R&B singer Divine Brown reveals her roots
by Christine LeonardAppearing at Jack Singer Concert Hall June 26, 2008
They say there’s no love like old-school love, and few Canadian singer-songwriters know this better than R&B prodigy Divine Brown. Brown (formerly known as Divine Earth Essence) saw 2005 become the new “summer of love” as the single from her self-titled debut poured from patio speakers and car stereos across the country. Enchanting audiences with her impressive five-octave vocal range and penchant for dance-worthy grooves, the runaway hit “Old Skool Love” heralded Brown’s arrival on the scene and brought her soulful sound to the attention of millions. Urban pop and reggae fans alike flocked to Brown’s rock-steady beat, finding common ground in her soulful melodies, soaring intonations and playful rhythms. Ever conscious of paying homage to her musical roots, Brown hopes that her modern songwriting style strikes a familiar chord with listeners of all ages.
“I’m all about drawing on older forms of soul and funk to create something fresh and unique,” Brown explains. “Just as hip hop borrows from older sounds, I love and respect all genres and use them to create new art forms. If people like pop, then there’s something for them in my music, or if they’re from an older generation and like The Platters, then they’ll enjoy it, too. More than anything else, music triggers feelings and memories for me. When I was growing up as a child, Sunday was always ‘soul music’ day around our house; sitting around in the sunshine listening to Al Green. I hope people get that emotional connection when they listen to my music.”
Accustomed to recording her innermost reflections in song — she’s had a passion for writing lyrics since the age of 14 — Brown took a hands-on approach when it came time to think about producing her next full-length CD. With 12 freshly penned original tunes at the ready, she headed back into the studio in late 2007 to record her new album, The Love Chronicles. A heartfelt tribute to the artists who have influenced and inspired her (including Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner and Anita Baker), The Love Chronicles faithfully traces the gradual evolution of R&B music throughout the decades.
“It was an extraordinary experience putting the album together,” says Brown. “I wanted live musicians in the studio with me, so I flew [in] some people I had worked with in the past to play drums, bass, strings and horns. It was a surprisingly easy way to work. I imagine the experience is something like what Chaka Khan and Rufus [Thomas] would have done in their day.
“I also brought in guest producers to help give each track the feeling of a different era. For example, “Lay It On the Line” is kind of a doo-wop throwback with contemporary production. Some of the tracks were recorded directly to tape to give them that warm, vintage, analog sound. I had a lot of fun writing The Love Chronicles, because love is such a complex topic. There are so many aspects to explore. This time I just wanted to lay it on the line.”
A veteran of Toronto productions of Rent and Ain’t Misbehavin’, Brown is accustomed to setting the room alight with her fiery stage presence and powerful vocals. The tables were turned, however, when a recent shoot for her smouldering new single “Lay It On the Line” had to been relocated due to temperatures even more extreme than the ones her performances generate.
“We just filmed the video for ‘Lay It On the Line’ at Fox Studios with director Paul Boyd [Lenny Kravitz, Shania Twain, Sting, Ice T],” says Brown. “We were supposed to do it at Universal Studios, but then they had that massive fire on their lot. It was really coincidental, here I am flying into L..A. with the burning fire that Divine Brown brings and here the place is already in ashes.”
