Japanese Soul Singer Nao Yoshioka Debut Album 'The Light' Released in North America

'The Light', Nao Yoshioka's Debut Album Officially Released in North America by Purpose Music Group and NIA Distribution on July 17, 2015. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) July 18, 2015 - In May 2015, Purpose Music Group and NIA Distribution announced that the United States and Canada release of the debut album 'The Light' by the Japanese soul singer Nao Yoshioka would be rescheduled for July 17, 2015.

Purpose Music Group and NIA Distribution added, "Nao's April 2015 promotional tour in New York was very successful highlighted by a sold out performance at the Lucille's/BBKing's Soul Factory event which gained her many new soul music fans. The excitement and word of mouth from that event is starting to spread and we feel to best take advantage of this for Nao is to continue to build the anticipation for her release and closer coordination between the two camps.

The first single 'Make the Change' has been gaining momentum on blog sites such as Soulbounce, Singersroom, Soultracks, Grown Folks Music and Soultrain in addition to college and internet radio. Influential Urban Adult Contemporary DC based WHUR-FM has also just started to play 'Make the Change'.

The music video for 'Make the Change' premiered on popular lifestyle urban website www.thecouchsessions.com on May 26."

Purpose Music Group co-founder George Littlejohn says, "We are excited SWEET SOUL RECORDS in Japan chose to partner with us at Purpose Music Group and Nia Distribution to introduce the very talented Nao Yoshioka to the American soul market".

Nao has been on the radar in Japan for a couple of years after releasing a break out song called "Make the Change" from her anticipated debut album 'The Light' which was released domestically on SWEET SOUL RECORDS.

'The Light' draws upon emotions and feel good energy to self-esteem and loving oneself, to strong messages of change and hope. Known as a progressive soul singer, Nao also pays homage to the masters and delves into the classics and Gospel while also dabbling in Rock and Funk.

Yoshioka tackles Etta James, Sam Cooke, and Nina Simone with sophistication, dedication and tremendous style. Her renditions are crisp and splendor capturing the era eerily. Hard to believe she's a powerful young soulstress and still in her 20's. There's even a live recording tribute to Marvin Gaye.

'The Light' will take you back to Motown and a walk down memory lane to a distinct unique pattern that's both fresh and inspiring.

Production, songwriting and guests include Shirma Rouse (The Netherlands), Brian Owens (US), ORLY (Australia), Sacha Vee (New Zealand), Dani Elliott (US), and Takuya Kuroda (Japan) the gifted Blue Note Records-signed Japanese trumpeter based in New York who plays a central role in the José James' band. 'The Light' was recorded in three different countries, the U.S., Japan, and The Netherlands with artists from 5 different nations. This project is bound to receive a lot of recognition purely for the exchanges and crossing borders.

Nao is poised to be the first soul singer from Japan to create a splash in the U.S and put her distinct next generation soul on the map!

About Purpose Music Group:
-Purpose Music Group LLC, founded and is co-owned by Russell Johnson and George Littlejohn - An all encompassing, full service, music-based content, entertainment company.
-The foundation of Purpose is a management company that focuses on the management of producers, artists, songwriters, DJs, and film directors. -Purpose Records, the independent music label, was founded in 2001. The initial goal was to provide an outlet for quality, adult orientated, soul music (Grown Folks Music). The label naturally evolved from the management company.
-The licensing department handles international and domestic master licenses, as well as TV and film synch licensing, viral marketing, alternative retail consulting, tour development, and talent buying.
-The Purpose mission is to create, market, and expose quality adult oriented music in multiple genres including urban adult contemporary, soul, R&B, dance, jazz, singer-songwriter, triple-A and music that is not genre specific.

About SWEET SOUL RECORDS:
-SWEET SOUL RECORDS, parent company LIFESOUND, Inc., is based in Tokyo and our goal is to "spread real music" and promote the artists who create real music.
-We are focused on select artists, those in the Soul, Jazz, R&B, Funk, and Gospel, and deliver their music to soul music listeners worldwide, not only Japan. At present we distribute music for more than 80 artists and titles from 29 different countries, including Japan.
-With the "Make the Change Project" and tours, we have exposed the Japanese culture to great soul music artists from all over the world, while simultaneously showing the world that Japan also has talented soul artists. The Make the Change Project is a collaboration between 8 talented soul artists from the US, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Contact:
Purpose Music Group/Nia Distribution
Email: purposemusicgroup ( @ ) gmail dot com
Website: http://www.purposerecords.com/

SWEET SOUL RECORDS
Email: info ( @ ) sweetsoulrecords dot com
Phone: +81 3 6416 8690
Website: http://www.sweetsoulrecords.com/

North America PR
Fiona Bloom
The Bloom Effect
Email: fiona ( @ ) thebloomeffect dot com

iTunes and social media links for Nao Yoshioka:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-light/id1005336986?ls=1
Website: http://world.naoyoshioka.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naoyoshiokasweetsoul
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAO_WORLDWIDE
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nao_yoshioka
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/channels/naoyoshioka

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