CAROLYN IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE!
OLDER WISER SEXIER. LIKE VINTAGE WINE, MUCH BETTER WITH AGE.THE WOMAN
Born Carolyn Marcia Smith on the tropical island of St Thomas US Virgin Islands.
Childhood spent on yet another tropical paradise St Kitts & teens to thirty something in the UK.She’s had a traditional West Indian upbringing, her family deeply religious with singing being a major part of regularly attended Pentecostal service. She recalls that whilst living in the Caribbean, music was an integral part of life, from hearing steel pans playing, to hearing calypso, soca, soul, gospel etc etc booming out of every radio in every house in the village.
The Caribbean being in close proximity to the US mainland, she was privileged to hear all the latest music coming out of America. Television shows like the classic SOUL TRAIN, seeing Motown Stars were the main source of her inspiration. This fuelled her passion for singing.In the UK, her church life continued & she was a member of the COGIC (Calvary Church of God in Christ) gospel choir where her talent débuted, she was even the Junior choir Leader. But Carolyn was always reluctant to sing lead and take centre stage as she felt that she didn’t have a typical gospel type singing style. “I never was a belter like the othersâ€, laughs Carolyn. She felt her tones were a too soft; her style was little too laid back. She became more interested in Jazz after seeing Diana Ross’s portrayal of Billie Holliday in Lady sings the Blues (a film that is one of her personal favourites).Her taste in music is somewhat eclectic from Bessie Smith, Billie Holliday, Mahalia Jackson, Gladys Knight, Sly & the family Stone, and the entire Motown catalogue Annie Lennox, Revival Reggae, Soca, R&B, Hip Hop. Carolyn is proud to say, “If it touches me, I like it.â€CAREERShe later became a member of the band UTE. The band signed to id Mercury/Polygram Australia. Founder members of UTE Ian Dixon & Wayne Elliott stumbled across the unknown singer back in 1994 at 33The Arts Centre which was a local Recording studio in Luton, when by chance she was asked to do a music video for a friend. Carolyn was at the studio to lay an accapella a self written composition ‘SET MY PEOPLE FREE’. Upon hearing Carolyn sing Wayne asked if she had any more songs, she simply shrugged shoulders and casually said ‘It’s my lifes’ hobby and I have a book full of lyrics’. She returned to the studio a few weeks later and recorded a track called ‘NOT LIKE YOU’ (which later featured D-zine of D-note & now Westside Radio). This track was released as single in Australia & was also selected by the Director of the 1996 block buster film ‘Dating the Enemy’ for soundtrack.Carolyn was now a fixture along side D-zine & a female rapper Thobe in UTE & started doing gigs in London. Both of Carolyn’s songs were on the bands Under The External 1996 Album and she was asked to join the bands’ tour of Australia. She worked tirelessly on the road for 2 years back in 1995 and 1996 and during this time she had the privilege of appearing alongside some of Australia’s finest in Jazz. Musicians like Barney Mcall (known for his unique style when tinkling the ivories), Dale Barlow saxophonist, Dig, meeting Hatman & many more. She performed in venues such as The Basement & Kinselas Sydney, Cargo & Planet Adelaide, The Grand Orbit & The Patch Brisbane, The Lounge Melbourne and The Studio Newcastle and throughout Australia. UTE conducted numerous radio & Television interviews and were featured in many music journals. Carolyn caused quite a stir when her picture along with D-zine was featured on the front cover ‘3D magazine’ wearing a mini leather skirt.Upon returning to the UK Carolyn continued her toured with UTE doing more experimental Jazz. The bookings and the gigs just kept on coming and UTE were honoured to play The Blue Note, Jazz café, Subtarania, Live TV and an array of Jazz Festivals.It was at this time that UTE decided to take a long earned break to recharge their batteries and Carolyn felt it was time to devote her time to raising her children. She was then persuaded by a friend to be the lead singer for his band, the Wade Austin Group and in a mad moment found herself writing and composing a number of songs for live performances. Again Carolyn was thrust back on stage, now embracing Steel Pan ‘urban’ Jazz with performances at the Jazz Café, Royal Festival Hall, Spitz and more UK Jazz Festivals. She also contributed a funky neo soul track ‘WHO BARES THE LOVE’ produced by Jason Yarde of J-Life with backing vocals by the talented Julie Dexter for Wade Austin debut Album FAR FROM HOME.After having her last child back in 2000, Carolyn has refrained from indulging on the music scene to raise her children, but always keeping a watchful eye on how the music scene was evolving.Carolyn’s back with a vengeance!
She says, “Older, Wiser, Sexier. Like vintage wine, much better with age!â€The ALBUMHer debut soulful album “ADULT ENTERTAINING†sees her at her best.
It’s Edgy, Raw, Risqué, Sassy, Sexy, Mature, It’s Real Life!
You get the sense that this wine has been in the cellar maturing, it’s full bodied & definitely spicy, it won’t disappoint the pallet. Don’t underestimate this unassuming Lady, there are reasons & rhymes, there’s delivery & depth, poised performance & production that’s sheer class. Her strength lies in her ability to create the best from the simplest of ideas. Her soulful delivery backed with dulcet jazzy tones gives her a unique edge.She has been selective in her collaborations with renowned writers & producers such as Barney Mcall, Peter Hemsley (Hatman), fresh new talent Rydah for this venture & the Italian Godfather of the Disco, Groovearbano
Look out for tracks like:
DIS & MISS - a big band flavour full of sassy attitude on relationships.
ALWAYS PLAY THE FOOL - the classic heartbreak ballad.
MY FLAVA - funkysexySoul!
Not to mention the hot & spicy numbers that is peppered throuh out the album. I had to live up to the title Adult Entertain . . . ing.†There’s something here for everyone.This alum is a sophisticated flavour of the old school with Carolyn making no apologies for deliberately targeting a mature audience. She says, “I want it to be like deja vu, where people are reminded of how it used to be but in the here & now.â€For her first Single ‘DO ME’ Carolyn has pulled out all the stops enlisting the creative genius that is a friend Bill Smith known for his legendary art work to design her cover & album sleeve. And Bill does deliver.‘DO ME’ produced by hot new talent Rydah, is reminiscent of a sexy classic 80s soul; it’s a floor stomper, its target audience spanning 2 generations. Those of us who are 30 something plus and those of us in our late teens & beyond with parents that were kickin’ it to the sounds of Loose Ends, Gwen Gutherie, Sharon Red, Jones Girls, etc, but don’t take her word or my word for it. Judge it for yourself! Maureen Forde MTVCAROLYN
Debut Single DO ME out March 2008 cd & Vinyl (limited edition)
Debut soulful album ADULT ENTERTAINING out soon
