NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - February 8, 2011) -
"Rondi Charleston is one of those rare artists for whom a song's meaning is as important as its melody. Who Knows Where The Time Goes couples the American Songbook, choice covers and her material with a documentarian's acuity."
Ken Micallef
Downbeat/March, 2011
"Exquisite new album...Charleston is remarkable!"
Stacy Smith
Coast to Coast with Beck/Smith
Motéma recording artist, singer-songwriter Rondi Charleston's dazzling label debut, Who Knows Where the Time Goes, is being released wide today, Tuesday, February 8th, 2011, following a stunning and impressive round of pre-release critical praise. Charleston will perform songs from the album in an upcoming showcase at New York City's Joe's Pub -- date to be announced imminently. A nationwide spring tour in support of the album is also scheduled. The collection of evocative tunes and breathtaking performances on the new disc showcase one of the most original and unique new artists in current contemporary music, and follows her 2008, critically acclaimed release In My Life.
This Emmy and Peabody Award winning former investigative journalist comes naturally to storytelling. Charleston's hard work and dedication helped establish her as a favorite among a core group of respected critics. Early on, The New York Times called Rondi, "utterly delightful...her emotional range is wide...a joy to hear." And Grammy-winning journalist/music historian, Bob Blumenthal, considers her, "...that rare combination of native talent and keen perception...a commanding vocal stylist and a spellbinding storyteller..." Even before its release, Who Knows Where the Time Goes has garnered stellar reviews in many publications. Sounds of Timeless Jazz says, "This album shows Rondi's excellence as a vocalist with the ability to convincingly tell the story behind the song....One of the best new voices on the jazz scene in many years." Charleston appears on the international, multi-media broadcast network, Voice of America, this month and has upcoming features in issues of Downbeat, JazzTimes, and JAZZed magazines, among others.
The Juilliard-trained and Chicago native's luminous rhythmic flexibility and immediate timbral richness combine with a grand instinct for storytelling heard throughout Who Knows Where the Time Goes. Whether confessing the longings of Please Send Me Someone to Love or demonstrating a force as strong as gravity on her originals Dance of Time, the remarkable tale of Land of Galilee or reflections on the heart-wrenching ancestral journey of Your Spirit Lingers, Charleston music pierces the soul. Unrated NYC.com notes, "Charleston provides listeners with an enchanting narrative about love, hope, and strength....with songs that hold a perfectly magical quality that make time stand still." And Celebrity Café.com adds, "Charleston evokes a sense of timelessness that is delivered effortlessly by her vocal command."
Blending her diverse careers in music and media, the collection of tunes on Who Knows Where the Time Goes, including the title song and lead single, are marked by honest words, skillful writing and intelligent music. "Charleston's unique style is a wonderfully accessible form of jazz and jazz-inspired songs all delivered with the ease of the classic American Standard or the brilliant simplicity of a Top 40 pop tune." (All About Jazz)
Motéma Music owner/label head Jana Herzen says of Rondi, "I treasure her passion, vision and talent for perceiving and telling compelling, universal stories. The arts, for me, are all about the journey and Rondi has much to share on that front."
http://www.rondicharleston.com/
Contact Information:
Contact information, etc.
PLAN A MEDIA, LLC
www.planamedia.com
212-337-1406
Patti Conte:
PattiConte@nyc.rr.com, ext 16
Melani Rogers:
MelaniRogersny@aol.com, ext 18
Amanda Charney:
AmandaCharney@planamedia.com, ext 15
Daria Coppock:
DariaCoppock@planamedia.com, ext 10