With a limited release of 3000 copies of her debut CD, Closer, Bay Area Vocalist and songwriter Goapele took the bold first step in a solo career of unbounded promise. Goapele believes in both the power of self-determination and the invaluable benefits of collective effort. On her first album, she created a sparkling, mature work that united a variety of inspirations in a soulfully personal context. In realizing her ambitious artistic vision, the 24-year-old singer drew generously from her multi-cultural background, musical education, and a community of like-minded musicians. Born in Oakland, California, on the favorable day of 7/11/77, Goapele Mohlabane grew up in a family attuned to the significance of cultural heritage, issues of social justice, and the value of individual creative expression. Goapele's New York-born Jewish mother, Noa, was studying in Nairobi, Kenya, where she met and married exiled South African political activist Douglas Mohlabane. The couple decided to raise their family in Oakland CA, in the culturally and politically fertile Bay Area. Art and activism were linked in the Mohlabane household, where the struggle against apartheid was inseparable from the deep traditions of music, theater and dance. Along with her brother, Namane (of the production team Local1200), Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet School. At the age of ten, she formed the first preteen peer-led support group of the Bay Area Black Women's Health Project. At 15, she served alongside her mother on the national board of directors of Be Present, Inc. She also took part in peer education around issues of racism, sexism, and classism in the community group E.Y.E.S. (Empowered Youth Educating Society). In addition to contributing to a strong sense of self, Goapele's organizational involvement provided her with nurturing forums for developing her singing and performing at community events. Throughout high school, Goapele sang in the Oakland Youth Chorus, moving through the ranks to membership in their semi-professional performance group, Vocal Motion. Goapele continued her musical training by attending the highly acclaimed Berklee School of Music in Boston. Berklee helped her deepen her knowledge of music theory and develop the range and power of her unique voice, while also encouraging Goapele to tap into her creative resources as a songwriter. Shortly after the completion of Closer (the prequel to Even Closer) in the summer of 2001, Michael Franti invited Goapele to join his band, Spearhead, as a singer on its world tour, which included an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. After five months on tour, Goapele returned home to work on Even Closer. Back home in the Bay Area, Goapele found herself showered with support. The local power station 106KMEL picked up the b-side of the first single "Closer" b/w "Childhood Drama" and ran with it; requests for her to appear on other artist's project poured in; and, bookings for live performances skyrocketed. In the tradition of Bay Area independent artists, Goapele and her family decided it was a perfect time to start her own label, SKYBLAZE RECORDINGS, which is releasing her new album, Even Closer, in 2002. With the creation of her own company, Goapele has been able to create music that represents her heart and soul without having to compromise her artistic integrity. Even Closer is overflowing with standout tracks by up and coming producers like Amp Live (Zion I, Mystic, Linkin Park), Eric Krasno (Soulive), Jeff Bhasker (Lettuce) and Mike Tiger (The Coup, Martin Luther), whose contributions run the gamut from soul to jazz to hip-hop. For Goapele, working with such amazing musicians to create an album that is so diverse, yet so true to her vision, was the high point of the process. One listen to Even Closer shows that Goapele's musical influences, from Sweet Honey in the Rock to Hugh Masekela to D'Angelo to Sade to Nina Simone, all share space on her artistic palette. Her music is an organic combination of old school soulfulness and new school urban sensibility. Urban Soul, if you will. And, of course, there's always a message in the music. One of the most striking and thought-provoking songs on Even Closer is the aptly titled "Red, White and Blues". In the days following 9/11, Goapele was torn between the need to express her feelings, be respectful of all those who had lost their lives, and comment on the overwhelming opposition to all dissenting views. With much trepidation, she and producer Mike Tiger went into the studio and created a song that is equally disturbing, reflective, and uplifting. With the release of Even Closer coinciding with the one year memorial of that tragic day, Goapele's words continue to ring true: "So many die everywhere, everyday, in more ways / Even if we're winning we're all losing." Other songs on Even Closer include the hauntingly soulful "Catch 22" which grabs you from the jump and doesn't let go. "Romantic", with it's wailing B-3 organ and talk box courtesy of Blue Note recording artists Soulive, and chorus: "you're so f@#$ing romantic", suggests an updated version of rhythm and blues before it was R and B. "Ease Your Mind", which features an inspired interplay with Pep Love (Hieroglyphics), shows Goapele's ability to bring serious soul music over even the hardest hitting hip-hop beats. And, thanks to all of Goapele's diverse influences, the input of all of the musicians involved, and a strong personal foundation, Even Closer is true Soul Music. Music people will relate to and be inspired by. Music that helps women feel beautiful and respected. Music which is honest and good. Music that encourages everyone to be themselves. With such a unique voice, talented musicians, and a devoted fan base, Goapele will soon take her place among the great names of Soul Music. WEBSITE: http://www.goapele.com Even Closer Goapele $14.99