Shawn Kane

In today's world of wannabe divas and shameless singers, many folks seem to be confused on what the word "soul" really means. Fortunately, this is not a problem that bothers J Records? latest singing sensation Shawn Kane. "To me, soul means everything," proclaims the 23-year old Toledo native. "When I sing my songs, I hope people can learn to be friends and lovers; when I sing, I want folks to be touched by the music."

On first listen to Shawn Kane?s highly anticipated solo disc Southern Comfort, it?s obvious that although Shawn Kane is a young man, his soul roots run deep. Truly, the proof and truth of Shawn?s convictions could be heard on the brother?s breakout single "Like Whitney Love Bobby."

Fusing a fierce combination of today grooves, old-school charm and eternal soul, the Harold Lilly & Jubu cut is a funky hybrid that proves itself brilliant. "When I first heard ?Like Whitney Loves Bobby? I knew that track was a winner," Shawn Kane exclaims. "To me, that song represents what true love is all about.

Raised by his God-fearing grandmother, Shawn Kane got his first singing experience in the church choir. "Before I decided to become a singer, I had thought about becoming a minister." says Shawn. "But, when I was 16 or 17 I began taking music much more seriously. It was then I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a career."

Citing legendary soul boys Al Green, Bobby Womack and Johnny Taylor as influences, Shawn is most impressed by sweat-drenched songs of Sam Cooke. "I can remember hearing Sam Cooke for the first time in my godmother?s house," Shawn remembers. "The first time I heard him, it was electric was surging through my body. You could hear the true power of soul in his voice."

As a homage to the fifties soul stirrer, Shawn Kane has revisited Cooke?s bittersweet song "A Change is Gonna Come." This is such a powerful piece of music," he says. "Sam originally wrote this a a protest song, and forty years later it?s still relevant.

With Shawn Kane?s powerful voice, he doesn?t attempt to simply copy Cooke?s unique voice, but adds his own flavorful riffs over producer Dewey Browder?s churchy organ and seductive strings. Indeed, Shawn Kane has even portrayed his musical mentor in the hit flick Havana Nights. "That was the first film I?ve ever been in, but it was cool," Kane says.
First introduced to the world via the Ali soundtrack (2001), Shawn Kane?s "Mistreated" is a beautiful song about a painful subject. Dealing with the abuse, Shawn says, "When I was recording ?Mistreated,? I was thinking about all the women I know who have been in painful relationships," Kawn admits. "I thought of my mother and sister, and tried to put the feeling of their tribulaions into my voice." The outcome is a bold, yet sensitive song that singers will be covering twenty years down the line.

A year before recording "Mistreated," young Shawn was still dreaming of signing a professional contract. "I can remember seeing Clive Davis on television and thinking, ?If I could meet that man, I know I could get a contract.? A year and a lot of work later, I was auditioning in his office."

Showing his diversity, Shawn switchs gears on the enchanting ballad "Tell Your Mama." Identifying as a "charming thug that opens doors for women." True to the game, Shawn Kane proves that not all gentlemen wear designer suits and hard soled shoes. "I get be a gentleman even when I have my pants sagging and baseball cocked to the side," Shawn says. Another steller song, "Girl I Wonder" has synth-driven beat that is irresistable.

Drawing on many levels of Black rhythms that includes gospel, blues and soul, Shawn Kane?s timeless debut Southern Comfort is unaffted by currert fads and prefab sounds.