Artist Spotlight-Vlada
Take a virtually unknown Swiss-Serbian singer, songwriter and pianist, an all-star cast of musicians and singers and a fusion of soul, funk, gospel and pop and the result is a debut album packed with top quality tracks and a retro 70s vibe.
All the songs on Vlada’s impressive debut album ‘All About You’ are original compositions – a powerful and highly unique blend of soul, funk, pop and gospel. The sessions with the US all-star band took place in Switzerland in 2003, while the musicians had a couple days off their busy schedule. Vlada remembers, "I had the chance to work with some phenomenal players, some of the best on the planet and to see their work ethic, attitude and their servanthood and humility was quite amazing. Given the band’s top class performance pedigree – and Vlada’s own musical influences – it’s not surprising that Vlada’s debut is reminiscent of Motown and the classic soul/funk records of the 1970s.
‘All About You’ has been a labour of love for Vlada. More than five years in the making and completed without the backing of a major record label, Vlada’s debut album features an astonishing line-up of world class performers, such as drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Herbie Hancock, Frank Zappa), bassist Abraham Laboriel (Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles) and guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. (Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Destiny’s Child). And that’s before factoring in ten-times Grammy Award-winning vocal group Take 6 and renowned saxophonist Kirk Whalum!
The album’s title track sums up a great deal of Vlada’s journey so far. "I got ‘All About You’ in the middle of the night. I tried to catch some sleep when I suddenly got the lyrics, the groove, and the bass line! I had to get up, go to the piano and write the song. It sums up that in the past I’ve been striving for fame and recognition, but this would inevitably leave me empty and unfulfilled. Life ultimately is about God, following him and doing what he called me to do. Sometimes I still struggle with trying to get approval from people because I’m an artist and I’m on stage and we just seek recognition. But deep down I know that what I’m doing here is about and for Christ. This song sums it all up."
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