frederic & ronza-Heart & Soul(2018)

Heart & Soul Выпущено 07.11.2018

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Heart and Soul is the first full length album by Grand Rapids soul duo, Frederic and Ronza. With powerful vocals, strong harmonies and compelling musical arrangements, Heart and Soul explores the range of human emotions with passion and authenticity. This music is all about strong feelings and personal testimonies that are relatable. Whether it’s loving relationships, or dealing with the stress of life, the music calls you to get in touch with your emotions, let your hair down, and allow yourself to feel. Here is where you find growth and strength. This is your Heart and Soul.

Unwind
In a busy world, sometimes you need to sit back, relax with friends and unwind. Reminiscent of a song from Chicago Jazz Club. The song calls you to just relax and listen to the strong soul groove as you let go of the stresses of the week. Clear resonant snare drum, sultry guitar, walking bass line, supported by keyboard accent notes, throw in smooth vocals, these elements form a soul groove.

You’re Just Right For Me
Of all the songs on this album, “You’re Just Right for Me” includes the most musical elements. Multi-layered keyboard, guitar and vocals and yet they work together to create a pop/rock sound.

The Only Ones Here
One day, Frederic and Ronza were sitting in one of their favorite restaurants, not realizing that it closed early that night. They ended up being the only ones in the restaurant. This inspired this love song that starts tenderly with just two voices, keyboard and light guitar. Later in the song, it builds in intensity with a rousing gospel feel that expresses the emotion of strong love. As Keith and Leslie think about their love journey and as their love grows more and more each day, they stay in tune to each other. Being in tune can make you feel like you’re “the only ones here” even if the room is crowded. Love stays strong through the years and never grows old.

Billboard
Out of the gate, the repeated melodic rhythm of the drums, bass, keyboard and guitar is reminiscent of an 80’s soul/pop tune. Keith and Leslie were thinking of a theme for a fun loving, feel good kind of song. Noticing billboards, they thought “that’s it”. “Billboard” is about being authentic and letting people see you for who you are. No one is perfect, we will make mistakes, but we don’t want to live with regret. And by the way, Keith surprised Leslie with a 1987 Jaguar XJS for her birthday. That inspired the first line of the song, “Driving down the road in my XJS.”

Heart and Soul
The drum, which symbolizes the heart-beat, is prominent in the title track of the album. The song was first written for a benefit concert of an organization that serves those with mental health issues and substance abuse. The heart brings life and growth. When someone is going through hard times, whether that is depression, substance abuse or other issues, it takes others to come alongside that person to help. We plant seeds and hope those seeds take root in the soul.

In the Middle
Alternating between major and minor jazz chords, “In the Middle” lulls you into a message from the vantage point of someone suffering from depression. As a woman in her twenties, Leslie went through a period of depression. Later in life, a close family member faced the same battle. Knowing the real pain, and even the danger of depression, Keith and Leslie’s concern led them to dig deeper into song writing. “In the Middle” was born as they contemplated how to help a family member battling depression. The sometimes dissonant sound reflects the emotional message of the song; it’s ok, not to be ok.

Change
The theme of determination is delivered from the drums, bass, keyboard, and guitar. The song inspired by those who have substance abuse issues, talks about how it is possible to change. With strong resolve, a person can recover from addiction. The song makes the point strong in the bridge, “I’ve got a made up mind,” and calls people to observe the change.

My Whole Life
The song My Whole Life, with its soulful call and response of the two soloists and compelling keyboard, is the love story of Frederic and Ronza. (Keith and Leslie) They met, fell in love and found new life through music and their love for one another. They don’t take their love for granted. Their lives have changed and they express that freely to one another and for the world to hear.

What is the Truth
Crank it up! Introduced by strong guitar lead, this song with a contemporary blues sound, talks about how we determine what’s true and right. The charge is to look within to find the answers.

Same Place Same Time
The song Same Place Same Time was a top ten finalist in a music writing competition. In the words of one of the judges, “I’ll buy this chorus right now”, this song has a catchy chorus that grabs your attention. The piano, guitar and bass mimic the same licks. Same Place Same Time is a sultry love song that talks about meeting for a date.