After fronting the recently released EP from New York collective Herbivores, which was championed by SoulBounce, SingersRoom, Kick Magazine and Soul-Addict, among others, Brooklyn-based Houston neo-soul musician BEL-AMI is proud to unveil his brand new solo album titled MUSE(IC), as featured by OKAYPLAYER.
Written by Bel-Ami and co-produced with Errick Lewis (Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Erykah Badu), the album also features contributions from Miles Robertson (Adele, One Republic, Ashley Tisdale) on keys, Bobby Wesley on guitars, Obed Calvaire (Mary J. Blige, Music Soulchild, Seal) on drums, and Matthew Hartnett (Lauryn Hill, Kirk Franklin, Bilal) on horns.
Speaking about the inspiration behind his Muse(ic) album and how the project came about, Bel- Ami says, “This album is raw and authentic. The sound and the subject matter is as gritty as the basement in Jersey, where the songs were recorded. Looking back, it’s almost as if we were living a dream. Everything was so effortless. To reference Malcolm Gladwell, it was definitely an ‘outlier’ moment, where preparation meets opportunity at the most perfectly divine time. If I could have determined early on what the perfect outcome would have been, it would not have been as good as what now exists.
Without a ‘muse’, there is no art, there is no ‘MUSE(ic)’. Adding the suffix ‘ic’ typically forms an adjective, which means ‘of or pertaining to’ and as such, this project is pertaining to and inspired by my many muses. I thought the most authentic way to record this album was to build the stairs as we climbed, so the bones of this project were recorded in a single live take, as we used each moment as a muse for the next. We created freely and fully, prioritizing expression over arbitrary industry rules, while also paying homage to the greats who have planted these seeds of inspiration in me. If you appreciate soul music in its truest form, you’ll appreciate this album”.
Highly recommended if you like the sounds of neo-soul greats such as D’Angelo, Bilal and Maxwell, self-taught musician Bel-Ami found his rhythm from a very early age, having been born into a family of musicians and singers. He further honed his skills and penchant for harmonies in local school and church choirs in Houston, and then as a member of the prestigious Houston Symphony Chorus. However it wasn’t until after a near-fatal car accident that Bel-Ami found a new purpose for his fearless, honest and free music.
Since that accident, the Houston native has been on a mission to affect the world of music as only he can. He burst onto the scene with his debut EP Know U, which has led him on an upward trajectory and journey ever since, and has since seen Bel-Ami headline two indie tours, share the stage with R&B and soul greats including Angie Stone, Dwele, Mint Condition, Tank, Chante Moore, and of his biggest influences Bilal, and garner critical acclaim and support from the likes of Huffington Post, 002 Magazine and Houston Style Magazine.
CONNECT WITH BEL-AMI: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook
MEDIA & PRESS: Please direct all inquiries to Ayo Adepoju: [email protected]
