Release Notes

The incredible soulful vocal force that is CHOKLATE joins forces with REEL PEOPLE MUSIC, embarking on a new journey into house, unleashing a monstrous new single titled 'THE TEA'. CHOKLATE delivers a powerful lyric about standing true to yourself over a selection of stunning grooves lovingly tailored by a heavyweight collection of producers including REEL PEOPLE, MANOO and THE LAYABOUTS. REEL PEOPLE cook up funky discofied soulful jam complete with lush sweeping strings, THE LAYABOUTS deliver an explosive deep groove ripe with drama and hypnotic hooks along with a reprise, and MANOO magic's up a warm soulful piano laced mix oozing with bounce. Born in Seattle, WA and raised in San Diego on a Gospel diet, singer/songwriter Choklate has always in one way or another been involved with music or dance. The newest soul singer to the scene was introduced to hip-hop by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's 'Parents Just Don't Understand'. "It was the first 'worldy' song and only video allowed in the house." So when finally out on her own, she recalls having her ear to everything from Bach and Yo Yo Ma to Brotha Lynch Hung. Over the years, living in Seattle and honing her craft, beside having been a resident at one of the most popular club nights in Seattle, Jumbalaya, Choklate continues to express and explore the art of musical creation through both writing and singing for herself as well as other artists as well as performing stunning live shows. In May 2006 she released a full-length debut self titled album on Kajmere Sound Recordings, enlisting talents of some heavyweight collaborators and executively produced by Vitamin D. In addition Choklate has worked with a multitude of artists on projects with Blacksheep, Boom Bap Project, Abstract Rude, Butta Verses, De La Soul, Gift of Gab, Supanatural and Chali 2na's solo records. Oli Lazarus' Reel People received global support and love following the release of there 2 studio albums, 'Second Guess' & 'Seven Ways to Wonder' which brought such soulful dance classics as 'Can't Stop, 'Butterflies', 'The Rain', 'Alibi' and 'Amazing'. Oli launched his brand new digital label Reel People Music in 2009 with a stunning Reel People song titled 'Star' with Tony Momrelle, which featured additional mixes from Rasmus Faber, Rocco. 2010 looks set to be an exciting year as Oli continues to work on future releases with Choklate along with forthcoming projects from Reel People Music from The Realm, Reel People and BSTC feat. JL. North-London production/DJ duo The Layabouts are gathering some serious momentum in 2010, despite having been working together for the last 7 years producing soulful deep house music, with an emphasis on quality vocal releases. Having released material on their own labels Soulworks and Healthy Records, they have also produced and remixed tracks for Kenny Dope's Ill Friction, MN2S, Big Love, Soulfuric, Papa Records among many, more recently with 2 very powerful remixes for the Jellybean Soul label showcasing their very unique and sexy deep sound. French DJ /producer Manoo began his career in 1995 in Lyon. His musical culture at this time included a wide range of styles: Hip-hop and more specifically House music. Aside of building a strong reputation as a DJ, he released his first single with Rocco 'Love Island' (Jazz-up records) under the guise Rodamaal, shortly followed by 'Musica Feliz' (Buzzin Fly). Since then Manoo has gone on to release further Rodamaal productions as well as collaborations with Francois A and solo productions and remixes on Buzzin Fly, Realtone, Deeply Rooted House, Freerange Defected and Nervous among many.