Album Notes

Julian Owens is a singer/ songwriter/ composer who critics describe as having the vocal control and presentation of Johnny Mathis, the soothing vocal tone of Nat Cole, the passion and interpretation of Donny Hathaway, and the songwriting talent of Stevie Wonder.

If you draw a line from the golden age of jazz to the smooth sounds of today's contemporary gospel and Christian music, you will arrive at the new sound of serenity - a word that captures the spirit and music of Julian Owens. It's no surprise that Julian's self-styled music is referred to as inspirational jazz since his musical influences include pop, R&B, Gospel and Contemporary Christian music as well as Straight Ahead and Contemporary Jazz. Pop artists such as George Michael and Natalie Cole, jazz instrumentalists Lyle Mays and Pat Metheny, R&B legends Donny Hathaway and Anita Baker and Gospel artists Richard Smallwood and Take Six have inspired Julian's style. "Here's Life - Vol. I" connects these dots by introducing a refreshing new sound of a rising new artist.

Over a very short span of time, Owens has collaborated with several up and coming and seasoned composers, songwriters, producers and music directors such as Shy Mane of Paris, France who wrote and produced for Les Nubian's grammy- nominated debut CD; Sam Kendrick who co-wrote on Kenny Latimore's platinum debut CD; and the incomparable Federico Pena former MD for Maxwell and current MD for Me'shell Ndegoeocello.

Check out the audio samples nd prepare to be transformed by 'Surround Me.