|
Neo-soul duo Floetry back in the flow
11/06/2005 11:29 PM, Reuters
Gail Mitchell
Two years have elapsed since the
release of Floetry's live album, "Floacism," and three years
since debut "Floetic." That seems like an eternity considering
the industry's prevailing what's-next attitude. But the London
duo welcomed the respite.
"You can't keep turning it out," declares Natalie Stewart
(aka the Floacist). "You've got to live a bit, or you'll just
keep on writing the same song over and over again."
So after spending the last two years on the road --
including playing this summer's Essence Festival in New Orleans
and taking part in the national Sugar Water Festival (with Jill Scott, Queen Latifah and Erykah Badu) -- Stewart and partner
Marsha Ambrosius (the Songstress) finally were able to book
some studio time. The result is the November 8 release
"Flo'Ology" (Erving Wonder/Geffen/Interscope).
Romantic love is at the heart of this third album, which
once again centers on the unique pairing of Stewart's lilting
spoken word with Ambrosius' sensual vocals. Providing the
musical backdrop is the duo's signature, smooth blend of soul
and funk.
"This album is utterly self-centered," Stewart says. "It's
about breaking ourselves down, knocking ourselves off our
pedestals, building up again and getting knocked off again.
It's about articulating your feelings."
"There was no sit down and plan this thing," Ambrosius
recalls. "We don't work that way. We work on how we feel. That
may mean there's some grief, but there's also a lot of love and
passion."
The album's first single, "Supastar," featuring Geffen
rapper Common, is one of two contributions from producer Scott
Storch. It's No. 57 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart.
Floetry's relationship with Storch dates back to the duo's
early days in Philadelphia; Storch, then-keyboardist for the
Roots, and Floetry gigged around town as part of a new soul
movement whose crusaders included Jill Scott and Musiq.
Floetry had relocated to Philadelphia by way of London.
Initially meeting as rivals on London's basketball courts,
Stewart and Ambrosius formally teamed up as Floetry in 1997.
The duo notched its biggest R&B hit so far in 2003 with the
Grammy Award-nominated ballad "Say Yes" from "Floetic." That
album has sold 792,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
As songwriters, the members of Floetry have penned tracks
for Michael Jackson, Scott, Glenn Lewis and Bilal. Recent
outside projects include a song on Earth, Wind & Fire's new
"Illumination" set as well as Ambrosius' cameos on albums by
the Game and Styles P.
Floetry began a major-market promo tour October 17. On
November 4, the women started a monthlong VH1 Soul-sponsored
club outing.
Reuters/Billboard
|
