In ancient times, men once used music to cure the ills of the world. Shamans, men closest to God, combined their mystical powers with rhythms, tones and chants to create a connectedness between God and His people—music was their only tool. Although the role of the shaman has diminished to a mere reference in Western history books, there are still some with the same Shaman-like touch …an ability to speak to a person’s soul and move them. SoulDean (nee Gordon Agie Jr.) hits the soul scene with same passion and connectedness once embodied by ancient shamans.
Like the artist preceding him, the 23 year old singer/songwriter/ producer recognizes the power of music, not only as an art form, but as a source of healing., “Greats like Sam Cooke were the total package…he could use his voice to convey a message to his audience and it appeared effortless… and his audience was moved and somehow changed by what he sang …what he represented.†At the early age of four, in his Pittsburgh home, SoulDean first learned to play the piano and discovered his natural talent for music. Fusing elements of his own musical journey with his experience of growing up in the church, lead to his evolution as an artist. He studied carefully the similar journeys of fellow Pittsburgh artists like Phyllis Hyman and George Benson and made a commitment to represent the city’s rich musical history with the same spirit and level of talent.
Whether he is performing in his hometown of Pittsburgh or headlining at a Brooklyn soul spot, he emanates an energy when fused with his incredible vocal range, that moves his audience to throw back to the stage what they have been given. And they do it through vocal chants, body swaying and fists in the air—a type of response that cannot be scripted, but is of a primal source. Original compositions, like “Higher †Feat: M1 of Dead Prez and “ Love will Conquer†seize the audience’s souls and transport them to another space.
Like Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo, SoulDean’s musical talent coupled with his stage presence leaves the audience beckoning for more. When you’ve been stirred, moved and elevated …you’ve experienced SoulDean.