve Potts on drums and Dave Smith on bass.

Brown Sugar showcases S'Aida's powerful, smoldering vocal style, which has made her an international favorite on the club and festival circuit throughout the world. Her dynamic stage presence never fails to ignite the crowds that experience her power-packed delivery in-person.

Soon to become a favorite in the U.S., she's already built a phenomenal reputation in Canada and Europe, thanks to her frequent tours overseas. She was a first runner-up at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2008 and has been a multiple nominee at Canada's Maple Blues Awards for the past four years.

Shakura S'Aida was born in Brooklyn, raised in Switzerland, and has been based in Toronto for many years. Also an accomplished actress and voice-over specialist, she's appeared in a number of stage productions, television series and films.

After her current tour, she's booked for two more tours in Europe, as well as the St. John Blues Festival in the U.S. Virgin Islands in March, plus other showcases in Canada and the U.S. Shakura S'Aida is booked by Steve Hecht of Piedmont Talent.