Initial Contact

1. Closer (Live Version)

2. Take A Chance

3. Inside Your Mind

4. A Little Piece Of Heaven

5. 'Try-Bro' Bridge

6. Que' Bonita

7. Dreams Come True

8. It's Worth The Wait

9. Key To My Heart

10. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing

11. No Smoking

12. New York City Girl

13. Commemoration

14. Winds Upon The Shore

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Russell Craig (Take 2’s lead vocalist) offers musical styles that range from Pop, R & B, Dance, Latin Salsa, Merengue, Hip Hop, Reggae, Rap and Calypso. He has written, co-produced and sung with recording artists, including Cheryl ‘Pepsii’ Riley, The Inkspots, Freddie Scott and Debra Torre’ to name a few. Since July 1992, Russell has become New York’s most popular & successful Karaoke host. He has created his own entertainment venture, ReQuest Music & New Media, Inc Entertainment Company. He performs as a Karaoke host, MC and singing DJ at King Yum Chinese Restaurant in Queens (New York) and many other restaurants & nightclub venues each week (in addition to private and corporate events). Russell has demonstrated and promoted his charismatic, professional services across the country, including Los Angeles, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Milwaukee & Atlantic City. Russell’s musical style reflects a vast array of songs, ranging from the 1940’s standards to the current hits on the Billboard charts. Upon observing one of his dynamic and powerful performances, it’s obvious that Russell’s musical influences include Stevie Wonder, Frankie Valli, Tom Jones, Johnny Maestro & Smokey Robinson. Completing ‘Initial Contact’, with his long time collaborator Paul Beatty, helped fulfill another defining moment in his career.

Speaking of Paul (the other half of Take 2), some of his more significant efforts started to take shape around the same time as Russell’s... Most notably, a 3.5-year tenure (1989-1993) as a full-time musical producer for Esquire Records (Huntington Station, NY). While there, he went on to produce more than 200 compositions. In July of 1995 he had the opportunity to produce his first motion picture soundtrack for the short-film, 'BEYOND REASON'. The production was so well received that a full-length version of the film (renamed) was eventually completed in October of 2003. Paul also provided the score for that feature, which is currently playing at film festivals throughout the United States. It most recently won the 'Best In Show' & 'Best Drama' awards at the 2004 Philadelphia Video Festival. The commercial stage is also no stranger to Paul: July of 1999 saw him produce several musical beds for the FLEISCHMANN'S YEAST national ad campaign via PBS. In 2000 he began an affiliation with Joseph Grau's HYPERSPACE PICTURES. There, he would go on to produce musical themes for future animated productions including the award winning stop-animation' short film, 'THE HAPPY PRINCE'. And for icing on the cake, that year was highlighted with his 1st national jazz CD release, 'BOOKENDS'. In 2004, he would go on to compose his most critical & melodic work to date, 'ONE FOR THE ROAD'.

But at the moment, ‘Initial Contact’ is definitely the highest priority on the list. This highly acclaimed project is the rediscovery of a lifelong dream. Sit back and watch what they do next…

Product Description
Part 'Commercial', part 'Jazz' & soon to be part of your life! This is the culmination of a project that vocalist Russell Craig & keyboardist Paul Beatty have always hoped to complete. A bright and clever story to be told in each track, with a unique 3-part trilogy dedicated to their home state (New York) to close out the program. You'll really be able to ease into each song's groove. Plus, the transition from one musical genre to another will sure to leave you wanting MORE! Thrown in for good measure is a solid re-make of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing". So don't sell yourself short... Make some 'Initial Contact' with Russell & Paul today!

Initial Contact,Take 2,Request Music & New Media,Jazz,Pop

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