I am humbled to have just been nominated for two 9th Annual Independent Music Awards.

My album "Speak" is nominated for BEST R&B Album and Best Album Cover Art (for the outstanding photo by photographer Carsten Fleck and graphic design by Gabriele Donati)! The winner in these categories are selected by the industry panel of judges, but there will also be a Vox Populi "voice of the people" winner, which is the one who gets the most votes via the IMA website.

Please spread the word and vote for me on the IMA website!

Click here for Best R&B Album : http://www.musiciansatlas.com/imanominee/Default.aspx?maincat=6&yr=2010&scat=14#tp

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Check out my sched for 2009 CMJ Music Marathon

michael Olatuja "Speak" Official CMJ showcase

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Come join us! Tickets in advance http://www.joespub.com/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,40/id,4746

Dear friends,

My new album 'Speak' has finally hits stores in North America and is also now available on digital retailers worldwide.  After 6 years in the making, I'm so pleased to share this new music with you and thank you for the support. Some details are below, including some very kind words that have been said in the press and from a few noted musicians.
Looking forward to the days ahead - you can join me too as we start the album tour this August 26 at Joe's Pub in New York!

Peace and love, Michael

Michael Olatuja's Speak debuts on Backdrop/ObliqSound;
In stores now in USA/Canada and digitally worldwide
 
British/Nigerian bassist Michael Olatuja debuts his vision as producer, composer, arranger and performer on Speak, released on July 28 on Backdrop/ObliqSound.

The album features musical influences and guests from each spot Olatuja has hit around the globe, including his childhood in London and Lagos, Nigeria, and professional years in London and New York.  Speak incorporates such hallmarks of traditional African music as the talking drum and hand drums (conga and djembe), call-and-response vocals and the Yoruba language, while working comfortably with musical vocabularies more familiar to Western ears: neo-soul balladry, modern jazz, deep groove, R&B, and gospel. Lead by Olatuja on bass, the album features several singers who alternate on lead vocals: Eska Mtungwazi, Andrew Roachford, Terri Walker, Onaje Jefferson, TY, Michael's wife Alicia Olatuja, and the late neo-soul artist Lynden David Hall.

Olatuja has toured and recorded with stars such as Lisa Stansfield, Terence Blanchard, Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Stevie Wonder and many others.

Olatuja's deep spirituality and unshaken belief in the power of the positive lies at the heart of every track on Speak. It makes perfect sense that Michael Olatuja titled the album what he did: Speak speaks volumes, and it speaks to everyone.

Read full album details, press release, photos and sound samples:
http://www.obliqsound.com/backdrop
http://www.myspace.com/olatuja

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 UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
Aug 26: Speak CD release show at Joe's Pub (New York, NY)
Aug 28 - 30: Yoshi's w/ Terence Blanchard (Oakland, CA)
Aug 31: Kuumbwa Jazz Center w/ Terence Blanchard (Santa Cruz, CA)
Sept 2: Anthology w/ Terence Blanchard  (San Diego, CA)
Sept 9-13: Bourbon Street w/ Terence Blanchard  (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Nov 1: The Drum (Birmingham, UK)
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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MICHAEL OLATUJA AND SPEAK

"What a curious cocktail of African music, jazz, soul, and gospel Michael Olatuja has cooked up on Speak.... Put it all together and it shows Olatuja to be an excellent composing talent with a great future."  - All Music Guide
"Speak unquestionably speaks the potent language of music on a soulful level....highly recommended listening."  - Soultracks.com
"Speak is a stunning debut from a talented artist."  - Soulmatters Mag
Indie Artist of the Week, July 27, 2009 - About.com Christian Music Channel
"...a mix of hip hop, neo-soul, and sultry r&B/jazz that soothes the soul." - Jamati Online
"This cat, who's come seemingly out of nowhere, made a record that reveals a talent far beyond merely being able to pluck a four-stringed instrument....It's worth keeping tabs on Mr. Olatuja to see what he will do for an encore." - Somethingelsereviews.com
"Speak sounds fantastic...I'm only sad I wasn't playing on it."  - Jools Holland
 
"Michael's virtuosity and musical diversity make him one of the most unique bass players around today" - Peter Cincotti

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