Women of Soul

Uniting for four consecutive weeks to present Women of Soul are Australia’s finest female vocalists Kylie Auldist, Shirley Davis, Michelle Martinez, Karen Morales, Candice Monique, May Johnston, Randa Khamis and Chelsea Wilson. Each Tuesday night in June these talented women will treat audiences to three sets of original funk and soul, closing each evening with a special, joint performance. Four shows of funk and soul not to be missed!

Tuesday June 7th
Kylie Auldist + Shirley Davis
Opening night features Melbourne's "Queen of Soul” Kylie Auldist. Kylie has been singing for as long as she can remember and possesses an undeniable natural vocal talent: the kind of powerful yet nuanced soul voice that comes along only once in a while, and when you’ve heard it once you never quite forget it. Signed to the iconic Tru-Thoughts label, (UK) Kylie has released two solo soul albums: "Just Say” and "Made of Stone” in addition to her work with Australia’s premier funk acts, The Bamboos and Cookin on 3 Burners.

With a voice that reflects her Jamaican-English roots, Melbourne vocalist Shirley Davis has performed with acts such as Grand Wazoo, Deepface and Melbourne’s hard-hitting funk act Deep Street Soul. Shirley's new single “No Trouble on The Mountain” was recorded with Japan’s soul kings Osaka Monaurail out now on the P-Vine label compilation "The Return of Jazz”

Tuesday June 14th
Michelle Martinez + Karen Morales
Michelle Martinez is Sydney’s most exciting R’n’B singer-songwriter and undoubtedly one of Australia's most in demand vocalists having lent her talents on stage around the world to the likes of Smokie Robinson, Silverchair, Leona Lewis, Jessica Mauboy, Paul Mac, John Butler and Danielle Spencer just to name a few! As an original artist Michelle's already established herself as an accomplished songwriter. Recent collaborations have earned her a top 5 spot on the UK Upfront Club Chart, a top 20 spot in the ARIA club chart and several appearances on American, Australian and UK Hed Kandi compilations. With her debut soul album on the horizon, don’t miss Michelle’s set at Women of Soul where she will perform her own unique blend of original soul and RnB.

Melbourne born-and-bred Karen Morales is an R’n’B pianist, vocalist and songwriter. Karen’s debut EP `My Everything’ features Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai), Jesers (France), and Princess Freesia (Australia). Recently returning from Europe where she teamed up with Derrick McKenzie for a writing session in London's legendary Tin Pan Alley Studios, Karen is now working on her debut solo album. Don't miss Karen perform tracks from her new album at Women of Soul on June 14th and 21st.

Tuesday June 21st
May Johnston with Deep Street Soul + Karen Morales
Deep Street Soul are Melbourne!s kings of soul with their own brand of tough, hard-hitting, gritty & aggressive rare funk. Formed in 2006 their first 2 inches sold out and after extensive radio support throughout the UK and Europe the band signed to UK label Freestyle. Their new album featuring May Johnston is scheduled for release September 2011.

Tuesday June 28th
Randa And The Soul Kingdom + Candice Monique and The Optics
Hailing from Perth and firmly at the forefront of the Australian Funk and Soul scene are Freestyle Record’s Randa & The Soul Kingdom led by Australian soul sister Randa Khamis. Having sold out her debut album and a successful Europe and UK tour in 2010 Randa!s set at The Toff will feature tracks from her second album produced by The Bamboo’s Lance Ferguson due for release July 2011. Her single Not Gonna Let You has over 30,000 youtube hits since it was televised this year on Skins USA.

Originally from Adelaide, South Australian Candice Monique is a vocalist/songwriter/poet whose individual style fuses Soul, Neo-Soul, Jazz, RnB, Funk, Blues, Folk & Spoken Word. After recording with producer Professor Griff (Public Enemy) in 2003 and later in with Neo-Soul Producer, Rich Medina in 2005 Candice Monique released her debut album, "In My Soul" with her stunning five piece band, THE OPTICS through UK label Freestyle records.

PLUS Special guest every week: CHELSEA WILSON
Special guest performing each week during Women of Soul is Melbourne vocalist Chelsea Wilson. After performing her own blend of jazz, blues and soul in Japan, the USA, The UAE, Thailand, Spain and Indonesia, Chelsea launched her debut EP "Bitterness” in October 2010. The EP was recorded with Melbourne soul legends, Cookin’ on 3 Burners.

Every Tuesday in June
at Toff In Town, Level 2, Curtin House, 252 Swanston St Melbourne City
$15.00 at the door