Rachael Bell
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Rachael Bell | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Rachael Bell |
Origin | London |
Genre(s) | acoustic soul, hip hop, r&b |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Label(s) | Independent |
Website | http://www.myspace.com/rachaelrachaelmusic |
Rachael Bell is a singer/songwriter and guitarist from London who formally appeared professionally as "RachaelRachael." She performs and records in a variety of musical styles, from acoustic soul to R&B to hip hop. Originally signed to Sony/Epic Records in London, Ms. Bell has for the last two years released independent CD's on her own and with other UK musicians. Her first independent CD, "Raw Sunday," was released in 2006. Her latest effort, "Colour Me Blue," a collaboration with Brighton-based guitarist and composer Ross King, was released in 2007 on iTunes and CD Baby and has received several favorable reviews, among which include:
"[A] wonderful piece of dreamy, laid-back pop. Reuben's Thread provides the slow-paced, atmospheric groove, while RachaelRachael adds her deep and soulful vocals to the mix - she keeps it smooth and subtle, letting her voice woo us with gentle skill. Very nice." (Mish Mash Music)
"With a dreamy magic, a dark outlook and, no doubt, the odd tear-stained lace hankie, 'Colour Me Blue' evokes the windswept vistas of The Cocteau Twins, All About Eve and Mazzy Star. Rachael offsets the icy fragility with an earthy passion that's part Nina Simone, part Joni Mitchell - nine tracks of bleak, beautiful bigness…." (Overplay)
“Colour Me Blue is an excellent recording. Let's start with Bell's voice: She sings with clarity, strength and confidence needed in a genre where the minimalist arrangements serve to expose singers with weak voices….. For those who complain about the sameness of music today, buying Colour Me Blue would serve as a great opportunity to move out of the musical comfort zone. Highly recommended.” (SoulTracks.com)
Ms. Bell has been a featured artist on several U.K. radio programs, including "Soul-D-Out Tuesdays" with D.J. D nyce on Hot 96 Radio and "Thoughts and Words" with DJ Ingrid on Life 103.6 FM in London. Her music has also received attention in the United States. A New York entertainment magazine has described her as “a British singer-songwriter with a smooth soul edge.” (Time Out New York, Nov. 22, 2007). Soul Tracks, a U.S. soul music website, selected her as a “Spotlight Artist” for December 2007 and as the "Featured Artist" for January 2008. Her track “It’s About Time” from “Colour Me Blue” has been in rotation on 4DaSoul.com, Soulsoundsradio.com, Neosoulcafe.com, Rhythmflow.net, as well as on soul music radio stations in New York, Austin, Texas and other urban centers. In addition, she was invited by “Dr.” Bob Lee of WBLS 107.5 FM radio to perform live in New York at two industry-related charity functions during her first, U.S. tour in 2007.
Ms. Bell also made a number of live TV and radio appearances while on tour, including Mr. Lee’s cable TV program “Open” http://www.bronxnet.org as well as on the TV program “On the New York Circuit” (Channel 56, Manhattan Cable, http://www.youtube.com/onthenycircuit. She performed live on the radio program “Rhythm & Soul” http://www.myspace.com/rhythmandsolradio hosted by DJ Marko Nobles on WHCR 90.3 FM “The Voice of Harlem” as well as on the nationally-syndicated, hip-hop/R&B radio program “Live from Da Yard” http://www.livefromdayard.com broadcast from WLIU 88.1 FM in New York. DJ Nigel Crawford also featured her music on his nationally-syndicated radio program "Sol Kafe" broadcast from Norfolk, Virginia. For live performances, she typically accompanies herself on acoustic guitar and piano. Ms. Bell may be heard on the web at http://www.myspace.com/rachaelrachaelmusic.