Tata is a rare and exceptional artist who has had the opportunity to cross nearly every musical boundary while all the while remaining true to who she is. Growing up in the Panama Canal Zone, she was surrounded by the sounds of Latin music while developing a vast appreciation for the sounds of rhythm and blues. Gospel, rock, folk, country and any other music that Tata could hear would also affect her in their own individual way.
By the age of sixteen, it was apparent that Tata was destined for a career in the music industry. She moved to California and made her way into the musical Hair. While in Hair, she met Dobie Gray (known for his international smash .."Drift Away..") who invited her to become a part of a counter-culture band called Pollution. After two albums with Pollution, Tata joined another band, Earthquire, who would sign a deal with Natural Resources, a division of Motown. As lead singer, songwriter and percussionist with the band, Tata.."s talents were immediately noticed by Motown who signed her as a soloist on the Tamla label.
As a soloist with Motown, Tata released four critically acclaimed albums (Full Speed Ahead, Totally Tata, Try My Love, Givin.." All My Love). These four albums covered every musical territory possible: southern soul, disco, gospel, jazz, funk, country, Latin and doo-wop. Tata also scored two international hits (.."I Just Keep Thinking About You Baby.." and .."Get It Up For Love..") which topped charts in both America and Europe. These songs were so contagiously funky that some critics dubbed her .."the godmother of funk..".
Following her tenure at Motown, Tata maintained a hectic schedule as a studio singer while simultaneously moving into gospel music. She became the cornerstone of Andraé Crouch.."s back-up group and began touring with him internationally. Throughout the eighties she sang back-up for artists such as Russ Taff, Randy Stonehill, Leslie Phillips, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Chaka Kahn, Patti LaBelle and countless others.
Perhaps the pinnacle of the eighties for Tata was being the voice of the infamous Shug Avery in The Color Purple. This recording led to an Oscar nomination and performance, followed by other motion picture soundtracks including The Lion King, Amistad, Forrest Gump and others.
Despite all of the success in mainstream entertainment, Tata .."s heart has remained in the gospel music medium. Tata signed with Quincy Jones.." Qwest Records in 1998 and released her long-awaited gospel solo debut, Now I See. The album was birthed from her life experiences and testifies of the salvation, mercy and devotion of God. The album was also critically acclaimed and earned a Stellar Award nomination.
As a single parent she has had to balance the demands of her ministry and motherhood, yet Tata maintains a simplicity and sweetness that has endeared millions of people around the world. Her fan base spans the United States to Sweden to Japan. No matter the cultural surrounding, Tata carries an indescribable something that everyone can relate to. Tata says, .."I just want to encourage the average joe...because that.."s who I am. I want to tell people to have faith in God and to have dreams. God has a plan for our lives and that.."s what.."s carried me through life. I know that He gave me something to share...and I.."ll never stop dreaming..."
Now I See-Tata Vega-Qwest/Warner Bros.
The voice is familiar even if the name isn.."t. I first discovered her on The Color Purple soundtrack, having been mesmerized by the powerful .."God Is Tryin.." To Tell You Something..". The actress was actually lip-synching: the voice was that of Tata Vega, whose soulful sound can also be heard in The Lion King, Amistad and Forrest Gump. She.."s also sung for such notable artists as Michael Jackson, Andrae Crouch, Stevie Wonder, Madonna and R&B hit-man Babyface. Now, after years of behind-the-scenes studio and soundtrack recording, Quincy Jones wants you to put a face with her unmistakable voice. Vega.."s debut, Now I See, is the soundtrack of her life. It.."s a drama of movie-making proportions, the stuff most of us only hear about on talk shows or read about in the newspaper. Having survived a brutal rape which resulted in pregnancy, two bullets from sniper fire, homelessness, abduction and threats on her life, Vega sings her testimony to God.."s faithfulness and healing as only one who.."s been though the fire can sing.
Now I See is our chance to hear a one-of-a-kind story and share in her joy. From songs about the glories of heaven (.."Are You Ready.." and .."I Got Shoes.."), the true source of love and grace (.."Love From Above.." and .."I.."m Accepted) and the celebration that new life in Christ begins (.."Brand New Dance.." and .."Now I See.."), these songs offer a veritable contemporary gospel feast of joy and a reminder that above all else, God is the author of all great things. Andrae Crouch.."s classic tune .."Oh, It Is Jesus.." and .."Walk With Me.." by the legendary gospel great Thomas Whitfield are one-way tickets to havin.." church. The most groovin.." moment? .."Brand New Dance..". I can just see Vega.."s beautiful braids spinning in the air like a propeller, dancing before her Lord. The most moving moment? Cut nine, Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key.."s .."I.."m Accepted..". Knowing even a little about Vega.."s dramatic life, this poignant lyric hits really hits home. Stylistically, she.."s Mahalia Jackson with a little Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin thrown in for excellent measure. And as far as I.."m concerned, Vega deserves a place in their line. -Contemporary Christian Music Magazine, March 1999 by Melissa Riddle
At last, Vega has found her way home. Over the past 10-plus years, this veteran belter has made pit stops in almost every genre imaginable--most notably disco and traditional jazz--with fair to middling results. But on this aptly titled set, she is in a gospel setting that perfectly suits her intense, guttural delivery. Working within arrangements that include subtle elements of Motown soul and classic pop, Vega performs with a relaxed, wonderfully optimistic demeanor that has been missing from her previous recordings. The material ranges from traditional hymns like .."Oh, It is Jesus.." to brand new tunes penned by Vega and luminaries like BeBe Winans and Andrae Crouch. After trying so hard to play the pop game, it.."s ironic that Vega.."s most commercially viable work comes after she.."s clearly chosen a less radio-conscious pat. It.."s so easy to envision cuts like the percussive, up-tempo .."Are You Ready.." saturating R&B and adult contemporary airwaves. How vindicating that would be for this wonderful, enduring artist. COPY AND PASTE TO YOUR PAGE!COMMENT HERE!