March 24, 2008

By By Gail Mitchell, L.A.

In partnership with Universal Republic Records, India.Arie is launching a new label, SoulBird Music. Georgia native Anthony David, a longtime musical colleague of the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, will make his major label debut when his "Acey Deucey" album arrives in stores June 17 via SoulBird.

"Music with wings" is the philosophy behind SoulBird, in whose operation India.Arie will play an active role. "In this era, soul is not a sound or a color, it's an intention," she says in a statement announcing the new label. "James Taylor has it and so does Al Green, John Mayer and Anthony David. That's the kind of music I want SoulBird to represent: music with intelligence and heart, music that moves people in their souls and their bodies. Music with wings."

"Acey Deucey" will be comprised of tracks from David's two critically acclaimed independent albums, 2004's "Three Chords and the Truth" and 2006's "Red Clay Chronicles." He and India.Arie duet on lead single "Words," which the pair also wrote. Going to R&B radio nationwide on April 15, the single first appeared on "Red Clay Chronicles." David, a former backup singer for India.Arie?who describes his sound as "Bill Withers meets Mos Def"?also wrote "Part of My Life," a song featured on India.Arie's multiple Grammy-nominated 2001 album "Acoustic Soul."

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