She sings the way folks used to - from the soles of their feet, from the down deep of their souls. The way somewhere, in a church at the side of a red clay road, somebody is still singing. Her voice is at once powerful and agile, controlled and utterly unfettered. Lisala sings the song you have been listening for.

A vocalist, songwriter and producer, Lisala has developed a futuristic soul and R and B sound that is sanctified by lush motifs that call vocal pioneers like Chaka Khan, Ella Fitzgerald, the Clark Sisters, and Patti Austin to mind. Her powerhouse pipes and innovative compositions make for a listening experience that is both brand new and old as earth.

Lisala started her solo project in November 2000. She opened for Motown recording artist India Arie at Image Nations's Film Festival in 2001, marking Lisala's emergence on the NYC underground music scene. Lisala's compositions and vocal arrangements have been featured in performances at such New York City venues as SOB's, BAM Cafe, Joe's Pub, and The Knitting Factory, among others.

For more than three years, Lisala has also lent her unforgettable stylings to Burnt Sugar, an ensemble of 14+ musicians who perform conduction - the conducted improv form originated by Butch Morris. Burnt Sugar has been featured on BET on Jazz, Central Park Summerstage, and Royal Festival Hall in London among others. Burnt Sugar was the recipient of the coveted Arts International grant in 2003. Lisala also performs with fellow soul musicians Angela Johnson, Leanin' 6, and Tamar Kali.

A seventies baby, raised in Brooklyn, New York, she was surrounded by soul. "The house was always filled with soulful music. I started singing at age 3 or 4 and my mom paraded me around her job where I would sing 'Best of My Love' by the Emotions to all her co-workers". While still an elementary school student, seeing girls her age on 'Star Search' inspired her to get serious and begin to train herself. "I would go to my grams' bedroom where there were good acoustics and I would sing for hours facng the wall. I didn't study with a teacher as a child, but I was a good mimic and that's how I learned to mold my voice".

In high school, Lisala and four classmates formed Revelation, a female a cappella quintet patterned after Sweet Honey in the Rock. "We sang African music in several languages, from all over the continent, while also exploring our own musical tradition, from Stevie Wonder's 'I Wish' to 'La Costa' by Natalie Cole. I learned so much about harmonizing during that time". Sweet Honey in the Rock took notice and invited Revelation to perform with them on several occasions.

While an undergrad at the Univ. of Penn's Wharton School, Lisala discovered the songwriter within. "'Take My Hand' is a song that was conceived during my time in college, an has special meaning to me". Songwriting has become a passion to Lisala and is evident on her release 'Get It'. "I'm loving the production side of musical creation as much as singing right now. I strive for a sound that is grounded in conversational rhythm and soulful grit", she says.

While this is her first album, it has been more than a minute in the making. 'Get It' will pilot you into sonic outer space.