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Illuminate​:​BLUE

by ASCENDANT

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1.
Gye Nyame 06:03
info
2.
Darkest Shade Of Blue 07:18
lyrics
VERSE I Here I am all alone thinking of you in the darkest shade of blue Here I stand with my heart in my hand Never do fairy tales ever come true When U love someone U give up I and me For us and we now that's what I believed Now maybe I'm crazy but I just don't see Us and we in U and me BRIDGE I Trust me U said asked me to open my hearts door So that U could see the real me, where have I heard that before (Samson & Delilah) My strength is born not from my hair but from my heart and soul Chorus How can something feel so good inside How can love so good make U wanna die VERSE II So many dreams so many things we left undone when our two became my one Then U were gone a new life you'd hope to find Never turning back to see what U left behind When U love somebody U give up I U give up me For us and we now that's what I believed Now I'm not crazy but I just don't see No us and we in U and me BRIDGE II Now while I am waiting for the last tear to fall I've come to realize the writing was on the wall but I couldn't see it coming And all that's left for me to do is to wonder CHORUS VAMP Inside, inside I'm so blue, inside
3.
This Life 04:05
lyrics
This Life Take some time Enjoy this life U only get one... This life Relax your mind Enjoy the ride Don't take it for granted... This life U only get one... This life Don't take it for granted... This life U only get one... This life Don't take it for granted... This life Just live it... This life Love your life © 2012 Ascendant Music Inc. / Ascendant Sounds ASCAP
4.
All You Need 04:50
lyrics
All You Need VERSE I This is my chance to tell you/How I really feel No games no jokes/My love is so real The moment is now as I look into your eyes I promise you everything/One heart can give CHORUS I will be/ All that you need/Forever I will be/ All that you need/Till the end I will be/I will be... VERSE II Somehow I know our love will stand the test of time You bring me so much joy/ You're all that I'll ever need Give me your hand/Let love take us where we want to be Right here and now/My life, my soul, my heart I vow Take this symbol of my love as we now become one CHORUS BRIDGE Every morning/The sun/And your smile/Will help me rise Every evening/Our love/Will shine through/Shine through Shine through/the night CHORUS / VAMP © 2012 Ascendant Music Inc. / Ascendant Sounds ASCAP
5.
Nothing To Prove (featuring Tina M. Howell) 06:20
lyrics
Nothing To Prove VERSE I Rolled out of bed this morning/ got so much to do Feel the pressure on me/ I know I'll make it through The pressure to make more money/ prove you're number one Keep fighting for position/ till the setting of the sun Chorus I Constant daily grind/ prison of the mind Leave that all behind - Got nothing to prove May have bills to pay/ God will make my way Lesson learned today - Got nothing to prove Change I know who I am/ I know where I stand The more I live/ The more I see/ What was always true Life is too short/ I've got nothing to prove VERSE II Why's your hair so nappy/ You oughta wear it straight You got an office job but/ You can't wear them braids Why's your butt so big/ You should lose some weight Yeah she's fat/ But she's got a pretty face Your breasts are too small/ You oughta get implants Gotta look like a model/ Then maybe you'll have a chance If you gotta find perfection/ If you gotta be the best Then you gotta do it for yourself/ Ignore the rest CHANGE II I know who I am/ I know where I stand The more I live/ The more I see/ The more I know CHORUS II It may hurt sometimes/ Strength I always find I will forever shine/ Got nothing to prove I can only be/ What God intends for me The truth is plain to see/ Got nothing to prove May have bills to pay/ God will make my way Lesson learned today/ Got nothing to prove I got hills to climb/ One thing on my mind Forever I will shine/ Got nothing to prove Change III I know who I am/ I know where I stand It may hurt sometimes/ Strength I always find/ I will shine VAMP Hills to climb/But I don't mind/ I will shine © 2012 Ascendant Music Inc. / Ascendant Sounds ASCAP
6.
Back Into The World 03:48
lyrics
Back Into The World VERSE I Never been one to open up my heart (can't let too many in) Well I never wondered why that's just how I live I've built a fortress around my heart (no love could be found) Then U reached out for my hand the wall came tumbling down Bridge I feel like I've been buried alive lost from the light Now the sun is on my face the blood is moving through my veins It's all because of U I'm coming out if the darkness Back into the world VERSE II Thought I was moving on (but I was only standing still) The victim of a broken heart I needed time to heal While I was drowning in my tears (U always had a smile) Standing right in front of me U opened my eyes Bridge II I feel like I can love again open up my heart and let U in There is so much we can share if U need me I'll be there It's all because of U I'm coming out if the darkness Back into the world VAMP Back into the world © 2012 Ascendant Music Inc. / Ascendant Sounds ASCAP

about

a brilliant little EP that's the greatest thing they've done so far! The sound is sublimely righteous – set to some soaring jazzy backdrops that make the vocals sound really wonderful, and which really help get across the message in the music – a blend that's maybe the best approach to this sort of groove we've heard since vintage work from Fertile Ground! The set's only an EP, but it's got a very powerful feel
– put together perfectly, with vocals that are right on the money, especially in the harmony passages – and timeless instrumentation that will have us coming back to this one again and again over the years. (Dustygroove.com)


ILLUMINATE: to enlighten, as with knowledge; to brighten with light; to make clearer

ASCENDANT's 2nd studio album, Illuminate, is broken into four parts just as light is refracted into various colors by a prism. It takes you through the band's growing stages. BLUE conveys wisdom from their mistakes. GREEN traces their rebirth from faith. YELLOW expresses joy from their creativity. RED shares their love of life.

On the 1st disc Illuminate:BLUE, the band starts this chapter with an uptempo chant/meditation/dance, “Gye Nyame,” whose translation from the Adinkra culture of Ghana basically means "God IS / except God." This Adinkra symbol has had special meaning for bandleader Kael Mboya. "It's a source of strength and a reminder of where the blessings come from for me. There is an old African proverb that states - any matter of importance begun without first the mention of God is maimed. This song had to start the CD.”

From there, life imitates art as they explore a break up in the song “Darkest Shade Of Blue,” with a slow winding bass groove as the backbeat and a scintillating guitar solo. Originally written in 1996 for Michael Lockett's former vocal group, Truce, this song signifies the changing of the roster for the band and sets the theme for Illuminate:BLUE.

On the other side of tragedy and loss is a new cycle, and the path to it is through appreciation of what you have.
The next track, “This Life,” lightens the mood and reminds us to make the most of life with playful rhythm sections and vocal harmonies swelling throughout.

The fourth track, “All You Need,” is a throwback to the timeless old school slow jams featuring crooning lead vocals by Michael Lockett. With earnest and heartfelt lyrics, this surprising waltz form achieves a sincere declaration of love.

The track “Nothing To Prove” follows (with lead vocals by Kael Mboya and guest vocalist Tina M. Howell) and serves as an anthem for knowing yourself and rising above life's daily challenges. Nodding to traditional African call and response patterns, this song transforms into a gospel-inflected house music vamp.

Rounding out Illuminate:BLUE is “Back Into the World,” showcasing the newest member of ASCENDANT, Donica Lynn, and offering a promise of brighter things to come. In a duet with Michael Lockett, Donica's soulful, expressive soprano encourages us to let down our guard and welcome love back into our lives.

Illuminate:BLUE by ASCENDANT. It's time to RISE and SHINE

ASCENDANT is:
Kael Mboya – Vocals/Keyboards/Composer/Writer/Producer
Michael Lockett – Vocals/Writer/Percussion
Curtis Kincaid – Guitars/Composer/Vocals/Producer
Donica Lynn - Vocals

Illuminate:BLUE features:
Marqueal Jordan - Saxophone (on Gye Nyame, Nothing To Prove)
Doug Corcoran - Trumpet (on Gye Nyame, Nothing To Prove)
Vinnie Roofe - Guitar (on Gye Nyame, Back Into the World)
Stephen Styles - Drums (on Gye Nyame)
Phillip Seed - Guitar (on Darkest Shade of Blue)
Kirk T. Marshall - Drums (on Darkest Shade of Blue)
Aleata Holloway - Background Vocals (on Darkest Shade of Blue) and Bass (on Darkest Shade of Blue, This Life, Nothing to Prove)

credits

released December 11, 2012

All songs Arranged, Produced and Mixed by Kael Mboya for Ascendant Music Inc.

DARKEST SHADE OF BLUE Recorded by Michael Kolar at Soundscape Studios

Mastered at Fragile Music Group by Slavic Livins

All photos: Stephen K. Simmons Front Cover artwork: Aum Mu Ra Inside cover and back cover designs: Michael Lockett, Kimberly Malone-Lockett & Kael Mboya

All songs © 2012 Ascendant Music Inc. / Ascendant Sounds ASCAP

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ASCENDANT Chicago, Illinois

Soulful Inspiring. Just a few words that people use to describe them & their artistry, and yet ASCENDANT is simply that, ascendant...rising above. ASCENDANT has been rising above their fears, their obstacles & creating meaningful, soul-filled music in an era when such artistic statements just aren't made but desperately needed. ASCENDANT rises... and asks us all to join them in flight ... more

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