Clarence Smith releases debut CD on his new record label

Jet, June 20, 2005

Clarence Smith, co-founder of Essence magazine, has changed his tune.

Now the CEO of the record label YOU Entertainment, Smith is set to release his debut CD Love Pages, featuring the Cafe Soul All-Stars and a host of well known talented artists, later this summer.

"The goal is to bring back quality music. Music that engages people emotionally, intellectually and spiritually," said Smith, who also serves as executive producer of the exciting new project.

LovePages, produced by Duke Jones and Norman Connors, is a 13-track conceptual CD anchored by musicians Duke Jones, Chris Albert, Bobby Lyles, Kaspar Galli, Steve Williams, Rene McLean and Alex Blake-also known as the Cafe Soul All-Stars.

The vocal artists featured on Love Pages include Vesta, Peabo Bryson, George Benson, Roy Ayers, Christopher Williams and Jon Lucien-to name a few. The first single scheduled for release spotlights the singing talent of Glenn Jones on the soon-to-be hit song What You Gonna Do?

"I believe there's a huge, untapped market for music whose appeal focuses on consumers who are 25 and over," stated Smith. "I believe YOU Entertainment's timing is perfect to fill that void in the market."

Love Pages is scheduled to hit stores on July 26.