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Gospel group Clarkwise, consisting of four sisters
from Greensboro,
NC, Sandra, LaTanya,
Rochell and Timbla, is poised to release their long-awaited debut CD entitled "Brand New" on the Omnific Music label.
Just in time for Christmas, they are releasing a timeless song entitled "The Christ-mas Song" aka "Merry Christ-mas
To You". ..
Rochell C Irving of Clarkwise states, "We are delighted to be a part of the "Christ-mas Song" project.
As always, I enjoy partaking in music ministry with my sisters. Singing is our God-given gift, and we are grateful; to have
an added treat of singing the duet with the vocal maestro Chris Murrell, is indeed a special honor. I learned some wonderful vocal techniques as he pulled from the pockets of his vocal briefcase.
Chris has an awesome gift that should be treasured."
. "The Christ-mas Song" was composed by Paul E Irving and is a warm, jazz-infused ballad that
takes one back to a much simpler time when Christmas was pure and innocent. The song is a musical attempt to capture the true
essence of what Christmas is all about.
. Paul Irving enlisted
the help of his brother to produce the song; his brother just happens to be Robert "Baabe" Irving, III, a world-renowned pianist and former Music Director and composer for Jazz Legend Miles Davis. Robert called in jazz greats Ernie Adams, drummer for Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson and Marlene Rosenberg on acoustic bass
to lay the foundation. Robert Irving recounts, "Paul (Irving) has composed what is sure to be a staple in the Christmas repertoire for years
to come. When recording the music (with vocals yet to be added) the players couldn't get the tune out of their heads... add
to that, lyrics that have high esthetics and deep meaning and you have a perfect vehicle for the unmatched vocal quality of
Chris Murrell, Rochell Irving and Clarkwise."
. "The Christ-mas Song" features the lead vocals of Rochell C Irving of Clarkwise and Chris Murrell.
Chris Murrell is the former lead singer for the Count Basie Orchestra and won a Grammy Award with the group for the album
"Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild", recorded in Pittsburgh, PA. As a teenager, Chris traveled and performed throughout the US with his own seven-piece gospel group, the Christian Disciples
which included music director and arranger Robert Irving III. Murrell and Irving have worked together on various projects for the past twenty
years. Chris regularly visits Monte Carlo performing at the MC Sporting Club at the Hotel de Paris, and just happened to be in town when
Paul Irving gave him a call to catch up on old times.
. Paul mentioned the song in passing and Chris said that he would like to check it out. Upon hearing the
initial tracks over the phone, Chris remarked, "Paul, I have got to do that song!" Since Murrell already appears
on the song "I Worship You" on the Clarkwise forthcoming release entitled "Brand New", it was an easy
decision to include the song on the Clarkwise project.
. The song was recently introduced via a YouTube slideshow video titled "The Christ-mas Song - Clarkwise
Featuring Chris Murrell". The video shows pictures of Clarkwise, Chris Murrell, Robert Irving III, Ernie Adams and Marlene Rosenberg and goes on to depict the real meaning of Christmas. The video has been well-received globally; one viewer commented, "…
this is what CHRISTmas is all about! Thanks for the beautiful reminder. KB." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duDj4sX55sI) .
Clarkwise just finished filming a music video for “The Christ-mas Song” featuring a live nativity scene
courtesy of Gospel Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC.
. Also, check out
the “The Christ-mas Song” instrumental titled, “A Star In The East” that features the masterful alto
saxophone work of James Perkins, Jr. of Chicago." .
The Christ-mas
Song" is a single from Clarkwise's debut CD. The project is produced by Robert (Baabe) Irving III and Denver A. Wright, producer for R&B-turned-Gospel
crooner Tony Terry, and Paul Irving, most noted for his work with the Edwin Hawkins and Bishop Walter Hawkins Music and Arts
Love Fellowship Choir. Robert Irving III has called in some of his friends to make things sizzle. Bassists include, in addition to Marlene Rosenberg,
Darryl "The Munch" Jones of The Rolling Stones, Sting, and Miles Davis, and Michael Manson of The Winans, Tremaine Hawkins, Jesse Dixon, and Rev. James Cleveland. Drummers include, in addition to Ernie Adams, Vincent Wilburn Jr, Miles Davis' nephew and Charles “Rick” Heath of The Color Purple Tour. Edwin Hawkins serves as the Music Consultant for the project.
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