hal linton
In October 2008 news broke in the small Caribbean island of Barbados that Hal Linton inked a million dollar deal with major record label Universal Motown, following in the footsteps of other Barbadian international recording artist Rihanna (Def Jam Recordings), Shontelle (Universal Motown), Livvi Franc (Jive Records) and Rupee (Atlantic). [1]
WITH SHEER God-given talent, local artistes Rihanna, Shontelle and Hal Linton are helping to build an American music label “empire” and enhance the international music industry in a major way. [2]
Hardly had Barbadian R&B/Soul recording artist Hal Linton released his independent debut album Spirit: Life: Love, when he found himself accepting four of the most coveted awards at the 2007 Barbados Music Awards. [3]
Suddenly bursting onto music radars Hal Linton awakened a longing thirst for soul music with his self penned and produced heart throb hits ‘Cardiac Arrest’ and ‘Smile’. [4]
Hal Linton is the latest artist to be discovered by SRP (Rihanna, Shontelle), and 2009 will be the year that the rest of the world will discover his unique brand of modern soul music. [5]
With an exceptional dynamic voice reminisent of Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and Al Green he quickly rose to national and regional stardom and was nominated for eight awards at the 2007 Barbados Music Awards where he captured Song of the Year for the single Cardiac Arrest - a category shared with fellow Barbadian international artist Rihanna who picked up Song of te Year (female), Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year, and R&B Single of the Year. [6]
“We can’t tell you how happy we are to be able to bring this talent from Barbados to the attention of the elite,” they added. [2]
Dominating in the categories of Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year, and R&B Song of the Year, the smooth, jazzy, rhythmic soulfulness of 23 year old Hal Linton has added another dimension to the new generation of music and entertainment. [3]
With an exceptional dynamic voice reminisent of Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and Al Green he quickly rose to national and regional stardom and was nominated for eight awards at the 2007 Barbados Music Awards where he captured Song of the Year for the single Cardiac Arrest - a category shared with fellow Barbadian international artist Rihanna who picked up Song of the Year (female), Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year, and R&B Single of the Year. [...] Literally born into a world of music, both his parents are classically trained musicians whose passion saw Hal constantly immersed in a heady musical cocktail of Nat King Cole and Al Green blended with bits of reggae dancehall legend Bob Marley and stirred with The 3 Tenors and countless other great artists.”My parents listened to everything”, says Hal.This was just the start for the young artist and national academic scholar. [4]
Hal was born into a musical family in Barbados, Both of his parents are classically trained musicians, and growing up he was exposed to a wide array of musical traditions, from opera to Al Green, Bob Marley to Marvin Gaye. [5]
It was during a student internship that he had the pleasure to spend most of his time writing and arranging for other artist across the Caribbean and Europe. [3]
Suddenly bursting onto music radars H.AL A.LEXANDER L.INTON awakened a longing thirst for soul music with his self penned and produced heart throb hits ‘Cardiac Arrest’ and ‘Smile’. [6]
Linton, Rogers and Sturken set about taking Hal’s music to the next level, and within a few short months had crafted the core of his album, including such standouts as “Lock My Heart Down ” and “Abandoned Heart”. [5]
The first single “Cardiac Arrest” went on to characterize Hal Linton to Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean region as the soul prince of the Caribbean. [1]
Sources:
[1] Hal Linton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[2] hal linton ” Bajanfuhlife Blog!
[3] Bajanfuhlife.com - Taking you into the life of all things bajan!
[4] Hal Linton
[5] VSessions: Hal Linton
[6] HAL LINTON on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music …