Brown Baby Girl

STATS Rank: 3,338 Fans: 1 Views: 5,641

Primary Instrument: Band/ensemble/orchestra

The foundation for Brown Baby Girl, the inspired collaboration of Jamie Finegan and Lorenda Robinson, was laid in the fall of 1998 when Lorenda and Jamie wrote their first song together “Ignorant Bliss”. “Ignorant Bliss” was used as the title track on the soundtrack for the (Fisheye and Tonné Productions) film (of the same name). With Jamie serving as the creative facilitator, the song’s lyrics and melody, which up to that point, lived only in Lorenda’s head were given life.

Jamie is a musician’s musician. Son of Grammy nominated composer/ arranger Bill Finegan, He composes, arranges, and plays trumpet and piano. His playing credits are myriad and diverse, having recorded, toured and performed all over the world with many great Jazz and blues artists including: Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespe, Don Braden, Geri Mullligan, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Lucky Peterson, Louis Bellson, John Pizzarelli, Rosemary Clooney, Abba Roland, The Tommy Dorsey Jazz Orchestra. He also appears on Jim Hall’s “Textures” and “By Arrangement” (Telarc Jazz TM) and performs with “Fro” a funk collective that features the music of jazz funk rock guitarist Harold Davis.

Jamie has also produced songs for the experimental music group FELNIK (Amulet Records compilation CD entitled: Antidote). The group was founded by himself and percussionist Greg Burrows.

Lorenda is a charismatic entertainer who has collaborated with some of the most promising up and coming talent to hit the rap, jazz and alternative music scenes. Her vocal and writing prowess were featured on the Infectious album by underground hip-hop ingénues, Jigmastas (released May 2001 Beyond Real Records TM). She also makes a glowing quest appearance on the highly anticipated debut album from Expansion Record TM artist James Day “Better Days” (released June 2006). Lorenda has gained valuable street acclaim and an impressive “cult following” for her captivating performances in the role of “Mrs. White” in the rock opera, “Young Man and the Eggmobile” (written by Ricardo Ortiz), which received stellar reviews in the Village Voice.

Recipients of an honorable mention for excellence in songwriting from Billboard, Brown Baby Girl recently participated in WQCD FM and Absolut Vodka’s “Absolut New Jazz Artist” series and the Hartford International Jazz Festival at Pastis. Brown Baby Girl consistently 'packs the house’ at numerous venues throughout New York City and vicinity (most notably the World Famous Blue Note).

Brown Baby Girl is the amalgamation of his masterful musicianship and instrumentation and her enticing vocals and poetic lyricism. The groove they’ve created provides the listener with music that feels soothingly familiar to the spirit. They are what you’ve been waiting for.

Last Updated: July 30, 2009

Billboard Magazine

On the duo front, get your fix for adult soul music with a live vibe via Brown Baby Girl (BBG Spot Records). The pair - musician/composer Jamie Finegan, son of Grammy Award-nominated composer/arranger Bill Finegan and singer/songwriter Lorenda Robinson - released their self-titled debut CD earlier this year.

Brown Baby Girl's simple yet warm mix of jazz grooves and soulful vocals comes together on such tracks as “Stay” and the memorable ballad “Been Here Before.” The acts subtle originality calls into play the members varied backgrounds...

• Gail Mitchell

Jamie Finegan and Lorenda Robinson make beautiful music together! When this duo wrote their first song together, “Ignorant Bliss,” the foundation was laid for Brown Baby Girl. Brown Baby Girl’s sound is a cool mixture of nu-jazz, jazz, R&B, soul and pure bliss! The collaboration of Jamie and Lorenda go together like hand in glove. Lorenda’s smooth and seductive vocals are easy to listen to and even easier to fall in love with. Combine that talent with Jamie’s composing, arranging, trumpet and piano work and you have true inspiration. • Susan L. Lozinak, JazzReview.com

Brown Baby Girl just does it for me. Their poetic nature and the prophetically fresh content of their music is inspiring ... something we do not hear often enough these days. Most importantly, they’re not driven by the coldness of commercialism that distracts so many talented artists from their original vision. • Rob Young, Contemporaryjazz.com

Combining authentic jazz vibes with Lorenda Robinson's soulful vocals, the album successfully walks a fine line and accomplishes something that few acts can: creating a soulful, jazzy collection that is smooth without being smooth jazz. • Chris Rizik, Soultracks.com

The duo's self-titled debut shines from start to finish, as Lorenda's voice and affecting songwriting take center stage throughout the 13-song set. One listen to Brown Baby Girl's debut reveals that there's nothing programmed or processed about this record • just flawless vocals, supreme musicianship, and solid production. • Deborah Hines, Planet Soul

The fundamental qualities of this jewel are simply supreme! What I find most intriguing about Brown Baby Girl is that, Lorenda envelopes you with her warm vocals, and irresistible lyrics anchored by the savoring instrumentation of Jamie Finegan and the crew. Brown Baby Girl just does for me, their poetic nature and prophetically fresh content of their music is inspiring ... something we do not hear often enough these days. Most importantly they’re not driven by the coldness of commercialism that distracts so many talented artist from their original vision.

• Rob Young, The Urban Music Scene

Outstanding jazz-tinged soul album with an edge from BBG (Lorenda Robinson vocals and Jamie Finegan Keyboards/trumpet, aided by other musicians). Lorenda's powerful jazzy but soulful vocals are great throughout and the music really grooves (think Lesette Wilson)...This is an album to really get into as it gets better with each play. • Laurence Prangell, Soul Brother Records

This album is beyond genres • it’s both universal and timeless. Brown Baby Girl is like setting Nikki Giovanni and Gwendolyn Brooks to the sounds of John Coltrane and Max Roach. • AyeJay, ArtHaus NYC

Lorenda's voice should be prescribed to soothe the ear! One listen and her rich, warm tone...set like a precious gem in these beautiful “Brown Baby Girl” arrangements...and you'll be sold! BBG is universal, international, and irresistible! • James Day, Expansion Records Artist

Yes, yes, yes! Quality music with a capitol Q! Proper soul music with a twist of jazz - well done! • Andreas Hellingh, Soul of Amsterdam Radio Show

SOBO Magazine

Every now and then you run across an album that gives you hope for the music industry! Brown Baby Girl gives me that hope. The themes of their songs range from love, lust and all that falls between. I've been told to tread te line between fan and journalist very lightly...but I'm sorry y'all! I'm a Brown Baby Girl FAN!!! I'm glad to introduce te readers of SOBO to my bundle of joy, Brown Baby Girl! • Georgette Johnson-Whaley

The Urban Music Scene

One of the most fastinating characteristics about music is there are a few surprises waiting for you to bump into from time to time. Last month, I was hanging out at one of my favorite spots on the web looking for some fresh music to bite into, woe and behold I was attracted to this duo with an unique name called Brown Baby Girl!

Honestly, my curiousity about new music always manages to get the best of me. Fortunately, I decided to click on the hyperlink to sample the music and take “Brown Baby Girl” for a brief spin. Brown Baby Girl features two fabulous artist, first we have the vivacious Lorenda Robinson on vocals and the multifactet Jamie Finegan who is described as being a musician's musician on flugelhorn, trumpet, drum programming and keyboards.

On the first spin, I immediately notice the intimacy, depth and soulfulness on the opening track “Devotion.” Sonically, it's captivating with traces of toxic rhythms and jazz flavors woven into the heart of the melody. Yes, the skillful vocal styling of Lorenda gathers strength with each lyric nuance throughout the project as she playfully draws you into the body of the music. As I continue too listen, the music of Brown Baby Girl gradually marinates by refining itself thru various harmonic structures and changes with the splendor of their contemporaries (Incognito instrumentally) Seawind, and Fertile Ground (lyrically and vocally). The key voices behind Brown Baby Girl ... Jamie Finegan on keyboards, trumpet, flugelhorn, and drum programming Lorenda Robinson on vocals Eric Seats, and Mike Nappi - drums Mike Nunno, Joe Digiiorgi & Harold Davis - guitar Greg Burrows - percussion Steve Moran - sax

The fundamental qualities of this jewel are simply supreme! What I find most intriguing about Brown Baby Girl is that, Lorenda envelopes you with her warm vocals,and irresistible lyrics anchored by the savoring instrumentation of Jamie Finegan and the crew. Brown Baby Girl just does for me, their poetic nature and prophetically fresh content of their music is inspiring ... something we do not hear often enough these days. Most importantly their not driven by the coldness of commercialism that distracts so many talented artist from their original vision.

• Rob Young

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