SHINE- Anthony Brown & Group therAPy
Anthony Brown & Group therAPy strike a pose!
SHINE with Anthony Brown & Group therAPy
By Hasan James
A breath of fresh air! That is only one of many phrases used to describe the refreshing sound of Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy. The world has already been introduced to Brown through his songwriting for Maurette Brown Clark, VaShawn Mitchell and others, does the song “It Aint Over” ring a bell? However, on the group’s Tyscot debut, you get to hear interpolations of Classical, R&B, Jazz and Gospel music all on one album. The group’s first single entitled “Testimony”, is already climbing up the Billboard charts with no sign of slowing down. See exactly what makes Antony Brown and Group therAPy Shine:
Root: Many people may know you from your songwriting abilities but not necessarily know you as an artist. Who are some of the artists you have written for?
Anthony Brown- @AJBLIVE on Twitter
AB: I’ve been blessed to write some great songs for Maurette Brown- Clark, “Sovereign God”, “Sound of Victory” and “It Ain’t Over”. The fact that she allowed me to showcase my writing abilities was such a blessing and I think it was the right song with the right person and God just blessed it and it went further than I thought it would go. I also wrote for Stephen Hurd and a few other people so as I young writer, I’ve been really blessed.
Root: Now we are going to witness you in a different capacity as you and your ensemble, Group Therapy, recently signed to Tyscot Records. Initially you were going to release your project independently. What made you change your mind?
AB: I was ready to release it independently and through a chance conversation I had with my big brother VaShawn Mitchell. I actually sent him my current single; “Testimony”, and he loved the song so much and asked if he could let someone else hear it and I said that I did not mind. A few hours later he called me back with Dr. Leonard Scott on the phone and the rest is history. Root: What kind of sound can we expect from Anthony Brown and Group Therapy?
AB: My dad is a pastor so I am definitely someone who grew up in church but I also had great experiences studying jazz and classical music and I also have a great love for music theater, so the music that we create has elements of all of those genres with the message of Christ. It’s a fresh sound that doesn’t really sound like anybody else. Honestly coming up in the gospel community, I was apprehensive about being an artist because I am not a traditional gospel tenor, I’m baritone with a lower register and I was nervous but even that has been refreshing to some people because it’s just something different.
Root: Who are some of your influences in music?
AB: I am definitely ascribed to classical music so I have a love for George Frederic Handel (18th Century composer). I love The Hawkins; I love the arrangements of Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin and Donald Lawrence. Growing up listening to them, you definitely hear a hint of their style in what I do as well. I studied the way they crafted lyrics and background vocals is what I love the most.
George Frederic Handel
- Walter Hawkins
Here is an excerpt from R3:
“It’s been said more often in recent years that being able to play an album from start to finish is rare, yet this is indeed one of those rare albums that you can load (or pop in) and just let it ride. Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy debut is simply outstanding, built on strong lyrical content, exciting vocal arrangements, top-notch musicianship and fun stylistic choices that set this record apart from many.”
To read the full review of the self titled album, CLICK HERE: http://rootmagazineonline.com/featured-content/r3-anthony-brown-group-therapy/
Album in Stores on 8/21/12
