Album Notes

DELILAH HARRIS
BIOGRAPHY

In the world of contemporary pop music, it's too often a case of too many singers, so little time. That said, there's always room for a new voice that's got all the magic. Make way then for the beguiling bayou dreamweavings of Delilah.

Growing up in the sleepy Louisiana town of Leesville, Delilah knew she was special -- she could sing. "I realized I had this voice, this thing when I was little," say Delilah. "In school, I made All-State (vocal choir) four years in a row. I chaired alto-one (range between alto and mezzo soprano)." She continued her development in college, working with private coach Jody Whitfield (ex-wife of jazz guitarist Mark Whitfield) to polish up her classical technique.

A chance meeting in '95 with Ladybug of Digable Planets at their New Orleans gig would set Delilah on her future path. "She wanted me to come to New York City," recalls the vocalist. "her intent was to use me as a songwriter and vocalist in a production company she was starting. I moved to New York in September,'95. We tried it for three months, but it didn't work out." Undaunted by this downturn of events, Delilah pressed on.

Later that year, on a December night at Nell's (local live club) Delilah hooked up with musicians John Adams, Steve Williams and Pat Smyth of her present production posse, Funknstuff Entertainment. Sensing that these veterans (collective resume: Sade, Will Downing, Keith Sweat, DeLa Soul, Zhane', Ivan Neville, Nevelle Brothers, JT Taylor (Kool & The Gang), Mica Paris, the Digable Planets) had the skills and vibes that she neede to realize her visions.

Full-on collaborators since April of '96, Delilah and Funknstuff have been deep in the lab. "I write all the words -- they supplied the tracks and I would weave the lyrics through them." The result is a seductive creation of spacey, funkdafied keyboards, low n' phat bass, boppy drumbeats, burbling guitars and warmly intimate leads and background overdubs. This is neo-soul with a love twist, heavy on the smoove.

A mirrior to her soul, Delilah's music is at it's core, a healing vibe. "It was so much freedom working with them John and Pat on keyboards and Steve on drums, the most korky thing I would do they would love and work some magic around it. I am truely blessed to have them. Even when I'm somber, no matter where the lyrics fall, it's all over peace and love. It's always upbeat with life. I want you to be soothed by my voice. You're gonna have to pay attention but I want the music the melody to catch you and then have the lyrics open you up. I want to fill you up like Etta James -- completely and utterly." Yeah, Delilah and Funknstuff Entertainment/PaperNotes Records, are ready for the world ... their time is now.