Album Notes

16year-old singer Josephine Sincere is another in the storied tradition of talented Philadelphia-bred female vocalists. Although a newcomer to the music scene, Josephine possesses the singing ability of a young woman who is far more seasoned than her 16-years belies. This is immediately evident when you listen to the songs from her debut L.P. "Feels So Good." Josephine sings all of the lead and background vocals on the majority of the songs. Her understanding of intricate harmonies has allowed her to present complex background vocal arrangements throughout the CD. According to industry veteran and producer Tab Edwards, "It's a treat to work with someone so young who understands harmonies so well. I can just tell her to harmonize with a vocal, and, bang...she does it wonderfully!"

Josephine has never taken vocal lessons nor has she ever sang or recorded with a group. Her impressive vocal talents are natural, and have been developed since she was a young kid by singing to songs she heard on the radio and on television. Her skills were later honed by singing in her Lincoln High School (Philadelphia) choir, and in church. In fact, it was one of her performances at a church function that led to her association with Kixx Records.

While performing a solo at a church retreat, Josephine's performance was caught by the sister of Kixx Records head Tab Edwards. Tab's sister called him that evening and said, "I just heard this girl sing who I think you should listen to! She sounds GREAT!!" The only reason he decided to hear Josephine sing was because the request came from his older sister. Otherwise, he would have blown it off (because he hears that kind of thing every week, and it's never true). So, Tab contacted Josephine and arranged for her to come to the recording studio to do a quick audition. And quick it was. She entered the booth, sang acapella for about 1 minute, and Tab was so inspired that he began scheduling session time to record songs with her. Thus began Josephine's relationship with Kixx Records.

According to Tab, "Josephine is so easy to work with, and she sings so well, that we have been cranking out song-after-song. It got to the point where we had to draw the line and say 'no more new songs,' otherwisw, the album would never be completed." In addition to "having a way with a song," Josephine appears to have an ear for music, too. Although She has never taken music lessons and doesn't yet own a piano, she is able to listen to a song, find the notes on a piano, and eventually begin playing the song. An example of this is on the song, "Confusion". On this song -- which was written and performed by Josephine -- the young singer opens by playing the first movement to Beethoven's "Piano Sonata Op. 27 No. 2" -- "Moonlight" (a.k.a. "Moonlight Sonata"). Then she bounces up the song's theme to create the hip-hopish track for the penetrating song.

Joining Josephine (a.k.a. J. Sincere; Sincere, Josie) on the album are: Cubby St. Charles (The Teddy Pendergrass-like singer from Philly) on "If U Take Your Luv"; Solomon Trotter (former Patti LaBelle background singer of "Lord's Prayer" and "A Song for You" fame) on "Call Me"; Hip-Hop producer/rapper RuggedNess (who has produced Roc-a-fella Records artists among others) on "Jane"; Carrera Wilson (the popular teen singer from Philly) on "He's Mine"; and her fellow choir mates, Felisha Atkinson, Tashia Collins, and Kemoye Ellis who perform a wonderful acapella rendition of the Flamingoes' classic, "I Only Have Eyes for You." Additional background vocals on "Mamma" are provided by Lynelle (background singer for Jill Scott, Jaguar Wright, and Toots and the Maytals); and Marcus Gary.