ssential R&B/Neo-Soul. What does that mean?

Well, if upstart producers Stewart McKenzie and David Burns have their way, it will come to mean but only one thing: McKenzie Burns Productions, Inc.

A veritable consortium of influences and flavors ranging from Quincy Jones, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to Brian McKnight and Stevie Wonder, the McKenzie-Burns story is one of destiny, determination, and dedication, culminating in a new business initiative with one goal: To forge an innovative platform on which neo-soul and jazz/Latin-inflected music can flourish and expand. The production company and recording label represents not only the hopes and dreams of its two principle co-founders, but also that of all the musicians, singers and supporters who have invested their energies, skill, time and faith in seeing the fruition of this project from mere idea to thriving reality.

Officially launched in January 2001, the Oak Park, Illinois-based production company/recording label has already made an impact with the release of the label’s eponymous debut, The McKenzie Burns Project. Featuring some of the most compelling music talents to ever grace a soul-flavored disc, the 14-track recording is a flawlessly sensual and intoxicating blend of moving rhythms and seductive vocals, buoyed by grooving sounds reminiscent of R&B’s colorful past and its multi-genre encompassing future.

Long before their momentous introduction in late 1999, Stewart McKenzie and David Burns were seemingly pre-destined to combine their vast talents and innate resources. While growing up in their respective environs (McKenzie in Dover, Delaware and Burns in Maywood, Illinois), music formed the basis of their early experiences. Both men are primarily self-taught musicians, having first been drawn to rhythm-making through bass and drum play as children, then soon advancing on to keyboards, electric strings and complex electronic explorations. Each created original compositions while still teenagers, honing not only their songwriting and performance skills, but delving into the intricacies of programming and producing as well.

No slouches when it comes to training and education (McKenzie has advanced degrees in Sociology and Urban Affairs/Public Policy and Burns is similarly degreed in Computer Science, with professional ties to IBM), they put their individual pursuits on hold (McKenzie’s Soul Affair funk combo and Burns’ own David Burns Project) in order to devote their considerable abilities to what would become McKenzie Burns Productions, Inc.

David Burns says, “The great thing is that we both respect each other’s opinions. We really try to understand the other person’s point of view. Collaborating on a process that is as subjective as music is extremely difficult – especially when the collaborators are passionate. We had to learn what each of our strengths were and then figure out how to maximize them in order to make each song great.”

The result of two years of blood, sweat, tears and battling egos is The McKenzie Burns Project, a recording that has music fans from all ages and disciplines swooning in praise. With sultry, bass-driven, jazzy/soul numbers “This Funky Groove”, “Diggin’ Ya Friend”, “Stay with Me”, the Latin bounce-infused “Be A Part Of You”, and current BabyFace-sounding single “Charisse”, this release crosses music boundaries and genres and validates all the years it has taken to achieve.

Says Burns, “The positive feedback let’s us know that we are capable of creating music that can’t be {reduced} to a simple term because it’s just too diverse. It’s been embraced by people who simply love music, regardless of their ethnicity, age or musical preferences.”

If the music world is seeking something worthwhile, original, refreshingly sincere and damn good to boot, then Stewart McKenzie and David Burns have the answer.

Label Roster: Chester Gregory; Zyanya; Derrick Holland; The Lounge Lizard; Joel-Johnson Friendly

Musicians: Eric Powell; Sawn T. Smith; Rene Rodriquez

Essential Release:The McKenzie Burns Project (2002)

Website:McKenzie Burns Project