Vocal Powerhouse Lorraine Reid Teaches Listeners on Lessons Learned
By Liz Singer

Talented songstress Lorraine Reid is not just reveling in her previous success from her dance group Temperance; she's making a major shift in her career and releasing a hot R&B album as a solo artist. Hailing from Toronto, Reid has opened for Lou Bega, Monica, Coolio and Destiny's Child, and "is vocally ready to take her place beside other international R&B songbirds. Some would even go as far as to grade her deep, rich voice against the bluesy sounds of Billy Holiday or Sarah Vaughan" (Georgette Charlicombe, Mic Check).
It's no surprise that Reid lists Whitney Houston as one of her influences, since her new album, Lessons Learned, contains vocals comparable to those of Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and India.Arie. Says Charles Bouley II from Billboard, "Reid delivers inspired vocal[s] that prove she's a seasoned performer; it could easily elevate her to diva status. Her delivery is reminiscent of classic Donna Summer." 

Reid's musical style can be described as a combination of R&B and soul with an edge. Having recorded two previous albums with Temperance, Virtues of Life and If You Don't Know, she has the experience and the skills to infiltrate the music industry by simply sharing her powerful voice -- with her help, Temperance was able to secure 7 Juno nominations, more than any other dance group has received to date.
Lessons Learned couldn't be released at a better time in Reid's life; the album's title emulates the various challenges she has faced to make this record a reality, including vocal nodule surgery and the trials and tribulations associated with the life of any hard-working artist. You are sure to hear a more soulful and established performer on this album, as Reid provides a window into her heart by sharing the experiences that have made her the talented vocalist she is today. 


The stunning vocals of Reid are not to be taken lightly; her heart-wrenching voice resonates long after Lessons Learned has finished spinning, leaving traces of pure brilliance replaying through your eardrums. From upbeat, feel-good tracks like "Falling in Love," to songs that drive straight to your core like "How Do I Keep Him," Reid skillfully tugs at the heartstrings of her listeners, forcing them to close their eyes and try to block out the pain, and focus instead on the optimism of the future, and of the strength that can be found deep inside, even after the agony of heartbreak.
Reid further showcases her versatility as an artist in "Without You," singing a melody that feels like a stroll through the park. However, this is not the kind of walk that entails holding hands with a significant other; the beat provides an optimistic image of one walking alone, feeling independent and capable of accomplishing anything: "This time I know / I'm better off without you."
The album takes an even sweeter turn with the jazzy sound and vocals incredibly similar to those of Miss Keys on "Feel Like a Man." The soulful crooning toward the end of the track even brings a bit of Mary J. into the mix, creating an all-around, wonderfully soothing creation.


What stands out most on the album, though, is the overall attitude of hope for the future. Everything from the inspiring lyrics to the upbeat melodies and light, steady rhythms contribute to the effect of Reid's mission: inspiring all listeners to keep their heads up as they continue to move forward. And the stellar vocals of Reid, who has, undeniably, one of the best voices in the industry right now, certainly do nothing but enhance the feel-good sensation one gets from having the pleasure of being exposed to Lessons Learned. 

Lorraine Reid: How Can I Keep Him Lovin' Me?
A Review by Mark Kirby

Over a decade ago, rappers Chuck D and Public Enemy asked, "Who Stole the Soul?" Today, after Christina Aguilera's R&B-infused Back To Basics double CD and the Amy Winehouse soul explosion, the real question is, "Who stole it back?" Part of the answer can be found in Lorraine Reid's single "How Can I Keep Him Lovin' Me?"

It always comes as a surprise when I hear a modern R&B singer who has both the pipes to belt out with intensity and the good taste to let the song tell the story, choosing to not over-saturate a classic melody with vocal gymnastics. Reid dazzles her listeners with the perfect balance of vocals, just like the classic soul, rock and pop singers did back in the day. This timeless track by the Canadian, 7-time Juno nominee would fit right in with the best of soul and funk in any age.

"How Can I Keep Him Lovin' Me?" begins to amaze listeners with its instrumentals -- the keyboard starts with mellow soul chords and is followed by gently plucked guitar and sparse bass that flows with restrained energy even while in ballad mode. The drums play a beat that has previously anchored old pop and soul songs as well as bawdy stripper show tunes; it's a beat that is part-waltz, part-easy-going phat back groove. While this stew is bubbling, Ms. Reid tells the story: "No more than 15 but grown before her time / This young girl was seekin' love from men who would dim the lights / How can I keep him lovin' me? / Here she was still seeking love / it was no where to be found." Aside from the modern beat of the drums and the contemporary soul sound, the track is undeniably old school because it deals with real people and real-life issues, concepts that are often lost in mainstream music today.

The sales of R&B records -- as with those of hip-hop and most other genres -- continue to slump. Illegal downloads aside, the vast majority of these records deal with unattainable fantasies of sex, glamour, white linen suits and matching Bentleys. People who have just been laid off, had their benefits run out, or their home foreclosed don't want to hear about such lavish topics. And they can't even afford to buy overpriced CDs, anyway. That's why real people, especially women, like Mary J. Blige's tales of being a survivor. Like Blige, Reid tells a tale of survival and, like the best soul and gospel singers, past and present, she goes beyond this simple tale: "At 22, a mom of two, but she was still a child / Her mama's advice to her was a message meek and mild / what this baby boy sees in you I tried my whole life to find / so dry your tears, my baby girl, you're lookin' at piece of mind." Throughout the song, Reid's vocals follow the lyrics and melody on a rollercoaster of emotion, saving the soaring peaks of her sweet yet powerful voice for the pinnacles of the song, especially the last lines. By the end of "How Can I Keep Him Lovin' Me?", the sadness becomes both redemption and a spiritual epiphany -- all because of the power of love. Now ain't that what soul music is all about?

Artist development and marketing firm MusicDish LLC has been selected by Canadian label Soundcheck Entertainment Records to support the development of The 7-Time JUNO Nominated Lorraine Reid and her new album "Lessons Learned." The album represents significant soul searching on the part of the powerhouse vocalist of Temperance by establishing a more mature sound and reflecting the various challenges and changes Lorraine has endured to make this record a reality.

MusicDish will roll out a full online marketing campaign in support of the album and single "How Do I Keep Him," while developing brand identity and creatives that reflects Lorraine's new musical direction and growth. The mutli-pronged campaign will coordinate efforts on a variety of platforms, from MP3 blogs and webradio stations to social networking sites and genre-specific communities, combined with syndicated marketing and street teaming.

Lorraine Reid is perhaps best known as the former powerhouse vocalist of Temprance. Temperance fared extremely well in both the dance and mainstream markets, and can now boast more Juno nominations than any other dance group to date.

As the lead vocalist of Temperance, Lorraine earned 7 Juno Award nominations. Their first album, Virtues of Life, released in 1995, attained these incredible feats and much more. In 1996, the Canadian Euro dance group released a cover version of the song, "Forever Young," which reached number 8 on the Canadian Dance Chart. The single, "Forever Young," was also released in the United States in the summer of 1997, and immediately won the hearts of many new fans and critics south of the border. Their debut album featured 6 consecutive National Top Ten charting dance singles, and 4 MuchMusic Video Award nominations, which resulted in a 1994 MuchMusic Video Award. Along with a feature in Billboard Magazine in June 1998, their import follow-up single, "Lost In Love," created immense anticipation for their second follow-up album release titled, If Yu Don't Know.

Recording for the majority of 1999 yielded Temperance's stronger sophomore album entitled, If You Don't Know. This new album gained admiration from new fans, while maintaining a loyal pre-existing fan base who was excited to grow with Lorraine. Even before the release of the album title track, "If You Don't Know," Temperance had already garnered acclaim for their first single, "Hands of Time," as it won a SOCAN Award for climbing to 1 on RPM's Dance Chart. Its success continued and it cracked the Top 40 Radio Charts. The video for Hands of Time received nominations for both a Juno Award and a MuchMusic Video Award in 2001.

In the fall of 2005, Lorraine suffered a lengthy and extensive bout with hoarseness, including throat pain, which ultimately became complete laryngitis. She was diagnosed with vocal nodules and was advised to undergo the procedure to have them removed. The resulting nodule surgery meant learning to retrain her muscles for use, compensating for some loss in range, as well as the use of an amplification system when speaking publicly.

It is with great anticipation therefore that Lorraine's new album, Lessons Learned is slated for release this spring. Listeners are sure to hear a more soulful and established Lorraine, as she provides a window into her heart by sharing her experiences that have made her the talented vocalist she is today.

MusicDish Network is the artist development department of MusicDish LLC, a leading music magazine publisher and marketing firm. Launched in 2001 as a marketing service for independent artists, MusicDish Network has grown into a complete artist development program, leveraging brand development, saturated and relationship marketing, digital distribution, event planning and industry outreach to support emerging artists and bands careers.