April 5, 2011

After a long hiatus, fans are being treated to a double dose of new music from Jill Scott.

The Light of the Sun -- the singer/songwriter's first album under her recently announced distribution deal with Warner Bros. -- is due in early summer.

In the meantime, Scott's former label Hidden Beach Recordings is ramping up the late spring arrival of Just Before Dawn: Jill Scott From the Vault, Vol. 1.

The project's lead single is a cover of Bill Withers' classic, "Lovely Day."

Slated as the first in a series of previously unreleased Scott projects, Just Before Dawn represents the amicable outcome of a lawsuit last year between Scott and Hidden Beach alleging the singer exited halfway through her six-album deal. "Every family has fights from time to time and the Hidden Beach family is no different," said Hidden Beach CEO Steve McKeever.

"But if you're family, you come back and figure something out. That's what we did. We are cheering the Warner Bros. record on, but also pleased to have worked jointly with Jill in selecting and compiling music from previous recording sessions that celebrate the greatness of her artistry."

Scott approved all the selections on Just Before Dawn which McKeever emphasizes is not a random collection of outtakes. "These are unheard masterpieces, some of which were meant to be the centerpiece of future albums," says McKeever.

In addition to the DJ Jazzy Jeff-produced "Lovely Day," available for sale exclusively at hiddenbeach.com, the 10-track album features songs helmed by such noted producers as Dre & Vidal, James Poyser, Carvin Haggins & Ivan Barias and Adam Blackstone.

Also available: a limited edition, deluxe version of the CD, packaged with a DVD that includes all of Scott's music videos and bonus live performances. In conjunction with the "Lovely Day" single, Hidden Beach is launching a campaign that will encourage people to "Do Better. Feel Better. Have a 'Lovely Day.'"

Scott spent 10 years with Hidden Beach during which time she released three studio albums, a live album, a live DVD and a compilation album featuring previous collaborations with various artists.

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that was weird and over the top with the cheap voice alteration and the jail sounds... its so bizarre that companies think they own people because they own their music/art.

pretty song tho! i saw jill scott in that tyler perry movie the other day and she was so cute. she is a great talent.

that "Lovely Day" remake isn't half bad

Her cover version is almost as irresistible as the original.

[Edited 4/6/11 10:02am]

still diggin' this