Jzabehl 'self-titled' album

Truth be told, it's not easy being poised to become the next international female sensation. Empowering and socially conscious Latinas united under the name JZABEHL, known for their forceful lyrics and eclectic musical offerings, once found it difficult to be heard. In a time where top industry executives are more likely to create stars rather than gravitate to those with natural abilities, it's no wonder why groups like JZABEHL were once overlooked and overshadowed. But deprived music fans look no further.

JZABEHL has arrived! JZABEHL is America's latest import. A six-piece band led by Dominican divas Roxiny Rivas and Keiry Valdez-- both come military families and world travelers-- the electrifying duo are clearly talented wordsmiths and masters on rewriting the rules on courtship, romance, fun and love. Unable to be pigeonholed by traditional music labels, JZABEHL breaks all barriers and provides international fans withtantalizing music for every occasion.

"[Our music is] ultimately a combination of everything we love and listen to," says Roxiny, the exotic rocker of the group who was born in Dominican Republic and raised primarily in Southern Spain and Italy but now lives in the United States. "It's different, hip-hop with Latin alternative influences," she says. Her seductive fashion sense, like her music, is also a blend of diverse influences. This Japanimation trendsetter gravitates to Moroccan and aphrodisiac styles that capture the mood of her music.

Listeners may at times think they are hearing Sade, when all of a sudden they get a taste of No Doubt, Alicia Keyes and U2 all wrapped up in one. Inspired by The Cranberries, Depeche Mode, Buena Vista Social Club, Operation Ivy, to Juan Luis Guerra, Fiona Apple and the classical Beethoven, the vibrant duo take their cues from rock, pop, R & B, hip-hop, reggae, reggaetÛn, flamenco and bachata to create a fusion of their very own.

"There are a lot of different influences that are based around our Latin roots and upbringing," adds the Bohemian chic Keiry, whose fashion style can be categorized as Betty Boop meets Pam Grier. Keiry grew up listening to merengue, bachata at home and hip-hop, reggae, and R & B with friends. Whether singing playing or writing music, these vast sounds become apparent in her work.

In JZABEHL's self-titled, debut album, the group draws from personal experiences and its members combine their unique storytelling abilities to create songs that depict the lives of today's everyday women. These ladies, like themselves, represent a broad and multi-faceted group of individuals-- from role models to vagabonds they've encountered throughout their travels. "We wanted the group to represent who we are," explains Roxiny, who is currently taking Flamenco and belly dancing lessons, in addition to kick boxing and boxing. She, like her counterpart loves languages. Roxiny speaks Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian and French while Keiry is fluent in Spanish, English and French and has some knowledge of German. Like twin sisters, both tend to complete each other's thoughts. Take the band's name, for instance. "JZABEHL was inspired by Kiery's favorite Sade song [Jezebel]," says Roxiny. "With that, I began researching the significance behind the name and took the meaning as a strong woman. We want to portray that strength."

JZABEHL bridges gaps between generations like musical tastes by addressing complicated issues affecting today's society like HIV/AIDS and poverty alongside less controversial subject matters like love and dating. "øAhora Que?" (Now What?), is the group's heartfelt tribute to those living with HIV and AIDS, an unspoken problem within Latin America. "We can't put them under quarantine and forget about them," says Keiry. "We want to lift the veil," adds Roxiny. "We feel very strongly about the issue and want to speak to the taboo that exists in our countries."

"She Said" examines the painful reality of poverty, reminding listeners of the daily struggles facing many around the world. "People don't like to look at poverty," says Keiry, as the group tells the story of one particular woman and her encounters with her bleak fate. "It's about feeling hopeless," adds Roxiny. "Not having opportunities and being in same rut. It's very real."

On the flip side, JZABEHL addresses addiction, depression, and heartache and balances those tunes with anthems about self-empowerment and girl power. "Emotional Revolver" tells the honest truth about vulnerability behind love. With an aggressive tone, the song puts gut feelings under the microscope. "It's All About Me" is a girl power anthem celebrating confidence, self-indulgence and promoting the beauty of commanding respect for what you believe in. It starts and ends with women putting themselves first. The sensual gypsy-like ballad "Open My Eyes" (Bi-lingual) highlights being in love, being strong and moving on, while the feel-good reggae rhythms of "O' I Know" addresses love encounters of the best kind.

Currently residing in New York, the inseparable duo first met as a result of an introduction by Kiery's sister, who attended college with Roxiny. The two were drawn to their commonalities and became members of a short-lived Latin, all-girl pop group. Not the perfect fit, the two made a conscious split shortly after and ventured on their own-- sparking a long-lasting friendship, ubiquitous music and, of course, JZABEHL.

Discovered by March 3rd Records founder A. Haqq Islam (the gifted producer behind hit makers Dru Hill, Sisqo and Mya) at a 2003 open-call talent search in the Miami area, JZABEHL was signed immediately by the independent record label. A local radio announcement had gotten them to the audition, but it was their originality, guitar playing ability and effervescent talent that got them signed. "Their music was so fresh and new, we knew we had to do it ourselves," says Islam. "We produced the album and video before we sought out a distributor."

With March 3rd Records by their side, the group began booking their own college tours, TV and radio appearances in an attempt to "make it," all along rehearsing and developing their craft. The hard work paid off as March 3rd Records signed an unprecedented distribution deal in 2005 with Sony BMG/Sony Norte and Columbia Records to distribute JZABEHL's debut album. "They overwhelmed them," proudly states Islam. "JZABEHL has had the faith, courage and determination to succeed and continue to develop their craft in the face of such opposition or adversity."

The result of their intense labor is the much-anticipated release of JZABEHL in Spring '06. Containing 14 tracks of contagious alternative, hip-hop, Caribbean, and gypsy rhythms, the album represents the musical sensibility that is currently lacking in the marketplace. "The music is their music," says Islam. "JZABEHL doesn't sound like anyone else," notes Islam. "Their sound is a combination of their experiences. Every song on the album that they sing, they wrote."

The first single off the album "Naughty Boys," produced by the Luny Tunes, is JZABEHL's ode to the players who think they know a thing or two about the art of macking. Giving them a mouth full about what it really takes to earn the respect of a woman, JZABEHL's message behind the pep talk rings loud and clear. "The song was written from both our experiences," says Roxiny. "Actions speak louder of the words is the message of the song — think before you speak."

So sit back and enjoy the ride guys because frankly, the chase just won't ever be the same.

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Jzabehl - self-titled