Mind's Eye

Philadelphia, PA - When a classically trained, classic rock-loving pianist and composer from Bucks County, PA meets a classic Funk/R&B soul-loving producer, keyboardist and composer from South Philadelphia, PA, the end result is the debut CD from Naked Soul..."LEAP OF FAITH" (Jacoda Records)

NAKED SOUL is the brainchild of Brian Hudson, a Bucks County, PA native who grew up listening to a potpourri of musical styles, such as jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett, and classical composers Beethoven, Mozart and Stravinsky. As his musical tastes matured, he expanded his melodic stylings to include classic rock artists such as Todd Rundgren, Talking Heads, David Bowie, and the outstanding power of... the Beatles.

When Brian assembled what he felt was a powerful mix of music and art through his compositions, he decided to record his demos at Vortex Sound Studios in Lindenwold, NJ. It was here he met Chief Engineer and Studio Owner James D. Forbes, known for his work with such bands as Immolation (Metal Blade Records), Fear Of God (Warner Bros. Records) and Heavens Edge (CBS/Columbia Records).

In the summer of 1999, Brian was introduced to Jayar, South Philly's own singer/songwriter/arranger/producer. Jayar, who originates from Chicago, IL. grew up listening to his parents truly diverse record collection. "I listened to everything and absorbed it all, like a sponge" Jayar reflects, "from the Beatles to the Temptations, from rock to Motown, and everything in between."

Jayar had already started to make a name for himself in the R&B world, working with musicians such as George Benson, and McFadden & Whitehead earlier in his career. Jayar is currently thriving amid the Latin Jazz scene by writing and arranging, producing and singing on the debut CD ''CINTRON ABSOLUTELY!'' (CamJam Records) which has received critical aclaim from music's finest. Adding to his vast musical contributions, Jayar turned his attention to the alternative folk/rock field while arranging and producing the debut album for Robin Renee, an up-and-coming African-American female singer/songwriter whose debut album IN PROGRESS (Menage A Music) has received praise and acceptance from music critics across the country.

During the Robin Renee recording sessions is where Jayar and Brian first collaborated, subsequently adding Brian's Hammond B-3 organ into the mix on a selection of songs from the album. Jayar confesses:

"Although I pretty much had decided that I was the sole keyboard player on the album, I really liked the way Brian could handle the B-3 organ. I decided to jam with him on some sessions just to see what would happen. We really enjoyed working together, and he began to tell me about some demos he composed and was about to record. He wanted to know if I would produce his demo collection, so I went home, listened to them. There were no lyrics or melody... just music, but his ideas were complete. Right away I realized the potential of his material, even in it's early stages. This was ready to become a full-fledged record!"

This collaborrative process endures, as Brian and Jayar continue to write together, and have forged a solid working relationship. ''LEAP OF FAITH'' features an impressive array of highly pedigreed instrumentalists such as drummer Gary Deren (Original Dead End Kids, Robin Renee), bassist Steve Green (Breakwater, Phyllis Hyman, MFSB), guitarists extraordinaire Tim Jordan (Forest Green, The Ladder, Robin Renee), Michael Carlino (Fear Of God), Dave Gardner (Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Pendergrass, The Stylistics) Reggie Wu (Heavens Edge), Steve Stamato (Lover Of The Bayou) and Jay Scott (The Fugitives). Guest vocalists include former Epic Records recording artist Flame (Tony Terry), Joanna Gardner (Dreamgirls, Eugene Wilde) Shawn Carmen (Heavens Edge, American Pie), Annette Hardeman (Regina Belle, Barry White, Teddy Pendergrass, Phyllis Hyman, Gabriel Hardeman Delegation, and Stephanie Mills, for whom she co-wrote the #1 hit, "I Feel Good All Over"), Charlene and Paula Holloway (Regina Belle, Teddy Pendergrass, Phyllis Hyman), Bonnie Heisler and Robin Renee herself, who returns the favor by contributing co-lead and backing vocals on "Save A Life." "Doc" Gibbs (Grover Washington, Jr., Erykah Badu, Pieces Of A Dream) who is now presently seen and heard regularly on the "Emeril Live" show that is televised via the Food Network, plays percussion on the album along with Edgardo Cintron (Santana, Grover Washington, Jr.) who's "Cintron Absolutely!" CD Jayar wrote and produced 2 songs for, and Dino DeCosta (The Show, TOTO, The Temptations).

This impressive list of participants on this CD tops off with legendary names including engineer/producer Shelly Yakus (Damn The Torpedoes/Tom Petty, Rattle And Hum/U2, Imagine/John Lennon, Moondance/Van Morrison, The End of the Innocence/Don Henley among many other landmark albums), mixing master Mike Newman and mastering engineer Scott Hull (Two Against Nature/Steely Dan, which won several grammy awards).

The end result according to Yakus, "quite simply the most strongest independent album I've ever worked on!"

To experience the collaboration between these talented individuals, one must listen for themselves, and find out what is truly... NAKED SOUL.