Album Notes

What do you do when two challenging opportunities are presented to you at once? Study at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar or release the funkiest Soul music album in years? Those were the options presented to sensational young artist Shu as he was recording his debut studio album, SHUSIC. He chose to seize them both!

Out to prove that popular R&B can be classic, this young but accomplished musician and solo artist has been accumulating loyal fans with his energizing and heartfelt live shows, and turning industry heads with his songwriting chops, recently named BOTH the Grand Prize Winner AND Finalist (runner-up) in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest, competing against thousands of professional songwriters from around the world. This award comes in addition to Shu being recognized as a top songwriter in the Billboard Songwriting Contest, 2003.

ASCAP has granted Shu a coveted ASCAPlus award for the activity generated in the United States by his independent release of SHUSIC, and BBC 1Xtra - the UK's top radio station - has tapped Shu to be "Big in '06." Shu's debut has already created such a buzz in Japan that it has been picked up for national release by one of the country's top R&B/Soul labels.

Born in Kenya, educated at Harvard and Oxford, and now based in Brooklyn, Shu is filled with promise - a truly talented, unique and charismatic addition to the world of R&B.

What people are saying about SHUSIC:

"If R&B softens you up and Funk starts you to grinding then the two of them together makes a smooth and lively ride. Shu's got plenty of catchy grooves, rhythms that make everything else melt away, and a fresh appeal that won't be fading anytime soon."
- Renaissance Man Magazine (August 18, 2005)

"Soul singer Shu's sound has been dubbed "a little bit Stevie Wonder, a
little bit Marvin Gaye," but he's determined to blaze his own musical
path... At only 24, Shu has already made a name in academia, as a Rhodes scholar, and been named a top songwriter by Billboard."
- Samira Nanda - Reuters News Network (July 26, 2005)

"Outstanding lyrics and originality . . . [his influences] blend and clash in Shu's music without robbing it of its individuality . . . [Shu is] in a class of his own . . ."
- The Daily Nation (Jun 5, 2005)

"I got drunk on the heady delights of each individual song . . . Shu is an undeniable talent . . . with so much to look forward to."
- Dormouse - AlterEgo Magazine (Jun 1, 2005)

"Shu is a soulful, organic, original voice on the music scene. He has the ability to reach the intellectual, sophisticated listener and the down home crowd. His new CD "Shusic" is one of the most soulful, honest and provocative works to have come out this year. The CD is one of the best of 2005!!"
- Kody Emmanuel, Producer - WBAI Radio (Apr 26, 2005)