Friday 1 July, 2016

Freestyle to release Carleen Anderson's 'Cage Street Memorial - The Pilgrimage'

"She's not just good, she's phenomenal.. Carleen Anderson is one of a kind"  ~ James Brown.

Freestyle Records is immensly proud to announce the latest addition to the label's growing roster of talent. Internationally renowned, vocalist, musician, songwriter, educator, and scripter,  - a genuine world class artist; Carleen Anderson.

Of this new partnership Carleen states: "I am so delighted to join the independent artists' support system that is Freestyle Records!"

Freestyle Records A&R man Greg Boraman says: "I have known Carleen, and followed her career closely since she first sprang to interntional attention as part of The Young Disciples. That landmark 'Road To Freedom' album, indeed all of her following solo work has always shown she is a a true one off, a rare talent with an even rarer musical integrity. Her latest project on Freestyle continues absolutely in that tradition. It is a genuine honour to have her join the label". 

Cage Street Memorial - The Pilgrimage is something special and quite unique. The project is more than just an album of original music, it is also a theatre production written and performed by Carleen, as well as her autobiographical book of the same name.

The album is lined up for a November 2016 release - and we invite you to discover more about this utterly fascinating and very special project:

Carleen discusses The Cage Street Memorial project with Jason Holmes:

Media/Press/radio organisations - to arrange an interview with Carleen - please contact: greg@freestylerecords.co.uk

- The Freestyle Records Team

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The story of 'Cage Street Memorial - The Pilgrimage'

Cage Street Memorial - The Pilgrimage: Carleen,  the winner of Jazz FM’s 2013 Best UK Vocalist award blends styles ranging from jazz to classical influences, rooted in her Gospel heritage.

As one part of her creative trilogy, these collections of new songs composed, arranged and produced by Anderson also sets the tone for the digital multi-media accompanied theatre production, both informed by her ancestry book.

The entire tri-platform project is a life’s work that chronicles over a century of tribal heritage alongside the impact of multi-culturalism that traces her heredity from late 19th century USA to 21st century UK.  The book and theatre production combines a gritty, humorous narrative conveyed through poetry and songs that tells of a family lineage amidst an ethnic mosaic landscape of global politics whilst celebrating perseverance against the odds. The mixture of music stylings makes this an excitng, genuine and highly personal offering far outside the boundaries of current 'urban' music. She has lovingly crafted this album using all her talents, lifelong influences and delicate tastes.

The Cage Street Memorial Theatrical production:

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Carleen Anderson - Artist Biography

Carleen's career and creative credentials are surely well known to most, but a brief summation includes quite an incredible array of legends and musical milestones:

Her association with soul music was inherited from her birth mother, Vicki Anderson, who James Brown often cited as his favorite vocalist. Carleen toured with her stepfather, Bobby Byrd, the founder of James Brown and the Famous Flames and from 1974 to 1992, Carleen was the opening act for the Bobby Byrd and the JB All Stars tour of the US southern states, Europe and the UK.

Recruited as the vocalist and songwriter for the band, The Young Disciples, Carleen relocated to the UK in June 1990. The resulting Mercury prize nominated album 'Road To Freedom' was heralded as a contemporary classic as was the single 'Apparantly Nothing'. In 1992, Carleen signed a solo deal with Virgin Records and released her Brit Award nominated album ' True Spirit'. To follow was the crictically aclaimed album "Blessed Burden", co-produced with Paul Weller.

A short list of her diverse collaborations includes: Meshell Ndgeocello, Lalah Hathaway, Nigel Kennedy, Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, Chrissie Hynde, Jocelyn Brown, Omar, Dr. John, Courtney Pine, Mica Paris, Julian Joseph, Pops Staples, The London Community Gospel Choir, Incognito, Norman Connors, Guy Barker, The Ronnie Scott's All Stars, Ramsay Lewis, and a one-off impromptu performance with her Godfather, James Brown, featured in her 2003 LIVE DVD/CD - "Grace and Favours".

This FREESTYLE RECORDS signing marks the release of Carleen's seventh independent album, the first of which was ‘Alberta’s GrandDaughter’, in 2002, and delivers the platform for her to musically narrate her Universal outlook via CAGE STREET MEMORIAL ~ The Pilgrimage.

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