I love music that transports you. I’ll be the first to admit that I am on the “where is the real music” soap box. People have often asked me, “what is ‘real’ music to you?” Simply put…its music that moves me.
Rolling down the coast I am ALWAYS playing something off the grid and creative. On a chance meeting I ran into the beautiful and equally talented recording artist Laurena at Comfort LA, a downtown Los Angeles soul food eatery. We talked about her latest project, Universal Love and I couldn’t wait to check it out.
Laurena is a seasoned and gifted artist, producer and songwriter who has honed her skills for more than two decades. Prior to her debut 1997 and solo project Laurnea was a member of 3 groups in the 1990s. Bobby McFarrin’s a capella group VOICESTRA, British group Loose Ends and later in the Grammy winning group ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT mid-90’s.
Joining the R&B industry in1997 with the release of her debut album Betta Listen. The album featured production by Omar, Raphael Saadiq. After 4 years of working with Sony and in 2000, left to form her own label, Era Sound 1 Records.
On her own label, Laurnea released several albums including Laurnea 2 (2000), New Territory in 2002, I Remember (2004), The Collection (2005) and recently Universal Love (2005).
Laurnea has also worked with industry heavy-hitters like India.Arie, Rachelle Farrell, Jon B, Craig Love, Dwayne Wiggins, Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Shaunice Wilson, Ledesi and N’Dambi.
So do yourself a favor and look out for UNIVERSAL LOVE In stores in Japan now.