Alaché

D’Banj, Don Jazzy, TuFace Idibia others shine in New York
By FEMI SALAWU
Friday, September 7, 2007

Pix: Sun News Publishing


Afro-Pop sensation, D’Banj, popularly called Koko Master and Don Jazzy were exceptional among other musicians at the just concluded Nigeria Entertainment Awards which held at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts, New York. D’Banj displaced top contender, Paul Play Dairo, by walking away with two awards including Best Afro-Pop Artiste of the Year and Hottest Single of the Year with his hit song: Why Me, while Don Jazzy won Music Producer of the year.

Suprisingly, Paul Play Dairo, who was nominated in four categories including Afro-Pop act of the year, Producer of the year, Hottest Single of the Year for the hit song, Angel Of My Life, and Album of the year for Hitsville did not win any award. However, organisers say the award was strictly determined through SMS and internet votes most of which came from Nigerians in Diaspora.

The well attended event, according to a release signed by Tope Esan, organiser of the awards, also featured musical performances by gospel artiste, Sammy Okposo and last year’s RnB winner, Banky, who picked-up the Best Gospel Artiste of the Year and Best International Single of the Year respectively. Other musicians who brightened the evening include: Gospel Jazz sensation, Mike Aremu, as well as America-based Nigerian musicians such as Madarocka, Balk Jesus, Iceberg Slim, Adama and Alache, among others.
Other artistes who made the winners’ list, include: African Queen crooner, TuFace Idibia for Best Album of the Year with Grass2Grace, P Square for Bizzy Body remix featuring Weird Mc, Lagbaja as Indigenous Musician of the Year, Tosin Martins as Best New Act of the Year and Femi Kuti, who emerged as NEO Afrobeat Artiste of the Year.

Nigerian musicans in Diaspora also had a good outing as Eldee’s Return of the King won Best International Album of the year, while MIC Tunes emerged Best International Producer of the Year. Others include: RCCG: Jesus Choir, DC (Best International Gospel Choir); DJ Zimo(Battle of US-Based DJs) and Big Moose (US-Based Entertainment Promoter of the Year).
In the movie category, the trio of Ramsey Nouah, Stella Damasus-Aboderin and Tade Ogidan won Nollywood Best Actor, Best Actress and Best director respectively for their roles in the movie Dangerous Twins.

Interestingly, Julius Agwu, who compered the show and thrilled the audience with rib-cracking jokes, emerged Funniest Comedian of the Year. In a keenly contested sports category, Obafemi Martins beat other nominees including World Heavyweight Boxing Contender, Samuel Peters to emerge as Athlete of the Year.

Former Miss World, Agbani Darego, made a surprise appearance at the event which attracted the cream of Nigerian show business industry personalities including Super model, Oluchi, Fashion Designer, Frank Oshodi, CNN’s Lola Ogunnaike, 2003 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Omotu Blessing, among others. Although the show did not receive enough coverage in the media, organisers, however, promised to have it aired on Nigerian and American TV channels at a later date, adding that the NEA will return next year with more glitz and glamour.







http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/showtime/2007/sept/07/showtime-07-09-2007-004.htm - Sun News Online

" Alache 's music is exactly what we were all missing. The content of her songs are very touchy and meanful. Nowadays many people categorize Hip hop as useless, but with artists like Alache , we can prove them wrong. I love pretty much the first track I listen to it so many times. I will introduce it on my next show and gig to see how the public and listeners will react. Great job Sister "



- Ibrahim Kone

"An ideal musical vehicle for putting the 'message' across; this will go down well on our christian programs. Great voice."


- Tony Bates

"We loved the tunes."
William Jervis


- William Jervis

"This is a fine effort by talented Alache. Good choice of material, excllent backing band and great productioon should open some new doors for this talented girl."
- Vasja Ivanovski

http://www.mimimagazine.com/2007/january/03-01-alache01.html - Mimi Magazine

Alache (the name is African for 'watchlady') started to sing at a very early age and is now gaining attention with this collection of 11 jointly-penned songs. She has been influenced by artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Along her journey she was spotted in Nashville and this album has been produced by Cap'n Cookem and recorded and mixed by Jafari and Marky Mark. She's had a wide sphere of influence, from her military officer father and international evangelist mother and wider church family and chooses to quote Gandhi in the sleevenotes. The opening track, "Don't Cry", reflects on the death of a friend. While the pace of the tracks is constant, there is a variation in mood and the variation is helped by using a rap part way through the album on the track "I'm Dealing With It". The overall sound is often a reminder of Destiny's Child. This young lady has something to say in her songs, especially to young people, which deserves to be heard. - Alan Chesters

Interview - Cyrus Webb

Singer Alaché shares her divine secret to overcoming stress
The January issue of Simple Grace features Alaché’s newest album. Here, she sheds some light on how she involves God in every aspect of her life, especially her business

No matter how busy or exhausted she is, Alaché always starts her day in prayer.

“I ask God to direct my path, to show me what He wants me to do today and how to go about it,” she says.

Recently, Alaché experienced something that forced her to place her trust completely in God. She was scheduled to shoot a music video in London and everything was going wrong—from the scheduling to travel plans. The icing on the cake was when she dislocated her toe.

“I got on the plane in tears,” she says. “I said ‘Lord, for whatever reason I have had to jump through these hoops the past few weeks. There’s something the devil is trying to stop. Have Your way.’ And the shoot ended up going very well!”

The experience was a good reminder of who’s really in charge.

“He alone will take the glory for this journey He has started in my life,” Alaché concludes. - Simple Grace Magazine

Alache’
The Chronicles of the Mrs. (EP)
MADE, Inc. / Elevate Entertainment / Syntax Distribution
Release date: November 27, 2015
www.alache.com
By Bob Marovich
The Nigerian-born Alache’ has learned to be a lot more comfortable about life in the five years that have passed since her last music project. The petite singer-songwriter is now married, has two children, and is ready to jump back into the music business.
She also wants to share her lessons with you on an EP of intimate personal reflection, titled The Chronicles of the Mrs.
The feathery-voiced Alache’ traverses several stylistic platforms in the EP’s limited running time, though if run through a Venn diagram, the songs would overlap in the urban neo-soul groove, something between today’s female worship leaders and Kierra Sheard in her edgier Kiki days.
For example, on “Another Day,” blasts of pulsing EDM punctuate Alache’s gushes of gratitude for being able to “see another day.” African rhythms shadow her prayerful pleading for spiritual healing on “Awaken Me.” Other songs are mellower, as “Same Tears Different Pain” (a diplomatically stated play on an uncouth aphorism), which finds the artist in a running conversation with God about working through life’s problems.
“Heaven’s Angel,” a duet with kindred worship spirit Ron Kenoly Jr., is the most personal rumination on the album. Alache’ uses the song to come to terms with the pain of losing her sister-in-law. Kenoly rues that we “have to let you go” but is optimistic that we will “see you again I know.” The song is available on the EP as both a radio single and acoustic selection.
The EP’s high point is the melodic “Hiding Place,” which likens God to a place of refuge, an embrace that is not so much an eternal covering as a respite and recharging station.
One complication of introducing new songs performed in a variety of styles is that it can be hard to figure out where the artist is most comfortable and where she fits commercially within the galaxy of established gospel stars. In Alache’s case, she comes across best in emotional inspirational balladry. A CD of songs more in line with “Hiding Place” would be a natural progression from this comeback EP.
Three of Five Stars
Pick: “Hiding Place.” - Journal of Gospel Music

Nigerian dance/pop/R&B diva Alaché returns after five years armed with an arsenal of stories stemming from her new life as a wife and mother. Her growth as a person and an artist are both instantly apparent on this cutting edge collection, filled with some pretty sick beats courtesy of Dave “DaveyBoy” Lindsey (Monica, Traci Braxton) and the UK’s Eminik (who remixed One Direction), plus a joyful glimpse into her spiritually grounded soul. - CCM Magazine

Alaché returns November 6th with her new 7-track EP, The Chronicles of The Mrs. The lead single, "Heaven's Angel," featuring Ron Kenoly, Jr., is available now at digital outlets including iTunes.

Alaché is reemerging after 5 years away from the Christian music scene (her last album was 2010's Until Now), during which time she married her husband Audu, and had two baby girls. Her new life as a wife and mother has undeniably helped shape who she has become and the message she conveys through her music.

"Oh, I thought I was grown the last time, but boy have I grown in five years," says Alaché. "So much has happened, so much to talk about. I have definitely matured as a woman, as a person and citizen of this world. I entered a whole new school of life these past few years and it has been an interesting ride!"

The singer-songwriter has a brand new team, producers and collaborators. The Chronicles of The Mrs. was produced by Dave "DaveyBoy" Lindsey (Monica, Traci Braxton) and the UK's Eminik, who recently went viral with a remix of One Direction's "No Control." Alaché also collaborated with Ron Kenoly, Jr., who she has followed for a long time - something she calls "a dream come true."

Alaché, a name derived from her native Nigeria, draws inspiration from Gospel artist Michelle Williams (formerly of Destiny's Child) and Contemporary Christian artist Rachael Lampa. The songs on The Chronicles of The Mrs. are not your typical R&B / Praise & Worship, but rather a collection of engaging, edgy and upbeat songs that will move both your feet and your soul.

Track Listing for The Chronicles of the Mrs. :
1. Another Day
2. Heaven's Angel - featuring Ron Kenoly, Jr.
3. Awaken Me
4. Same Tears Different Pain
5. Find Me
6. Hiding Place
7. Heaven's Angel (Acoustic) - featuring Ron Kenoly, Jr.

For more information, visit www.Alache.com. - Hallels Magazine

Inspirational Music has a new Angel. Call her Alache. She took a 5 years hiatus to step into family life, and now she is back with a tune that we all need in the world at this time.
Ann Alaché Mark, Nigerian, DC Area based inspirational Christian singer-songwriter is out with a new single featuring Ron Kenoly Jr. “ Heaven’s Angel”. Her new album, ‘The Chronicles of the Mrs’, is due out in the Fall of 2015. This album is the follow-up to her most recent album, Until Now—released 2010 online. Her new singles, Dream and Heaven’s Angels will be featured on this new album. Alache’s music influence ranges from Michelle Williams to Rachael Lampa. Her engaging, edgy and upbeat tempo will move your feet and her personal and inspirational lyrics will certainly move your soul! - Genevieve Magazine

After a five-year break, Alaché returns with a new single called ‘Heaven’s Angel’. The singer’s new inspirational track features American gospel singer and worship leader Ron Kenoly, Jr.
Alaché is a Christian singer-songwriter based in Washington DC. During her time away from the music scene, the vocalist got married and had two daughters.

The vocalist is currently working on her forthcoming album ‘The Chronicle of The Mrs’ which is set for release sometime between September and December of this year. She will be collaborating with music composer and engineer Davey Lindsey to produce this new album. - Pulse Nigeria