Album Notes

When people think of Chicago's current soul music scene, they are quick to reference R. Kelly and Kanye West, two of the biggest names in urban music today. However, the Windy City is harboring an abundance of undiscovered soul talent that will soon be recognized worldwide. The Chicago Soul Sessions is a collection of soul, funk and jazz featuring an outstanding line-up of Chicago's underground artists.

Cherisse is a vocalist, songwriter, actress and poet who possesses a sultry tone that is reflected in her style of music, which is a fusion of jazz, soul, and gospel. She has been compared to artists like Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, Kim Burrell and Oleta Adams. Her internationally-acclaimed CD, "Moans" presents a mixture of vocals and poetry and shows her diversity as an artist ability to excel in different genres.

Kevin Chandler is an "artist of uncompromising quality, spirit and energy. A truly original artist, writer and producer. He has written for and worked with many local and national talents including Cristina (IndaSoul) Alfonzo Hunter (EMI), Brian Culbertson, Commissioned, DeTour, Tamborelli and Bass X. Kevin's critically acclaimed CD pSOUL pSYCHADELICA has been described as a masterpiece that ranks up there along with the best works of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway.

The McKenzie Burns Project is the pairing of songwriters and producers Stewart McKenzie and David Burns. Their self-titled debut CD garnered rave reviews for effortlessly melding contemporary jazz, Latin, hip-hop and smooth R&B into a Nu Soul soundtrack.

Chester Gregory is "a step beyond neo-soul" (Chicago Tribune), "he is a superstar in the making" (Dean Richards, WGN-Chicago). He has captivated audiences around the country with his five-octave vocal range and an unparalleled dance style, which has drawn comparisons to Prince, Tonex, Usher and the late Jackie Wilson - for which he has won numerous awards and rave reviews for his portrayal. Currently, he is in Hairspray on Broadway, the Tony Award-winning musical in which he plays one of the principal characters, Seaweed.

Kaialexander is not only an accomplished musician, but he is also an adept composer, arranger, producer, and performer; a true virtuoso with enormous talent. His style fuses Funk, R&B, Rock, Hip-Hop, and Soul. He has played and toured with Omar and also played on remixes for TLC, 702 and Maxi Priest.

Teddy Austin is a songwriter, vocalist, producer who now spends most of his time producing in Atlanta. He blesses the CD with his gospel roots. Teddy's grooves are infectious and his powerful lyrics prove that you don't have to say much to mean a lot.