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Wanting to honor some of her musical heroes in a dynamic way, nine-time Grammy Award nominee Ledisi has created Nostalgia Movement Vol. 1, a phenomenal project that features a tribute to the unforgettable Natalie Cole.
On the 3-track EP, Ledisi covers Cole’s 1977 classic, “I’ve Got Love On My Mind.”
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“Before my beautiful friend Natalie Cole passed away, I had started the process of tributing some of my favorite legends,” Ledisi said. “The idea came about because I always see people covering the same songs over and over. I thought to myself why not tribute the R&B Music I love, give a little bit of a new flair to the arrangements, and educate the listener all at the same time. My prayer is that my version of these songs will make the listener want to go back and hear the original. That is my way of paying homage to those who came before me.”
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Cole, who passed away New Years Eve at age 65 from health complications, made Grammy history by becoming the first African-American woman to take home the Best New Artist award in 1975.
“Performing tributes has always held a very special place in my heart. Many don’t know this, but singing Luther Vandross’ song “My Sensitivity” on The Forever For Always For Love Project ultimately lead me to my record deal with Verve Universal and allowed me the opportunity to meet Patti Labelle for the first time! Since then, I’ve been blessed with so many other amazing opportunities, including meeting Stevie Wonder, George Duke, Natalie Cole and Patti Austin for the first time; singing to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, at a Music Cares event for The Grammys; singing “Endless Love” for Lionel Ritchie; and meeting the great Maurice White and the legendary Verdine White after recording “Devotion” for the Earth Wind and Fire Interpretations Project.
My goal has always been to honor the original recording but find ways to be true to who I am. I have done it most of my professional career, and it never gets old neither does it ever get easy. I will always love the original version of any song I remake because attached to those songs are memories, a place and a time. Wow…I love Music, Enjoy!”
To take a listen to all of Ledisi’s tribute covers, click here.