"Give Us Free," Records
FLESHCOAT featuring DR E
Hailing from the home of the OJay’s, Levert, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Robert Lockwood Jr. and many others, Cleveland Ohio natives Fleshcoat Featuring Dr. E are the first act to be released on Give Us Free Records. Bringing sounds of R&B/Soul, Dr. E, the band’s first lady of soul, explains: “Our music is Grown Folks’ Music. Our vibe is about things that we all go through everyday-- loving each other, struggling, trying to feel happy even when you got billz and issues, spirituality and achievement. We are really spirit constrained in flesh. Our spirit wants to get out, to be free, but that freedom is fearful. And that’s what our music’s about--that journey.” All of the songs on ‘Coat of Flesh’ were co-written by producer/writer James D. Johnson and Elaine Richardson aka Dr. E. Explaining her name, Richardson says, “Everybody calls me Dr. E because I'm a professor." (Ohio State University)
Singing is something that Dr. E has done since she was a little girl, in church, in school choirs and in singing groups and bands. Influences from her favorite singers can be heard on songs like “In Joy,” “Grown Folks’Music,” “Sound of the Rain.” “Some people say I sound like Stephanie Mills others say Erykah Badu. I guess it depends on the type of song I’m singing and how I feel when I'm singing it. I love both of those ladies so it’s all good. My favorite singer of all time though is Patti Labelle. Mostly all of our fans love ‘Back to Work.’ That song is about having to have a job--sometimes you are blessed to have one that you love, but that may not be the case!! Most of us would rather be at home with our loved ones, chillin. Writing, singing, or performing, playing with our kidz or whatever. Word!”
The CD was released independently, on ‘Give Us Free,’ Records, on September 29, 2006, in State College, Pennsylvania, at Grown Folks’ Nite, a fundraiser that Dr. E started for the youth group that she advises. “The response this far has been amazing. People have been really supportive and showing us love. I feel like we just started doing music that night, although we’ve all been in this business since we were teenagers. I am enjoying the journey.” Well said, by a lady that has triumphed through many storms with the help of the Almighty God, Yahweh Elohim.