Artist description TAOSOUL Artist, BrotherDouglas, a passionate vocalyricist and spoken word artist who writes and performs inspirational messages and songs, unique in their presentation. "I draw from my own experiences and each song is a mini-movie about my life's journey...and, as a result, each song takes on a different style, framing the lyric in a style of music that represents the man I was, back then. Each song punctuates the oratory story to move it dramatically into another level." He writes music that speaks specifically to the 'soul', not necessarily to the 'head' in the first listen. "I'm speaking specifically to the inner man, that voice of recognition that has always known God, ....my music and message is designed to awaken you to who God is, and I use the part that already knows HIM... it's Ministry in Music for the Soul."

Music Style TAOSOUL: Eclectic Inspirational - Bluesy Gospel - Mellow Message - Funky Classical SOUL

Similar Artists Marvin Gaye, Leon Patillo, Shirley Horn, BeBe Winans, Kenny Rankin, David Lasley, Roberta Flack, Bill Withers, Johnny Hartman, Richie Havens, Kenny Loggins, Bobby Caldwell, Arnold McCuller, TAOSOUL

Artist History BrotherDouglas began his musical journey in church, like many gospel artists, but his career took an unexpected turn when, after several stints in touring Christian ensembles, he moved to Philadelphia in 1990 and became a background vocalist for the late Phyllis Hyman. That took him into the world of R&B and Soul. After her unfortunate death, he would meet and later work with jazz legend, Shirley Horn, whom he met in Philly on a night he was seriously contemplating suicide. That fateful meeting produced a serious friendship and much later, a song writing credit on her "Loving You" release in 1997. But, Douglas found that his inner demons were much stronger than his will to make music and with a self-imposed exile into a studio apartment in New Jersey, he started a slow road of recovery from years of concealed drug and alcohol abuse. As he sobered, an opportunity to work on the film "Beloved" starring Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, presented itself. Although the experience was life-changing, it would ultimately lead Douglas to the realization that MUSIC was his true first love. With renewed enthusiasm, he would go on to share that realization with business partner, Peter Lufrano, in early 1998, along with his vision to work, closely, as a team creating positive and uplifting multi-media projects. They then created, Two Adams, LLC., and co-produced, JUST LISTEN-Music for the Soul: volume one, in September '98, activating EdenDust Records and Two Adams Tunes (BMI) and the follow-up release to that debut, GETHSEMANE HOUR, in December '99. This second volume of their series acknowledges Douglas' dark years: that aforementioned ten year absence from music and ministry. Surviving that period, by his renewed faith in Jesus Christ and with the prayers of a few close friends, Douglas now writes honestly about his journey from darkness to Light, in his eclectic style of inspirational "soul" music. April 2000, EdenDust released, SOUL JOURNEY, a compilation CD commemorating his name change to BrotherDouglas. This project would celebrate all that came before, as he embarked on a new sound and direction for his third Music for the Soul volume, Wholiness, fully using his four octave range and lyrical style. :::::::::::::::::::::::BD Reflects on SOUL JOURNEY: "This musical sojourn represents a lot of changes for me. When I look back over these tunes, the first one written in October 1998 - I can see the growth, both musically and spiritually. I'd never written a 'tune' before then. I only thought of myself as a lyricist and certainly never as a vocalist or songwriter. I had so much respect for those whose talent was so obvious, I didn't dare compare my desire to their distinction. Artists such as Matthew Ward of Second Chapter of Acts, Daryl Coley, Rachelle Ferrell and Donnie McClurkin were "vocalists", while songwriting talents such as Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Daryl C., Kelly Williard, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Winans inspired me but deterred me from thinking of myself as a writer. No, in 1998, at the beginning of this musical journey, I was unsure of the call, yet, obedient to it, just the same. You'll hear timidity in my voice in JUST LISTEN: it betrays my lack of confidence and my uncertainty about the lyric's interpretations. In my defense, this project was written and performed in the span of only 3 months!! Some popular recordings take years to complete. However, after this first volume was released, Christmas 1998, I listened to it and felt that not only could I do better, I HAD to do better. God was just getting started with me.::::::::::::::::::::In contrast, GETHSEMANE HOUR had a long gestation period (seven months) and a slow, painful birth (4 months). Not because I was unprepared when I started to write the first tunes in February 1999, ?on the contrary, I could barely write them fast enough! God had so much to say through me, I really couldn't tell it all. In fact, I had to leave off two tunes that I really believed should have made the disc. Or, so "I" thought. As I waited through the myriad of delays from September to December 1999, I went through a most remarkable transformation spiritually and for the first time, I accepted my calling as a vocalist, lyricist and songwriter. I no longer compared myself to, or thought about, what anyone else was doing. I gave my soul and more importantly, my mind, totally over to God and just like Saul on the road to Damascus, at the end of the ordeal, God anointed me and changed my name to BrotherDouglas.::::::::::::::::::::I struggled with the release of GETHSEMANE HOUR, recorded as "douglasdouglas.com", ? a name and a website { designed by Eric Musser of Mannastudio.com } I impatiently created in my rush to be 'current' with the ever-changing "world system". And, following it's release, Christmas 1999, I stalled it's distribution, knowing my reasons for the dissatisfaction, but feeling inadequate to explain to my then label partner, Peter Lufrano, and fellow producers exactly what I could do to correct my error in judgment. Finally, it dawned on me that 'confession is good for the soul'. -- So, I decided to publicly confess my impetuous nature, correcting, I pray, my disobedience and my unwillingness to wait on God. *This is that confession.* I believe I was always suppose to record as BrotherDouglas, you see. In that anointed name is the genesis of a new man and the expression of the music ministry that God had originally planned for me. So I humbly offer these discs to you, now, in this compilation, under my new artist name. Stay tuned for my forthcoming Music for the Soul release, Wholiness, the continuance of my Soul's Journey on it's way to wholeness. Thank you for listening to the words I write and sing, it's Music from My Soul. I never want people impressed by the technique of how I sing, as much as, I pray, they'll experience the Spirit of 'why' I sing. Online, using my name as the web address, is my musical ministry vision in greater detail. Experience, www.BrotherDouglas.com and www.TaoBrothers.com --------------------------------------Peace, BE LIGHT."

Group Members BrotherDouglas is comprised of Vocalyricist: BD and Various Guest Musicians/Producers. (See Individual Song Credits)

Instruments Multiple Instrumentation / Various Producers

Albums SOUL JOURNEY (2001), JUST LISTEN (1998), GETHSEMANE HOUR (1999)

Press Reviews Great! Eclectic, Inspirational Soul! Thanks for loading your Music for the Soul on MP3.com. We need more good (in more ways than one) music and less garbage...Your music is Hot! Michael Robertson, Original CEO, MP3.com *******************Deep, mellow and infinitely spiritual, BrotherDouglas' MP3.com tracks inspired us.... Toss all the "genre" labeling aside, and take some time to check out an artist who's not only soulful in the deepest sense of the word, but has what it takes to cross boundaries on a commercial level. Fiona - MUSICEDITOR.COM *********************BrotherDouglas offers sleek, spiritually-centered songs that are a gentle mixture of Quiet Storm and modern jazz. His classically-trained voice wraps itself around intricate melodies with unobtrusive assurance and a rainy day coolness. LISTEN.COM *******************R&B, soul, pop and Christian influences wrapped up in fine musicianship and production have made BrotherDouglas a powerful voice on the indie scene. Tyler Suchman, CEO, STARTUPMUSIC.com ********************Hi Douglas, I've just spent an hour listening to your latest album while working on our Broken Records site. I enjoyed your songs and spirit throughout the project. Very good!! Blessings, Brother. KEITH MOHR - CEO, BrokenRecords.com ***************************Douglas, I was finally able to listen to your CD, Gethsemane Hour. I thought is was good. I especially like the song, A Distant Peace. I thought that one was really, really lovely. Mainly I think it's so wonderful that you've been able to take your thoughts, ideas, feelings, and put them to word and music and that you're being creative and working toward your dreams. KIMBERLY ELISE - Actress, Los Angeles, CA. **********************"Douglas, Your CD is part of my radio show (Crossrhythms) and I really like the lyrics that touch the heart of things and especially, your soulful voice. "Mike Rimmer - Disc Jockey - CROSSRHYTHMS.com - UK **************************"Congratulations and thank you for your work. It is uplifting to know that we are not alone. Be Safe." KENNY RANKIN, Singer/Songwriter *************************************"We had a BALL listening to the CD, [Just Listen]! I am very, very proud to see the fruit (beginnings, that is) of all your labor and faithfulness through all the trials and growth. I love the lyrics, as usual. So much heart and feeling. I hope to see you in Europe at the jazz festivals one day, soon!!!!!" KIRK WHALUM - Jazz/Gospel Saxophonist, Nashville, TN **************************"Thanks so much for sharing your project with me. The sound on the CD is superb!! Your writing is honest and heartfelt. What a pleasure to listen. Best of luck to you. Keep writing and singing---we need these words, these expressions. It's dark out here." Love...NNENNA FREELON - Jazz Stylist/Songtress-Durham, NC

Additional Info An accomplished actor and member of Screen Actor's Guild. Voting member of NARAS and GMA. BMI Music Publisher: EdenDust Publishing

Location New York, NY - USA

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