LINDA LEE HOPKINS
Linda, you already know her, without really knowing her. Because in 2002, she piloted The beat goes on, DJ Bob Sinclar's house hit; because she directed Gospel for 100 voices, an XXL choir that has filled Bercy several times. It's a big leap, in line with the way she embraces music: a matter of emotions and feeling, not labels. A deep love that goes back to the childhood of this American native of North Carolina. When her father's amateur gospel group rehearsed at home, when the microphone was a hairbrush in front of a mirror reflecting a little girl imitating Aretha, Otis and Michael. As a young adult, winning a singing contest in a Pennsylvania club gave her confidence. Linda is gifted at embodying songs and drawing audiences along with her. Word of mouth opened doors for her. Under her spell, several bands recruited her in the seventies, until she set up her own band in 1980. She was then hired by a musical that ran for several years in Atlantic City. A few years on the Caribbean island of Saint-Martin followed, before a guardian angel extricated her from a nightlife that was beginning to burn her wings.Off to Paris. In June 1991, Linda settled in for good. A godsend for France, its studios and touring artists. Nino Ferrer, Bernard Lavilliers, Gloria Gaynor, Percy Sledge, Ray Charles and many others called on Linda's expertise. As did Ben l'Oncle Soul in 2013 for Hallelujah!!! (J'ai tant besoin de toi), the lead single from his second album "À Coup de Rêves". Ben knew that this treasure of a voice deserved a new light. He introduced her to his long-time guitarist partner Christophe Lardeau. The chemistry is clear and naturally fruitful, and the compositions are deep and meaningful. For the first time, Linda has her own album. Drawing on the rich roots of Afro-American music and her own personal experience, "Spirit & Soul" encapsulates all the vitality of a hidden gem that we are at last truly discovering. With a repertoire like this, upcoming concerts promise to be particularly intense encounters.
YOU SAVED ME
A full-bodied groove springs from a keyboard and a pulse rooted in the seething seventies.
Gospel, funk, soul and blues all move forward together, united by the generous voice of an exceptional singer, who has worked so hard in the service of others, and finally opens wide the door to her debut album, "Spirit & Soul", scheduled for release on May 31st 2024 on Enchanté, Ben l'Oncle Soul's label.
JUST BELIEVE
Linda Lee Hopkins' second single "Just Believe" from the album "Spirit & Soul" finally available !
GIVE IT ALL TO YOU
Discover the 3rd single from the album "Spirit & Soul"