(blues rock, rhythm 'n' blues, funk) [CD] Tracy Niles - One Step Ahead - 2014, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

TRACY NILES is a talented song-writer, soulful blues-rock singer and an engaging performer who sings her original songs from her heart ranging from “guttural growls to falsetto highs”. She catches every audience’s attention immediately! Judges agreed at the 13th Annual L.A. Music Awards where she won “Female Vocalist of the Year” and performed her song “You’re My Way Home” with her Taylor guitar and a 20-piece orchestra.

Niles has a new album which is long overdue. The clever title track "One Step Ahead", should be renamed "One GIANT Step Ahead". Niles has hit her stride with her original catchy songs all rooted in the blues yet covering several styles. From electric blues-rock, R&B and funk to emotional and beautiful ballads, her music knows no limits as she merges them into a style all her own. Her honesty shines through her multi-faceted voice on every song with raw emotion. The strong opener "Black Heart Blues" and Track 3 "Leave Me Be", reveal the pain she's been through in relationships. The impressive and bold "I've Got a Right" is a window to her past and her struggles there. But, she balances it out with a new hope for love on "Be Mine" and "Face the World". She shows range and a natural ability for phrasing on the lusty bossa nova "Paris Eyes". It's really an album about coming into her own and the budding of a more mature and grounded Niles. Chuck Alvarez of Blue Wolf Music produced and did all of the outstanding guitar work including the stunning closer "All That Matters is Love". Backed by creative session players, Niles thoroughly reveals her vision, talent and personality and shows she is a true contender in the musical universe.

Niles' resume includes opening for such acts as acclaimed songwriter JD Souther (Eagles, Bonnie Raitt), Shawn Colvin ("Sunny Came Home") at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano and for Ray Brown, Jr. and Pancho Sanchez at the Temecula Jazz Festival. She met Sanchez when she was six years old at a concert with her father, the late legendary jazz radio announcer Chuck Niles, who was deemed the Voice of Jazz in Los Angeles on KKGO and KJazz 88.1 (previously KLON). He is the only DJ with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As a child, Niles' was particularly influenced by jazz/blues singer Ernie Andrews. Moved by his poignant delivery, she understood music to its core and knew that's what she wanted to do. But, she was conflicted about expressing her true love for edgier music like southern rock and electric blues. So, she quietly listened to the likes of the Allman Brothers Band, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, and Bonnie Raitt. Then, when she saw Tommy Castro at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, his style of blues, R&B and rock began to fuel the fire within her. More artists like Susan Tedeschi, Tab Benoit and Stevie Ray Vaughn all struck a chord. But, Niles battled with a debilitating fear of performing, and sadly, did not pursue a career in music.

After many years, Niles could no longer ignore her passion for music. She started performing at open mics at Coffee House Java Joe's in Oceanside, San Diego. She pushed hard through those fears and finally burst on the San Diego music scene in 2000 with her soulful voice and vibrant presence. Her first acoustic CD “Breaking The Silence”, was nominated for a 2002 San Diego Music Award in the category of “Best Local Recording” and received airplay regularly on San Diego’s KPRI Sunday morning Acoustic Show. Niles and her band played at popular venues such as "Humphrey’s By The Bay", at Escondido’s New Year’s Eve “First Night” on the main stage, and the "Belly Up Tavern" in Solana Beach.

She moved to LA in 2003, after getting a strong feeling she needed to be near her Father, where she immediately booked gigs at Harvelle's Blues Club and Highland Grounds to name a few. She was then spotted at the famous Rainbow Room in Hollywood which landed her the LA Music Awards Nomination and, ultimately, the WIN. She also received the honor that year of being selected as 1 of 24 semi-finalists in the country in the Solo Category of “Music Quest”, a nationwide competition presented by Soul City Café, the brainchild of Jewel.

Shortly after this amazing run, her father passed away in March 2004, which devastated Niles. Ernie Andrews told her at the funeral, "Don't fall out. Fall in." But, Niles unraveled and took a long sabbatical from music. It wasn't until 2010 when Niles felt called by her passion once again and slowly began writing and performing. And finally, her spirit called her to write a new album. She hooked up with Alvarez and the result, One Step Ahead, is powerful and inspiring! Niles wants to share her gift of music with people and allow them to have the same kind of personal experiences she felt when listening to Andrews so early on. It's Niles' first full instrumentation project which will definitely be the launching pad to a pervasive and new found success!

Niles' new album is long overdue. The clever title track "One Step Ahead", should be renamed "One GIANT Step Ahead". Niles has hit her stride with her original catchy songs all rooted in the blues yet covering several styles. From electric blues-rock, R&B and funk to emotional and beautiful ballads, her music knows no limits as she merges them into a style all her own. Her honesty shines through her multi-faceted voice on every song with raw emotion. The strong opener "Black Heart Blues" and Track 3 "Leave Me Be", reveal the pain she's been through in relationships. The impressive and bold "I've Got a Right" is a window to her past and her struggles there. But, she balances it out with a new hope for love on "Be Mine" and "Face the World". She shows range and a natural ability for phrasing on the lusty bossa nova "Paris Eyes". It's really an album about coming into her own and the budding of a more mature and grounded Niles.

Chuck Alvarez of Blue Wolf Music produced and selected experienced and creative session players to complement Niles’ style including Skip Edwards (Walter Trout, Dwight Yoakam, Lucinda Williams) on Hammond B3 organ, Vince Denham (Michael McDonald) on saxaphone, and special guest and Grammy Winner The Emotions' Wanda (You've Got The Best of My Love) Hutchinson and Pam Hutchinson who back up Niles with soul and perfect pitch. Maria Martinez (Barry White, Rita Coolidge, El Chicano) on drums and Vernon Porter (Dave Mason, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler) on bass make a solid team and grooving rhythm section throughout. And, we hear brilliance from Chris North (Ambrosia) on B3 organ on Black Heart Blues, I've Got a Right and Give it Up and Barnaby Finch (Lee Ritenour, Ronnie Laws, Boz Scaggs) on piano on Waterside, Change Your World and Paris Eyes. And, Alvarez himself does all of the brilliant guitar work on the album incouding the stunning closer "All That Matters is Love". With this exceptional team behind her, Niles thoroughly reveals her vision, talent and personality and shows she is a true contender in the musical universe.