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Submerge yourself in splashes of Funk, Jazz, Quiet Storm, and Soul. Float
away with the voice Logo Magazine describes as "Honeyed, Subdued and
Unadorned" and caress your mind, body, and spirit. With the help of
some world-class session players, Nhojj aims to create an atmosphere that
is soothing, rejuvenating, and affirming. Welcome to 'Soul Comfort'.
Nhojj started singing at the age of 5 on local radio programs, and soon found himself performing before Presidents in a sold out stadiums, in both Guyana and Trinidad. After graduating from NYU with a BA in Economics (honors), this self-taught producer returned to his first love, recording what Music Dish would call "Musical Genius." Music from his debut I've Been Waiting for You was featured at the International Fringe Festival, in the 2001 Jacob A. Weiser Playwright Award-wining play "The Making of the Black Man" and premiered on Audiofile, which broadcasts on 125 radio stations around the world.
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Mote Mgzn wrote "Reminiscent of R&B greats Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye" on hearing his sophomore Someday Peace Love & Freedom and University of Calgary's Gauntlet Newspaper concluded, "alludes to Marley's former call for 'one love, one heart.'" OutMusic nominated the CD for Outstanding Male Album 2004, and the Fresh Fruit Festival awarded him Best Male Performance. With 2 recordings under his belt, Nhojj filmed the live DVD An Intimate Evening with Nhojj with Emmy-Nominated director Bill Cote, and then returned to the studio with producer Sam Archer (Barbershop, B2K) to record an Inspirational album John Martinborough Coming home - a dedication to his mother.
The next few years earned Nhojj the #1 position on the Neo-Soul, Fusion, Nu-Jazz, Healing, Easy listening, and Gospel Myspace Indie NY Charts for a total of 31 weeks, and honorable mention at the 13th and 14th Annual Billboard Songwriting Contest.
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In 2007, Soul Comfort began to emerge. "Life ebbs and flows" Nhojj explains, "but I wanted to focus on the positive, and with this project share some ideas and have fun." First came the bi-lingual Myspace collaboration with French/Caribbean artist Mike Ibrahim. After weeks of recording and emailing WAV files between NY and Paris, 'Spring Rain' was born. Nhojj continued the celebration with 'Music' and 'Doing m' Thing' creating a smooth organic feel by sampling live instruments: Carl Evans on Keyboards (Stevie Wonder, Barry White); David Stark on Guitar (Rick James, Teena Marie); Tommy Aros on Percussion (Luis Miguel), adding live horn sections, live drums, and his signature style - layers and layers of vocals. The result "exudes delicacy and controlled release" writes Echoes Magazine. The album features 'Dream', a personal meditation on gifts and goals; the ethereal a cappella 'James Donovan', honoring the lives of 2 friends with AIDS; the universal 'Peace & Blessings' and 'My Brother' which features biological brother Sam, Def Jam Poet ButtaFlySoul, Music with a Twist artist Jesse O, Poets baron and sean, all joining together on a thank you note to the men who have nurtured and inspired them.
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| Interview with Nhojj... |
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- Could you briefly tell us about your background, like, where are you
from ? How long have you been in NY?
I grew up in Guyana and moved to NY when I was 18 to study Economics. After
graduating from NYU, I decided to pursue music which is and has always
been my passion. I started singing in church when I was 5 and because of
the music in my life Ifve had the opportunity to travel and perform throughout
the USA and Canada, parts of Europe and the Caribbean. Ifve won awards
and performed for Presidents in Stadiums. Ifve heard my music in films
and on the radio. I am really thankful - Music has been a blessing.
- What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to Bob Marley, Nina Simone, DeBarge, Michael Jackson, Roberta Flack, Sade, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Al Green, and Take 6 to name a few.
- What is your musical background like?
My dad was a church minister, so I heard a lot of inspirational and gospel
music, I took piano lessons as a child which was all classical. Growing
up in the West Indies, reggae and calypso music was all around me, and
on the radio I listened to a lot of R&B and Pop. As I got older - I
listening to the soul greats.
- Who has been your biggest inspiration in music?
I would have to say Bob Marley - he dedicated his music to change, and making this world a better place. And he worked hard at his craft - to keep making it better and better. Now he is a powerful symbol for so many. I find that inspiring.
- Please tell us about your 4th album Soul Comforts, the concept behind the idea and your impressions.
I wanted to create an album that people could sit back and truly enjoy, an album that is positive, that was relaxing and inspiring. I am in a happy space right now and I wanted to share that, to celebrate life, celebrate our collective Soul.
- How has the reaction been so far?
The reaction has been great so far. I get emails and messages all the time
from people saying how much they truly love the record and how they play
it over and over again and share it with their friends. That is the best
compliment I could receive.
- How do you describe your sound and style ?
I like to think of my sound as a Fusion of Soul, Reggae, Jazz, R&B thatfs mellow, smooth and very addictive... lol
- How do you write a song? Lyrics then music? Or music then lyrics?
I write music first and then I get an idea for a story or concept or a few words will come that will be the center or focus of the song.
- How does your personal songwriting process work? And what are you striving
for when you write a song?
I believe Ifm just a conduit for these songs, I believe these songs already
exist and Ifm just lucky enough to hear them and transcribe them. So there
are times when Ifm really in tune and I can hear them clearly and a song
can be done in minutes - songs like gMusich and gThe Beggarfs Cuph
and then there are other songs that take longer. But I want people around
me to feel good, to be happy, I want listeners to be affirmed, to hear
their lives, their hopes, and dreams, their struggles in my music. So that
is what I channel, thatfs what I want bring into this world.
- Have you ever had a memory in your career that you can't forget?
I remember one day I went over to my agentfs home to discuss some plans and he goes online to the Myspace music charts and in my head I was wondering why he was doing this cause we had a lot of work to do. Then I realized. I was at the number 1 position on the NY Neo Soul and Fusion Charts. It was such a pleasant surprise and really encouraging. To date I think Ifve spent something like 31 weeks at # 1.
- What really drives you or motivates you to continue to play music?
I love it, I love performing and looking out at the audience and seeing people smiling and grooving to the music, I love the way it feels when the music is flowing through the musicians and myself. I love creating new music. I canft imagine doing anything else.
- What is your musical philosophy?
Always stay true to who I am, to sing from the heart, do my best, and always
keep on improving and learning.
- Would you like to say something to your fans?
Thank you so muchc may happiness continually surround you. |
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| Discography |
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| Nhojj - I've Been Waiting For You (US-CD, 2001) |
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1 |
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Intro |
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2 |
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Faithful |
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3 |
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Another Day |
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4 |
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Sorry |
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5 |
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Interlude- Wade |
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6 |
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Wade In The Water |
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7 |
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Me & U |
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8 |
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don't b afraid |
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9 |
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Come Back |
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10 |
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The Sad Song |
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11 |
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Interlude- We Need |
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12 |
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More Love |
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13 |
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Interlude- Waiting |
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14 |
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Waiting For You |
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15 |
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The Lullaby |
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| Nhojj - Someday Peace Love & Freedom (US-CD, 2003) |
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1 |
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Hold on |
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2 |
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Free |
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3 |
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Peace |
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4 |
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What r u begging for? |
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5 |
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The Beggar's Cup |
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6 |
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Fighting for Love (The Warrior's Song) |
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7 |
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Lost/Found |
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8 |
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U |
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9 |
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I Miss You |
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10 |
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Love Again |
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11 |
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A New Me |
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12 |
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Someday |
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| Nhojj - Coming Home (US-CD, 2005) |
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1 |
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The Lord's Prayer |
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2 |
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Amazing Grace |
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3 |
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Coming home |
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4 |
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I Need You Every Hour |
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5 |
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Father Lead Me |
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6 |
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Tread Softly |
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7 |
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Quiet Place |
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8 |
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A Song for Mother |
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9 |
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Remember |
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10 |
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His Eye is on the Sparrow |
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11 |
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Higher Ground |
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12 |
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It is Well |
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13 |
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Mary don't you Weep |
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| Nhojj - Soul Comfort (US-CD, 2008) |
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1 |
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Doing m' Thing |
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2 |
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Music |
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3 |
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Please Comeback |
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4 |
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Love |
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5 |
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I Like that... |
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6 |
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Soul Comfort |
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7 |
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Dream |
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8 |
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Spring Rain |
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9 |
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James Donovan |
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10 |
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My Brother |
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11 |
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The Light:) |
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12 |
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Peace & Blessings |
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13 |
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Bonus Track |
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Contact to:
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