- Nate James
-
Nate James 
Background information Origin United Kingdom Genres Soul, R&B, disco Years active 2005–present Labels Frofunk Nathaniel James Harold Speas, known as Nate James, (born 15 September 1979, Lakenheath) is a British soul singer-songwriter. James released his debut soul album Set the Tone in 2005 which won him two MOBO Nominations for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Artist.[1] He released on his Frofunk imprint via Independent Labels around the world and became one of the most successful independent soul recording artists globally.[2] James has sold over 200,000 albums and he has had airplay hits in both Europe and Japan.[3] He won the Festivalbar in 2006.[4] The Festivalbar is an Italian singing competition that takes place in the most important Italian squares such as the Piazza del Duomo Milan. He released his second album Kingdom Falls in 2006. In February 2008 James and his band performed on the BBC show Later... with Jools Holland.[5] In 2007 James won Urban Music Awards Best Album (Kingdom Falls) and Best Neo-Soul Artist. [6] James has joint UK/US citizenship as he was born on a U. S. Air Force base in England to an American father.
Contents
Music career
As a recognised songwriter, he was signed by Universal Publishing in 2004, prior to him releasing any material as a performer.[2] Unlike many young artists he did not sign away the copyright in his recordings in the fast pursuit of fame.[2] He owns his own music videos and does his own A&R, James released on his own Frofunk imprint via various deals with Independent Labels around the world. In so doing James has become one of the most successful independent soul recording artists globally. James sold over 200,000 albums and enjoyed sizable airplay hits across mainland Europe and Japan.[7]
Set The Tone (2005-2007)
James released his debut album, Set The Tone in 2005 which is heavily influenced by soul artists such as Marvin Gaye, Prince and Stevie Wonder. It subsequently won James widespread critical acclaim and two MOBO nominations for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Artist.[1] His album, written mostly by James, covers a range of music influences; from the bassy R&B of Set The Tone, the upbeat pop of Universal, the retro soul of The Message, the classic ballad sound of Justify Me to the rocky vibe in I'll Decline. There is also a duet with Dawn Robinson of En Vogue.
James has also worked with several noted co-writers that included David Brant (Mis-Teeq, Liberty X, Jamie Scott), Eg White (Adele's Chasing Pavements) on Universal, David Sneddon (Hurts's Illuminated), Wonderland (band), Dave Gibson) on The Message, Andreas S. Jensen (Writer of Armand Van Heldens: MyMyMy), Peter-John Vettese (Annie Lennox: Walking On Broken Glass), Jamie Hartman (Will Young's All Time Love) on Justify Me and Emily Friendship (Sarah Connor's: You're the Kinda Man).
James has sold out numerous live shows at the Jazz Café in London and at other venues across the UK. His headline gig at Shepherds Bush Empire had to be rescheduled due to the 7 July 2005 London bombings but went ahead in October 2005. Nate and his band also performed at Fruitstock 2005. He has had success in both Europe and Japan. He won the Festivalbar in Italy in 2006.[4] The Festivalbar is an Italian singing competition that takes place in the most important Italian squares during summer, such as the Piazza del Duomo, Milan.
Kingdom Falls (2007-2008)
The recording of James' second album Kingdom Falls was entirely self-funded out of the profits from his debut album. The album features a live orchestra on many tracks and more studio-based production than that featured on his first album Set The Tone. The album title track Kingdom Falls was influenced by James's experiences on a charity mission to Rwanda in 2006, where he witnessed a mix of joy and sadness, seeing the country and its many orphans recovering from the atrocities committed during the genocide of 1994. The album was mixed in Los Angeles by grammy winning Outkast collaborator Neal H Pogue and was released first in Japan and subsequently in the UK & Italy. In 2007 James won Urban Music Awards Best Album (Kingdom Falls) and Best Neo-Soul Artist.[6]
In February 2008 James and his band performed two tracks from the album on the BBC show Later... with Jools Holland - Choke and Back To You.[5]
In Spring 2008 James embarked on his first tour of North America and played live shows in New York, Toronto, San Diego, & Los Angeles. On 4 July 2008 James headlined the outdoor stage of the Montreal Jazz Fest, performing to an audience of over 120,000 in the Quebec city.[8]
Revival (2009)
In between writing sessions for his next album, James recorded a selection of cover versions. These were released as Revival on 30 March 2009. The album was produced solely by the producer of James's Set The Tone album David Brant.[8]
SugaSmak! (2010)
In 2010 James formed the group SugaSmak! which consisted of Nate as the lead vocalist (now dubbed 'SugaJack') and Matt Gooderson of indie outfit Infadels ('Clyma'). Boasting a new ElectroSoul sound, the duo's debut single We Are was released through the small London independent "Better Get Records" on November 22, 2010. Their debut album is set for release in 2011.[9]
Discography
Albums
Album information Set The Tone - Release Date: 8 August 2005, re-released 12 June 2006
- UK Chart peak: #11 (UK R&B)
- IMPALA Sales Certification: Gold (30,000)
- Worldwide sales: 125,000 (according to artist myspace)
- Singles: "Set The Tone", "Universal", "The Message" / "Get This Right", "Pretend", "Justify Me".
Kingdom Falls - Release Date: 18 June 2007
- Singles: "Kingdom Falls", "High Times", "Choke" / "Back to You".
Revival - Release Date: 30 March 2009
- Singles: "Because I Love You"
EPs
- 2007: "Funkdefining EP"
Singles
- 2005: "Set The Tone" #69 (UK), #11 (UK Indie), #17 (UK RnB)
- 2005: "Universal" #72 (UK), #6 (UK Indie), #3 (JAP Airplay)
- 2005: "The Message" / "Get This Right" #4 (Italia Airplay)
- 2006: "Pretend" (Download Only Single packaged with b-side 'Cut A Rug')
- 2006: "Justify Me" Top 5 (Belgium Airplay), Top 20 (Italia Airplay)
- 2007: "Back To You" Top 10 (JAP International Airplay)
- 2007: "Kingdom Falls"[10]
- 2007: "High Times"
- 2008: "Choke" / "Back to You"
- 2009: "Because I Love You"
- 2010: "We Are (SugaSmak!)"
Collaborations
- 2005: Poker Pets featuring Nate James - "Lovin' You" #43 (UK)
- 2005: Natalie Williams featuring Nate James - "Conversation"
- 2006: Sway feat. Nate James "Still On My Own"
- 2006: Pe'z v Nate James - "Live For The Groove EP" Top 40 (JAP sales chart)
- 2007: Paolo Meneguzzi & Nate James 'Music' / 'Musica' Top 30 (Italia Airplay)
Also features on
- 2004: Shapeshifters "Lola's Theme" #1 (UK single)
- Funkdefining is featured in the Hollywood movies Run, Fat Boy, Run and How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Accolades
- 2005: MOBO AWARD Best Newcomer nominee
- 2005: MOBO AWARD Best R&B Artist nominee
- 2005: CHANNEL U Best of British nominee
- 2005: SCREEN NATION AWARDS Best Video nominee
- 2006: MOBO AWARD Best UK Male nominee
- 2006: BT DIGITAL MUSIC AWARDS Best Urban Artist
- 2006: FESTIVALBAR Best International Artist WINNER!
- 2007: URBAN MUSIC AWARDS Best Album (Kingdom Falls)
- 2007: URBAN MUSIC AWARDS Best Neo-Soul Artist WINNER!
References
- ^ a b http://www.life.com/image/71951650
- ^ http://www.saveoursoul.nl/artists/features/nate-james.html
- ^ a b http://avaxhome.ws/music/pop/va-festivalbar-2006-blu-2cd-mp3.html
- ^ a b http://www.casttv.com/video/tih6311/nate-james-choke-live-on-bbc2-later-with-jools-holland-video
- ^ a b http://www.urbanmusicawards.net/
- ^ http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/459/nate_james_soul_sharing
- ^ a b http://www.myspace.com/thenatejames
- ^ Nate James/SugaSmak! interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' November 2010
- ^ 30 (2007-05-20). "Kingdom Falls Video". KOvideo. http://www.kovideo.net/music/video/Nate-James---Kingdom-Falls/1172.html.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 278. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/sugasmak-are-a-celebration-of-individuals/#more-17374
External links
Categories:- Living people
- English songwriters
- English male singers
- 1979 births
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
