New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Irene Bauza Official Website) - June 1st was the release date for Jeff Lorber's new album, Now Is The Time, in which the Barcelonan artist, IreneB, guest appears not only with the famous keyboard player (Jeff Lorber) but with other legendary musicians like Jimmy Haslip, Eric Marienthal, Paul Jackson, Jr., Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl.
Last year when IreneB released her first record, Metamorphosis, beginning with the song 'I Wanna Fly', in which she used a part of 'Rain Dance', by Jeff Lorber, she couldn't have imagined that the song would've ended up inspiring this great jazz composer, considered one of the creators of fusion jazz.
In 2007, IreneB decided to leave Barcelona, her hometown, and move to Orlando (Florida, USA), to follow her dream of singing R&B. In little over a year, she became an independent music icon. Thanks to the help of her producer, Frankie Biggz (Latin Grammy winner), and Rama Music (her record label) she released her first album, Metamorphosis, that soon found its place on top of the indie R&B charts, and soon charmed the likes of jazz greats including Jeff Lorber.
''I Wanna Fly' is my favorite song out of Metamorphosis, because it's my most personal one -the singer admits-; so you can imagine my reaction when Jeff contacted me and said that he 'd love to add it to his new album: I couldn't believe it!'.
Even though this is the first time that IreneB is featured along side big jazz musicians, this genre is nothing new to her, she was part of a jazz band at a prestigious music school in Barcelona, L'Aula de Musica Moderna y Jazz (Modern Music & Jazz School). Also, she was fortunate enough to be the first R&B artist to perform in Jamboree, a very famous venue in Barcelona, often visited by jazz lovers and where artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Backer and Tete Montoliu have performed in the past.
Jeff Lorber not only rerecorded 'I Wanna Fly' for his album, but also asked IreneB and her producer, Frankie Biggz, to create new melodies and lyrics around three more songs ('Water Sign', 'Curtains' & 'Sugar Free') recorded years before by Lorber at the start of his career.
'To be honest, we were a bit scared by the idea at the start, because it meant we had to create new concepts for songs that had already been hits before: Could we match Lorber's essence and yet, at the same time, include the 'IreneB vibe' without deceiving or confusing his fans?'- said Frankie Biggz, who wrote the new melodies, recorded and arranged IreneB's vocals. 'Of course, we couldn't let this opportunity go by, so as soon as we received the songs, we immediately started working on them. Just in case Jeff changed his mind!'
Once they finished the job, and while IreneB and Frankie Biggz where impatiently waiting for Jeff and producer, Bobby Colomby (The Jacksons, Jaco Pastorious, Tina Turner, etc.) verdict, Lorber & Colomby were enjoying the young musician's talents: 'Everytime we received one of the songs, it was like a present. As usual Jeff used great musicians on this album, but the addition of singer IreneB has made this an unforgettable record.' - confesses Bobby Colomby, who personally called her after listening to her work.
'IreneB's contribution to my album was wonderful -says Jeff Lorber himself-. For each song we sent them, Frankie and her came up with just the right approach to compliment my sound and style. I predict big things for them in the future.'
Judging on the reviews that Now Is The Time has already received, the album is a perfect candidate for Jeff Lorber's first Grammy Win, and we anticipate that this collaboration will be the beginning of a big musical friendship between the two.
Now Is The Time Songlist:
1. Rain Dance/ I Wanna Fly (feat. IreneB)
2. Dr. Moy
3. Pixel
4. Sugar Free (feat. IreneB)
5. Mysterious Traveler
6. Curtains (feat. IreneB)
7. Black Ice
8. Las Rosas
9. Chinese Medical Herbs
10. Water Sign (feat. IreneB)
11. Sumatra
