Despite never having a major national hit record, the late great Ortheia Barnes-Kennerly is one of Detroit, MI’s most beloved singers. She started singing in church, made some solo singles, and toured with Motown artists, though she never signed with the label. Barnes has enjoyed a full career, but unlike J.J. Barnes, her older brother, it hasn’t been scrutinized much, and a chronological discography of her work does not exist.
With her powerhouse vocals and a remarkable ability to weave narratives in her songs, Emilia Sisco effortlessly fuses soul, jazz and blues into a mesmerizing tapestry of sound. Her voice carries the weight of raw emotion, echoing the depths of the human experience. Released on Timmion Records, Emilia Sisco made waves with her previous single, “Don’t Believe You Like That,” which quickly gained her plenty of worldwide admirers.
Now, she unveils the next offering in collaboration with the acclaimed production house Cold Diamond & Mink – a grooving little vinyl double-sider entitled “Trouble” b/w “It’ll get better.” These deep tracks transport listeners to an intimate space where time stands still and you can hear your heart beat. Drawing inspiration from legendary icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Billie Holiday, Emilia infuses her music with a rich blend of influences.
Michell Latrice Lewis, a.k.a. Chelly K is a native Detroiter who started her career at the age of five with her father (Joseph Norris) who was a Motown Personal sound technician for The Temptations. Chelly’s first performance was at Kennedy square in the Downtown Detroit Area. Her credits include: Background vocals for Melvin Van Peoples, and Luther Ingram. She has also opened hows for Marlena Shaw, Marion Meadows, The Temptations’ Review, and The Spinners. Chelly’s has also performed with Freestyle, The Gordon Camp Band, The V.I.P’s, he Teddy Harris Jr. Band, The Harold McKinney Band and the great Rudy Robinson.
A few of her numerous Detroit nightclub appearances include the Legendary Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, BoMacs Lounge and Bert’s Market Place,The Dirty Dog, The Aretha Franklin Jazz Cafe and many many more. Chelly writes most of her own lyrics and counts Phyllis Hyman/Nancy Wilson as her main musical influences. She is currently working with the legendary, Grammy award winner/songwriter/ producer, John Glover, who’s accomplishments include, Grammy awarded Songs, “You Don’t Have To Be a Star”, “Memories Don’t Leave Like People Do”, “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” and “Songs of The Key of Life”, just to name a few.
“How’z everything in your house” / “My funny valentine” / “Pinch me” / “Stick & stay” / “Thorough it all” / “Caught up”(more…)
Eleanore Mills is a versatile New York based recording artist known for her seductive sound, powerful performances, and the uncanny ability to manoeuvre musically through a myriad of genres, including Broadway and jingles. As a child, her exposure to Gospel, Soul, and Jazz fuelled and fostered her natural talent and performing skills. With the release of her album, This is Eleanore Mills, she gained the attention of Jazz/Soul impresario Norman Connors, who asked her to sing lead vocals on his albums, This Is Your Life and Romantic Journey. Mills was also chosen as a background vocalist for the Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway album, which included the revered club staples “You Are My Heaven” and “Back Together Again”
As she began to focus more on dance music, she began working with Next Plateau Records. It was there that she achieved her definitive recording, as the featured artist on “Get Wet,” the electro 12” single produced by John Robie. During this time she also was featured with Larry Woo on C-Bank’s “Good to the Last Drop”, produced by David Cole (C+C Music Factory) mixed by Bruce Forest. She went on to record “Nightmare of a Broken Heart”, produced and mixed by Bruce Forest with edits by Louie Vega. In addition, she scored a chart topping single “Tonite” with Those Guys at MCA Records, which hit #2 on the Billboard Dance Charts. In 2014,