http://www.allaboutjazz.c...p?id=11181



Rhonda Smith, longstanding bass player for legendary visionary Prince, has appeared on a myriad of magazine covers from Bass Player with the purple majesty himself to Bassics. Now she prepares to release her groundbreaking sophomore album RS2 featuring guest appearances from Prince, Sheila E., Fred Hammond and others

Redefining the role of gifted musicians who are also equally gifted vocalists, confessional singer/songwriter and bass player Rhonda Smith, is one of music's great undiscovered treasures. As a vocalist, the pearly tone songstress is lyrically sophisticated with emotional depth that is both admirable and technically brilliant, and as a musician, she has sparked several genres of music including smooth jazz/funk and electrified funk/rock, which only touch the tip of her creative abilities.


“This is Rhonda ... and SHE is funky!”--Prince


Rhonda, who released her debut record Intellipop in 2000, has played bass for and toured with the revolutionary Prince for close to a decade; and anyone familiar with the Purple Majesty's stringent work ethic knows that in order to be a part of his innovative ensemble, artistic perfection is a non-negotiable requirement.


“This is Rhonda and she is funky” is the chant heard and sung by millions of Prince fans at shows on 5 continents. But make no mistake; the funk is only the tip of the iceberg. Taking the incalculable experience of working alongside one of the industry's most revered pioneering talents, along with a treasure trove of perfect melodies, Rhonda has skillfully packaged it all in a disc that will surely give her the respect she rightfully deserves.


“Rhonda Smith is the consummate example of power and grace on bass. A member of Prince's New Power Generation band since 1997, Rhonda can apply fretless finesse to a steamy ballad and, in the spin of a boot heel, dole out serious double-thumbing on a furious funk workout. With Prince, Smith's grooves onstage and on disc are impressive -- but her evocative 2000 debut solo CD Intellipop reveals a savvy composer, sultry vocalist, and seasoned arranger / producer who masterfully juggles overdubbed 5- and 6-string, electric upright, piccolo bass, and fretless in service of the songs.” - Bass Player Magazine


RS2, Rhonda's sophomore CD, is a breakout and breakthrough record that beautifully showcases the genius talent in her element. And people do dig it, especially His Royal Badness, who also appears on RS2. The album is plush and detailed with an abundance of virtuoso performances from renowned artist Sheila E. to a surprising duet with gospel superstar Fred Hammond. Rhonda says that in her experience playing with Prince she has learned “a lot of patience and the importance of being solid in the band.” She goes on to say: ”Everyone has a different role and I've learned a lot of techniques from Prince. You have to be around it and inhale it and watch it for a while and live and breathe it. Things such as that I have learned and have been invaluable.”


It comes as no surprise that the ambitious musician with a storied career that spans over two decades, comes from a musical family. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the oldest black community in Canada, she and her family moved to the French and Jazz-influenced Montreal while she was a child. There, she was surrounded by the sounds of piano riffs, her mother's instrument of choice, as well as a lot of rock & roll. As a child, Smith, who has three siblings that are also musically- inclined, learned how to play the baritone horn, keyboard, guitar and of course, bass.


Rhonda attended McGill University in Montreal where she studied jazz performance. While at McGill, she began touring Canada with different rock groups, usually as the sole female artist proving that she could hang with her male counterparts. She worked with many notable Canadian artists including Claude Dubois, Daniel Lavoie, Robert Charlebois, and Joanne Blouin. She won a coveted Juno Award (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for her work with Jim Hillman and The Merlin Factor.


Since coming to the US, Rhonda's resume reads like a Who's Who of the music industry. In addition to her work with Prince, she has performed with Chaka Khan, Beyonce, T. I., Erykah Badu, Patti Austin, Patrice Rushen, Brenda Russell, Lee Ritenour, Larry Graham, Patti Labelle, Little Richard, Justin Timberlake, Najee, Candy Dulfer, Kirk Whalum and George Clinton, to name a few.


“Montreal born, LA-based Rhonda Smith is an in-demand bass player of the highest order. Her resume includes work with Chaka Khan, Sheila E and backed artists as diverse as Little Richard, Justin Timberlake and Robert Palmer”--Australian Musician Magazine


Rhonda is no stranger to the camera either. She has been featured in numerous music videos, appeared on the covers of Bass Player and Bassics magazines and even spent stints with The Martin Short Show and The Wayne Brady Show. She has 3 Platinum Plaques on her wall and in 2004 played for 1.4 million attendees over 88 sold-out dates on Prince's wildly successful Musicology Tour.


Recorded and performed primarily in Atlanta, RS2 is an inventive disc that favors solid instrumentation and radiant harmonies, with Rhonda's voice flowing gorgeously over the unpredictable beats. The diversity and musicality of the album draw obvious comparisons to Prince. However, “Ms. Rhonda” clearly has her own unique identity and sound. The legendary visionary has undoubtedly influenced Smith as a businesswoman and artist, however she is quick to point out that she is not a Prince clone. “This record tells a story. We made a conscious effort to assemble an album that people can listen to from top to bottom without having to hit the skip button. No filler allowed.” No filler indeed. Experience Rhonda's breakthrough-- RS2.

Looking forward to hearing it Rhonda !!!

Congratulations and best wishes 2u...


I hope to see you in action soon!

Very nice review! Thanks.

I have em both... Very Fubky !!!

Intellipop is one of my favorite "related artists" albums. I still listen to it all the time. My step dad before he died used to play the heck out of it and he wasn't a Prince fan he just heard me playing it and liked it.

RS2 came out September 12th. It is in stores and on iTunes right now.

So how is the track he is on? Guess I will wait.


I posted this last night on the bumpsquad HOWEVER it did not show up til this morning.

Frickin Yahoo. lol. Thanks for sharing Katt.

Nice!

I hope there is some decently recorded live bass sounds on this CD showcasing her amazing talents

JimmyNothing said:

I remember pictures of Rhonda smith in an Emancipation book I have....

Is Rhonda the longest lasting "regular" musician associate of Prince's?

Though some have occasionally come back for minor appearances with Prince, I think Rhonda holds the record for longest lasting. Anyone care to correct me?

hello Rhonda hope to hear you new album you been working with prince so i know you will do good proud of you.cause prince is the greatest god bless you Rhonda peace and love.p.s yes you have good talents.

savoirfaire said:

It's pretty close with Dr. Fink but I would say that he probably should hold the record considering he wasn't replaced for a couple of years like Rhonda was. Not to mention she hasn't played with him since the end of the Musicology tour. Her time with him has pretty much been limited to tours as she never really hung out in Minneapolis as much as others did.
[Edited 9/24/06 16:58pm]

Been waitin for something new from her, she rocks

sylvianice said:

thank you slyvianice glad to hear you like my music god bless you too and please look into finding out what a run on sentence is because it is very hard to read your writing and then i will be able to say you have good writing talents

I have them both- I love them!
I play them in my classroom when the kids are working quietly for background music...

Good Luck Rhonda.You are a very talented,funky bass player.

Rhonda Smith is Sade 2 the 7th power.

smooth, mellow, and flowing.
the kind of music u can press replay on one joint, b4 pressing replay on the next 4 a month.

and when u r n that space...u can't go wrong with the whole CD on permanent replay.

groovin, magic.

never understood y Rhonda was never given her moment on Princes tour, or y she has not toured herself.
SHE IS THAT GOOD.

INTELLEPOP
RS2

sometimes crummy cd titles blie the fantastic feast Rhonda's musical table has 2 offer.
there was nothing 'POP' about iNtellePOP.

in my Itunes, the track TIME is credited to Rhonda and Prince!

I'm gonna check this out, as well as her first CD.

My wife is sooo talented...

TheBluePrince said:

What's that have to do with a thread dedicated to my wife, Rhonda Smith?



Go'on, now. Go on and git!!!

ThreadBare said:

Does she sing, too?

shockadelicaa said:

uh, sorta... In a Twinnish kinda way...

what song or songs does Prince contribute to?

Miko was around for a long time too...SOTT, LoveSexy and Nude tours. I think Fink and Miko are probably the top two.

VanillaSoyMilk said:

are you on crack?

iceblueangel2007 said:

aye

will certainly consider this on my xmas list. am totally in the dark for so many good musicians that have played for prince. will definitely try to check her out this christmas. i had better right it down now so i won't forget, once i leave the computer. okay i am back. have post-it noted it down, so tomorrow when i go to the table for my daily tang drink i will see it. hopefully i will find it when i go to target. thanks for the review!