Singer, songwriter and exceptional performer Vanessa is one of the most exciting black females voices to the hit the UK in recent years and destined to be added to the pantheon of singers credited to the 'Nu Soul' movement alongside Erica Baddu, Angie Stone and Peven Everet with her first solo album entitled Shades on Chilli Funk Records. Influenced by the likes of Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mahelia Jackson and Curtis Mayfield, Vanessa's voice is an experience to behold, immediately distinctive, unadulterated quality, sheer joy. Her live performances are spiritual, recordings timeless and her songs sublime. Her voice has wooed audiences from Russia to Japan and can be heard at it's finest on tracks like Show Me on the album Shades Of Jamaican descent, her parents moved to the UK from Jamaica in the late 50's, Vanessa is a true north London girl having served her time in Nam - that being how she fondly refers to Tottenham in the deep north of London. Vanessa's musical career started early when she joined the local church chorus at the age of twelve. This hugely important part of her musical and spiritual life is the bedrock t This lead to working with the UK's finest gospel acts like Noel Richards and Matt Redmond and tours around the world and shows at Wembley Stadium and Albert hall.

The rise of the UK 'acid jazz scene' and funk revival in the early nineties led Vanessa into the studio for the first time. She was lead vocalists and songwriter for The Mighty Truth who were signed to Tony Coleman's (London Electricity) label Tongue and Groove. The track 'Rebirth' penned by Vanessa was more recently included by Telstar for the definitive and hugely selling This is Acid Jazz compilation. From there Vanessa goes on to record with Brazilian jazz funk legends Azymuth, writing and recording a track for their come-back album on Far Out Recordings. Antennas are alerted to Vanessa's talent and before long she is at the epicentre of the new and very exciting UK West London broken beat scene. Collaborations come thick and fast with the likes of Bugz In The Attic, 4 hero, Kaidi Tatum, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Alex Attais and many more. It is at this time that Vanessa becomes a regular feature of Nathan Haines band, featuring on his album and accompanying him on a world tour. Her talent did not go unnoticed by Nathan's label Chilli Funk and his producer Phil Asher. Label boss Lofty was knocked out by Vanessa performance at a Nathan gig, 'When I heard Vanessa perform "Wonderful thing" with Nathan at the Jazz Cafe my jaw hit the floor and the shiver went down my spine , incredible ! We knew we had to do the album'. A deal was struck in 2003 Between Vanessa and Chili Funk and Phil Asher was invited to produce the album entitled Shades due for release on Chilli Funk in May 2004. There we will be a worldwide tour to follow.

[Chilli Funk]

1. Little Girl
2. Show Me
3. The Way
4. Dawning Of A New Day
5. Hang Tight
6. Shades
7. Who Are You
8. This Love
9. Cover Me
10. Life Line
11. Fresh & Wild
12. Notice Me
13. Veronique