| About Craig Alan Eleazer Music | On February 26, 2008 the world was introduced to a new voice in the soul music arena. This voice immediately drew comparisons to Evelyn “Champagne” King, Lalah Hathaway and the legendary Gladys Knight. It is powerful yet soothing and only espouses positive messages. That alone is a rarity in today’s music environment. Her name is Ashanti Munir and she hails from Boston, Massachusetts. It was on February 26, 2008 when Ashanti Munir released her debut CD titled “Balance.” Prior to its release her greatest achievement was winning the “Amateur Night at the Apollo” in Harlem, NY in 1992. “Balance” exploded onto the London, UK music scene because of its leadoff single “I’m Staying Home Tonight.” After joining forces with Di Lee and her UK promotion team at Soulchoonz “Balance” received airplay in Europe, Australia, Japan, Brazil and the USA! The set peaked at the #4 position on Solar Radio’s weekly “Sweet Rhythms Chart” (London, UK) and rested there for 4 consecutive weeks. Nearly every track on the CD was in their rotation but “I’m Staying Home Tonight,” “Black Pearl,” “Honestly I Do,” “Balance” and “Lovers and Friends” received the most airplay. Solar Radio later voted “Balance” the #18 Soul CD of 2008! Ashanti also received several offers to travel and perform her music because of “Balance.” She performed in NYC, Las Vegas, England (London, Warrington & Manchester), Arizona and throughout New England. Solar Radio presenter Super Gary Spence requested a remix of “I’m Staying Home Tonight.” It was later featured as the leadoff track on the 2009 Soul Unsigned CD compilation titled “The Contemporary Songbook vol. 1” which was released in the UK. In 2009 Ashanti was contacted by a producer named Wadz who is based in France. He was recording a retro funk CD compilation and wanted Ashanti to be a part of it. Their collaboration resulted in the track titled “So Smooth.” Wadz liked the finished track so much that he named his compilation after it and included three mixes of the song on the CD. Ashanti had already begun recording her second CD at the time. “So Smooth” was released in December of 2009. It reached #15 on the UK Soul Chart (Starpoint Radio) in April of 2010. Wadz released his CD titled “So Smooth: The Funk Album” in May of 2010. Ashanti released her sophomore CD titled “Soul of a Woman” on August 24, 2010. It was instantly picked up by radio stations in London and remained in the Top 30 at Solar Radio through December of 2010! The set peaked at the #9 position on Solar Radio’s weekly “Sweet Rhythms Chart” and it also peaked at the #2 position on Starpoint Radio’s weekly UK Soul Chart. “Soul of a Woman” was voted the #27 Soul CD of 2010 by Solar Radio. (London) It was also voted the #46 Soul CD of 2010 by Starpoint Radio’s UK Soul Chart. She was nominated by the viewers of Soultracks.com for a 2010 Viewer’s Choice Award for the category of “Best New Artist.” Ashanti Munir’s videos for “So Smooth” and “Until U” are on-line for viewing. Ashanti has been blessed to have met and shared the bill with many great soul and jazz artists. The list of artist includes Johnny Kemp, Allyson Williams, Terri Lynn Carrington, Esperanza Spaulding, Michael Buble, Chuck Loeb, Marc Staggers, Donald Sheffey, Chidi, Helen Rogers, Leon Beal, Athene Wilson, Jeff Ramsey, Walter Beasley, Andre Ward, Iamdanielmoore, Gabrielle Goodman, Elan Trotman and Ledisi. Ashanti is stronger and better than ever as a result of all these experiences! |
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