Yes, the new CD's been out for a while now, so in a perfect PR world, you would have read this article months ago. But considering how many times the release of Suzanne Palmer's debut album was postponed, perhaps it is only fitting to showcase this amazing artist belatedly.
Many singers have valiantly attempted to build their careers around the dance floor. More than a few have succeeded, to be sure. But for the most part, sadly, American audiences are still somewhat obstinate when it comes to fully embracing this genre or allowing much in the way of crossover.
Suzanne Palmer, however, has delicately straddled that fine line for years and is now better poised than ever to finally make the jump. Ever since she first seduced club-goers back in 1997 with her sultry and sassy vocals on several tracks of Club 69's seminal Style (Twisted America), Palmer has solidly established herself as a formidable presence in the dance music arena. Backed by long-time collaborator and Grammy award-winner Peter Rauhofer and signed to his influential independent label, Star 69 Records, Palmer has finally made Home, her long-awaited debut artist album, a reality.
It's been a long journey for Palmer, to say the least. After recovering from the disappointment of having her first album shelved when Tribal America shut its doors back in the nineties, Palmer must have been awfully nervous while working on this album in light of the many unexpected delays she encountered, the most welcome of which was the arrival of her baby girl, Nora, whom she adopted from China in 2003 with her husband and manager, Jeff.
Rather than wait for the finished product, she and Rauhofer decided to begin releasing singles, ultimately spawning a number of chart-topping hits that comprise a solid chunk of the new CD. "It's just life taking its turns," Palmer offers, contemplating the album's deferred journey. "It also took a while to coordinate all the different producers and their schedules," she adds. "But it was worth it. It's all good, no filler."
So how does a classically-trained daughter of a Midwestern Jazz pianist with an impressive yet relatively conservative resume find herself belting out era-defining house music anthems? While other projects – gospel choirs, televised performances like "Showtime At The Apollo" and backing up Gloria Estefan on The Oprah Winfrey Show ("I was the white girl on the left") - certainly allowed her the freedom to explore her diverse range, it's clearly dance music where she's found a home and perhaps her best voice yet.
Beyond whatever success Palmer has enjoyed on the dance floor with her past repertoire, her music has thus far stood the test of time with each song becoming a modern day classic in its own right. One only has to observe the huge reaction DJs still invoke whenever "Twisted," "Alright," or her collaboration with Absolute UK, "I Believe," finds its way onto the turntable.
Among the many producers Palmer has worked with over the past decade, none has played as prominent or influential a role as Peter Rauhofer. "I really trust my voice in Peter's capable hands," she confides. Enough so, apparently, to even follow his lead outside the studio to shoot the album's cover art and other publicity shots not just in front of Rauhofer's lens, but in his laundry room, no less.
Other powerhouse producers like Cevin Fisher ("Eye Can See U" is a potent track just begging for release and "Luv 2 Luv" has already achieved massive success), Angel Moraes ("I Want You"), Dezrok ("One Day"), longtime collaborator Eric Kupper ("The Days," "Fascinated") and Beat Hustlerz ("Home"), among others, were recruited to add their own unique touches. Palmer also contributed lyrics to several of the songs. Buoyed by the experience, she's already working on material for her next album.
So will she finally break out and cross over to radio and other mainstream venues? It seems inevitable, but, alas, remains to be seen.
Always looking ahead and anxious to tackle the next chapter in her career, Palmer isn't about to rest on her laurels or spend too much time reflecting on the past. Instead, she promises her faithful fans and future converts alike that it won't be long until she's once again showering them with yet another wave of epic anthems. "I'm very proud of finally getting the album out after so much work and so many delays," she says. "But I still have a million ideas and so many things to work on."
