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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Contact: Rick Scott 310.398.0260

February 21, 2006                                                                                  email: greatscottproductions@earthlink.net

 

 

The Moment is now for Althea Rene

 

Urban-jazz flutist’s new In The Moment album out today,

title track collecting adds at radio

 

 

Althea Rene is making the flute sexy and funky.  She’s a striking presence with her chiseled physique and long braided hair.  The soulfully inspired, sensual grooves on her new In The Moment album are distinctly urban with infusions of pop, jazz, and reggae.  The disc, her third, was released today by Chocolate Caramel Music/SoulVibe Entertainment, which is distributed nationally by Koch Entertainment.  Rene collaborated on five songs for the album and produced or co-produced seven tracks.  In addition to playing a variety of flutes, she added vocals, keyboards, percussion, bass and drum programming.  The album’s title cut, featuring Rene’s typically aggressive flute flourishes over a deep percussion groove, R&B beats, and hearty horns, is now garnering airplay at smooth jazz radio stations across the U.S.      

 

In The Moment is comprised of ten songs of which two are covers.  Rene does versions of Patrice Rushen’s “Number One” and Beyonce’s independent woman anthem, “Me, Myself and I.”  Album highlights include the affirmative upbeat jam “I Can”; the rhythmically astute “Campari Juice,” featuring a scorching muted trumpet; “More Than You Know,” an amorous breathy Rene vocal number; and the seductive album closer, “When You’re Around.”  The album’s production has a live feel and the musicianship is top shelf.  Rene’s flute emotes alternately between delicate and sensitive and robust and fierce.  The album title was inspired by her passionate focus and aspirations to be completely present while striving for greatness in her life and musical journeys.          

 

Earlier this month, the Detroit native returned to her hometown to perform with her band at events surrounding the Super Bowl.  This past weekend, Rene performed several shows in her new hometown, Houston, at NBA All-Star Weekend happenings.  Tonight she’ll be performing in Chicago at Oakton Community College.  In March, Rene has a series of concerts scheduled at colleges in the Mid-West.  Additional concert dates to support the album release will be announced.

 

Rene is a second generation musician.  Her father performed with various Motown greats.  She began playing the flute and studying classical music at age four.  After years with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rene began to incorporate jazz and popular music into her musical repertoire.  She went on to study classical music at Howard University.  Afterwards, she changed her focus entirely and decided to embark on a career in law enforcement.  Yes, Rene was a deputy sheriff in Detroit.  Eventually she realized that music was her true calling and she devoted herself completely.  Rene won nationally televised talent contests on “Showtime At The Apollo” and Black Entertainment Television.  In 2003, she released her debut album, Chocolate Rush, independently.  She now co-owns the Chocolate Caramel Music record label that releases her music.  Over the years, Rene has performed with such luminaries as Tony Bennett, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Cassandra Wilson, Earl Klugh, Nancy Wilson, Herbie Mann, Kem, Sheila E and Rachelle Ferrell.                      

 

For additional information, please visit www.althearene.com. 

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         Contact: Rick Scott 310.398.0260

JANUARY 24, 2006                                                                             email: greatscottproductions@earthlink.net

 

 

Prepare to be seduced In The Moment by soul-jazz flutist Althea Rene on February 21st

 

Title track of the urban jazz album now collecting adds at radio;

Super Bowl performance scheduled

 

 

The soulful third chapter from flutist Althea Rene, the In The Moment album, is scheduled to be released on February 21st by Chocolate Caramel Music/SoulVibe Entertainment, which is distributed nationally by Koch Entertainment.  Although the title cut is presently being added to playlists at smooth jazz radio, this is an urban instrumental collection, an aural seduction comprised of sensual R&B grooves and danceable funk with laid back contemporary jazz nuances.  Rene produced or co-produced seven of the album’s tracks and had a hand in writing five new songs.  Beyond playing a variety of flutes on the disc, she also contributed vocals, keyboards, percussion, bass and drum programming.    

 

Rene makes the flute funky and sexy.  Her instrument sings mellifluously with passion.  She’s backed by a tight rhythm section that keeps the beats driving and the grooves deep, gifted horn players who bring energy and warmth, guitarists who subtly dispense scorching riffs, classy keyboardists, and dreamy vocalists.  Musically Rene’s upbeat jams, mid-tempo grooves, and “Quiet Storm” ballads explore elements of R&B, pop, jazz and reggae.  In addition to the first single, standout selections include the affirmative “I Can”; the rhythmically spicy “Campari Juice”; Rene’s breathy vocal number, “More Than You Know”; “Number One,” the anthem-like Patrice Rushen composition; a cover of Beyonce’s hit, “Me, Myself and I”; and the cuddle up close album closer, “When You’re Around.”  The Detroit native is a physical presence with her sculpted body and long braided hair.  She’s focused, exudes confidence and is very present.  In fact, that’s what In The Moment is all about to her.

 

“The present moment is perfect if we put all of our attention and energy on it and not on the past or the future,” explained Rene.  “Both in my life and musically, it feels like everything is coming together to lead me toward my goals.  This is my third album and I’ve never been able to express myself musically better than now.  I’m aiming to make the most out of this musical moment and hope that people enjoy it with me.”              

 

Next month, Rene has a handful of live performances on her schedule, including a high-profile gig at Detroit’s Ford Field prior to the Super Bowl on February 5th.  Other appearances with her band include Galveston, TX on February 16th (Historic Balinese Room) and Chicago, IL on February 21st (Oakton Community College).  Additional concert dates to support the album release will be announced.

 

Rene’s In The Moment contains the following songs:

 

“In The Moment”                                                “One Night Love Affair”

“I Can”                                                   “Number One”

“Campari Juice”                                     “Me, Myself and I”

“More Than You Know”                    “And She Said”

Midday Grind”                                    “When You’re Around”

                                                               

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