MAYA AZUCENA: Junkyard Jewel

Maya Azucena

Junkyard Jewel

© 2007 Music Of Choice (837101343305)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

An exciting blend of powerful vocals and lyrics mixed with all live instrumentation. Raw soul at it's best.

notes

“Junkyard Jewel is - People's Music. Truly a blast of fresh air! ...Her incredible voice
is out there in 3D and we are all better off for hearing it in its purity.” - Brian Michel Bacchus A&RProducer, Blue Note Records,(signed Norah Jones), Producer / Terry Callier
Soulfeast Records

“It is an ambitious, acoustic album that should solidify her position as a soul superstar in the making” – SoulTracks.com (World’s #1 soul music web site)

“Maya has a very beautiful, soul voice, and she's very convincing with what she is singing about" - Stephen Marley

When singer/songwriter Maya Azucena released her solid, soulfully funky, debut CD, aptly titled Maya Who?!, it was meant to playfully address how many responded to hearing her exotic surname for the first time. However, after hearing her music or seeing her perform that question was quickly spun to echo those keenly wanting to know, who this strikingly talented new artist on the scene was. They were no doubt quick to discover what has been described as her “passion, sass and been there authenticity” and “a voice that’s diva strong and compelling.” “I sing what I mean and what I feel from the bottom of my heart,” says Maya with an undeniable tone of sincerity and it undoubtedly comes through in all she does as it has earned her streams of love, admiration, respect and opportunity. CDBaby.com, the well-regarded online music store where Maya’s internationally acclaimed and popular CD remains in the Urban/R&B Top Sellers list, was encouraged to say “This soul/R&B/hip hop album is a fantastic launching point for a young woman with a bright and long career ahead of her.”

“Junkyard Jewel is album that I can identify with for many reasons, says Maya, one of them being that it is my second-born and I was able to convey my experiences from the first album, traveling around the world and to where I am now”, expresses Maya. The album is fueled by the guitar work of Ver Halen and a solid band consisting of percussionist Ivan Katz, bassist Jason DiMatteo, violinist Tarrah Reynolds and cellist David Gotay. Maya’s expressive voice shines in the midtempo “Set You Free”, “Runaway Blues” and “Like No Other”. “Ballads such as “Wash Over” and the title cut “Junkyard Jewel,” put Maya’s soulful voice above the rest. Her rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has been a fan favorite at shows and now, finally recorded, is notable, inspiring and hair-raising.

The attractive Brooklyn, NY native fuelled by an obsession for crafting riveting tracks and stirring up faithful audiences with spirited live sets has since taken on “hardest-working” status. Not only has a burgeoning résumé of impressive accomplishments been the result, but also a resounding buzz often reserved for those touted as a star in the making. The range of those accomplishments is a reflection of the truly creative artist she is and the enormous ability she possesses proving the buzz is certainly warranted. AllHipHop.com recently named the one time aspiring actress “Best Alternative Artist of the Year,” while Soultracks.com has touted her as a “Best Female Vocalist of the Year” nominee.

Maya Azucena has shared stages or been on bills with legendary artists, vets and newcomers from the worlds of R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock and more. Artists such as Roberta Flack, Bilal, Martin Luther, Jaguar Wright, Joss Stone, Leon Ware, Richard Bona, Lupe Fiasco, Big Daddy Kane, the Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight, Anthony Hamilton, Platinum Pied Pipers, and John Legend. In addition to crisscrossing the US with riveting performances she's toured cities in Canada, Italy, England as well as Stockholm, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Croatia where Croatian superstar, Gibonni enlisted Maya’s vocal talents for a track on his latest CD named, “Andejo U Tebi” (''Angel In You''). As a result their collaboration garnered 2 Croatian Grammy awards and a stellar performance at the televised ceremony.

Maya is also featured on Grammy-winning producer/songwriter and son of the legendary Bob Marley, Stephen Marley’s track, “Let Her Dance”, from his latest Universal/Tuff Gong release Mind Control. Maya currently has the #3 spot on BILLBOARD’S Hot Dance chart with the single, “Make It Happen” on Kult Records. And there is still a long list of collaborations with notable producers such as Devo Springsteen, Rich Medina, DJ Bob Sinclair and Jonathan Peters, among others. In addition to her voice grabbing your attention through national NAIR commercials in "The Less You Wear" campaign and others for Icy Hot, Macy’s INC, Mike's Hard Lemonade and Longhorn Steakhouse, Maya is an activist in her own right. She has sung on Washington DC's historic Mall at the Save Darfur rally against genocide in the Sudan, in solidarity with national activists and celebrities such as Barack Obama, Al Sharpton, and George Clooney.

All that Maya Azucena has done thus far is indeed impressive. Not merely by the amount of things there are, but because of the realization of something taking place that means far more to her. That something is growth. On the back cover of her debut CD she then wrote, “I am a work in progress.” This was both a refreshing and revealing statement. For one, she was being incredibly modest for even then she displayed great ability, poise and professionalism that immediately hoisted her among the premiere artists to watch on the soul scene. But is was also a declaration from the start that she is a sincere, creative artist first, driven by the desire to move an audience emotionally and physically – challenging herself each time to explore ways to do it differently- do it better.

ARE YOU READY TO EXPLORE THE “JEWEL” THAT IS HIDDEN INSIDE?

reviews

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  • The Best!!!
    author: Brad

    The CD is one of the best I have ever heard. Every song is great, and that's extremely rare, especially for someone as picky as me. Great music consists of good lyrics, good vocalist, good band, and good production, and most importantly, music that wraps you up emotionally. This CD has all of that. Very highly recommended.

  • Amazing
    author: LS2

    I played the album once, then over and over! I love the depth of the music. Her voice is amazing and she sings with such passion. Went into the iPod rotation after song four.

  • Fantastic Soul Album
    author: Gretchen Troop

    This is what it's all about. Why this album isn't a number one seller I don't know. Honest vocals, great musicianship and a refreshingly energetic acoustic format. This album is FANTASTIC!

  • mind altering
    author: CR(fan since '02)

    To compare Maya to another performer is impossible. She is the first to combine r & b soul, pop-rock, folk, true hip-hop lyricism, funk, classical, reggae, and gospel elements into a listen-able fusion, the first I have heard anyway. This album showcases a classic vocalist over a campfire vibe from her acoustic band members, and still bangs like any other hip-hop/old school cd on your shelf. The music presented here connects to the victim, the soldier, the lover, and the spiritual side within you. Whatever you use music for in your daily routine, Maya is sure to uplift, inspire, and even empower you.

  • Maya can do no wrong!
    author: Shameka

    Different from her first album but beautiful. She does three acoustic versions of songs from her first album, Still Searchin', Like No Other and G-Hetto, giving a different but still effective and wonderful take on her songs. Have you seen this girl live? If not, you're missing one of the best shows ever, an amazing vocalist and sweet wonderful person. Buy this and Maya Who? NOW!

  • Great voice, brilliant CD
    author: Michael Welsh

    Every track on this CD has an uplifting quality that can be (& should be) played again and again. With a voice that has a classic-soul sounding style, but that is a definite voice for the future. Although every track is impressive, there are notable highlights: “Hallelujah”, “Down-Down”, “Set You Free”, “Warriors”, “G-Hetto” and the title track. A highly impressive acoustic-soul style album from a vocalist with an excellent voice. One of the CDs of 2007.

  • author: Chloe Temtchine

    Great music ! Inspiring in every way ! Thank you ! :-)

  • Beautifully constructed
    author: Meghan from Maine

    I enjoyed sitting in the sun while listening to this album for the first time. The instrumentation was something different, I am used to hearing the Hammond B-3 organ and the sensual sounding electric Rhodes keyboard. I am open to this new sound. Music is a universal language that we should all learn, who knows maybe it will help spread peace.Thank you to all of the musicians who created this lovely piece of art.

  • Junkyard Jewel is an 11 track love letter to life
    author: AyeJay "Da Muzik Hunta""

    Junkyard Jewel is an 11 track love letter to life. Maya takes an acoustic turn; and silences all her doubters and takes her place up front with musical greatness. Junkyard Jewel is an acoustic treasure that blurs the lines of genre; folksy at moments and jazzy at others. Hallelujah is one of a few tracks that will bring a tear to your eye because of its sincerity and beauty. Like her debut her voice has a power that can blow out you speakers but the power is not just in volume but also in emotion. On Junkyard Jewel eloquent lyrics are partnered with a stripped down set; giving this album a pure/natural quality. Mostly new material and a acoustic versions of tracks from her debut this will surely move even the most critical of music lovers. No collection should be without it no matter what your taste in music. There is something for everyone on Junkyard Jewel. AyeJay “Da’ Muzik Hunta’”

  • Maya Azucena's CD is one of my favorites.
    author: Ebony Farashuu

    This CD has to be one of the best I have heard in a long time. In a market where we are constantly bombarded by negative images, unoriginal music, and so-so- vocals...Maya Azucena has come out with a CD that highlights her beautiful vocals with original music that reminds us what music is supposed to sound like! I highly recommend this CD.

  • I loved your first cd, but junkyard jewel really shows your strong vocals and wr
    author: Yoko Nakaruma

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