Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ Saguaro Road Rhythm Records) One of the most talented, fascinating and close-knit families in music, Brandy, Ray J, Sonja and Willie Norwood will release their first album together,
Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business, on SRR (Saguaro Road Rhythm) Records in March 2011. Inspired by breakout success of their highly-rated VH1 reality show of the same name, the album is both an intimate and hit-bound collection of duets, collaborations and solo performances, marking the first time the entire family has ever collaborated together in the studio. The CD's first single, "Talk To Me," was released in December, just as VH1 began airing a new season of
Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business (Sundays, 11pm ET/PT, 10pm CT).
In addition to the television series and the new album, the family members each continue to work on a number of high profile projects and build tremendous individual success. Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business continues to air on Sundays on VH1, with select episodes rebroadcast throughout the week.
"My Family has always been involved in my career," Brandy says. "Family is truly everything. This project is the beginning of many more family ventures." Adds Ray J, "Brandy and I have been very blessed to have talented parents who were also able to teach us the value of learning the business side of being an artist. Through this project we have shared moments of love, obstacles and a preparedness for future family projects."
SRR Records Senior Vice President Audio Video Retail Mike Jason said, "It's incredible how each member of this superstar family has and continues to achieve such great success individually, and bringing them all together on one record is a powerful thing. The album and television series reveal their unparalleled combination of musical talent created within a tightknit and loving environment."
Already making its way up the charts, the first single off the album is a sweeping, powerful ballad that combines Brandy's soaring voice and the force of Ray J's R&B stylings with Willie Norwood's sweetly soulful vocals. Destined to be a hit, "Talk To Me" serves as a testament to the incredible talents that live within this renaissance family. Written and produced by Scott "Shavoni" Parker (Patti LaBelle, Brian McKnight, Bebe and Cece Winans, Michelle Williams), the song was also co-written byTommy Niblack (Monica). Other standout tracks on the disc include "Lifeguard" and "Turnin' Me On," both produced and written by The Jam (Mike Mani and Jordan Omley), the hitmaking duo who have worked with Leona Lewis, Santana and JoJo.
Sonja and Willie Norwood are the anchors in this family of gifted entertainers, guiding the successful and versatile careers of Brandy and Ray J with incredible skill, unwavering dedication and a deep commitment to family. Their own musical talents lay the foundation for Brandy and Ray J's hit solo careers and business savvy developed them into multi-platform entertainers. One of the most dynamic managers in Hollywood, Sonja has successfully launched the multi-faceted careers of both Brandy and Ray J while building a definitive family brand in all forms of entertainment including film, television and music. "I have worked with my family on so many different levels throughout their lives and careers," says Sonja, "to have a project we can enjoy and share will continue to bind us closer together and give us courage to do more as a family." Willie Norwood is known throughout the United States as a top vocal coach and an impassioned gospel singer. It is his talent and ability to nurture and develop voices that originally inspired both Brandy and Ray J to want to be performers. "I love the idea of molding natural talents into a piece of art," explains Willie, "and being able to work so closely with my family to develop their gifts and love for performing has been such a blessing. Recording with them is a dream come true. It is an album for everyone in the family, for all the times that families get together. It is the music for togetherness, closeness and love-a soundtrack to family life."
The Norwood family album is the first R&B signing to SRR (Saguaro Road Rhythm), the R&B imprint of Saguaro Road Records, an affiliate of Time Life Records that was launched two years ago with a commitment to American music. The company is home to the Norwoods' album, Smokey Robinson's Time Flies When You're Having Fun and Here and Nowalbums, various Grammy-nominated/winning albums from the Blind Boys of Alabama and Christmas with the O'Jays, among others.
