Illuminate: YELLOW
by ASCENDANT
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Digital Album
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Illuminate: YELLOW includes the Top 30 Digital Radio hit, It's Not Over featuring Angela Johnson and the new radio single, In Your ArmsPurchasable with gift card -
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1. |
Do You Remember
04:49
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Chorus
Do you remember?
Remember?
Do you remember?
Can we go back there again?
Verse I
Do you remember?
When music touched your soul
Remember?
It made you lose control
Do you remember?
I wanna go back there again
Can we go back there again?
Verse II
Do you remember?
When your favorite song was played
Remember?
All your cares were wiped away
Do you remember?
I wanna go back there again
Can we go back there again?
Verse III
Do you remember?
When you could close your eyes
Remember?
And music gave you life
Do you remember?
I wanna go back there again
Can we go back there again?
Chorus/vamp out
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2. |
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IT'S NOT OVER
Chorus
It’s not over / It’s not over
U can find a way
The best is still inside
It’s not over / It’s not over
Come and follow me
Spread your wings and fly
Verse I
Look at the mirror on the wall
U can’t see what’s inside / U just have to know
In your heart / in your soul
This is not how it will end
Make a promise to yourself
U don’t need to prove this to no one else
It’s your truth you're truth alone
So come on and sing this song
Chorus
It’s not over / It’s not over
U can find a way
The best is still inside
It’s not over / It’s not over
Come and follow me
Spread your wings and fly
Verse II
Nothing is going as you planned
Your pride is bruised / your ego scarred
Find the strength / you've come too far
You only fail when you don't try
Now your next chapter has begun
Turn the page your story isn't done
The book of life just goes on and on
Now come on and sing this song
Chorus
It’s not over / It’s not over
U can find a way
The best is still inside
It’s not over / It’s not over
Come and follow me
Spread your wings and fly
Break
It's not over/ If you try
You can fly high
It's not over/ Look inside
Spread your wings
Chorus
It’s not over / It’s not over
U can find a way
The best is still inside
It’s not over / It’s not over
Come and follow me
Spread your wings and fly
© 2021 Ascendant Music Inc. / Ascendant Sounds ASCAP
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3. |
Simple
03:03
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Simple
Love should be so simple but it’s not
Life got in the way and I forgot
To tell you all the things I feel inside
Let’s just take a ride
Let’s just up and fly away
The universe is waiting let’s go out and play
Let’s just leave our troubles on the moon
Never be too late never too soon
Crazy
This world we live in is such a crazy place
Until I see that smile upon your face
It tells me everything is gonna be alright
No more run and hide
Let’s just up and fly away
The universe is waiting let’s go out and play
Let’s just leave our troubles on the moon
It’s never too late never too soon
Let’s just up and fly away
Let’s just leave our troubles on the moon
Never be too late never be too soon
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4. |
Faults and All
02:54
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Chorus
You love me faults and all
You love me faults and all
Verse
I used to want to be perfect
Until I realized I’m not
But that won’t stop me from giving everything I’ve got
Change 1
Even when I said I’d fix it
Then forgot and never fixed it
Hold it to my head and not my heart
And sometimes when I leave the dishes
You say I hear but don’t listen
I’m not trying to make things hard
Chorus
You love me faults and all
You love me faults and all
Change 2
You say that I steal the covers
Always leave the closet cluttered
My methods aren’t always ideal
I know I can be so frustrating
We need more communicating
Let me say what I really feel
Chorus
You love me faults and all
You love me faults and all
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5. |
In Your Arms
04:33
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Verse I
Hello my love, morning came too soon
We climbed so high, I left my heart on the moon
The darkness we just shared has given in to the sun
We found a moment called magic we became one
My eyes are open wide you are not a dream
A vision of loveliness is all I see
Chorus
There is no place I would rather be (In your arms)
I'd give anything if you'd stay here with me (In your arms)
If I have to die tonight let it be in your arms
Verse II
I feel your breath, feel U in my skin
And I realize that I don't want this to end
If a day could last forever it wouldn't be enough
Drowning in your softness, lost in your touch
My eyes are open wide U are not a dream
Flawless in every way, you're all I need
Chorus
There is no place I'd rather be (In your arms)
I'd give anything if you'd stay here with me (In your arms)
Let me die in your arms
Vamp
We climbed so high
I left my heart on the moon
Can we go back there again
Let me die... in your arms
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6. |
Angel
04:39
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Verse I
Like a cool breeze on a warm summer day
U make my life a little easier
Even when the clouds surround me
I know I’ll see the sun again
When the weight of the world falls on me
I close my eyes - I hear your voice - I can go on
Change I
But I’ve got one question – Tell me did it hurt when you fell from heaven
Do you hide your wings so that I can’t see - God sent me an angel
Verse II
Like the whisper of a sweet melody
U make my life a little easier
With the soft touch of your hand on my skin
Somehow you take the pain away
In the middle of the storm you are my shelter
Keeping me warm - There is no doubt - I can go on
Change II
But your love is the answer – And I won’t take it for granted
Do you hide your wings so that I can’t see - God sent me an angel
Bridge
A million words could never say all the things I want to say
Your love is like the wind and it’s lifting me
Higher and higher we’ll fly trying to touch the sky
Let’s spend our lives in this rapture
Vamp
Do you hide your wings so that I can’t see - God sent me an angel
God sent me an angel…
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7. |
Unspoken
05:26
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Verse I
This is a dedication U know who U are
Although the miles may separate us know that I’m not far
Do U remember how we used to run the neighborhood
We thought it would last forever no cares in the world
I’d give anything if we could do it all again
Chorus
Though the words may go unspoken
Know the bond cannot be broken
Verse II
We don’t talk like we used to we just don’t have the time
When I look back at where I’ve been U always come to mind
From playing cards and amusement parks the best times of my life
From broken hearts to brand new cars U gave some great advice
U know things about me no one else could know
Chorus
Though the words may go unspoken
Know the bond cannot be broken
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about
ILLUMINATE: to enlighten, as with knowledge; to brighten with light; to make clearer
Illuminate is a concept album (e.g. Songs In the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder, Sign of the Times by Prince) done in 4 parts, spanning the band’s lives, loves, and hopes. It’s about false starts, comebacks and 2nd chances. It’s about perseverance -- having the strength to endure.
“The band went through changes while we were working on the album. We started with one set of members. That original set broke up and we began another one -- but then that set broke up, and we picked up another set. Life imitates art (and art) imitates life. We began to live what we were writing, and in the process of living it, that shaped what we were writing again.”
26 songs, 4 parts
Illuminate:
• BLUE: Wisdom
• GREEN: Rebirth
• YELLOW: Joy
• RED: Love
YELLOW finds Ascendant reminiscing on how music can touch the soul on the 1st track, Do You Remember. It’s a moody groove with warm harmonies from Renee Ruffin, Michael Lockett, Kael Mboya and a spiritually luminous synth solo by Kael Mboya ending with a pointed percussion solo by Michael Lockett.
It’s Not Over featuring Angela Johnson follows with its encouraging message, moving bassline and tight harmonies (Lockett, Johnson, Ruffin and Mboya). Its stellar lead vocals from Lockett and Johnson keep pace with the infectious production of Kael Mboya as they collectively encourage us to rise above.
The 3rd track, Simple takes a different turn and brings in the full band to help us take flight to heights unknown. Lockett’s harmonies float on top of a tight performance from band members Kael Mboya on piano and synths, Curtis Kincaid on guitar, Kenery Kent Smith on bass and Eric Johnson on drums.
Faults and All is a stripped down tune about how real love can be messy but is solid and true. This tune shows off Lockett’s fluid vocal skills and Curtis Kincaid’s colorful acoustic guitar strumming.
A lovely moment of passion is captured on the next song, In Your Arms. Now, Lockett’s strong lead is supported by Mboya’s tender backing vocal harmonies and spacey keyboards along with Kincaid’s grounded and soulful guitar work.
Next up is Angel, a soothing ballad showcasing, once again, the warm vocal skills of Michael Lockett. Heavenly strings sway over a sweet melody driven by acoustic and synth guitars as Lockett proclaims “God sent me an angel…”
Illuminate: YELLOW ends with the final track, Unspoken. Vibrant horns (Chris Greene on saxophone, John Moore, Jr. on trumpet, Bryant Smith on trombone) dart on top of the playful melody driven by the mixture of Afrobeat drumming of Eric Johnson, the moving bass of Kenery Kent Smith and energetic sounds of Kincaid and Mboya (on guitar and keyboard, respectively). Lockett and Mboya’s warm and cheerful vocal blend flows throughout the choruses as the group cherishes lifelong friendships.
Beautiful. Genre-defying. Uplifting. Ascendant takes you on a journey full of musical delight. Come along for the ride.
Illuminate is a concept album (e.g. Songs In the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder, Sign of the Times by Prince) done in 4 parts, spanning the band’s lives, loves, and hopes. It’s about false starts, comebacks and 2nd chances. It’s about perseverance -- having the strength to endure.
“The band went through changes while we were working on the album. We started with one set of members. That original set broke up and we began another one -- but then that set broke up, and we picked up another set. Life imitates art (and art) imitates life. We began to live what we were writing, and in the process of living it, that shaped what we were writing again.”
26 songs, 4 parts
Illuminate:
• BLUE: Wisdom
• GREEN: Rebirth
• YELLOW: Joy
• RED: Love
YELLOW finds Ascendant reminiscing on how music can touch the soul on the 1st track, Do You Remember. It’s a moody groove with warm harmonies from Renee Ruffin, Michael Lockett, Kael Mboya and a spiritually luminous synth solo by Kael Mboya ending with a pointed percussion solo by Michael Lockett.
It’s Not Over featuring Angela Johnson follows with its encouraging message, moving bassline and tight harmonies (Lockett, Johnson, Ruffin and Mboya). Its stellar lead vocals from Lockett and Johnson keep pace with the infectious production of Kael Mboya as they collectively encourage us to rise above.
The 3rd track, Simple takes a different turn and brings in the full band to help us take flight to heights unknown. Lockett’s harmonies float on top of a tight performance from band members Kael Mboya on piano and synths, Curtis Kincaid on guitar, Kenery Kent Smith on bass and Eric Johnson on drums.
Faults and All is a stripped down tune about how real love can be messy but is solid and true. This tune shows off Lockett’s fluid vocal skills and Curtis Kincaid’s colorful acoustic guitar strumming.
A lovely moment of passion is captured on the next song, In Your Arms. Now, Lockett’s strong lead is supported by Mboya’s tender backing vocal harmonies and spacey keyboards along with Kincaid’s grounded and soulful guitar work.
Next up is Angel, a soothing ballad showcasing, once again, the warm vocal skills of Michael Lockett. Heavenly strings sway over a sweet melody driven by acoustic and synth guitars as Lockett proclaims “God sent me an angel…”
Illuminate: YELLOW ends with the final track, Unspoken. Vibrant horns (Chris Greene on saxophone, John Moore, Jr. on trumpet, Bryant Smith on trombone) dart on top of the playful melody driven by the mixture of Afrobeat drumming of Eric Johnson, the moving bass of Kenery Kent Smith and energetic sounds of Kincaid and Mboya (on guitar and keyboard, respectively). Lockett and Mboya’s warm and cheerful vocal blend flows throughout the choruses as the group cherishes lifelong friendships.
Beautiful. Genre-defying. Uplifting. Ascendant takes you on a journey full of musical delight. Come along for the ride.
credits
released May 13, 2022
ASCENDANT is:
Kael Mboya – Vocals/Keyboards/Composer/Writer/Producer
Michael Lockett – Vocals/Writer/Percussion
Curtis Kincaid – Guitars/Composer/Vocals/Producer
Kenery Kent Smith – Bass
Eric Johnson – Drums
Renee Ruffin - Vocals
Illuminate: YELLOW features:
Chris Greene – Saxophone (on Unspoken)
John Moore, Jr. – Trumpet (on Unspoken)
Bryant Smith - Trombone (on Unspoken)
Chris Greene appears courtesy of Single Malt Recordings
Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Kael Mboya for Ascendant Music Inc. except:
Track 3, 7 recorded by Dennis Tousana at Soundmine Studios
Track 4 Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Curtis Kincaid
Track 4 vocals Recorded by Michael Lockett
Copyright 2022 Ascendant Music Inc./ Ascendant Sounds ASCAP
ASCENDANT is:
Kael Mboya – Vocals/Keyboards/Composer/Writer/Producer
Michael Lockett – Vocals/Writer/Percussion
Curtis Kincaid – Guitars/Composer/Vocals/Producer
Kenery Kent Smith – Bass
Eric Johnson – Drums
Renee Ruffin - Vocals
Illuminate: YELLOW features:
Chris Greene – Saxophone (on Unspoken)
John Moore, Jr. – Trumpet (on Unspoken)
Bryant Smith - Trombone (on Unspoken)
Chris Greene appears courtesy of Single Malt Recordings
Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Kael Mboya for Ascendant Music Inc. except:
Track 3, 7 recorded by Dennis Tousana at Soundmine Studios
Track 4 Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Curtis Kincaid
Track 4 vocals Recorded by Michael Lockett
Copyright 2022 Ascendant Music Inc./ Ascendant Sounds ASCAP
license
all rights reserved
tags
about
ASCENDANT Chicago, Illinois
Soulful Inspiring. Just a few words that people use to describe them & their artistry, and yet ASCENDANT is simply that, ascendant...rising above. ASCENDANT has been rising above their fears, their obstacles & creating meaningful, soul-filled music in an era when such artistic statements just aren't made but desperately needed. ASCENDANT rises... and asks us all to join them in flight ... more
discography
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May 2022 -
Oct 2019 -
Dec 2012 -
May 2021 -
Aug 2019 -
Dec 2003