LINER NOTES: Lalah Hathaway, Self Portrait (2008)
Self Portrait is the critically acclaimed vocalist and song stylist Lalah Hathaway's newest musical offering. This release is Lalah's fourth solo project, and marks the beginning of her new affiliation with the recently revived Stax Records label which is distributed via Concord Music Group. It also brings Lalah together once again with noted producer Rex Rideout. Rideout served as the producer of the 2004 Grammy-nominated all-star tribute album dedicated to the music of the R&B balladeer Luther Vandross, "Forever, For Always, For Luther", for which Lalah achieved her first #1 single for Forever, For Always, For Love."
Self Portrait also calls upon the talents of co-writers and vocalists Rahsaan Patterson and Sandra St. Victor, and producers Terrace Martin, who has worked on several of Snoop's recent releases, Kenneth Crouch, and Paula Gallitano.
Stax / Concord Music Group's Vice President of A&R, Collin Stanback, is very enthusiastic about Self Portrait . "This is basically a dream come true for me as an A&R person," stated Stanback. "The reason I got into this game is to work with artists of Lalah's stature. I have been a fan of hers ever since Heaven Only Knows, and I am proud to be associated with her project."
The first single, "Let Go," is a mid-tempo track. Lalah co-produced "Let Go" with Rideout, which was written by Lalah, Rideout and Patterson, who also does "double-duty" on background vocals. "'Let Go' is a song that came out of a need for me to let go of the worry, a few pairs of old jeans, and old ideas as well as some people who were taking up too much space in my life. I had to let go in the most literal and metaphorical sense, and breathe through it all with a goal of moving toward peace," says Lalah of the first single.
Garth Trinidad, the noted host of KCRW's "Chocolate City," said of Let Go: ""Lalah continues to fortify her legacy as a modern day vocal priestess. This album is her most personal, laden with severe emotional voodoo and sublime passion."
Standout tracks on Self Portrait, include "Breathe," "On Your Own," "Learning To Swim" and "That Was Then," where Lalah's phrasing and skillful playfulness are reminiscent of the classic works of her iconic father, Donny Hathaway.
"I'm very excited about this album. It's very introspective," states Hathaway. "I'm also excited about being at Stax Records because it is truly the home of soul music in this country."
--Concord Music Group
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