Artist description The San Francisco Bay Area has always been home to some of the finest musicians in the world. One of the most innovative and diverse groups emerging from this musically rich area is souLatitude, which adds a distinct flavor to this legacy with its self-titled debut album. With influences ranging from gospel, soul, r&b, and world beat to dub, trip-hop, classical, and jazz, the members of souLatitude have created a style of music that draws upon all of these influences and others to create a sound that is rich, deep, sultry, sensual, danceable, and very much their own. First formed as a weekly studio recording collaboration between bassist and engineer L. Henry Sarmiento II, keyboardist/songwriter Steve Hoffman, and vocalist/lyricist Bree Thatcher, the group quickly tapped into a chemistry which blossomed into this full-length CD over a brief and intensive three month period.

Music Style Sultry down tempo

Musical Influences With influences ranging from gospel, soul, r&b, and world beat to dub, trip-hop, classical, and jazz, the members of souLatitude have created a style of music that draws upon all of these influences and others to create a sound that is rich, deep, sultry, sensual, danceable, and very much their own.

Artist History The three principals have over 50 years’ combined experience in music performance, and over 20 years’ professional experience in the music business. This includes: live performance with many top-level international artists promotional and band management experience recording expertise computer skills including website development for musical distribution companies (including artwork, digital encoding of music, writing and copyediting skills, etc.) extensive networking contacts throughout the industry worldwide.

Group Members Bree Thatcher - Vocals/ Lyrics L.Henry Sarmiento II - Bass/ Drum Selector Steve Hoffman - Keyboards/ Harmony Vocals

Press Reviews Featuring guest appearances by some of the top musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area, the album’s nine tracks evoke a wide-array of moods and styles, from the gospel-influenced opening track (Be Strong), to the album’s rock and dub instrumental close (Bullet Proof). Some songs could be described as Sade meets Madonna (When you are here; Rite Soul-which features a Latin percussion track by Santana’s Michael Carabello), while others might best be described as part Portishead blended with a bit of Soul to Soul and Massive Attack (Must be; Fly away; You are the one). Songs such as 5 am Taboo, a vampish vocal invitation interlaced with an unapologetically lustful rap by guest rapper, Mark Moorer, are set to surreal beds of music reminiscent of moonlit island beaches, while others, such as the piano and vocal ballad Find It, show Thatcher’s true vocal depth and diversity and Hoffman’s intensity and unique style at the piano. Several songs feature the work of jazz saxophonist Charles McNeal, while others feature the violin work of Jeremy Cohen (who plays the same violin featured on the soundtrack of the The Wizard of Oz). Other guest tracks include the sultry jazz trumpet work of Chuck MacKinnon; the sweet harmonies of a gospel vocal trio featuring Larry Batiste, Jeanie Tracy, and Monet Owens; guitar tracks which range from searing to funky by Ralph Woodson and Solomon Banks, and vocals and lyrics from Nigerian singer Manas Itene.

Additional Info Taken together, the combination of the trio’s strong and diverse songwriting styles, tight production, and the excellent musicianship of all involved in the project has produced an album that is inviting enough to become an instant favorite with listeners, yet diverse and rich enough to remain a lasting favorite.

Location Sausalito, CA - USA

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