Canada’s international blues artist Shakaura S’Aida signs deal with German record label and releases new CD — Brown Sugar — in Canada and the US April 13.

The German record company Ruf Records has announced the signing of one of the hottest names on Canada's blues and jazz scenes, singer Shakura S'Aida.

The release of her label debut CD, Brown Sugar, is set for Tuesday April 13 in the U.S. and Canada. The CD will be formally launched in
North America at a celebration/concert event at Revival in TorontoApril 14.

Soon to become a favorite in the U.S., Shakura S'Aida (pronounced Shack-OO-ra Sigh-EE-da) has already built a strong reputation in Canada and Europe, thanks to frequent touring. She was the first runner-up at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2008 and has been a multiple nominee at Canada's Maple Blues Awards for the past four years. 

Brown Sugar was produced and engineered by celebrated producer Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana, Steve Miller in Tennessee. Of the album's dozen tracks, 10 are originals co-written by S'Aida and her guitarist Donna Grantis - a dramatic departure from her 2006 CD, Blueprint, on which she only wrote two of the tracks. The rest of the players on the recording are Lance Anderson on organ, Rick Steff on keyboards, Steve Potts on drums and Dave Smith on bass.

Brown Sugar showcases S'Aida's powerful, smoldering vocal style, which has made her an international favorite on the club and festival circuit. Her dynamic stage presence never fails to ignite the crowds that experience her power-packed delivery in-person.

Shakura S'Aida was born in Brooklyn, raised in Switzerland, and has been based in Toronto for many years. Also an accomplished actress and voice-over specialist, she's appeared in a number of stage productions, television series and films.

After her current tour, she's booked for two more tours in Europe, as well as the St. John Blues Festival in the U.S. Virgin Islands next month, plus other concerts and festivals in Canada and the U.S. Shakura S'Aida is booked by Steve Hecht of Piedmont Talent.

Ruf Records is distributed in the Canada and the U.S. by the Allegro Corporation, and Ruf is releasing the album world-wide. Already released in Europe, Brown Sugar is S'Aida's second CD, and she's completed the first of three extensive European tours to support the new album.

A sneak preview of the CD is available - a key track, "Angels on High", is available as a download on the singer's website - www.shakurasaida.com - with all proceeds donated to Haitian relief efforts.