Album Notes

SHAREEFAH C. ABDULLAH is a composer, arranger, producer whose debut CD On A Musical Journey features Hip Contemporary Jazz, Latin Jazz and New Age-Funk fusions. Her music has been described as pure, sweet and smooth. She enjoys combining those elements with funky, jazzy rhythms for a unique sound that provides positive energy.

Reviewer J-Sin of Smother.net published the following review: "Shareefah writes solo adult contemporary and new age funky jazz fusions that will delight the heart and mind alike. Her compositions are bouncy and light allowing the shiny elements of hip funk to perpetuate the mix, creating a unique flow.

Francis Petruziello of Domain Cleveland.com concurs with the term "musical vacation" to describe the album. She likens the listening experience to relaxing "in the Caribbean, sipping on an umbrella drink, getting a nice tan, feeling a warm breeze against your skin, smelling beautiful flowers and watching turqoise waters flow". Don Carter of the Don Carter Jazz Ensemble wrote in the liner notes: "On this her debut album, Shareefah has done a marvelous job of capturing the flavors of an array of musical styles, from extravagant Latin rhythms to hip Contemporary Jazz and celestial New Age tracks. There is purity about this music with its sweet melodies and smooth arrangements. It's exciting, yet mellow and peaceful; an extremely pleasurable listening experience."

The composition "Can't See Nothin' Wrong With That", on which her good friend and musical mentor Lucille Gaita is featured, was included on the Oasis Jazz Sampler #10, a compilation CD featuring the best of the Jazz artists who were Oasis clients in 2003. Midnight Dance In Ibiza was used as background music on a recording by the late poet Sheik Abdul Karim Basit. Shareefah's music has been played on several FM, internet Jazz and New Age stations. Tracks from her album are often featured on the primarily discussion oriented program, The New World of Al Islam In America on WPAT.

Shareefah studied Jazz piano with Lucille and at Jazzmobile in Harlem, NY. Not only does she love composing but enjoys the production process as well, especially working with her son, studio engineer, Salaam Shabazz of Eargasm Productions. This former organist, choir director and music teacher is currently working on tracks for her next album.

LUCILLE GAITA received a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has accompanied the Crystals, Lou Christie, Mary Wells, Little Anthony, the Drifters and many other artists in the Tri-State area. She has also played in back up bands with entertainers such as Jack Jones and Bob Hope. Lucille has done original projects in and around New York City, performed as musical director and played in "the pit" for many theatre productions.