A gorgeous, soulful alto that envelopes hooks and harmonies; a musically gifted mind that collaborates with Leonard Cohen; a pop sensibility that earns a GRAMMY Award with Patti LaBelle (“New Attitude”)--that’s Sharon Robinson: singer, songwriter, producer and now artist, with the release of her debut solo recording effort, Everybody Knows. In April 2009, UK-based Freeworld Records distributed by Universal licensed the album for release in that country and continental Europe. The set--which Cohen calls “a masterful work”--includes three songs co-written with the legendary artist: the classics “Everybody Knows” and “Summertime” along with “Alexandra Leaving” from Ten New Songs, the critically acclaimed 2001 Cohen album which Robinson produced. The seductive electronic production of Ten New Songs is a through-line for Everybody Knows linking memorable melodies and complex emotional themes on the five new compositions and five favorite existing songs. While the inclusion of the Cohen songs may draw inevitable comparison to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer’s work, Robinson’s creative signature is immediately evident in the sensuous rhythms and haunting aura of the album’s opening track “Invisible Tattoo” and the gothic-soul anthem “Party for the Lonely.” Intertwining electronica beats with soulful bass grooves and moody, jazzy textures sculpted on guitar and piano, synth and Fender Rhodes, its enrapturing blend of instrumentation provides the perfect sonic bed for her inviting, sultry voice, which evokes feelings of hope, romance and sorrow all in the same breath. Robinson notes, “I created most of the record by layering parts one at a time, similarly to the way I did Ten New Songs. I wanted it to have an edgy and contemplative vibe, so I stayed away from the idea of tracking with studio musicians. I needed the freedom to find what I was looking for--a sound that was uniquely mine--before bringing in players for overdubs to add color, scope and dimension.” Although Everybody Knows comes in the third decade of her career, Robinson’s talent and versatility behind the scenes as a music producer, songwriter and background vocalist have allowed her to work with a diverse roster of notable artists including Stevie Nicks, Aaron Neville, Morris Day, Robbie Kreiger, Thelma Houston, Brenda Russell, Jennifer Warnes, Randy Crawford, Hamish Stuart and Matthew Wilder. Her co-write of the Top 10 hit “New Attitude” for Patti LaBelle led to three GRAMMY Award nominations and a win for Best Soundtrack Album (Beverly Hills Cop) in 1985. Her original compositions have also been featured in films such as Wonder Boys, Natural Born Killers, Pump Up The Volume, Stakeout and Wim Wenders’ Land of Plenty. But regardless of what project she’s involved with, her long-time friend and collaborator Cohen is never far out of the picture. This year, Robinson will be a featured background vocalist on his upcoming spring/summer international tour, his first run of live performances since 1993. The set list for the show includes five songs she co-wrote with Cohen, and showcases her arrangements on these co-written works. It’s not surprising that Robinson has worked with such diverse personalities and in so many genres. Her affinity for all kinds of music developed at an early age. Born in San Francisco, her family moved to Los Angeles when she was five. A year later she began studying classical piano, and at age 12 started writing and recording her own songs. As a teenager, she devoured a steady diet of Motown and Atlantic radio hits while working at the family restaurant, and while at home, she listened to such greats as Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Stan Getz and Joni Mitchell. The influence of this musical stew led to Robinson recording a demo at the age of 16, which landed her a recording contract with a label that folded before her album was made. But there was a silver lining. The backing band for her demo was the Jazz Crusaders; and its legendary leader Joe Sample witnessed her ability, encouraging her to continue writing. While she would eventually heed that advice, Robinson excelled in school as well and as a National Merit semi-finalist she earned a scholarship to Salem College in West Virginia. Halfway to her degree, money and music proved a stronger draw, so she left school to front a touring Top 40 band for several years. Burnout on the road brought her back to college; this time to the prestigious California Institute of the Arts to study music. A year later, she went pro again as a session singer and then singer/dancer for Ann-Margret’s Las Vegas revue. Those countless sessions proved fruitful when a recommendation from a fellow singer led to Cohen hiring her as a background vocalist for the famous 1979 “Field Commander Cohen Tour.” Cohen himself dubbed it his best trek ever. While on the road together, he and Robinson co-wrote “Summertime,” a song subsequently recorded by both Diana Ross and Roberta Flack. It was with this composition that she had suddenly elevated herself to the level Sample had envisioned years earlier…officially joining the auteur club that created lasting art beyond fleeting recordings and live shows. When you’re good at what you do, and you do it for others, their success becomes your reward, your place in the mix. It can be a great place to be. For Sharon Robinson, it has been both gratifying and fun. With Everybody Knows, she’s going to another place—out in front. “Writing for other people over the years, there's been an increasing sense of an underlying style or voice in my work,” Robinson notes. “This album gave me the chance to explore that voice and find out more about it. It’s been very fulfilling, and I'm looking forward to taking it further with future projects as well.” And with her extensive list of achievements and eclectic experiences, Robinson has a pretty good head start on this next artistic journey. : - [This biography was provided by the artist or their representative.] © 1996-2013, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates http://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Robinson/e/B003UZ0DEU/ref=ac_dtp_sa_bio/185-1590195-4297115
Four Stars. We’re talking major talent here. Robinson is a sensuous singer, a real lights-down-low performer who picks up where Sade left off. - Fred Dellar, Mojo (UK)
Five Stars. Packs a big emotional punch. - Andy Gill, The Independent (UK)
Classy Stuff. With a deliciously insinuating delivery, Robinson pours her voice atop a warm bed of sultry beats, tasteful backing vocals and a sensual, introspective groove. David Pulizzi, Jazziz -Mojo/The Independent (UK)/Jazziz
An album that begs to be listened to on a pair of headphones...Fans of her production work on Cohen s past two releases (Ten New Songs and Dear Heather) will love Everybody Knows as it is steeped in the same provocative and seductive blend of easygoing electronic beats. - Jason Gladu, Popjournalism.ca
Everybody should know about Sharon Robinson...Endowed with a rich, soulful alto - landing somewhere between Roberta Flack, Cassandra Wilson, and Sade Adu - Robinson breathes immeasurable levels of misty-eyed longing and downhearted reflection into her songs, thus delivering far more than simply a gorgeous voice floating above subtle electronic textures. Fans of the lights-down-low atmospherics and mellow-soul of Zero 7 should find themselves similarly engrossed by this disc. - Todd Lavoie, San Francisco Bay Guardian - Popjournalism/SF Bay Guardian
If I could turn you on to one new artist this year it would be Sharon Robinson...Imagine a combination of Sade but with deeper, more expressive voice and Joni Mitchell in her jazzy period, then add the trance-y feel of Everything But The Girl...[and] the lyrical insight and poetic sense of Leonard Cohen...It's smart, accessible and delivered by a gifted, original, and mature artist. It is full of melodies that manage to sound fresh and familiar at the same time and lyrics that perfectly nail the emotions and situations we go through as we gain more experience in life and love. - Shannon West, Smoothviews - Smoothviews
She may not be a household name, but Sharon Robinson has been an established songwriter, vocalist, and producer for numerous artists. She’s collaborated with Leonard Cohen for over thirty years but could easily have had a very successful solo career. Amazingly, this album is her only solo release after over 35 years in the business. Sharon composed seven of the songs and co-wrote three with Leonard Cohen. “Everybody Knows” is an exceptional album of ten beautifully written and melodic songs with a wonderful jazz, soul and folk flavour. The tracks have electronica-based arrangements and the entire album is bursting with creative energy. Many people are under the mistaken impression that Sharon’s music has been controlled in some strange Svengali-like manner by Leonard Cohen. The truth is that she has co-written with Leonard some of his best songs and has arguably not received full credit for her input into the great man’s music. “Everybody Knows” is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Albums like this are very rare these days among all the trash out there masquerading as music. Buy this album and support a real musical talent. BTW: Has it really been seven years since Joni Mitchell’s last studio album? [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 105 Mb]
TRACKS
1 Invisible Tattoo 4:26
2 Party For The Lonely 3:40
3 Everybody Knows 5:26
4 The Train 3:45
5 Secondhand 3:40
6 Forever In A Kiss 4:04
7 The High Road 4:09
8 Sustenance 4:03
9 Alexandra Leaving 5:06
10 Summertime 3:51
All songs composed by Sharon Robinson except Tracks 3,9,10 by Sharon Robinson & Leonard Cohen
MUSICIANS
Sharon Robinson – Synthesizer, Vocals
Christopher Bruce – Guitar
James Harrah – Guitar on Track 7
Nate Wood – Additional Guitar, Drums, Keyboards
Bob Glaub – Bass on Track 7
Patrick Warren – Additional Synths. & Colors
Jay Bellerose – Drums & Percussion
Joey Waronker – Percussion
Mike Turk – Harmonica on Track 4
Michael Cold – Bridge Vocal on Track 2
