September 9, 2008, Houston, TX-- No Restrictions debuts on the heels of René's headline show at the prestigious Russian River Jazz Festival and a perfect follow-up to her three previous albums. Known for her electrifying live performances at such venues as The Smooth Jazz Cruise, Red Cat Jazz Café, and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Europe, René aims for a complete listening experience. “It's not just a bunch of songs,” she insists. “There's got to be a fluidity and mood within the music. No Restrictions evokes a certain sweetness, yet, it's very high energy.”
The fourth CD for Houston’s legendary flute artist, René moves into her own as one of the reigning divas of the jazz flute. Gathering some of the top producers in the field, René has reached a new level of musicianship and confidence. According to the artist, the title refers to where she finds herself in her life today. “I am very content and secure right now,” says René. “And musically, I am not trying to fit into anybody else's mode. I am my own person.”
René always surrounds herself with top people in the field. She found a perfect match in Grammy-winning producer Michael Broening, who produced and wrote the title track, “No Restrictions.” Broening, who has worked with such luminaries as George Benson, Al Jarreau, and Paul McCartney, brought a keen instinct to the table. “He took the time to get a feel for my personality and my potential,” says the sultry flautist. “I am so honored to work with him.”
With “Wishing on a Star” and “I Love Your Smile” René evokes the power of memory through re-creating two classic tunes re-produced for the CD by Grammy-nominated Rex Rideout. René brings her signature eclectic style to covers as well. “Why do it the same way?” René asks. “I have to add something to the song… Rex tailored the arrangement around the flute.” Songs that work well for a sax don't always work for flute. For René, the flute is the voice. Originally from Detroit, the wistful melody of Wishing on a Star has been echoing in her mind since her teen years when she would skate to the popular Rolls Royce tune amidst the “motor city’s” icy winters. “This was the song they would play when I would wish that the cute boy would ask me to skate,” recalls René. “It's a favorite old school song.”
While recording “I Love Your Smile,” Rideout's three-year old daughter spontaneously burst into dance. “Watching that little girl captures the lightness I was going for,” says the artist. “I wanted to express the innocence of childhood, and be mindful not to overplay.”
No Restrictions features some of the best jazz artists working in the business today, including Houston's leading saxophonist Kyle Turner. He lends his elegant style to the sumptuous “Island Breeze” track. “Kyle brings such a great presence and personality,” says René. “He really shines on this CD.”
In “Ladies Nite Out,” René gathered two of the hottest women jazz musicians, bassist Rhonda Smith, and Dutch alto sax player, Candy Dulfer. She met Dulfer literally on stage while headlining on The Smooth Jazz Cruise together, and Smith, while playing in Amsterdam. “Rhonda and Candy are both really strong women and incredibly talented,” she says. “We knew immediately that we all wanted to work together. I want to be around people that are totally driven. I love that they bring their A-game every time.”
Delighted to work with Sam Pink of Red Cat Music Group, her first CD on his label, René totally relished her experience. “He gave me complete creative control and allowed me to do it my way,” she admits. “He really believes in me and has such a knack for spotting people that don't sound like anybody else.” The feeling was mutual. Equally honored to be working with her, Pink cherished the opportunity to support such a rising star. “Althea came to me with a complete package,” says Pink. “She's just an amazing talent.”
With No Restrictions, René moves into full ownership of her extraordinarily original contribution to women in jazz. “I am really pleased with how the CD turned out. It's getting a great response; the buzz on the street has been tremendous. This is what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. The best compliment is when people tell me that they never thought a flute could sound that way,” she says with pride. “I give all that's inside me every time I play.”
Althea Rene - Featured Artist on BET's "Studio Jams"
Althea Rene - Performs "Number One" Live in Fort Worth, TX
Althea Rene - Performs "As" Live in Fort Worth, TX
Althea Rene is making the flute sexy and funky. Shes a striking presence with her chiseled physique and long braided hair. The soulfully inspired, sensual grooves on her new No Restrictions album are distinctly urban with infusions of pop, jazz, and reggae. The disc, her fourth, was released Septhember 8th by Red Cat Music Group/Bungalo Music, which is distributed nationally by Universal Music Distribution.
No Restricions is comprised of nine songs of which two are covers. Rex Rideout produced versions of "I Love Your Smile" and Rose Royse's urban classic Wishing on a Star. Album highlights include the affirmative upbeat title track No Restrictions (produced by Michael Broening); the rhythmically astute Do Ya Like Dat?, produced by Chance Howard; Girl's Nite Out a number that features guest artist saxophonist Candy Dulfer and bassist Rhonda Smith. Renes flute emotes alternately between delicate and sensitive and robust and fierce. The album title was inspired by her passionate focus and aspirations to be completely present while striving for greatness in her life and musical journeys.
Photo by Ambrose - Detroit, MI
Rene is a second generation musician. Her father performed with various Motown greats. She began playing the flute and studying classical music at age four. Rene soon began to incorporate jazz and popular music into her musical repertoire. She went on to study classical music at Howard University. Afterwards, she changed her focus entirely and decided to embark on a career in law enforcement. Yes, Rene was a deputy sheriff in Detroit. Eventually she realized that music was her true calling and she devoted herself completely. Rene won nationally televised talent contests on Showtime At The Apollo and Black Entertainment Television. In 2003, she released her debut album, Chocolate Rush, independently. She now co-owns the Chocolate Caramel Music record label that releases her music. Over the years, Rene has performed with such luminaries as Tony Bennett, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Cassandra Wilson, Earl Klugh, Nancy Wilson, Herbie Mann, Kem, Sheila E and Rachelle Ferrell.
The following Radio Stations confirm Airplay of Althea Rene - No Restrictions
Monitored airplay:
WGRV/Melbourne, FL ("No Restrictions")
WEIB/Springfield, MA ("No Restrictions")
R&R Indicator airplay:
Music Choice/Cable and Satellite TV ("No Restrictions")
WVSU/Birmingham, AL ("No Restrictions")
DMX Cable Radio/"Jazz Vocal Blend" channel ("Ladies Night Out")
KUAP/Little Rock, AR ("Wishing On A Star")
KCOZ/Springfield, MO ("Wishing On A Star")
WQTQ/Hartford, CT ("Wishing On A Star")
Smoothjazz.com: CHART DEBUT 43*
see link: http://www.smoothjazz.com/charts/
Smoothindiestar.com: 17 - 12*
see link: http://smoothindiestar.com/chart/
WEAA/Baltimore, MD
KUNV/Las Vegas, NV
KSHK/Kauai, HI (jazz show)
KRBB/Wichita, KS (Sunday jazz show on A/C stationKYTE/Newport, OR
Rhythmandjazz.com/Internet
KXPT/Las Vegas, NV (Sunday jazz show on Classic Hits station)
WDLT/Mobile, AL (Sunday jazz show on Urban A/C station)
WHCR/Harlem, NY (www.harlemaftermidnite.com)
WONB/Lima, OH
WINR/Smoothjazz4u.com/Internet
WITD/Live365.com/Internet
WRTC/Hartford, CT
KEDM/Monroe, LA
Groovesuite.com/Internet
SmoothSoul.net/Internet
TM Studios/Music sampler used for retail (Wal-Mart, Kroger) in-store airplay, armed forces radio, etc.
Choice 102.9/Boston, MA
WTCC/Springfield, MA
WHBB/Selma, AL Jazz - The Radio Show/Nassau, Bahamas
BoomerRadio.com/Internet
KJLU/Jefferson City, MO
WHDD/Sharon, CT
KMXG/Davenport, IA
KUR/Kutztown, PA
WFSS/Fayetteville, NC
KQXT/San Antonio, TX (Sunday jazz show on A/C station)
KOKY/Little Rock, AR
WMLX/Lima, OH
WVOD/Manteo, NC
Radioio.com/InternetKTSU/Houston, TX
KPVU/Houston, TXWUKS/Fayetteville, NC
WBZC/Burlington, NJ (Philadelphia)
WBCP/Champaign-Urbana, IL
WJAB/Huntsville, NC
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Hey! We've added a new demo here on our page. Its of a track we've been playing called Little Lost Lamb. Do please feel the noise and give it a show! x Thanks x
Hey! We've added a new demo here on our page. Its of a track we've been playing called Little Lost Lamb. Do please feel the noise and give it a show! x Thanks x
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HELLO MY SWEET BEAUTIFUL ANGELIC FRIEND BE BLESS BY FAITH.
BY KEEPING HOPE ALIVE IN CHRIST JESUS AND THE POWERFUL MIGHTY HOLY WORD OF THE MIGHTY SPIRITUAL HEBREW GOD WHO ABIDED IN THE SHALLOW OF THE MOST HIGH HEAVEN
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