Capitol recording artist Pru has broken the rules by cutting a brand new version of her signature composition “Aaroma (Of a Man),” which will be serviced in June.
This version of the seductive ballad will be added to her self-titled debut album PRU, which will be redesigned and repackaged as part of a newly-organized campaign. The video for “Aaroma” will be shot this month.
“Aaroma (Of a Man),” produced by Andrew Slater, President and CEO, Capitol Records (whose producer’s credits include Macy Gray, Fiona Apple, and the Wallflowers) and mixed by Mike Shipley, whose credits range from Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and India.Arie to Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, and the Cars. Slater also commissioned a Dance/Club remix by Hani al-Badir (who has remixed hits for Sade, Deborah Cox, Pink, and Toni Braxton); and an Urban mix that was produced by Carlos “Six July” Broady (credits: India.Arie, Nas, Ghostface, 112, Puff Daddy, Notorious B.I.G.) and mixed by Jean Marie (credits: Destiny’s Child, Babyface, Jesse Powell).
“‘Aaroma (Of a Man),”‘ says Pru “was a long struggle to get out. Somebody actually said to me, ‘You don’t know what love is.’ I guess the person felt I wasn’t heartfelt enough. I couldn’t believe he was saying that to me, so I went and wrote a song. The line, “if a man came my way and I didn’t doubt him,’ came from an old poem of mine and I always wanted to use it in a song. It was perfect for ‘Aaroma.’ The aroma of any man alludes to that old southern saying, ‘I could smell you coming.’ In other words, I saw you before you got here.”
In its Album Spotlight review, Billboard called the composition a “standout,” going on to praise “this Houston-bred singer-songwriter (who) sparkles with colorfully imaged songs about love won, lost and anticipated – laid against an R&B backdrop rhythmically punctuated with hip-hop, Latin, pop, jazz, rock, and country.” Steve Jones’ 3 1/2 star review in USA Today commended the “remarkable depth in her poetics about joy and heartbreak… (she) is not simply a singer with a voice – she’s a singer with a vision.”
Pru took her first giant step into the pop mainstream when her debut single “Candles” broke the top 10 on the Adult Contemporary R&B airplay chart in R&R (Radio & Records). After two months of steady rotation on BET’s “Midnight Love” shift, the video (directed by Dave Meyers) made its premiere on MTV in February.
PRU was a top 5 entry on the influential Heatseekers chart in Billboard and Soundscan’s New Artist chart. While taking advantage of traditional avenues of exposure including a broad advertising campaign aimed at print, radio and television, and fresh merchandising and point-of-purchase materials, the company will also utilize its HollywoodAndVine.com website via the artist link to Pru in pursuit of new media opportunities online.
Pru will also undertake an extensive promotional tour of the country, visiting key R&B and Rhythm/Crossover radio stations. In addition, a series of live showcase events will be scheduled for BET, MTV/MTV2, and VH1.
In recognition of her explosive talent, Pru has been chosen to join an all-star A-list of female artists – including Yolanda Adams, Patti LaBelle, Donna Summer, Eve, Jill Scott, Angie Stone, Chante Moore and others to be announced – for the upcoming Soul Solidarity project (Epic Records). The album is the brainchild of Susan Taylor, Editorial Director of Essence Communications, Angie Stone, and Dyana Williams and Sheila Eldridge, co-founders of the International Association of African-American Music (IAAAM). A portion of the proceeds of album sales will benefit LifeBeat and the IAAAM Foundation.
Later that month, on July 28th, Pru will headline a private concert at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City for Tom Joyner’s ABC Network syndicated program “The Touch.”
