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Album: In My Soul [ALBUM]
Track: 1 of 11
Title: In My Soul
Artist: Candice Monique & The Optics
Label: Freestyle Records
Cat#: FSRCD073
Formats: CD
Digital Release: 22nd February 2010
Physical Release: 22nd February 2010

About This Release:

Candice Monique is a talented & unique vocalist, songwriter and poet whose individual vocal and lyrical style fuses classic and Neo-Soul, Jazz, RnB, Funk, Blues, Folk & Spoken Word. It is this distinctive style along with her stage presence & artistic depth which makes her one of Freestyle Records most exciting & original new artists.

After recording her first demo in Atlanta with producer Professor Griff (Public Enemy) in 2003 and later in New York in 2005 with Jill Scott and Vassy producer, Rich Medina, Candice returned home to Australia and began working on more original material, honing her writing, continuing to perform and refine her already formidable stage craft and the results speak for themselves.

Kicking off her debut album with the sparse, punchy groove of the title track 'In My Soul', Candice and her band show how the 'less is more' approach can yield fantastic results. The beautiful, mellow and soulful 'For All Time' reaches the parts much contemporary RnB often fails to touch with electric piano and sweet backing vocals providing something akin to a Stax style soul groove.

It is Candice's wide ranging influences, from Bill Withers to Skunk Anansie that inform her musical style and on the dance floor filler 'Feel The Vibe' one can really understand that simply recreating old skool sounds is not what Candice is about, this music could only be the product of now, by someone aiming to create quality rather than pastiche.

'In My Soul' is a strong, confident debut that draws together disparate influences into a well rounded modern sound that bodes well for Candice and her band. This is where the story starts and it is clear that a remarkable new talent is emerging in front of our ears and eyes!

Reviews for This Release:

"A mix of funky storytelling and sharp modern soul from Candice Monique, a singer and poet, backed well by The Optics! The title track kinds things off with a mix of stripped down, but cleanly thumping funky soul and Candice in closer to a spoken word funk chanteuse mode, but she follows it up with some very sweetly sung numbers. They cover a lot of stylistic territory here, and they do it well!" - Dusty Groove America

"Like this. A slightly more modern sound production wise that works, but still that good ol soul. Great release!" - Radio Metro (Lucas Black)

""natural and most impressive"" - Tim Stenhouse (Vibe magazine)

"With an enthusiastic and charismatic personality, Candice Monique could just about charm the life out of any deadbeat. She is very likeable and her sultry soothing voice lends itself to her debut album. Candice's beautiful singing and stage presence is what the love of music is all about - the positive reinforcement, the blending of musical cultures (from party funk to poignant ballads), and a sheer love of performance. Be sure to check out this album and to see her and the Optics perform live. It's a gorgeous experience." - Carmine Pascuzzi

"Freestyle may hit the jackpot with this one - CM's individual half rap, half singing, which she hides up her sleeve just when you think you've got her taped - gives the girl an even more wider appeal" - Emrys Baird (Blues & Soul mag)

"A mix of funky storytelling and sharp modern soul from Candice Monique, a singer and poet, backed well by The Optics! The title track kinds things off with a mix of stripped down, but cleanly thumping funky soul and Candice in closer to a spoken word funk chanteuse mode, but she follows it up with some very sweetly sung numbers. They cover a lot of stylistic territory here, and they do it well!" - Dusty Groove USA

""It is said Candice Monique fuses Classic & Neo Soul, Jazz, RnB, Funk, Blues, Folk &
Spoken Word - some statement, but when you listen to this great new album, you'll see
the description is spot on. As soon as you put this album in the player you are aware of the
quality, with each track offering something different. Candice's vocals are really strong, and
the backing group give it all they've got - great album." - Paul Miller (Soul Show - BBC Radio)

"I'll be playing this to death, as it sounds like a goodie!" - Mr Jason (Breakthrough radio)...