Sharief in Burgundy

Sharief is a 21st century soul man par excellence. For this reason, one shouldn't confuse his art and craft with anything called "neo-soul" or any other trendy label. As Sharief himself has inquired, "Why does it have to be 'neo'? Why can't it just be Soul?" Sharief is a man that knows of what he speaks. You can tell where he's coming from in a heartbeat anytime you catch him in support mode on gigs for artists as diverse as Chocolate Genius and Vivian Gree, holding it down with his guitar slinging, bass thumping, vocalizing and harmonizing.

Sharief is a man that knows of what he speaks. You can tell where he's coming from in a heartbeat anytime you catch him in support mode on gigs for artists as diverse as Chocolate Genius and Vivian Gree, holding it down with his guitar slinging, bass thumping, vocalizing and harmonizing.

What you may not have heard is the sound of his own soul singing, his straight out from the core material. Sure, all the classic influences are in play-Curtis, Jimi, Sly, The Brothers Johnson, and Prince - but there's also wit and a charm and sensuous edge that are uniquely Sharief's. You can also hear a lack of fear. He takes his time, building things slowly from the ground up, delivering on soul's major themes - love and heartbreak, sadness and sexual healing. What you hear in Sharief's sound is emotion taking precedence over fashion and solid groove given more significance than overly clever fussiness.

Soul is also a music that demands innovation, invention, and melodic surprise. Sharief is a young artist who, like his forbearers, knows how to craft a song that can stand on its two feet and not overshadow the deep feeling of the music. Sharief's solo work has been a long time in coming. Call it a necessary extension of the house of rhythm and blues.

Most recently, Sharief has been touring the world working with John Legend. He is now taking time to focus on his career and working on his own project. With a new record deal under his belt and his guitar by his side, Sharief in Burgundy is surely an artist you'll want to get to know!

Stage and Studio Credits:

Alicia Keys, Amandla, Ananda Acoustic Root, Angledust, Bilal, Brook Valentine, Camille Yarbrough, Carl Hancock Rux, Ceelo, Chocolate Genius, Citizen Cope, Common, D'Angelo, Devo Springsteen, DJ Scratch, Eryka Badu, Hub Moore, Jack Herrera, Jaguar Wright, Jazzyfatnastees, John Legend, Kanye West, Kecia, Kindred and the Family Soul Band, Lauryn Hill, Liz Fields, Macy Gray, Maxwell, Me'shell N'degeocello, Miho, Musiq Soulchild, Peven Everette, Stephan Smith, Steve Harvey, The Last Poets, The Roots Crew, The Soul Diggaz, Toshi Regan, Vivian Green and Ween.