Publication: Billboard [US]
Date: April 22, 1995
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Title: "Rosie Gaines Goes From 'Diamonds' to a Motown Gem In Her Own Setting"
Written By: J.R. Reynolds

LOS ANGELES With the release of her debut Motown set, ''Closer Than Close,'' on June 6, vocalist/pianist Rosie Gaines is finally realizing her career dream of writing and producing her own album.

The Pittsburg, Calif., native was previously signed to Paisley Park and was the female voice on the 1991 double-platinum album '' Diamonds And Pearls' ' by Prince& the New Power Generation.

In 1994, Paisley Park was scheduled to release an album by Gaines, but the label folded. (Her only previous solo album, ''Caring,'' was released by Epic in 1984.) Though she treasures her Paisley experience, Gaines regards her album's cancellation as an opportunity.

''The sound wasn't really mine, but the producer's,'' says Gaines. ''My situation at Motown gives me a chance to show people who I am as an artist.''

To maintain her identity, Gaines tapped her husband, Frances Jules, and close friend Dana Bailey to pen the album's lyrics, while crafting most of the musical arrangements herself.

In all, Gaines presented 30 songs to Motown's A&R department for consideration; 13 made the disc, as well as several cover songs.

Gaines says, ''I went in a lot of different directions on those songs, but Motown narrowed the field down to tracks that had common underlying elements.''

Most of the tracks on ''Closer Than Close'' combine a soulful feel with a traditional reggae vibe.

Gaines cites reggae giants such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer as lyric-writing influences. In fact, the album includes covers of two Marley songs ''Turn The Lights Down Low'' and ''Concrete Jungle.''

Gaines was raised on the rougher side of town, but her music reflects a softness and spirituality. ''I learned early on that everything is a state of mind and you can overcome anything if your head is right,'' she says.

Says Steve McKeever, Motown's executive VP of talent and creative affairs, ''She's a great communicator of feelings of passion. I've always said the goal of recording is not just putting the music on tape, but including the emotion as well.''

Assisting Gaines with production duties was Bob Margola, whose production credits include the Stevie Wonder albums ''Songs In The Key Of Life,'' ''Music Of My Mind,'' and ''Talking Book.''

Motown regards Gaines as a multiformat artist and will market her music accordingly.

The first single, ''I Want You,'' is being offered with several remixes, including a version produced by the artist formerly known asPrince.Ruth Burghardt, Motown's associate director of product development, says the Prince -produced version will be serviced to top 40 mainstream radio following the R&B and dance mixes, which will be issued to appropriate stations and clubs April 25. The videoclip uses the R&B-flavored track.

Burghardt says, ''The (R&B) version is a bit slower, with more of an edge, while the dance version has 125 beats per minute. The original track only has 113.''

Motown sent Gaines on a national promotion tour aimed at retailers and radio programmers beginning March 20 that features the artist accompanying herself on piano. Gaines will also perform at PGD's managing directors' conference in Seville, Spain, in late April.

The label is also employing a multiformat approach with press, pitching to publications including Vogue, Essence, Vanity Fair, Ebony, Jet,Interview, Spin, and Rolling Stone.

The label plans Canadian and European tours prior to the album's foreign release, which is simultaneous with the domestic street date. A U.S. tour is in the works, although no dates have been set.