Flow does not merely mark the graduation of a woman who has arguably stayed too long at the fair--globetrotting with superstars or milking a studio tan at the service of hit makers. Flow represents a joyous ceremony of sweet, purposeful liberation. As A. Scott Galloway states in the liner notes, “Not only does singer/ songwriter Fiddmont have a lot to say, she has boldly opened her own label, MidLife Records, to start spreading the news."
Los Angeles area fans can hear the debut CD at a special “VIP Listening Party" on June 21 at Studio City's Clear Lounge. Fans can listen in as she's interviewed by Aaron T., from the “Soul on Sunset" Interview Series. Also a “Record Release Party," with a special debut performance, is planned for July 11 at the Aura Night Club, also in Studio City. To attend either of these events, or to stay apprised of other INVITATION ONLY parties, performances, etc., sign up at http:// www.lynnefiddmont.com.
Flow, released May 30 in the USA, is available in selected cities, at various record stores, and online through INgrooves and at iTunes.com.
Few musicians would take the risk of producing, arranging and writing the lyrics, in addition to singing on their debut CD. Fiddmont shows her strength in creating Flow, an intensely personal 9- song collection of melodic, jazzy soul songs, all but one of which is not a Fiddmont original. “As things occur, you can either fight them or go with them, figuring out solutions and making the best of a challenging situation--it's all about life's ebb and flow," she explains.
Released as the CD's first single through INgrooves and on a Tastemaker compilation in Europe, “Flow (The EP Remix Series)," has whetted the appetites of listeners with her soul-stirring artistry. Blue notes of bittersweet deja vu fill Fiddmont's breathtaking new acoustic version of “U R Loved," a Quiet Storm classic that she first recorded in 1991 (under the Duo name “Linsey") on their CD, PERFECT LOVE.
Fiddmont, the soulstress with the thousand-watt smile, invites the listener on a jazzy musical journey of love, sorrow and rebirth. She sings of luxurious daydreams, spur-of-the-mid-week holidays and torrid scented-candle nights of the so-good-so-right and oh-so-wrong varieties. And it's all set to a mesmerizing score where jazz and pop swirl to seamlessness.
Everything that Lynne has learned about relationships has manifested within her work. She poured her heart into the driving, inspirational mantra “Something I Can Feel" (which features her brother, Keith Fiddmont, on soprano sax, as well as her son, Courtney, and daughter, Alana, as part of the children's choir). It was inspired by her lifelong musical idol, Stevie Wonder, and his masterwork “As," because, “the hook has so many words and the structure goes through cycles," she explains. “The song talks about wanting to believe in the love supreme and that love can conquer all. The main idea is 'I don't want you to tell me that you love me. I want to feel it.'"
“Say" (which recalls vintage Rufus meets Minnie Riperton) opens like a Calgon-inspired afternoon daydream before descending into a gentle plea to reignite romance. It features lovely piano work by Mark Stephens. And then there's the intoxicating and mesmerizing “Cupid." “I love the opening lines," Fiddmont sighs. “'You are the song that my soul sings / you give my melody a meaning.' I'm a hopeless romantic. That's how I look at the possibilities of love. The idea that it can exist is so inspiring."
Fiddmont dedicated the CD to the late Carl Anderson, a peerless artist with whom she shared many personal and professional memories. He passed away in 2004. “Carl always pushed me to do my thing," Fiddmont states. “One of the most precious memories I have of Carl is, while he was in the hospital, he asked me to sing 'U R Loved' for him and I did. I was glad I could comfort him in some way because he always gave so much to me. He always made me feel like I had something special to give."
For a reviewer's copy of FLOW, to arrange an interview with Lynne Fiddmont or to obtain JPEGs, please contact Regina Davis at (626) 356-1300.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
