This is an album I've been waiting for:
http://www.billboard.com/...1000616898



It's been some time since Queen Latifah found herself behind the mic. Once a groundbreaking female rapper, the artist has in recent years concentrated on an acclaimed film career that has included performances in "Chicago" and "Barbershop 2: Back in Business."

That will change with the Sept. 28 release of "The Dana Owens Album," the title of which reflects the artist's given name. Eschewing her hip-hop past, the Vector/Flavor Unit/Interscope set is a vocal album that finds Latifah singing jazz, soul and pop classics.

Along with the impressive voice she revealed in the films "Chicago" and "Living Out Loud," Latifah's previously announced choice of Arif Mardin and Ron Fair as producers brings the requisite credibility to the project. Beyond a resume that includes extensive work with Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler and Chaka Khan, Mardin was instrumental in Norah Jones' debut, "Come Away With Me," and its follow-up, "Feels Like Home."

Fair, meanwhile, is a contemporary pop producer who has worked with Christina Aguilera, Vanessa Carlton, Counting Crows, Mya and the Black Eyed Peas.

Preceding the album's release are a pair of singles premiering tomorrow (Aug. 24) via AOL Music's "First Listen" program. The first is a cover of the Mamas & the Papas classic "California Dreamin'" inspired by Jose Feliciano's quasi-flamenco version on his 1968 album, "Feliciano!"

The second is a big band arrangement of the Leonard Feather/Billy Moore Jr. song "Baby Get Lost," revered versions of which have been recorded by Billie Holliday and B.B. King. It was also a 1949 pop hit for Dinah Washington.

The album features Al Green appears on a version of his own "Simply Beautiful," while James Moody is on hand for a take of his "Moody's Mood for Love." Herbie Hancock adds sparkle to a run through the Screamin' Jay Hawkins standard "I Put a Spell on You."

Elsewhere, Latifah tackles Barbara Lewis' "Hello Stranger," Bill Withers' "Same Love That Made Me Laugh," Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" and the Joe Zawinul written/Cannonball Adderly popularized "Mercy Mercy Mercy."

This is Latifah's first album since 1998's "Order in the Court" (Flavor Unit/Motown), which bowed at No. 16 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and has sold 99,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Expect extensive promotional appearances in support of the album. In addition to a showing at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, look for Queen Latifah on NBC's "Today" (Sept. 24), CBS' "60 Minutes" (Oct. 3) and "The Late Show With David Letterman" (Oct. 6) and "Live With Regis & Kelly" (Oct. 7).

A "Saturday Night Live" appearance is also likely, as is an hour-long prime time special in December on yet-to-be disclosed network.

All of the musical activity will not take Queen Latifah out of Hollywood, though. On Sept. 3, she'll make a billed "special appearance" in Lion's Gate Films' "The Cookout," which boasts an ensemble cast also featuring rappers Eve and Ja Rule.

Next up will be a starring turn in the 20th Century Fox remake of the 1998 French action film "Taxi" opposite Jimmy Fallon, due Oct. 8 in U.S. theaters. Finally, Latifah also headlines MGM's "Beauty Shop." Further developing the character established in "Barbershop 2," she plays the confident proprietor of Gina's Salon in the film, the opening of which is yet to be scheduled.

Here is the tentative track list for "The Dana Owens Album":

"Baby Get Lost"
"California Dreaming"
"Mercy Mercy Mercy"
"Simply Beautiful" (featuring Al Green)
"I Put a Spell On You" (featuring Herbie Hancock)
"Close Your Eyes"
"Moody's Mood for Love" (featuring James Moody)
"Hard Times"
"If I Had You"
"Same Love That Made Me Laugh"
"Lush Life"


-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

I'm a little wary of "California Dreamin'", but otherwise this sounds really promising.

Looks like Ms. Owens is all growed up.
Interesting recording project. Hope she pulls it off.

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

The woman can sing her ass off... It kinda hurts my heart to know that she waited this long to do this.
My spidey-senses tell me that she can pull this off
[This message was edited Mon Aug 23 17:35:33 2004 by psykosoul]

I Queen Latifah. I have all of her albums. I want this one, too. Can't wait for her hip hop LP next year, it'll definitely be a return to form for her.

i've been wowed by QL's singing talent since i saw her in that flick with holly hunter and danny devito - the movie wasn't so great, but i remember it was worth watching just to see queen latifah belt one out...at the time, i was like, "who knew?!" the woman has a really wonderful voice - i love that she sings with as much economy as power - she doesn't do all that beyonce melisma crap - it's really refreshing, in my opinion, anyway...

This album sounds interesting but I wish she would release another hip-hop/R&B album. I loved her song "Better Than the Rest" off last years' "Bringing Down The House".

I Love La any style or format.....Fan since "Wrath of my Madness" 88 baby!!!!!

boriquateddy said:

YEAH! YEAH! And "Princess of the Posse" (Whatcha'llknow'bout that!)

JANFAN4L said:

"She Rhyme Amer-ican.....
She Rap Jamaican....."


CLASSIC ISH RIGHT THEY'RE.....Yo JanFan you follow the female rhyme slayers too?

I knew the coming of this album was just a matter of time. She has a very strong soulful voice.

Love & Light,

Quietsoul

boriquateddy said:

Yep. Yep. Not as comprehensive as you, though, but I follow them nonetheless.

psykosoul said:

OMG! A cover of my absolute favorite Al Green song? That alone might be reason enough for me to buy this. But, to add "Moody's Mood" to the mix? Wow! I'll bet she grew up listening to the Chief Rocker Frankie Crocker!

I wonder if I still have her first CD? Remember "Ladies First?" Back then she had this Afrocentric thing going on. (Lookin' like Shahrazad Ali.) Remember her dancers "The Safari Sisters?" Queen La's been holdin' it down for some time now. All hail the queen!

UptownDeb said:

Look at you droppin' a Noo Yoik reference like that.

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

It's really about time she did something like this. I have been telling people for years that she can sing and they all looked at me like I was crazy. If you listen to her music you can hear her flexing her chops here and there, albeit only for slight moments. I can't wait to hear this!

theAudience said:

Umfrumbrooklyn. This is how we do.

UptownDeb said:

That's where I grew up.
Originally, Bed-Stuy (Herkimer St. bet. Ralph & Howard avena)
(got my Radio Raheem t-shirt, "Bed-Stuy Do Or Die")

Later, East Flatbush (E.26th St. bet. Avena D & Clarendon Rd.)

We 'bout it, 'bout it.

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm[/quote]
[This message was edited Tue Aug 24 12:43:31 2004 by theAudience]

theAudience said:

[This message was edited Tue Aug 24 12:43:31 2004 by theAudience]
[/quote]


STOP IT! I knew you were my brother from another mother!!!

UptownDeb said:

Whaddup Sis?

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm
[This message was edited Tue Aug 24 13:37:37 2004 by theAudience]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

The first time I heard her sing was either on a Grammy or American Music Awards Show back in '98 or '99 and she did a rendition of My Funny Valentine and it floored me.

Anxiety said:

AOL is premiering two of the songs off the album--"California Dreamin'" and "Baby Get Lost"--VERY impressive! She has a great vocal range and was able to capture the feel of both songs, which are very different ("California Dreamin'" of course the old 60's tune from The Mamas and The Papas and "Baby Get Lost" is a blues).

NuPwr319 said:

Yep, Dinah "Queenie" Washington got it bad with this and Lady Day too.

And she HERBIE FUCKIN' HANCOCK backing her up? Damn, now you know the sista is bad to be having this brotha behind her back.

Not to mention Mr.Arif Mardin(My hero, production-wise) putting this whole project 2ghether, Arif can make some magic and he got vision(For those who don't know he produced Norah Jones, Chaka, Aretha & loved his work with Donny Hathaway and he's from the bebop school so he's the BADDEST).

JANFAN4L, girl now you know me & you are on the same boat when it comes to Dana Owens

CAN'T WAIT!!!!