For her new album, Rose – literally and figuratively – stayed close to home. She recorded most of the songs in her own living room and that personal approach has worked very well. The close cooperation with keyboard player and Rose’s life companion Sven Figee and producers Dutchflower and Roland Dirkse has resulted in a coherent collection of soulful songs. Livin’ It blends vintage soul and contemporary influences into a style that is typically Rose. “On my debut, I was more passive. This time, I was able to fully depend on my own abilities and talent. I’m a better songwriter and performer than early in my career. In addition, for this album I was able to work with people who know me very well and who know what works best for me.”
On Livin’ It Rose returns to her roots; she has African-American, Indian, Jewish and Dutch blood in her veins. Rose grew up in an artistic home; her mother is a visual artist and her father, who passed away, was an African-American jazz musician. “I grew up with the music of Joan Armatrading, Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday, but I managed to create my own style without copying the things I was influenced by. This record shows where I’m coming from, but the songs are still very much Rose songs.” Livin’ It is a pop album with a heavy dose of soul, blues and solid funk. The Hammond and Wurlitzer keyboards that were used on many songs give the album a laidback Motown vibe that perfectly fits Rose’s warm, sultry vocals.
The album contains contributions of Floris Klinkert (FLORiS, Room Eleven) and American soul diva Sandra St. Victor of The Family Stand. She and Rose co-wrote the song ‘True Love’ and she is also a backing vocalist at both ‘Shame’ and ‘When Love Calls’. For Rose, who wore out the Family Stand classic album Moon In Scorpio, it was a very special experience. “I got in touch with her through one of my backing vocalists. After hearing my demos, she told me how glad she was to finally hear some real soul music from the Netherlands again, which is a great compliment. Our cooperation was very intense and personal.”
The quality of the album is consistently high, but, for different reasons, several tracks stand out. The personal title track ‘Livin’ It’ is about a period in Rose’s life in which things didn’t go so well for her. “My songs are basically profound conversations with myself to gather new insights. The title track expresses where I am right now in my life. It’s about self acceptance.” ‘Voodoo Tricks’, on the other hand, is more frivolous and sexy; it’s an ode to 70’s funk, of which the singer is a huge fan. The gospel-like ‘Sunny Day’ is special because of its emotional lyrics. Rose wrote this song for friends who lost a baby. “That event had such an impact on me. It was very liberating to sing this song.” The cover of John Lennon’s ‘Jealous Guy’ is remarkable because of its female approach. Rose recorded the track in the middle of the night, accompanied by just a candle and a glass of brandy. She doesn’t fear any negative reactions. “Of course, this song has been covered many times before, but that’s not a reason for me not to do it my own way. It really comes from the heart.”
When she was young, all Rose wanted to do was become an artist, just like her dad, jazz saxophonist Glenn Spearman. She took every opportunity that came her way, starting with jumping on stage and grabbing the mic during a DJ Tony Humphries gig in New York. From then on, she worked with internationally renowned DJ’s like David Morales, Roger Sanchez and DJ Roog. Her debut ‘Trust’ (2002) was top of the bill, certainly for a Dutch artist; it was produced by American celebrities such as King Britt, James Poyser & Vikter Duplaix (known from their work with Erykah Badu and Lauren Hill) and with string arrangements by the legendary Larry Gold. The album had a broad international sound and got raving reviews. Despite that, and her excellent live reputation, the album wasn’t as successful as Rose had hoped for, and she had to reconsider her options. “On tour with Kraak & Smaak I discovered that my priority is life itself. However, I also discovered that making music, singing, is an absolute necessity for me.”
It’s a good thing Rose has come to this conclusion; Livin’ It is an honest, raw and organic record with catchy beats and a real live vibe. As she herself concludes: “This album is spot on. It clearly shows who I am; it shows the real Rose.”
ROSE CLUBTOUR OCTOBER 2007!!! CHECK OUT THE AGENDA FOR THE DATES!!!
After an extensive period of touring (both solo and as a vocalist on the Kraak & Smaak tour), writing and producing, the true Rose has finally emerged on her second album Livin’ It. The Dutch singer/songwriter has obviously grown, both personally and musically. “I wanted Livin’ It to sound raw and organic, less polished than my debut album. I wanted to emphasize that I’m first and foremost a live artist.”
I saw you sing with Kraak *& Smaak 0n 5th May Festival, Spuiplein - you were awesome - as were they - great voice - so much passion and energy - really enjoyed it - thank you.
(Novum) - Perez Hilton heeft de Nederlandse formatie Kraak & Smaak ontdekt. "We hebben een nieuw volkslied, mensen", zegt de Amerikaanse showbizzblogger op zijn site. Hij omschrijft het geluid van Kraak & Smaak in het nummer 'Squeeze me' als een combinatie van Amy Winehouse en Moby.
in de TROUW: Perez Hilton, die eigenlijk Mario Lavandeira heet, lijkt een zwak voor Nederlandse artiesten te hebben. Eerder werden Anouk en Bearforce 1 de hemel in geprezen door de blogger, die dagelijks miljoenen bezoekers heeft op zijn site.
De 30-jarige Hilton staat bekend om zijn grote invloed in de muziekindustrie. Zo droeg hij bij aan de doorbraak van Britse artiesten als Mika en Amy Winehouse in Amerika. Onlangs maakte hij bekend dat hij met platenmaatschappij Warner Bros in onderhandeling is over een eigen muzieklabel.
Just wanted to let you know it was a pleasure to cooperate on the Not Easy At All production a while ago, although we never met, but we had common vocal labor only via internet! (how's that for a Wednesday morning poem :-)
Hope to see you soon, maybe in Paradiso for the Fatty Boom Project.
Hey Rose, Ook langs deze weg nog even zeggen dat je optreden in Bel Air geweldig was, heb heerlijk staan swingen, mooie songs, strakke band en harmonische backings...TOP! Liefz Chickie
Alle foto's van Speakers staan online op www.popfotograaf.nl Een selectie is geplaatst op de site Haags Poppodium van Gerard v/d IJssel. Het VPRO 3voor12 artikel schrijf ik vanavond. Zal maandag wel op de site staan.
Hi there , Thanx voor je leuke reactie. Ik zal mijn best doen om zo snel mogelijk naar een optreden van jou te komen kijken ! See you soon ! Liefs Natalia xxx
Thanx voor de"add". Ik heb je cd nu een paar maanden , ik vindt hem prachtig , en ik wordt heel erg happy van je geweldige muziek ,en je prachtige voice ! Heel veel liefs en toi toi van Natalia ;-)
HEY ROSE HOWS YOU DOING HOPE ALL IS WELL!! I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW I HAVE A FEW OF FRIENDS DIGGEN YOUR CD HURRY UP AND GET BIG AND GET BACK OUT HERE IM TRYING TO TALK YOUR STUBBORN BROTHER INTO GOING OUT THERE IN OCTOBER OHHHHH HOW I HOPE KKK KEEP THE MUSIC COMING HOPE TO SEE U SOON!!!!!
