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STRANGE FRUIT

GAME CHANGER


Laranah Phipps Ray is a multi-talented vocalist, songwriter, producer, and influencer. Laranah, is a one-of-a-kind cosmically wired entertainer. Yet, she isn't afraid to break the rules and push the boundaries of our perception with her deeply rooted musicality and explosive scat execution.

Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, her drive, focus, and tenacity are relentless and unstoppable forces on the music circuit. Laranah Phipps Ray creates music designed to awaken and inspire a higher level of consciousness in humanity.

“La Funkalicious is a Game Changer indeed. The concept of the album and the band La Funkalicious was made manifest to me, while I slept. I dreamed I was on stage with four female horn players, draped in long. flowing Cosmic Pageantry, and we were blazing. The MC, who reminded me of an angel, introduced me as Jazz Priestess and he called my band La Funkalicious. As I took the stage, the songs flashed before me as light. I could see, hear and, feel the Jazz infused Funk blending effortlessly with Sun Ra’s Afrofuturism. When I awoke from the dream, I was on fire. I confided the dream to a few of my inner circle and feverishly went to work for three years making Game Changer - Laranah Phipps Ray "La Funkalicious a Reality” Laranah recalls.

Kym Miller produced the entire album. He is a consummate hit maker, guitarist, and the co-founder of the legendary Gold Certified Group, "Instant Funk". He masterfully weaves a mix of high-energy Jazz, Soul, Funk, and Afrofuturism.



RECENT PRESS


"I grew up listening to music constantly. Both my Mother and my Father were jazz musicians. The first movie I ever saw was Lady Sings the Blues in 1972. I was 7 years old and I was hooked, I knew the lyrics to most of the sound track. Ms. Ross’s portrayal of Billie Holiday reminded me very much of my Mother. The following year, I was taken to NYC to see “Raisin” That theatre production opened me. If I had not gotten into music, I don’t think would be alive today... " - volatileweekly.com"

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"Laranah Phipps Ray gives a truly outstanding vocal performance that serves as a spectacular display of impeccable phrasing, astounding dynamic control, and tonal precision. The sheer amount of charisma and character in her voice makes for a thoroughly engaging performance... "   - Jango.com

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"Laranah brings her distinctive sound, phrasing, and storytelling to the table. Noted for her dynamic scatting, five-octave range, improvisational facility, and volcanic grasp of groove, Ray has a voice laced with a certain ancient richness, an instrument that soars with a distinct yet familiar soul and power.... "  - tinnitist.com

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"A fearless rendezvous of precision and skill, cosmically-wired jazz-R&B artist Laranah Phipps Ray and La Funkalicious unveil the majestic and unbridled new single, “Jazz Crimes” ... findyoursounds.com

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"Vocalist Laranah Phipps Ray has just released the first single from her upcoming album, Game Changer. She calls it “Afrofuturistic jazz/funk/R&B.” She scats and soars with a five-octave range, accompanied by a talented ensemble called La Funkalicious ..." - www.pghcitypaper.com

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"Una cita intrépida de precisión y habilidad, la artista de jazz-R&B de Nueva Orleans con conexión cósmica Laranah Phipps Ray y La Funkalicious presentan el majestuoso y desenfrenado nuevo sencillo, “Jazz Crimes”, ¡disponible ahora! ..." - pipilopop.com

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GAME CHANGER


Laranah Phipps Ray is a multi-talented vocalist, songwriter, producer, and influencer. Laranah, is a one-of-a-kind cosmically wired entertainer. Yet, she isn't afraid to break the rules and push the boundaries of our perception with her deeply rooted musicality and explosive scat execution.

Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, her drive, focus, and tenacity are relentless and unstoppable forces on the music circuit. Laranah Phipps Ray creates music designed to awaken and inspire a higher level of consciousness in humanity.

“La Funkalicious is a Game Changer indeed. The concept of the album and the band La Funkalicious was made manifest to me, while I slept. I dreamed I was on stage with four female horn players, draped in long. flowing

Cosmic Pageantry, and we were blazing. The MC, who reminded me of an angel, introduced me as Jazz Priestess and he called my band La Funkalicious. As I took the stage, the songs flashed before me as light. I could see, hear and, feel the Jazz infused Funk blending effortlessly with Sun Ra’s Afrofuturism. When I awoke from the dream, I was on fire. I confided the dream to a few of my inner circle and feverishly went to work for three years making Game Changer - Laranah Phipps Ray & La Funkalicious a Reality” Laranah recalls.

Kym Miller produced the entire album. He is a consummate hit maker, guitarist, and the co-founder of the legendary Gold Certified Group, "Instant Funk." He masterfully weaves a mix of high-energy Jazz, Soul, Funk, and Afrofuturism.skill. 


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LA FUNKALICIOUS

The magic of La Funkalicious is their ability to infuse powerful, agile, complexed, exhilarating lead vocals with hard-hitting, sweet and perfectly blended background vocals against highly sophisticated horn-driven harmonies, and a tour-de-force rhythm section, under the current of danceable, infectious grooves, blending elements of jazz, funk, rock and Afrofuturism, augmented by tribal fusion choreography.

La Funkalicious was founded and is fronted by bandleader, vocalist, songwriter, steel tongue drummer, and occasional keyboard player, Laranah Phipps-Ray (La). She is the daughter of jazz pioneer saxophonist, Gene Phipps Sr, and wife of the legendary trumpeter, Michael Ray of Kool & the Gang and Sun Ra Arkestra.

Weaving holographics, cosmic pageantry, pyrotechnics, sound and lighting effects, La Funkalicious, dubbed "Sun Ra's Angels" is the female component of Michael Ray's Cosmic Krewe. The duration of each touring show is typical between 60 and 90 minutes without an intermission.

Laranah writes for the band. Her songwriting style combines compelling lyrics, intricate arrangements, solid hooks, and a volcanic grasp of groove, which La Funkalicious executes with precision, style and discipline.

The La Funkalicious stage show is littered with Afrofuturistic flair and is guaranteed to bring the house down, night after night. Guitarist Kym Miller, one of the founding members of the critically acclaimed band "Instant Funk", is the music director and trumpeter Arnetta Johnson arranges the horn. On occasion, Arnetta sits first chair with the horns, when she isn't on tour with Beyoncé or her own band.

The La Funkalicious setlist includes smokin' original compositions and a few well-known, high energy classics. The show opens with a supersonic holographic montage, featuring Sun Ra.

La Funkalicious is a Satellite of Sun Ra

La Funkalicious is seasoned and professional. Collectively, the group has accumulated more than 40 years of playing stadiums, arenas, nightclubs, cruises and festivals. La Funkalicious is available for exclusive private events, as well as public concerts.

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