KISKADEE
In The Spotlight
New talent Kiskadee is hitting the R&B scene with her West Indian fusion.
The vocally strong singer/songwriter has just finished recording four of her new
tracks with international Los Angeles producer Maestro John Barnes. During her
recent visit to John Barnes’s Hollywood studios Kiskadee also collaborated with
artists who have worked with Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston … and the list
goes on. In 2003, Andy Whitmore, co-producer of Atomic Kitten’s recent top ten
hit, Ladies’ Night, produced two of Kiskadee’s songs.
When ‘Here Forever’ was first aired on London’s LBC Radio, the talent team was
gob smacked. ‘Absolutely fantastic… Stunning, Stunning stuff..’ (Anthony
Blackburn of Blackburn Sachs Agency), ‘Wow!’ LBC Presenter, Dr Pam. Kiskadee has
this amazing Stevie Wonder vibe about!’ Andy Whitmore, UK Record Producer.
Born
with little eyesight on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent; Kiskadee grew up in an area
where she was part of only a tiny West Indian minority on the island. From early
on, the family of five created ripples with their music. It was not unusual for
Kiskadee herself to be featured in the local press even as a young child,
grabbing headlines such as: “Young Singer Reveals Amazing Versatility.”
Kiskadee’s father, the late Michael ‘Natsy’ Contant from Trinidad was a steel
pan manufacturer and her mother from Guyana is an accomplished violinist. The
family formed the Rainbow Steel Band and the band played for several years
throughout the UK, in France and Switzerland. During her teens Kiskadee began to
further develop her songwriting skills. Some of her early work was featured in a
stage production of Dick Whittington at the Royal National College, Hereford.
She toured Romania as part of a World Music group just after the revolution and
formed a successful steel band duo with her husband, which has performed widely
over the last five years. She has produced songs for other artists but now
Kiskadee is embarking on her solo career. “I really feel my West Indian roots,”
says Kiskadee. “Calypso, Reggae, Soca, Soul, R&B. I grew up with them all.”
Kiskadee recently performed at the British Association of Steelbands 4th Annual
Awards ceremony where she made a terrific impact with her “Xmas in London”
rendition. She certainly lives up to her namesake with her sweet and powerful
voice that captivates her audience always leaving them wanting more. Read more
about Kiskadee by visiting her website
www.kmm.info or email her at
music@kmm.info .
© and courtesy
Robbie
Joseph
A Celebration of Women
And The
Steelpan Artform
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