Album Notes

Perhaps it's maturity, perhaps it's something more, but singer/songwriter Shawn Smith has truly come into his own on his latest album A Deeper Sense Of Soul. Inspired by the Buddhist idea of vipasyana, which translated from Sanskrit means "insight" and "looking deeply," A Deeper Sense Of Soul could have easily been titled 'A Deeper Sense Of Self.' On this recording, Smith has challenged himself both personally and artistically with poignant and emotive lyrics and soulful instrumentation.
 
A Deeper Sense Of Soul is a brilliant follow-up to Smith's debut Finding My Way, a collaborative venture with multi-platinum producer Manuel Seal Jr. (Mariah Carey, Usher, Aretha Franklin) which spawned the hit single "Running You Down," as well as subsequent singles "You Are My Lady " and "Take U Home," all of which were well-received at US college radio and featured in several film and television projects (Cold Squad, Just Cause, Show Me Yours).
 
Each of the 10 richly textured and stirring songs on the album have distinct personalities, yet are woven by a common thread of funk and soul. Skillfully produced by collaborator Chin Injeti (Barenaked Ladies, Moka Only, Bass Is Base), tracks like "Bleedin'" and "Searchin'" demonstrate Smith can rock with the best of them, while cuts like "Fly" and "Take Me Back" expose the raw emotions Smith explored when writing much of this material.
 
"It's a snapshot into who I am and why I do music. So many people in life, and particularly in the music industry, tell you what you should do, or who you should be. It's easy to get trapped - to lose sight of your purpose. But when you write, without compromise, from a place of honesty the songs take on a life of their own," offers Smith, adding that he also wanted to pay tribute to some of his musical influences from the last three decades, like Tears For Fears, Lenny Kravitz, Level 42 and Seal.
 
Whether it's a song like "Take Me Back" which delves into reliving the best and worst parts of your childhood or "Changes" a song that is all about facing fear and coming through the other side a little older and a bit wiser, to the smooth, spiritual escape of "Fly" where Smith explores the idea of freeing oneself from life's obstacles and experiencing personal serenity, A Deeper Sense of Soul offers plenty to contemplate.