Shauna comes out officially
More than three decades after the original, Shauna comes with a response to Lloyd Parks’ early 1970 signature hit, Officially.
In fact, it is the title track of her maiden album. Her alluring voice packaged in the newly released 15-track set reveals the latest discovery of another hidden musical treasure.
Thanks to the creative insight of Willie Lindo, the emerging star Born Shauna La Touche to Jamaican parents in Brooklyn, New York, got closer to her Jamaican heritage.
Nurtured by the sweet riddims of the Caribbean, Shauna’s talents began to grow and develop and her love for writing, composing, classical piano and vocal, eventually came to the fore.
She is a rarity. Her career history fits none of the sterotypes commonly attributed to Jamaica’s popular music stars. Spending much time in law school, but she graduated to a life of music. Having made the decision to become a singer while travelling the legal pathway, is one which she has not regretted.
“It’s a long time coming, but it’s here,” Shauna said about her desire for music in which she is now totally involved.
However, it was when she met Jamaican musician, producer, composer Paul Hamilton, aka Dr Paul, former bandleader of Ridim Kings and Ruff Cut Kru, that Shauna really began to ‘dazzle’, as she is fondly called. This association, for which her mother was instrumental, marked the further expansion of her musical career.
Dr Paul recognised her incredible singing voice and ear for music and quickly recruited her into the ranks of Dr Paul Productions as a songwriter and engineer. Since then Shauna has produced, written and recorded songs for artists such as Glen Washington, Frankie Paul, Singing Melody, Richie Stephens and Sanchez. In addition, Shauna jumped at the opportunity, pulled up her sleeves, and took her turn on the sound stage under the creative, watchful eye of Dub House Muzik chief audio engineer and Grammy winner Hugh Palmer.
Explaining her attraction to the one song that pushed Lloyd Parks’ ratings beyond that of a bassist to vocalist, she told the Observer: “Officially is one of the songs that let me fell in love with music as a child listening to the music my parents used to play. As one of my favourites, I always remember that song. And I think that releasing my first album, what better way to introduce myself as a recording artiste then to do it Officially,” she chuckles.