Independent Soul Divas

MAYA NEIADA
Maya says that her name means 'Illusion'. 'I Need A Moment' has been a favourite at Lola Waxx for sometime. Atlanta's Maya lists her influences as Erykah Badu and Sade and this petite powerhouse was weaned on Earth Wind & Fire, The Emotions and Teena Marie. We decided to let Maya open Independent Soul Divas with this bouncy up-tempo neo-soul joint.

CHANEL
Chanel's debut 'My Life' topped many a European Chart and her contagious US R&B debut smash 'I'm So Over You' produced by Younglord (Beyonce, P.Diddy and LLCool J) got her that crucial exposure in the US market. Indie label Mapp Records is reaching out to a new generation of global listeners with its soul infused dance and R&B sound. If ever an artist represented the sound of a label, then Chanel represents the sound of Mapp. The future's looking bright, the future's looking Coco Chanel ;-)

LINA
Los Angeles based singer songwriter and founder of Moodstar Recordings; Lina (formerly Atlantic & Hidden Beach) is actually a citizen of the world. Her style reflects this as she seamlessly manoeuvres her vocals over a number of styles from traditional jazz to neo soul. They don't call her a 'Vocal Chameleon' for nothing. Taken from her 'Morning Star' album, 'Feel The Love' is a slate, which continues to ensure that this lady remains at the top of the Indie game.

LEA LORIEN
New Yorker Lea Lorien's debut single 'How Would You Feel' on David Morales' '2 Worlds Collide' set in 2004 topped club charts globally even knocking out Destiny's Child and Ciara on the Billboard Dance Radio Play Chart in the US. Having worked with Mary J Blige, Brandi and collaboration with Alicia Keys, Lea is now working on her solo album. Lea's also the voice of 'Sunny Funny', PaRappa The Rapper's girlfriend on the Playstation2 game!

D'CHERI
D'Cherie is Lina's stable mate at Moodstar Recordings. Named after Stevie Wonder's 'Mi Cheri Amour' by her aunt, this lady is surely destined for greatness! 'I’m Alive' is a bouncy mid-temp soulful cruise with a hint of a nu soul back groove. Rest assured D'Cheri is breaking through the 'bump and bass flavour of modern mainstream music'.

LeNORA JAYE
Atlanta based LeNora Jaye's influences span the last 40 years from Quincy Jones to Ella Fitzgerald with a dash of Funkadelic. LeNora shuns the current climate of manufactured and processed 'rump shaking pop tarts' with a yearning for traditional production values and original songs. 'Taking Over' has been receiving regular airplay on the UK's Soul and R&B stations. Reminiscent of a laid back sweet soul vocal style of the decade that was the 1970s, 'Taking Over' is the real deal as is the lady herself.

RENE JONES
Rene's debut album 'Chill Factor' was received with interest on the UK soul scene and a lot of the support for this album still continues to come from the UK. Rene's path to 'Chill Factor' came in three easy steps, from poet to songwriter to songstress. Well… Atlanta's Rene makes it look effortless although we're sure she'll agree that a lot of hard work went into it.

CAPRISHA
The third Diva from the Moodstar ranks is Chicago native Caprisha. Now based in Los Angeles, Caprisha has travelled the globe sharing the stage with Chaka Khan, Thelma Houston and Eric Benet to name just three. 'Flow Like A River' does exactly what it says.

KELLI SAE
Kelli's credentials are impeccable, Count Basic and Incognito appear on her CV. Kelli has opened stage for legends such as the late Curtis Mayfield and David Bowie not to mention that she's performed with Tina Turner. Taken from her solo 'Heroine' set co-produced with Peter Lord and Jeff Smith (The Family Stand), Latina is a reflection of her Puerto Rican roots.

MARGOT B
In 2005 Pittsburgh's Margot B released her debut album 'Unframed' which has led on to her opening for the Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson and Nelly Furtado. Margot's now on her third album and she joins Independence Day with 'Crush'.

NIKKOLE
Who was it that once said 'more bounce to the ounce'? Roger Troutman and Zapp! Well Los Angeles based Nikkole has more than enough bounce to go around. Since the release of her critically acclaimed album 'A Girl Like Me' and her infectious 'Bounce' single, Nikkole has been building up a strong following not only at home but in Europe and Japan. 'Breathe' is a smouldering groove over which Nikkole's vocals glamorously meander. Look out for the new album Creolepatra.

RENA SCOTT
A legend in her own right, Rena has worked with the legends, George Benson, Natalie Cole, and Michael Henderson. Her 1979 album on Buddah/Arista was produced by the powerhouse of Mtume and Reggie Lucas. In the 80s Rena came on board with founding Crusaders members Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and Stix Hooper after the departure of Randy Crawford. In 2005 Rena's career took a further boost with her highly successful, 'Let Me Love You' album on Amor Records and the offshoot single 'Remember' that powered its way up the US Billboard charts a year later. Rena's contribution is a 2008 rework of 'I Know It's Right' from that album exclusively for Lola Waxx.

SYREETA SHANEE'
The 'Little Princess' (that's what Syreeta means we are told) of Hip Hop R&B based out of Atlanta is currently cooking up an 'eclectic flavour' of R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop and Pop. 'It Is What It Is' has the appeal of an upbeat crossover number tailor made for radio playlists.

STACYE BRANCHE
Everybody Loves Stacye! Her first album 'Believe' gathered a worldwide fan base from the UK to Japan. Her second offering 'For The Man I Love' (as with the first) was finger printed by Lloyd 'The Dub LT' Tolbert. We eagerly await her third album, which we understand charts the growth of Stacye as an artist, credible stuff indeed! Stacye’s songs often appear on movie soundtracks so next time you're watching a Sony or Dreamworks flick, it just could be Stacye’s voice that’s setting the scene.

TINY LOU
The UK's rising star on the Garage, House and Breakbeat scene chips in with her cover of the 1991 Crystal Waters classic 'Gypsy Woman'. This full length thumping Soulful House mix by Angel Farringdon nicely rounds off proceedings