Teena Marie
CONGO SQUARE
Release Date: 6-July-2009
Label: STAX / Concord / UMC
Format: 1CD & Digital Download
Cat No. 7231320
Internationally renowned singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Teena Marie, the “Ivory Queen of Soul,” presents an all-new 16-song set showing she hasn’t lost one bit of her edge. Features guest appearances by FAITH EVANS, GEORGE DUKE, MC LYTE, HOWARD HEWITT and SHIRLEY MURDOCK.
‘Congo Square’, Teena Marie's Stax Records debut, marks the Grammy nominated singer's 30th year as one the most admired and influential R&B artists of her generation. It's is an ode to all those who came before her like Sarah Vaughan, Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye to name a few.
The first single from Teena Marie's long-awaited, forthcoming Stax Records debut "Can't Last A Day" features Faith Evans and is available digitally at iTunes, Amazon MP3 and all other digital retailers.
Teena and Faith move back and forth throughout “Can't Last A Day" with powerful emotion. "Musically, the song has that Gamble & Huff, Teddy Pendergrass, Philadelphia International sound," offered Teena. "It's about that mystical, joined-through-God kind of love...really powerful...like the love I felt when I spoke to my auntie who was married for 57 years, and the love reflected in my mother who was married to my father for 36 years until he died. When she dies she'll be buried next to him. I'm talking about people being together until the end of time. I think we're really missing that level of love today."
Teena lights up when describing how Faith became involved in the song, "It was after I had recorded the song I got the idea to put Faith on it. I've always loved Faith and her vocal style. She reminds me of myself, personally and professionally. Of the younger ladies, she's the one I love most."
Like most of her classic albums, Congo Square cruises smoothly from southern soul and smokey jazz to dance floor funk. One of the most admired and influential R&B artists of her generation, Teena Marie was also a pioneer in helping bring Hip-Hop to the mainstream. She has been covered by, sampled by, and/or collaborated with such artists as JADA KISS, EVE, LUDACRIS,THE FUGEES, SNOOP DOGG, NE-YO, MISSY ELLIOTT, ROMEO, and many, many more…
Tracklisting
01. The Pressure (feat. MC LYTE) (5:32)
02. Can’t Last a Day (feat. FAITH EVANS) (5:06)
03. Baby I Love You (4:58)
04. Ear Candy 101 (4:48)
05. Lover’s Lane (feat. HOWARD HEWITT) (5:08)
06. Marry Me (5:32)
07. You Baby (4:16)
08. MIlk n’ Honey (feat. ROSE LeBEAU & GAIL GOTTI) (5:27)
09. What U Got 4 Me (4:43)
10. Rovleta’s Jass (0:32)
11. Congo Square (feat. GEORGE DUKE) (4:55)
12. Harlem Blues (5:18)
13. BLack Cook (2:00)
14. Ms. Coretta (5:20)
15. Soldier (feat. SHIRLEY MURDOCK) (4:26)
16. The Rose n’ Thorn (5:30)