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Two years after Blu Cantrell burst through the gate as one of the great new
voices of contemporary urban R&B following the release of her scorching debut,
2001's So Blu, the striking vocal powerhouse has returned with a hot new look
and an even hotter new album, the aptly-titled Bittersweet. "My new album is
another chapter of my life; I'm getting a little further from the pain and
closer to real love," says Cantrell, whose first disc was written and recorded
in the wake of an unhealthy relationship that left the singer-songwriter
devastated and suffering from a severe bout of depression. "That's why I titled
it Bittersweet," she continues, "because I'm still bitter about some past
relationships, but I've also experienced the sweetness of love."
Indeed, Bittersweet is one part tear-stained diary and one part survival guide
for matters of the heart. "Singing about relationships is almost like therapy
for me," says Cantrell, 27. "It helps me stay focused and not allow outside
influences to make me lose sight of what I'm trying to do." And no matter
whether Cantrell's sharing a personal tale of heartbreak ("Sleep in the Middle")
or relishing the joy of love ("Happily Ever After"), she does it all with
no-nonsense flair and poise. Take, for instance, Bittersweet's lead single,
"Breathe," in which Cantrell affirms that rather than fanning the flames of a
troublesome relationship it's often best to simply evacuate and let time
extinguish the pain. "That song is a snapshot of a recent relationship," she
confesses. "Sometimes you just have to step back and give each other space."
Produced by a top-notch ensemble of in-demand hitmakers, including Tricky
Stewart, Shep Crawford, Mike City, Soulshock & Karlin, and Ivan Matias,
Bittersweet's infectious grooves, jams, ballads and club bangers not only
support, but also enhance and illuminate both Cantrell's voice and her lyrics.
The album also features a handful of inspired star-studded cameos by Fat Joe,
Sean Paul, Lil' Kim and Ian Lewis from the legendary reggae quintet Inner
Circle-all of whom complement Cantrell with their respective signature sounds.
Blessed with vocal chords that convey both power and passion, along with
insightful songwriting skills and unparalleled enthusiasm for her craft, it's no
wonder why consumers and critics alike were captivated by Cantrell the instant
they heard "Hit 'Em Up Style (Ooops!)," her distinctive introductory hit single
from 2001. Produced by Dallas Austin, the song's intriguing mix of sassy lyrics
and streetwise R&B flavor sprinkled with elements of swinging 1920s-style jazz,
spent multiple weeks at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. It also
helped So Blu become a Grammy and American Music Award nominated success that
landed in the upper reaches of Billboard's top albums chart. Most importantly,
it distinguished Cantrell from the throngs of R&B coquettes cluttering the
airwaves at the time.
"I knew the first time I heard Blu sing that she was special," says Antonio "LA"
Reid President and CEO of Arista. "It's incredible to see her growth from So Blu
to Bittersweet," he continues. "She's definitely revealing more of her inner
talent and artistry this time around." In fact, she co-wrote four cuts on
Bittersweet, including the Caribbean-tinged "Make Me Wanna Scream," the
straightforward directive "Let Her Go" and the euphoric "Holding On to Love."
There's simply no denying that Bittersweet is a landmark in the creative journey
that Cantrell embarked upon while coming of age in her native Providence, Rhode
Island, where she and her five siblings would tag along with their mother, an
amateur jazz singer, whenever she performed at local clubs. After growing up
surrounded by music, Cantrell broke into the business by paying her dues as a
backing singer for the likes of P. Diddy, Gerald Levert and Faith Evans. In
2000, she received the big break she'd been waiting for when she crossed paths
with A&R executive Tab and producer Tricky Stewart of RedZone Entertainment in
the lobby of an Atlanta hotel. Under Stewart's tutelage, Cantrell began
recording a demo and within a couple of months, she was ready for the spotlight.
"Tricky called L.A. [Reid] and told him that he had something for him to hear,"
Cantrell recalls. "Three days later, L.A. flew to Atlanta from New York with his
entire A&R staff to meet me. We all went into this tiny studio and he asked me
to sing 'Til' I'm Gone'-a song that I had recorded with Tricky-on the spot and
acapella. Something just took over me: I had my foot up off the floor, like I
was in church, and I just started singing and pointing at him. At the end of my
performance, L.A. asked me to sign, and I've been with Arista ever since."
Bittersweet's matured perspective is likely to strike a sensitive chord with
listeners by reflecting the emotional ups and downs of romance that women can
relate to and men can appreciate. It's also certain to catapult Cantrell into an
even more exciting phase of her already impressive career.
"I tell the truth about love," she says, explaining the secret to her success.
"While I don't sugar-coat things, I'm also known for my sense of humor. Through
my music, I bring a sense of light to dark subjects, especially in
relationships. This album could have been a bunch of dark, vindictive songs.
Instead, I wanted to give you real emotions with a sense of fun. I hope the fans
enjoy the aural experience as much as I enjoyed creating it."
Source: blucantrell.com
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