Willis R. Whitney said, "Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can." If there is any one person who can definitely identify with that statement, it is Tiffany Laing. In putting together her new project, The Naked Truth, she didn't have a huge, moneymaking machine like a major record label, nor did she have a six-figure publicity or marketing budget. Rather than focusing on what she didn't have, she zeroed in on what she did have--mustard seed faith--in God, her husband Lew, and in her own blessed abilities. The triumvirate created their own label, Twelve Tribes Musical Empire, and recorded the entire project in their garage-turned-studio at their home in Fontana, California--a community about an hour east of Los Angeles. It took a bold walk of faith for this talented, Bridgeton, New Jersey native to forgo a career as a lead background singer for R&B star Eric Benet, to launch her own solo career as a gospel artist. "It's something I've wanted to do for a long time and I felt the time had finally come. It's where my heart is." When it came to finding a producer, she didn't have to look beyond her own bedroom, in the form of her multi-talented producer-husband. "Tiff is very professional in every since," beamed Lew, who also serves as his bride's music director and writer. "It was absolutely awesome working with her. You play a song and she just blesses it! She's so awesome it's ridiculous! I'm just blessed to know her, work with her and love her as her husband." The two have put together what could easily be one of the year's best contemporary gospel projects. If you like Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Anita Baker, Sade, Regina Belle and Jill Scott, then picture all six of those sistahs wrapped up in one enchanted, anointed, angelic enchilada: You'd have the seventh sistah, and God's perfect number in Tiffany. She's a charming, warm, fun-loving, free-spirited vocalist with a stage presence that some seasoned superstars would envy. And she is determined to take a large bite out of Satan's kingdom with songs of love and hope for those who are hurting and lost. The Naked Truth is the Laing's first project together. "We call this our first child," says Tiffany with a giddy, proud mother's love. "We just got together, prayed and let the Lord speak and use us, and a phenomenal project came about with a phenomenal message that really delivered us first." The project definitely delivers with quality and style that some major labels should envy. There are a variety of sounds and textures on the project, beginning with "Revelations (Better Than B4)", a gospel groove that makes you wanna move kinda smooth. Musically it has a Sade-like vibe and it's vocally reminiscent of Regina Belle's style. Then there's "Something More," which has a Whitney Houston-esq "I'll Always Love You" sound oozing from it. "Send Me" has a deep, spiritual anointing that will bring tears to your eyes when you think about all that the Lord has done for you. It has flashes of Anita Baker's greatness. And when Tiffany performs it live, the anointing takes over and breaks the yoke. "New Wine," which encourages you to throw away the old and bring on the new, will likely remind you of Jill Scott's "A Long Walk." "Chajah," which means I shall live and not die, has a Caribbean twist that's sure to make you forget about your troubles. "I Cut My Hair" is Tiffany's poetry set to music about getting rid of weaves and wigs, and going with a more au naturel sister-lock look. Even the couple's infant son Malik has a track, displaying that the apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree as he makes his cute, musical debut. And the title track, "The Naked Truth" is an invitation for the unsaved to come to the Lord for forgiveness of sins, repentance and salvation. Why that title? "Because there's a difference between the truth and the naked truth," Tiffany explains with a smile. "We want you to have the naked truth. Uncensored! Uncut!" Her project is so deep and hot, she debuted at number three behind Angie Winans and Howard Hewett on the Smooth Jazz 98.1/KIFM "Jazzspel" play list. And less than two weeks after debuting on the program, she headlined the gospel stage at the August 18, 2001 Encanto Street Fair in San Diego. She was in great company, as the event, which drew more than 20,000 people of different races and cultures, also featured saxophonists Gerald Albright and Pamela Williams, and jazz bands Euge Groove and Fattburger. "The Jazzspel," hosted by Eric J. Chambers, is the only gospel program on a Smooth Jazz station in the nation. KIFM is the reigning Gavin Awards "Smooth Jazz Station of the Year Award." "When I first heard Tiffany's music, it was at her CD release concert," says Chambers, who produces and programs his show. "I was not prepared for what I saw and heard at that concert. She slew me from the first note and I've been hooked like a faithful fiend ever since. And more importantly, you can't find a sweeter lady nor a more adorable couple--in or out of the music industry-- than she and Lew." Tiffany began singing professionally 10 years ago and recorded her first solo project in 1992. While singing in concert with Benet, she performed duets with him on such smash hits as "Spend My Life With You" and "Georgy Porgy." In addition, she has performed on the same lineups with such celebrated artists as Frankie Beverly & Maze, Erica Badu and D'Angelo to name a few. Her entertainment career began as a four-year-old singer/model in New Jersey. She later became the first African-American to win the Miss Greater Bridgeton Pageant, placing her in the state's history books. She is also very athletic after running track in high school. Now she is threatening to run all the way up the music charts with a fresh, new, anointed sound that's sure to capture the nation and the world by storm! So, get ready for a sweet breeze to kiss your ears and a wind to vibrate your soul from this phenomenal new project from Tiffany Laing. Now that's The Naked Truth! |
| ARTICLE written by: Eric Chambers |