The profundity of their impact was such that Carlton has their names tattooed up and down both of his arms. All the while, via records, his mother introduced him to the mastery of Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Joe Tex, Marvin Gaye, Johnnie Taylor, Al Green, the Temptations and so many more. The experience of seeing “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud”- era James Brown, his 16-piece orchestra, singers and dancers left an indelible imprint on Carlton. It was his mother who shepherded an 8-year-old Carlton to see The James Brown Revue at the legendary Apollo Theater – a venue that was not only hallowed ground for Brown (who recorded several incendiary live albums there) but sacred turf for all Black entertainers. Naturally, his R E S P E C T for, and understanding of, women, runs very high which is apparent by the lyrical content of his love songs. Corrine Brown.Ĭarlton Jumel Smith was born May 11 in Harlem – and specifically raised in Spanish Harlem – with three sisters and his mother. Smith lays first credit due at the feet of his mother, Ms. And like so many self-respecting Soul men, Mr. Smith is an entertainer, fortified by the traditions of golden eras past yet with razor sharp ears and eyes for the platinum-plus present. He had the honor of portraying his greatest musical hero, James Brown, in the Barry Levinson film “Liberty Heights” (1999), and had a lead role opposite Cyndi Lauper in the off-Broadway musical “Largo” (about the life of Czech classical composer Antonín Dvořák). He has released several recordings including 2019’s critically acclaimed 1634 Lexington Avenue. Smith is a world-renowned, honest to ‘Good-God’ Soul Man – a self-made singer, songwriter, producer and actor who has set concert stages on fire from Shanghai and Helsinki to Russia, Turkey, London, France and, of course his hometown New York City. Living in America in a time when far too many in power are completely devoid of Soul, it takes a Super Soul Man to keep the scales tipped to at least a Detroit lean for ‘stone to the bone’ balance! THAT brother is Carlton Jumel Smith.
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