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BRAND NEW 2011 Album

The name may have changed but the faces remain the same... 

Previously, known as The Family, fdeluxe has a rich musical history that stretches back to a time when the eyes of the music world were firmly focused on the city of Minneapolis and it’s burgeoning music scene. 

The classy 4 piece outfit have been working on their new album for the past three years, since re-uniting for Amir “Questlove” Thomson, a long-time fan, and The Roots’ with a mesmerizing performance at the group’s annual Grammy Bash in 2007. 

A sophisticated mix of contemporary funk, pop, jazz and soul interwoven with mesmerizing string arrangements and infectious horn lines ‘The Vigil’ is genre proof, just like a classic Steely Dan record. The grooves recall the feel of the first release before taking you on a musical and poetic left turn. This record is cinematic, French Nouveau and Minneapolis ghetto, with a spirit that makes you feel like you’re helping cook up some fried chicken in the kitchen. It shows the musical growth of the band and proves their validity in today’s music scene. 

Susannah and St. Paul have spent some serious time reconnecting -musically and as family. You can hear it in their blend, in their songwriting, and in their arrangements. It seems as if all the time spent away was just research for this incredible new CD. On ‘@8’, a track recently previewed on the internet, saxophonist with Eric Leeds’ signature sound leads you on a funky trip through Paris, Morocco and Mexico with St. Paul in control. A classic Jellybean Johnson groove, with an exquisite string arrangement sprinkled on top. ‘Gaslight’ , with Susannah on vocals is an aggressive, angst ridden track that kicks off with a full horn section and features a groove bound to makes you feel uneasy. Susannah’s raspy delivery will have you questioning 
her sanity. 

‘Beautiful You’, a duet between St. Paul and Susannah, re-creates the tension of two lovers longing for each other. Susannah climaxes with “I’ll make it so sweet...” Eric Leeds’ flute playing is showcased on the outro. ‘Drummer and Healers’ is about a revolution, about recovery. The rhythm guitar sets the tone, as St. Paul weaves in and out of vocals by 
Susannah and special guest Doyle Bramhall II. Doyle also plays a guitar solo, that shows why he is one of the most sought after players in the world. 

‘The Vigil’ was written by Susannah’s sister, Wendy Melvoin and her musical partner Lisa Coleman. This hauntingly beautiful love song has Susannah and St. Paul yearning for each other. The orchestration showcases The Horn Heads (NPG Horns) on an arrangement by Eric Leeds, and St Paul ’s Claire Fischer-inspired string arrangement. ‘Leeds Line’ is an instrumental showcasing Eric Leeds , with another ppearance by Bramhall. The groove will conjure images of Herbie’s Hancock’s “Head Hunters” days, with guitars that early Sly lovers will appreciate. Susannah’s breathy vocals at the end put the icing on the cake. 

The first incarnation of the group was formed in 1985 after the demise of The Time, one of the most popular groups in America during this period with three hit albums and singles such as ‘Get It Up’, ‘777-9311’, ‘Jungle Love’ & ‘The Bird’. In the wake of ‘Purple Rain’ the group self-imploded with original members Jellybean Johnson and Jerome Benton joining Minneapolis teenager and Purple Rain-era Time keyboardist, Paul Peterson in a new group which would be known as The Family. 

Prince, who had heard Peterson (now dubbed St. Paul) singing during rehearsals for ‘Purple Rain’, then enlisted the talented Susannah Melvoin, daughter of renowned jazz musician Mike and twin sister of Revolution guitarist Wendy, as co-lead vocalist.  Eric Leeds was offered a spot in the group after impressing Prince with his horn playing on a demo handed to him by road manager Alan Leeds, his elder brother. 

The self-titled album was released on the Warner Bros affiliated Paisley Park label to widespread critical acclaim. It spawned 2 US R&B hit singles in ‘Screams Of Passion’ and ‘High Fashion’ and the classic funk groove ‘Mutiny’. Interestingly the album also included the original -and without doubt -finest version of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, a song that would be covered and popularized by Sinead O'Connor in 1991. 

The group played a solitary gig at MInneapolis ’ First Avenue before St. Paul , frustrated the lack of promotion given to the album by the label, left to sign a solo deal with MCA. Jellybean subsequently linked with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis at Flyte Tyme Productions while Susannah, Eric & Jerome joined The Revolution. The ensuing year’s saw the group’s legend grow: their name was regularly dropped by modern R&B and hip hop artists and the debut CD became a highly sought after collector’s item. 

The Family reunited in 2003 for a one off performance at a charity event in Los Angeles for long-time friend Sheila E., the first time they had played together as a group since the First Avenue, planting the seed for what has become a much anticipated new project. 

‘The Vigil’ will be available early 2011 and fdeluxe will be touring in support of the album. 

St Paul - Vocals/Bass/Keyboards/Guitar 

St Paul aka Paul Peterson is the youngest sibling of the musical family, lovingly referred to as  Minnesota 's First Family of Music. Paul was discovered at seventeen by Prince, and appeared in the movie ‘Purple Rain’ as the new keyboard player in the The Time, and later on the group's platinum album ‘ Ice Cream Castle ’. In 1985 Prince, recruited him to front The Family. Now going by the moniker St. Paul , he was heard on the singles ‘The Screams Of Passion’ and ‘High Fashion’. Signing to MCA as a solo act he scored US chart success with the R&B hit single ‘Rich Man’ and later on Atlantic Records, ‘Stranger To Love’, a US Pop Top 40 single. He appeared with The Minneapolis All-Stars on the album ‘Live at The Quest’ and on the 2008 live album by The Truth with members of Mint Condition, The Time, Prince’s Revolution and more. 

In addition to being a recording artist, Paul is also renowned as a studio and touring musician -complementing an impressive and ever-growing list of artists which includes names such as Stevie Wonder, David Sanborn, Digital Underground, Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan, Rosie Gaines, Jeff Lorber Hiram Bullock, Lionel Richie, Joe Sample (The Crusaders), Phil Upchurch, Gavin DeGraw, and many more in the pop, country and rock fields. Working primarily in the jazz-funk field he has produced acts including Jorge Ben , France Gall, Al Jarreau and Oleta Adams. 

As a songwriter he has written for dozens of artists, most notably The Corrs multi-million seller ‘Only When I Sleep’ and his work has been nominated for a Grammy (best Pop Instrumental for ‘Song For My Brother‘ as recorded by George Benson). Renowned musician Victor Wooten calls him “one of his favourite bass players” while Sheila E says “greatness is the man, sound and undeniable spirit of Paul peterson”. 

Susannah Melvoin - Vocals/Percussion 

Singer-songwriter Susannah Melvoin grew-up as a second generation LA musician born into a musical family. Her father legendary jazz Keyboard player Michael Melvoin started her singing on jingles at 9 years old. Since then she has gone to sing write and perform with artists and producers such as Quincy Jones, Madonna (‘Ray Of Light’), Trevor Horn, William Orbit, Seal, Eric Clapton, B.B.King, Erykah Badu, Questlove of the Roots, Mike Oldfield (‘Tubular bells II’), The Grid, Donna Summer, Tchad Blake, Mitchell Froome, Neil Finn (of Crowded House), Don Smith (Tom Petty, John Hiatt) and many more. A member of Prince’s Revolution after the demise of The Family Susannah sang and/or composed songs on numerous hit albums such as ‘Around The Wold In A Day’, ‘Parade’, ‘Sign O The Times’, the controversial ‘Black Album’ and on the late 90s effort ‘Crystal Ball’. 
She is a longtime band member of her twin sister Wendy’s band Wendy & Lisa, and has 
written and performed with husband, acclaimed Texan guitarist Doyle Bramhall ll (producer for the likes of Sheryl Crow & Derek Trucks) touring extensively with his solo projects and as band members of Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters. Susannah’s most recent work has seen her 
collaborating with long time partner St. Paul Peterson on the much anticipated fdeluxe project. 

Eric Leeds - Sax/Keyboards/Flute 

After making a name for himself in the thriving Pittsburgh and Atlanta scenes Eric Leeds came to the mainstream’s attention in 1985 as a member of The Family. After the group’s dissolution in 1986 he went on to work in the studio and on stage with Prince on four worldwide tours and on the albums ‘Parade’, ‘Sign O The Times’, ‘Lovesexy’ and ‘Batman’. Their musical interplay resulted in the formation of Madhouse, whose two critically acclaimed albums not only featured Eric’s propulsive playing but his writing and arranging as well. 

Eric’s debut solo album ‘Times Squared’ was released in 1991 and followed by ‘Things Left Unsaid’ (“a jaw-dropping, irreverent collage” according to jazz bible Downbeat) and ‘Now & Again’. Eric would go on to write music for film and play on recording projects for artists such as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Mavis Staples, George Benson, Patti Labelle, Wendy & Lisa, Jimmy McGriff and many more. In the late 90s he became a charter member of Sheila E & the E Train writing and recording for the album ‘Writes Of Passage’ as well as with The Minneapolis All-Stars on the album ‘Live at The Quest’. . 
In 2002 he toured again with Prince and featured on the DVD ‘Prince: Live at The Alladin’ and 2003’s Grammy nominated ‘N.E.W.S’. In recent years he has also worked, recorded at toured with The Truth, RAD, Swiss chart-topper Seven, RAD and Latin percussionist Estaire Godinez. 

Jellybean Johnson - Guitar/Drums 

Jellybean Johnson, an original member of legendary funk outfit The Time has worked as a musician, drummer, guitarist and producer for over 25 years. With a resume that has him performing as drummer/guitarist/writer/engineer/producer for a virtual Who’s Who of number one hit pop acts, and numerous soundtracks for successful movies, Jellybean has a track record that has proven itself tune after tune, year after year. As producer and/or songwriter he has worked with Janet Jackson (including the #1 smash ‘Black Cat’), New Edition, Mint Condition, Alexander O’Neal, Nona Hendryx, Karen White, Michael Jeffries ( Tower of Power ), Ronnie Baker Brooks and Cherelle. In the studio or on stage he has also worked with Prince, George Michael, Morris Day, Patti Labelle, Roger & Zapp, Human League, and many more in addition to appearing on all four albums by The Time (1981‘s ‘The Time’ -Gold, 1982‘s ‘What Time Is It’ -Gold, 1985‘s ‘Ice Cream Castle’ -Platinum and 1990‘s Pandemonium’ -Gold). 

Jellybean appeared in the smash hit movie ‘Purple Rain’ and is the recipient of many MN Music Awards, MN Black Music Awards, MN Video Awards, ASCAP Awards along with more than 20 gold or platinum albums. In addition to his work with fdeluxe ‘Bean is also working on the much anticipated new album by The Time with original members Morris Day, Jesse Johnson, Jerome Benton, Monte Moir, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

INITIAL COPIES with PROMO SHEET

 Condition - SEALED

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