About

Groove Note Records is proud to announce the release of Vanessa Fernandez's album Use Me. The album introduces and throws the spotlight on the fantastic voice of the Singaporean vocalist with a superb song selection that includes tunes by Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Earth Wind & Fire, Bill Withers, Al Green and others.

This album of audiophile quality covers of soul and R&B classics from the '70s and '80s was done in an "unplugged" style with acoustic instruments and arrangements used on all of the tracks. Vocals are tremendously dynamic (no compression or limiting used), with superb presence and detail for all other instruments including the drums. Resolution is of the highest order and this is an LP that rewards for both musical performance and outstanding audio quality.

Top musicians playing on the album include the great bassist Lee Sklar (Phil Collins, Rita Coolidge, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Lyle Lovett), acoustic guitars Tim Pierce (Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Roger Waters, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton), electric piano Jim Cox (Willie Nelson, BB King, Aaron Neville, Ringo Starr, Lyle Lovett), drums Victor Indrizzo (Macy Grey, Marianne Faithfull, Meatloaf, Emmylou Harris), percussion Rafael Padillo (Julio Iglesias, Celine Dion, Pavarotti, Gloria Estefan), and harmonica Stanley Behrens (Willie Dixon, Canned Heat, Ruth Brown). This is a great group of top LA musicians backing superlative performances by a great new singer!

There are many records and labels who declare themselves to be of "audiophile quality". Groove Note records all of their albums at the best studios in Hollywood (Oceanway, Record One, Cello, Sunset Sound) using a top Grammy nominated recording engineer, Michael C. Ross. All of their albums are recorded 100% analogue and the production masters are also mixed in 100% analogue by MC Ross. All albums are cut by one of the greatest mastering engineers in the world, Bernie Grundman, on an all analogue tube cutting system using all upgraded and modified vintage Sculley cutting lathes. All LPs are then plated and pressed by RTI on 180g audiophile vinyl.

Musicians:

Vanessa Fernandez, vocals

Tim Pierce, guitars

Leland Sklar, electric bass

Victor Indrizzo, drums

Rafael Padilla, percussion

Jim Cox, keyboards

Stanley Behrens, harmonica

- Press Release

“Ms. Fernandez steals the show with a voice that is as unlikely as her cover photo would have you thinking "funky black chick". She's no poseur though. If you have any such notions start with side 3's opener, a cover of Bill Withers' "Use Me," which is from where the album gets it title… While the cover shot makes her look somewhat academic and perhaps reserved, trust me, there's no governor on her voice or the rawness of the emotions she pours forth. When appropriate she dials it down to a simmer as on a great cover of Al Kooper's BS&T classic "More Than You'll Ever Know". She even covers the somewhat obscure John Deacon- Freddie Mercury track "Cool Cat" from Queen's Hot Space album (with original vocals by David Bowie later replaced at by Mercury as Bowie's request). Ms. Fernandez's performance on this slow simmer will have to convince you that she's the real deal.” – Analog Planet

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