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One would be hard pressed to call Columbus native TaNeal a local artist, as she has traveled far and abroad just to share her music with the masses. I recently had an opportunity to conduct an interview with the woman that has been Learning 2 Love, on her way to A New Discovery. MannyWallace.com: How long have you been singing? TaNeal: I came into the world singing ? MW: Who are your greatest musical inspirations? T: Anita Baker, Cassandra Wilson, Bahamadia and Lauryn Hill to name a few MW: And what about non-musical inspirations? T:My Daddy! He taught me how to work hard now and play later. I think he really means make time to play because till this day he works about 16 hour shifts. MW: You are always on the go it seems..what are some of your favorite places to visit? T:I am traveling more than I ever did this year and so far Miami still has my heart! MW: Any artist that you would like to work with and why? T: Well, I don’t know what the Hermit Maxwell is waiting for. He know we need to do a song together! It seems we are on the same vibe level, musically anyway. MW: Since the people now have a little bit of background on you, let’s move into the music. Your debut album, “Learning 2 Love”…explain if you could what that means to you. Loving someone else? Loving yourself? T: “Learning 2 Love” is my testimony and how I have learned to love myself and everyone around me. Even if I didn’t have anything, music and a network of good people is better than money any day! I have a better appreciation for music and I’m able to put more expression and personality in my singing. I also have a new love for acoustic guitar, but I do not work on it as much as I should. MW: Favorite song on the album and why? T: Oh Discovery is my first and my last ? I’m thinking of re-recording that song. It is my theme song. Discovery taught me how grown I was and that I didn’t have to wait on anyone for the things I want for myself. MW: I like “Discovery”, and I believe your follow-up album will be called A New Discovery. What’s that discovery and is it safe to say that you’ve learned to love? T: No I’m actually still learning, some say I’m very mature others say I need to grow up…I say I’m living how I feel and REALLY need to keep travelling and see as much of the world as I can! So tell everyone to go to my myspace and click on the demand picture to demand me in their city. I need to know where I should travel to next! MW: What do you want people to take away from the album? T: I really hope it touches someone’s heart and learn 2 love as much as I have and continue to stay with me throughout my career. I can’t do more without them! MW:A few weeks ago, you asked your fans what genre(s) do you fall under…what do you think you fall under? T: I call my genre “UniverSoul” because my music is universal and I sing from my Soul. That’s all I can really say about that. MW: I’m going to get all up in your business now…you have a track on L2L called “Favorite Boy”, who’s your favorite at the moment? T: I’m not gonna say…but he know who he is MW:Any setbacks thus far in your career, if so..how did you overcome them? T: My networking circle is a little smaller than it was last year and I was little saddened by that. I’m trying to be strong and pray that my resources grow more and that I get back on track and get a better project recorded and booked in more shows! MW: If you weren’t pursuing your singing career, what would you be doing instead? T: Well, I’d love to get married, have a few babies and work on an online business. I’d still produce and write music as well! MW: Lastly, anything that you want to say to the public? T: Hhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmm, thank you all for believing and sticking in there with me. Please help me spread the word about my music and tell your family and friends to buy my cd. I can do more music with quality sound with your financial support. I love you all! Check out TaNeal’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/tanealnewartist

TaNeal, jene Künstlerin, die im Jahre 2006 den WNC Idol gewann, präsentiert mit „Learning 2 Love“ erwartungsvoll ihr Debütalbum. Alle Songs stammen aus ihrer Feder, wurden selbst produziert und performt. Ihre musikalischen Einflüsse liegen im Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Pop und im R&B Bereich. Künstler wie Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Mary J.Blige, Anita Baker und Cassandra Wilson geben nach eigenen Angaben dem Album „Learning 2 Love“ seine Prägung und wir dürfen gespannt sein, wie TaNeal mit dieser Bandbreite die Gunst des Zuhörers überzeugen kann. Das Album beginnt mit einem sehr einfühlsamen Intro, in dem uns TaNeal in ihre Träume einlädt und den Zuhörer auf ihre musikalische Reise einstimmt. Die Vorstellung beginnt dann mit dem soulig angehauchten Song „It’s Yours“. Dieser überrascht mit einem mystischen Klangbild, welches man in dieser Form zunächst nicht vermutet hätte. Wie eingebettet in einer anderen Klangwelt fließt TaNeal’s Stimme durch den Song, der im letzten Drittel kurzeitig durch leichte Hip-Hop Vocals von R.Y.A.N. abgelöst wird. Dieser Stimmungswechsel deutet an, wie TaNeal ihre musikalischen Einflüsse in seiner zuvor genannten Bandbreite verarbeitet. Mit dem nächsten Song „Only One“ geht es soulful weiter und wieder sind es diese außergewöhnlichen Klangeffekte die nun behutsam dem Album seinen konzeptionellen Stempel geben. Diese Linie wird mit dem groovig anmutenden Titel „Shine“ fortgesetzt, der bereits nach kurzer Spieldauer mit seinem sehr einprägsamen Beat, bei mir die Favoritenrolle übernommen hat. In der Mitte des Albums wird ab dem Track 6 erstmalig auf die intensiven, synthetischen Klangbegleiter verzichtet. Ein kurzer Blick in den Albumflyer zeigt, dies gehört zum Konzept, denn Writer und Producer sind geblieben. Und es funktioniert. Der Longplayer vollzieht in den folgenden Tracks seine spontane Wandlung sehr eindrucksvoll, in denen die Stimme von TaNeal stets das Fundament bildet. Musikalisch gelingt TaNeal die Balance zwischen Soul und R&B, in denen sich auch die Einflüsse aus Jazz, Hip-Hop und Pop widerspiegeln. Die Produktion überzeugt mit interessanten Klangfarben, hebt eindrucksvoll die gesangliche Qualität von TaNeals Stimme in den Vordergrund und schafft nicht zuletzt mit den eigenen Lyrics eine dichte Atmosphäre. Mit „Learning 2 Love“ liefert die junge Künstlerin ein bemerkenswertes Album ab, welches die Gunst des Zuhörer wohl sicher erreichen wird. von Erich Rittig Trackliste: Into My Dreams It's Yours Only One Shine Favorite Boy Discovery Restfully Gangsta's Cry Now or Neva L2L

by Tommy Boone “Courage is being afraid, but going on anyhow.” – Dan Rather Through courageous actions the North side’s latest Neo Soul craze, TaNeal, has managed to persevere through many obstacles in order to continue reaching for her dream to be a professional songstress. Like so many famous soulful artists before her, TaNeal began her career by exercising her vocals in the church choir. After a Sunday morning service a fellow churchgoer presented to her a tape that consisted of instrumentals and requested that she write some lyrics to accompany them. An ecstatic TaNeal entered her Church’s doors the next week with not one or two, but ten fully written songs. The two took the lyrics to the studio and recorded six tracks. TaNeal had big intentions with the recordings, but her excitement quickly dwindled as the “demo” tape was scrapped and never publicly heard. Although her hard work ended up going unrecognized, the experience only whetted her appetite to sing and write. TaNeal joined Show Choir, a signing and dancing organization through her high school. This is where she developed an appreciation for live performances. The gifted vocalist continued to practice her craft until she felt she was ready to share it with the rest of the world. She entered several different contests that resulted in little to no opportunities for advancement in the industry. At this point TaNeal’s frustrations were starting to get the best of her. Her free time was very minimal as she was balancing a full time job, attempting to finish a degree with Franklin University and work on an album that may never come out. “I felt like I had no time to be a girl.” Feeling like she was at the end of her rope, TaNeal decided it was almost time to hang the “dream” up for good, but before it came to that she took up one last opportunity and entered a local radio stations play off of American Idol entitled, WNCIdol. The outcome? She was crowned the best of the best in the Cap City. The contest illuminated the situation around her, now she could see clearly what direction she wanted to go. Without any support from a major label, TaNeal has spent the past three years working diligently on an independent album, Learning to Love, an album that consists of a variety of genres, including Rhythm & Blues, Neo Soul, Jazz, International Pop, & Hip Hop. “I hear the soul in all types of music.” The album is a mixture of good times and serious issues, ranging from an international dance song produced in Belgium to personal thoughts the artists has about the music industry. Through her journey in the past three years, the talented songwriter met Nathaniel Barnes who was a member of Chi-Town based Midwest Movement. The purpose by behind the group is to create a community for the artists in the area, where they could join together and help one another out. Since TaNeal found a lack of support from the Columbus media, she decided to start a similar organization for her state, Ohio Clout. “I receive a lot of enjoyment giving back to my area,” TaNeal said. The city has enjoyed her as well by providing her one of the highlights of her of her career, singing the National Anthem for a home Columbus Crew match. When asked what gave her the confidence to get to the point in her career where she could start a successful organization and release an independent album through the difficulties, TaNeal simply replied, “Hip Hop; You could say that Hip Hop has been my manager.” Being exposed to the culture at an early age helped the artist get use to an environment where males try to dominate the spotlight. Learning quickly that she needed to build up the nerve to do things her way and not let gender issues hold her back. TaNeal would like to establish herself as singer by releasing her first album “Learning To Love” in late July. Although her next project, “From the Club to the Bedroom” will embody more of a Hip Hop feel as TaNeal is currently seeking to collaborate with a few local rappers. The album release party will be held Friday June 29th at Hypnotic Club at 72 N. High and Gay Street. Her music can be heard at www.myspace.com/tanealnewartist and information on Ohio Clout can be accessed at www.myspace.com/ohioclout.