About Me
Preview of Carleen's Live Concert/Documentary DVD, "Grace & Favours".
Like a runaway slave, with my son in tow, I crossed the pond to opportunity. The British Music Scene has afforded me the chance to perform with Paul Weller, Courtney Pine, Johnny Cash, The Brand New Heavies, Max Beesley, Massive Attack, Ocean Colour Scene, Bryan Ferry, The London Community Gospel Choir, Paul McCartney, Incognito, and Jools Holland, to name a few. Noted international DJs, Sir Norman Jay and Gilles Peterson, play list my music. My concerts have been attended by actors Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and, (rapper/musician/actor), Mos Def. I recorded a duet with Lewis Taylor, 18 With a Bullit, that was on the soundtrack album for Guy Ritchies film, Lock, Stock and Two Smokin Barrels. I was filmed singing a song, Born to Love, written by Yolanda Charles, (former bassist for myself as well as Paul Weller and Robbie Williams), in the movie, American Daylight, starring Nick Moran. I am further rewarded with the honour of being the head of the vocal department at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music where I have been teaching since 2002. When my schedule allows, I ride my horse Dexter in the English countryside. I am sure all of this occurred because I live and work in England. There was no outlet for such variety to happen for me in the land of my birth.
My journey began with me being raised by my birth fathers parents, who had been Louisiana sharecroppers born near the beginning of the 20th century. The union of a preachers son whom himself became a preacher, and the female soul singer who was the featured vocalist for James Brown during the 1960s and 1970s, educated me well in the extremes of human nature. I grew up with my very lovingly religious grandparents in Houston Texas during the civil rights movement. After a brief marriage in 1978, I spent the 1980s being a single Mom in California, then my son and I brought in the 21st century as UK residents. This experience, full of social and political diversity, has been the reference source that earns my keep through lyrical and musical expressions. It is a unique heritage full of complicated challenges that have caused me to have a strong faith in the belief that the primary sustenance for a balanced life depends on the ability to truly love and to be loved truthfully, in return.
My recording career began with the Young Disciples after relocating to England in June 1990. The album I recorded with them, which I sang and wrote songs for, Road to Freedom, included the dance club hit, Apparently Nothin, a spring board that later spearheaded me to being the lead vocalist for the Brand New Heavies in 1999 and 2000, for their tour to promote their album, Trunk Funk, a collection of the Brand New Heavies greatest hits. From 1992 to 1998, I was signed to Virgin Records on their Circa Label and recorded 2 solo albums for them, True Spirit and Blessed Burden. My music production and song writing skills were groomed and polished with my second solo album, Blessed Burden, recorded with Paul Weller, who co-produced the album with me and co-wrote some of the songs as well. Paul Weller continues to be a loyal supporter of my music and the encouraging brother that champions me, regardless.
My first independently recorded album, Albertas GrandDaughter, a tribute to my grandmother, released in 2002, was co-produced with the talented Ben Castle, son of the famous British trumpeter, Roy Castle. Ben Castle brought with him several talented musicians to record on Albertas GrandDaughter, who still tour and record with me. Colin Walker, who engineered and co-produced Albertas GrandDaughter, also became my business manager, a decision that has brought me indescribable benefits. Colin Walker, along with keyboardist and co-producer of Albertas GrandDaughter, Mark Edwards, also produced my live performance DVD, Grace & Favours, filmed in Birmingham, England, in 2003. My current offering, Soul Providence, scheduled for release early autumn 2005, again produced by Colin Walker and Mark Edwards, has guest performances with Jocelyn Brown and Paul Weller. This album represents the mature me, the woman who survived the disappointments with a passionate smile of joyful restitution.
I live a life that could never have been planned. I take the road less travelled, continuously. Despite the conflicts and complications, my soul is provided for and my salvation is free. Onwards and forwards, love and let love be.
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