The Black Book
Three weeks ago, Jully Black was still preparing for her Canadian tour, when things would take a turn. The tour would get cancelled and Jully Black would resort to her blog for an explanation. Hearsay would spread and fans would express disappointment, however to know Jully Black, is to listen.
Black would express the need to push her sound beyond Canadian soil. “I believe that RnB & Soul from our country needs to be properly represented on the international stage and so like our Olympic athletes, I am taking my years of preparation and the strength of my fans and kicking some doors open no matter how long it takes,” she writes.
A reference to the single “Glass Ceiling” off her latest album The Black Book, states the time has come to literally break the glass ceiling by taking her sound global.
Surprising news but true, even though Black may be a household name in Canada, little is known of our R+B song bird responsible for soul filled, hip swinging songs such as “Sweat Off Your Brow”,”Five Times” and the current release “Running.”
“Jully who?” escaped the mouths of peers from London, England to South Africa whenever The Black Album would come up in conversation.”What do you mean you don’t know who Jully Black is?” Shocked by the response, it was a surprise to have to explain: “She’s got power like Mary J Blige, without the drama that followed her!”
As conversations turned in the direction of lectures on Canada’s R+B royalty, it was clear, Black is right, things need to change.
This year, for the sixth time, Black has been nominated for Best R&B/Soul Album of the year. Up against Danny Fernandes, Jacksoul, Jarvis Church and Melanie Fiona, only time will tell what the result will be from the 2010 JUNO’s but with the power and determination Black is packing, JUNO or no JUNO, she is unshakable on breaking that ceiling.
At the time of our interview, Black was just back from Cannes and was preparing for her fitness marathon, Black to Basics (B2B) for Haiti where she would instruct from her upcoming fitness DVD for 30 minutes, every hour, for 6 hours to raise funds for The Red Cross. According to Black, the B2B fundraiser was about infusing philanthropy with fitness, “I just felt it was necessary to have an event that was not based around my music, it’s selfless, it’s a beautiful way to fellowship and to walk with people from all walks of life.”
For Black, faith is everything, her confidence flows with conviction, “I was ready to be emancipated,” she says of The Black Book which also put the singer in the role of co-producer. “I felt it was time to really express my influences through my music, being a Canadian I have been subjected to hearing all genres.”
Of course with growth comes a slight change in style, The Black Book unveils a different sound from Black, a little bit of soul with a little bit of rock. “My style has changed in a way that can only happen when you are ready to accept your place in society,” she says. “Writing a song like Running that is really about world issues that says you should be running for something not from something, was very much a leap of faith!”
“I’ve been repping R+B for so long,” continues Black, “It gets to a point where you are expected to bring the heartbreak song but why shouldn’t we be allowed to express ourself as a way to empower others, without having to be overly righteous?
As Black prepares to literally take the world by storm, the message she shares with her fans results as an extension of Black’s character: “Be you, better yourself and lead by example!”
At the end of her apology to her fans with a promise to return, Black closes with the quote, “Many are called, but few are chosen,” stating the time to answer the call is now.
For Black, Canada will always be home and as the year unfolds we hope to see just how far Black can spread her Canadian spirit and patiently await her return.
Kimberley Jev
Photo by Ivan Otis
