New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Val Young Official Website) - Legendary R&B/Soul singer-songwriter, Val Young, also known as "Lady V", is set to make an eagerly awaited return, with the release of a brand new album entitled, The Voice Beyond. Currently, Val (original Mary Jane Band), and Candice "Candi" Ghant (original Mary Jane Girl), have the license to say and do the Mary Jane Girls. They are performing live, along with Rick
James daughter Ty James, where they do a tribute to Rick as part of the show. Val has also been singing with
Rufus (Tony Maiden and
Kevin Murphy), and Sly Stone.
The Detroit, Michigan native, and former Motown recording artist began performing at an early age, singing background vocals for the likes of The Gap Band, George Clinton, and Roy Ayers. In the 1980's, late funk superstar Rick James was so impressed by her talent, and physical appearance, that he promoted her as the "Black Marilyn Monroe". Later signing her to Motown Records, where he helped produce her debut album Seduction ('85), which included the hits "Mind Games", "Piece Of My Heart", "If You Should Ever Be Lonely" and her second album Private Conversations ('87), that was released on Amherst Records. The album Seduction would go on to achieve gold status.
Today Val's walls are lined with numerous gold and platinum discs, in lieu of her many musical credits. One of her most memorable collaborations is the song "To Live & Die In L.A." by the late Tupac Shakur featuring Val Young, with whom she shared a very special working relationship.
As one of the most recognised voices in urban music, Val has worked with a long list of artists that include Bobby Womack, Kurtis Blow, Dr. Dre, Teena Marie, Deborah Cox, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Bobby Brown, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Keith Sweat, Eddie Griffin, and Eddie Murphy. In 2009, she was featured as a background singer for Raphael Saadiq, in his PBS televised concert Live From The Artists Den, and recent collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Mark Morrison, are due for release later this year.
The Voice Beyond is scheduled for release soon, and includes guest appearances from artists such as the Grammy-nominated rapper/actress, Yo-Yo.