Deni Hines www.denihines.info

Like soul for sensuality. Like sunshine for happiness.
Like Water For Chocolate.
This is the new album by Deni Hines.
Like you’ve never heard her before.
``I wanted this album to show how much I’ve grown as a
person and as an artist,’’ says Deni. ``Any true artist strives to
explore and get deeper into their craft.
``For me, this journey has been about being in control, but at
the same time, letting go. Performance without safety nets,’’
Deni laughs. ``Sing it the way you feel it.’’
That bold resolve underscores Water For Chocolate,
12 cuts of life, love and learning, and all undeniably Deni.
From summer-soaked handclaps in the title track, to the
stark beauty of New Day, to Cut It Up, a club banger
originally penned for Jennifer Lopez, Deni Hines is still on
point, and defining the game.
``I was on a mission with Cut It Up,’’ Deni says of the
track overseen by the LA-based production team, The Whole
9. ``I knew it was written for J-Lo, so I had to sing it so
wickedly she could never copy it.’’
Mission accomplished.
Deni also covers the beat-tastic classic, Ghetto Heaven,
Dusty Springfield’s Son Of A Preacher Man, and looks
at her own loves for lyrical inspiration.
``Some of the lines are tragically ironic,’’ Deni giggles.
``I had been single for so long, and I mean so long, and I’m
singing: `Raindrops fall on my naked body, I think of you.’
``The reality was, I couldn’t think of anybody. There was
nobody!’’ she laughs. ``Who are you? Where are you?
I was getting neither.’’
Yet, new songs Five Days Of Rain and Sweet Lovin’
simmer with sensuality and confident sexuality.
``I am happy and I am in love,’’ Deni declares.
``That changes the mood every time.
For two decades, the world has known the many moods of
Deni Hines. The daughter of celebrated singer Marcia Hines,
Deni’s destiny was a life in the spotlight.
Deni Hines is an ARIA Award-winning singer who has sold
1.3 million records worldwide, Top Ten hits in Australia, UK,
France and Japan (actually #1 in Japan) and collaborated
with superstars The Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce Knowles
and auteur Luc Beeson.
Knowles recorded Deni’s tune, Welcome,
with French hip hop crew, I:AM.
``I sang the song down the phone line, and Beyonce sang
it back,’’ Deni explains. ``A week later, I was in a recording
studio in Marseilles hearing Beyonce’s voice on my words.
That was a buzz.’’
Deni Hines is an acclaimed theatre star, with upbeat notices
for her roles in Dusty The Musical, Jesus Christ
Superstar and Big River.
She hosted cable music network Channel V’s Soul
Kitchen programme, with unmatched expertise of
all thangs urban.
Of course, Deni Hines had a head start.
Her first few singles, including It’s Not Over, That
Word L.O.V.E and Aint No Sunshine (with
The Rockmelons), It’s Alright and Imagination,
pre-empted the urban music explosion. It also established
Deni as Australia’s first lady of neo-soul.
``Back then, urban music wasn’t even recognised,’’
Deni sighs. ``I was considered a pop dance artist. Yet,
I was neither.’’
How things change.
Water For Chocolate is Deni’s first album in six years.
And suddenly, street soul is the soundtrack for a new generation.
``I have no concept of time,’’ Deni says. ``And in the six years
since my last record, I have worked at my career and craft
overseas with the best teachers in the business.’’
Those learning curves are apparent on the clever sophistifunk
of Water For Chocolate.
On her new album, Deni collaborates with songwriters
and producers including The Family Stand, The Whole 9
(Babyface), Jarrad Rogers (Lauryn Hill), Vince Pizzinga
(Delta Goodrem), Carl Dimataga (Jade McRae) and
Glenn Cunningham.
“There is a line in New Day that says: `You’ve worked
so hard to get this far. Don’t be scared,’’’ Deni says.
``And with each step, I try to keep that in mind.
It’s about keeping your head up and staying positive.’’
Like truth for strength. Like fulfilment for peace.
Like Water For Chocolate.
This is Deni Hines. Like no other.