Of the artists that I have worked with this past year and those that continue to inspire me, Anthony Hamilton has a voice and persona that carries the torch for Soul Music.  He has that fat rich incredible voice that holds up with the best of the traditional Soul singers of the 60’s & 70’s, yet is immediately accessible to a new generation and always fresh in his delivery, making him one of those rare contemporary artists creating records that could prove to be classics decades from now.  He is also a humble and conscious person, 100% committed to the integrity of his music and work.

I am especially thankful to him for recording the title song I wrote for film Soul Men (Sam Jackson, Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes), which was nominated for a this year’s Grammy’s.  I knew when I wrote the song for Malcom Lee’s film - an original piece that had to sound like a classic Soul hit from the Memphis Stax Records (Sam & Dave, Wilson Picket) era of the early 70’s - that Anthony was the perfect voice to deliver that timeless sound.  Being a prolific and successful songwriter himself, Anthony Hamilton almost never records songs by other people.  With Soul Music, however, we hit a common note that resonated for both of us, the filmmakers and the audience.

The only other cover that I’ve heard Anthony perform recently was for the opening of a beautifully-made documentary called Soundtrack for a Revolution.  Soundtrack tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music -the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. The film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists, including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, and Ambassador Andrew Young.

The freedom songs evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the black church.  The music enabled blacks to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence.  The infectious energy of the songs swept people up and empowered them to fight for their rights.

Soul Music as a genre has evolved out of black spirituals - music that expresses from the soul.  Since the 60’s, as a musical crossing between Gospel roots and popular R&B, the subject matter has broadened tremendously - from party & dance favorites to sultry love songs - but the essence of the style and the singers that have maintained the roots in their evolution and commercial appeal still has that uncanny ability to touch us deep in our own hearts and souls.

With the devastating tradegy in Haiti filling the headlines and drawing attention and much needed support from around the globe, I wanted to bring some more awareness to musicians and artistS who have either been doing ongoing work or are now joining forces to help one of the most desimated populations in the Western Hemisphere.

Most people know that musical superstar Wyclef Jean is of Haitian decent, but not everyone knows of his ongoing efforts to use his music and success to give support, rebuild and inspire his home country.  In 2005, he established the Yéle Haiti Foundation which, in its firs 2 years of operation, provided scholarships to over 7,000 children in Haiti, following the devastation of Hurricane Jeanne. This past week, along with his uncle, Raymond Alcide Joseph - a political activist, journalist and  Haitian Ambassador to the United States since 2005, Wyclef has been heavily campaigning for international aid for relief from the devastation of the earthquake.  Wyclef, who has been a creative inspriation to the fans and the global music community with with his amazing musical talents and his conscious lyrics since his early days with the Fugees, is clearly walking the talk and rising to the call.

Other music and artist projects that have turned their focus to helping the Haiti earthquake relief programs include:

•Music For Relief is offering a compilation of unreleased music, available for free download on MusicForRelief.org. The site encourages donations, which will be divided equally among the United Nations Foundation, Habitat For Humanity, and Dave Matthews Band’s BAMA Works Haitian relief program.

•Artists For Peace and Justice is a relatively new organization with an advisory board of prominent celebrity activists, including Maria Bello, Madeleine Stowe, Charlize Theron, Oliver Stone and Josh Brolin. Founded by filmmaker Paul Haggis, the group originally sought to help build functional schools in impoverished regions in Haiti. Since the earthquake, they’ve directed all of their funds to recovery efforts with a focus on helping to rebuild schools, hospitals and orphanages.

I’m sure their are many other musicians and artists around the globe turning their energy and support toward Haiti at this time. As successful artists, we have the unique ability to not only provide support and create awareness, but to create a sense of inpsiration and hope by uniting people through the music itself.

A final note: Aside from those artists and organizations mentioned here, there are many dedicated people and organizations working tirelessly to bring relief to the crisis and, most importantly, to the children of Haiti.  You can learn about many of them through a list compiled by the Huffington Post at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/haiti-earthquake-relief-h_n_421014.html.