Philadelphia has given the soul music world some of its greatest performers of the last four decades, and the City of Brotherly Love continues to display its native talent with young singers like Carol Riddick. The native of Philly's South side first came to public notice as a backing singer with DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. She used that springboard to become a much sought-after vocalist, working over the past decade with such artists as Anthony Hamilton, Kindred and Jill Scott.

Born in Philadelphia, Gerald Veasley has a varied and impressive resume - he has shared stages and tours with Grover Washington Jr., Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. Gerald was recently named "Best Electric Bassist" in Jazziz magazine's annual readers' poll and Philadelphia Magazine named him Best Jazz Band.

Marion Meadows has something up his sleeve - something he’s not showing you outright - that ultimately reveals itself when the music starts. Somewhere in those mysterious spaces between the notes - at the convergence of melody, harmony and rhythm - the simple treasures and universal truths are laid bare for those whose ears and minds and hearts are open to discover them. Meadows uncovers some of these hidden mysteries on Secrets (HUCD 3150), his new recording on Heads Up International.

Known for her Tony nominated vibrant and electrifying portrayal as Shug Avery in the original Broadway cast of Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple, Elizabeth Withers is an actress, vocalist, and songwriter who has taken her own dreams from their humble beginnings of the Midwest all the way to the Broadway stage, airwaves and Billboard charts. While Withers thrilled audiences with her Tony nominated Broadway performance, and strummed listeners' heart-chords with her soul-tingling E1 Records Debut album, No Regrets, it's her off-stage role as mother, mentor, wife, daughter, friend, and humanitarian that takes center stage.

Murrell’s artistic passion and spiritually motivated sense of purpose are anchored by his family roots, which were embedded in the church. As the youngest of three siblings, he didn’t inherit any musical lineage from his family, but was heavily influenced by his childhood idols, Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men and Fred Hammond. He accepted the challenge of performing his first choir solo, at age 5, and that auspicious debut triggered a lasting and close relationship with his musical minister, who mentored and tutored him as choir member and soloist into his late teens.