''Queen Alone'' is the second
studio album by American singer
Nicole Wray
Nicole Monique Wray (born May 2, 1979), also known as Lady Wray, is an American singer and songwriter. Her 1998 debut single "Make It Hot" was certified gold.
Early life
Nicole Monique Wray was born on May 2, 1979, in Salinas, California, to ...
, released on September 23, 2016, by Big Crown Records. This is her first solo album in 18 years since her last album ''
Make It Hot'' and her first under a new name, Lady Wray.
Background and development
In 2009, Wray formed a musical duo called Lady, with English R&B singer
Terri Walker
Terri Walker (born Chanelle Gstettenbauer, 14 April 1979) is an English R&B and soul singer-songwriter. Walker has released four albums in the United Kingdom, ''Untitled'', '' L.O.V.E'', ''I Am'' and ''Entitled''. She also provided the majority ...
.
In 2012, the duo toured as the background vocalists for
Lee Fields and the Expressions during his international tour. During the tour, Lady recorded their self-titled album and released it in March 2013 on
Truth and Soul Records. Heavily influenced by late-'60s and early-'70s soul music, their album spawned three singles: "Money", "Get Ready", and "Good Lovin'".
After Walker left the duo during their tour in mid-2013, Wray retitled the music act "Lady, the Band" and continued on with the addition of two background singers for the conclusion of the tour.
After the roster move from Truth and Soul Records to Big Crown Records, Wray adopted the stage name Lady Wray.
Recording and production
Lady Wray began recording the album in 2014. The album was recorded at The Diamond Mine, a private recording studio founded by
Leon Michels
Leon Marcus Michels is an American music producer, record executive, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known as the leader of the eclectic soul project El Michels Affair and co-founder of Truth & Soul Records and Big Crown Records. H ...
and
Thomas Brenneck
Thomas "Tommy" Brenneck is an American guitarist, record producer, and engineer. He became known as the leader of the Menahan Street Band and a member of The Budos Band, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, and El Michels Affair. He is the founder of ...
in
Queens, New York
Queens is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York. Located on Long Island, it is the largest New York City borough by area. It is bordered by the borough of Brooklyn at the western tip of Long ...
.
Continuing the sound of ''Lady'', her album with Terri Walker, ''Queen Alone'' contains a mix of contemporary R&B and 60s/70s retro soul.
Each song was written by Wray and produced by Leon Michels and Tom Brenneck.
"Smiling" was the first song recorded for the album.
Wray originally wrote "Do It Again" for Lee Fields' album ''Special Night'' but retained the song after being encouraged by Michels and Brenneck.
"Do It Again" would go on to serve the lead single, released on June 10, 2016.
Track listing
Personnel
Credits for ''Queen Alone'' adapted from album liner notes.
* Thomas Brenneck - guitar, bass, vocals, percussion, producer, engineering, mixing
* Alecia Chakour – backing vocals
* JJ Golden - mastering
* Dave Guy - trumpet
* Vince John - piano
* Ray Mason - trombone
* Leon Michels - drums, guitar, keyboards, saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals, producer, engineering, mixing
* Danny Miller - design
* Nick Movshon -
bass,
drums
* Toby Pazner - piano
* Paul Schalda – backing vocals
* William Schalda Jr. – backing vocals
* Max Shrager - drums
* Homer Steinweiss - drums
* Saundra Williams – backing vocals
* Lady Wray - lead vocals, backing vocals
References
{{Authority control
2016 albums
Nicole Wray albums
Soul albums by American artists