Album Notes

Inspirational jazz singer Anika Tene' introduces you to her heart on the first song of her debut CD: "Wherever life may take me I must keep in mind, that without God I'm nothing and Him I find my ability. This is my prayer." A poet and songwriter of many years, Anika-Tene's first CD offering combines song and spoken word to present Jesus in a socially relevant way through songs like "Parallel," about the Indian and African-American experience in a new America, and "My Mother is Sick," a plea to save Africa from the ravages of HIV and AIDS. "Shadow Dance" was written as a tribute to her grandmother and speaks on the value and uncertainty of life. The swing jazz rhythm provides a lilting backdrop for this reminder to, "Take a little time to dance with the shadow, the shadow of time; while the sun is shining, the shadow is there. But when the sun sets it goes to a place where time will be no more." The musicality of "My Prayer" is as moving as the lyrics and voice. In "Jabez Prayer," the haunting, plaintive cry of the late Rick Schmidt's viola helps give voice to the earnest request of a man yearning to be blessed. An acoustic guitar sings with Anika-Tene' in "Stream of Blood," a Latin-inspired plea for Jesus' cleaning work in her life (also featuring Schmidt), and the smooth saxophone of recording artist Rob Maletick opens the CD's title cut. Anika-Tene' and producer Reginald Reid collaborated again for "Songs of Hope," her 2006 follow-up to "My Prayer" (also available on CD Baby). Anika Tene' currently teaches music and drama at the Washington Classical Christian School (wccsonline.org) and is pursuing her doctorate in Speech and Theater Education. She taught in the Montgomery County Public School system for several years after receiving a B.A. in Elementary Education from Howard University. She later completed an M.A. in Theatre Education and an M.M. in Music Education, with a focus in vocal coaching. When not writing or singing, she is attending to the business of running Psalms of the Butterfly (www.psalmsofthebutterfly.com), the company she began that is dedicated to creating original music, poetry and other inspirational products that artistically share the truths of God's Word. She has written a devotional, WHEN WORMS TAKE FLIGHT, showing readers how to endure and be victorious in trials, and will soon release a children's book. She says, "It is my prayer that people will know God, His Word and His love through the message of my music."