The
four members of Soul Tempo, Jerry
Brunson, Tony Burnett and brothers Kevin Mitchell and Phillip
Mitchell, grew up together.
The strong chemistry between them is reflected in their great
vocal sound and their on-stage charisma.
The group has worked hard to achieve their rapidly increasing
notoriety. In addition to previous recordings, their list of
live appearances is wide-ranging (from the The Apollo Theater
to Disney World, to Kennedy Space Center and Radio
City Music Hall and many other national and overseas venues,
and with such artists and performers as Boyz II Men, Yolanda
Adams, Elton John, Courtney Vance, Patti LaBelle, Robert De Niro
and Wynton Marsalis).
Things first started to coalesce for the foursome when they got
the chance to audition for film producer/director Penny Marshall
for her movie then in production. Ms. Marshall became an instant
fan, as she remains to this day, and Soul Tempo
was given an on-camera singing part in The Preachers Wife,
with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.
But the group wanted more. They were determined to get their
shot on the record scene and in 2000 released a CD album on
their own label. Immediately there was some interest at radio,
including airplay and phone response at premier urban station
WHUR in Washington, DC. But while the four were in key as a
vocal group, they were not experienced at being record company
execs and pondered their next move.
Then Soul Tempo was introduced to veteran
songwriter, producer and A&R Man, Denny Randell, famed for
his legendary songs such as A Lover's Concerto
(co-written with Sandy Linzer), Opus 17 and Swearing
to God, a big hit for Frankie Valli in the 70s and again,
for Soul Tempo in the new millenium. Denny signed
the group to DRC Entertainment and (while
planning their new sessions) re-released their CD on his and his
partner and collaborator, Biddy Schippers, label, Music
Avenue Records.
Soon the title cut "I
Can't Wait" began receiving airplay at radio
stations WRKS and WCBS in New York City, WHUR in Washington, DC
re-added the cut and then a full add and chart success on the ABC
National Radio Network of 80 stations across the U.S.
The group's growing number of fans, both radio programmers and
listeners alike, were not disappointed with their 2003 CD, Charmed
and Dangerous, featuring such tracks as "Too
Hip Hop for The Room" and "Celebrate
Our Love".
In 2005, with the release of Rendezvous, Soul Tempo
treated fans to more of their velvet harmonies with the national
club/dance hit "ST's House
Remix" of "Swearin' To
God", and the soulful "You'll
Never Be Alone" ("Deep Version").
