Rachael Bell (music)

Rachael Bell is a singer/songwriter/pianist and guitarist from London who formerly appeared professionally as "RachaelRachael".

Biography

She performs and records in a variety of MusicAL styles, from acoustic soul to Jazz to R&B to hip hop. Originally signed to Sony/Epic Records in London, Ms. Bell now is an independent artist who releases CD's on her own and with other UK-based musicians. Her latest effort, "Colour Me Blue," a collaboration with Brighton-based guitarist and composer Ross King, has been selected one of the "Best CDs of 2008" by SoulTracks.com and has received several other favorable reviews, among which include:

"[A] wonderful piece of dreamy, laid-back pop. Reuben's Thread provides the slow-paced, atmospheric groove, while RachaelRachael adds her deep and soulful vocals to the mix - she keeps it smooth and subtle, letting her voice woo us with gentle skill. Very nice." (Mish Mash Music)

"With a dreamy magic, a dark outlook and, no doubt, the odd tear-stained lace hankie, 'Colour Me Blue' evokes the windswept vistas of The Cocteau Twins, All AbOUT Eve and Mazzy Star. Rachael offsets the icy fragility with an earthy passion that's part Nina Simone, part Joni Mitchell - nine tracks of bleak, beautiful bigness…." (Overplay)

“Colour Me Blue is an excellent recording. Let's start with Bell's voice: She sings with clarity, strength and confidence needed in a genre where the minimalist arrangements serve to expose singers with weak voices….. For those who complain about the sameness of music today, buying Colour Me Blue would serve as a great opportunity to move out of the musical comfort zone. Highly recommended.” (SoulTracks.com)

As a result of the success of "Colour Me Blue," Ms. Bell in January 2009 re-released in the U.S. her first independent all-acoustic CD "Raw Sunday" -- released originally under her former stage name, RachaelRachael—with a bonus re-mix track. That CD has likewise been well received by critics. Howard Dukes of SoulTracks.com said of this album:

"She has the rare ability to distill complex emotions such as love, uncertainty and frustration into a three or four minute track that is totally compelling and intelligent." (SoulTracks.com)

In addition, Ms. Bell is also a featured vocalist on three songs included in a Bee Gees tribute album "The Somebodys -- 50 Trib to the Brothers Gibb" on Palawan/Universal in November 2009. The first single from that CD is her cover of the hit "Inside Out" produced by Pete and Steve Lewinson of the band Simply Red.

Ms. Bell has been a featured artist on several U.K. radio programs, including "Soul-D-Out Tuesdays" with D.J. D nyce on Hot 96 and Bang Radio and "Thoughts and Words" with DJ Ingrid on 103.6 FM in London.The leading German soul music web magazine, SoulTrain.de, included a "Portrait" feature on Ms.Bell in its December 2008 issue. Her music has also received attention in the United States. A New York entertainment magazine has described her as “a British singer-songwriter with a smooth soul edge.” (Time Out New York, Nov. 22, 2007). Soul Tracks, a U.S. soul music website, selected her as its "Featured Artist" for January 2008 and 2009. Her track “It’s About Time” from “Colour Me Blue” has been in rotation on 4DaSoul.com, Soulsoundsradio.com, Neosoulcafe.com, Rhythmflow.net, as well as on soul music FM radio stations in New York, Austin, Texas and other urban centers. The song also was included in the compilation CD "Soul Lounge 5" issued by Dome Records in the UK in September 2008. The track was also selected as a "Fresh Pick of the Month" for August 2008 by the program "Save Our Soul" broadcast from ROSA 103.3 FM in the Netherlands and debuted in Italy on Radio Bombo in Puglia in January 2009.

Ms. Bell has toured in the U.S., U.K., and Japan. She has been invited twice by radio personality "Doctor" Bob Lee of WBLS 107.5 FM in New York to perform at charity benefits. She has also made a number of live TV and radio appearances, including Mr. Lee’s cable TV program “Open” as well as on the TV program “On the New York Circuit” (Channel 56, Manhattan Cable. She has performed live on the radio program “Rhythm & Soul” hosted by DJ Marko Nobles on WHCR 90.3 FM “The Voice of Harlem” as well as on the nationally-syndicated, hip-hop/R&B radio program “Live from Da Yard” broadcast from WLIU 88.1 FM in New York. DJ Nigel "Big Dose" Crawford also featured her music on his nationally-syndicated radio program "Sol Kafe" broadcast from WKUS 105.3 FM in Norfolk, Virginia. For live performances, she typically accompanies herself on acoustic guitar and piano. Ms. Bell may be heard on the web at [Rachel & Bell and [Racheal+Bell.