Rocky Story: The Original Soundtrack Songs From The Rocky Movies CD

' The addictive blend of classic songwriting and edgy swagger is a soulful tip of the hat to the music Lauren listened to growing up in New Jersey: the sounds of Motown - Aretha Franklin, the Jackson 5, and Gladys Knight; and the grooves of Philly Soul - Gamble and Huff, Hall & Oates, and the Hooters.

Lauren's return to her roots was sparked by performances with the legendary Funk Brothers of Motown fame, and the Philadelphia-based hip-hop/steel guitar band Slo-Mo, which she joined two years ago. Said Lauren, 'I kept thinking, when do I have the most fun? Where am I at my best? When am I able to make that magical connection with an audience? It became very clear to me. Like most people looking for their truth, you come full circle just to find out you were probably on the right track all along.

''Good Things' was produced by Tony Reyes at Maze Studios in Atlanta. An undeniably talented producer/musician/songwriter who played bass in Lauren's band earlier in his career, Reyes has worked with Joss Stone, Gnarles Barkley, Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Elliot Yamin and Shakira. The album was masterfully engineered by Carlton Lynn, whose impressive collaborations include Collective Soul, TLC, Pink, Ashanti, Usher and Aretha Franklin.

'I wanted this music to 'feel' great,' says Lauren. It does. 'Good Things' is the perfect showcase for the power, range and emotion of Lauren's voice. 'I've let go of any fear I had of over-singing - I'm no longer holding back. I wrote this album for my voice. I wrote what feels good. I closed my eyes, I pictured looking into the eyes of others, and singing the words that would move them. It stopped being about crafting the perfect song mechanically. 'Good Things' is about capturing the emotion of that very moment.

'While the groove is the thing on this CD, there is a message, and the tongue-in-cheek 'High Times' is an ideal example. 'I wanted to write about the conversations I have on any given day, and usually, they revolve around what the #&*^ is going on in the world. I never wanted to be a preacher, but as an artist, it's hard not to want to express these feelings in your work. This is the most pivotal time in America's history since I've been alive. And music isn't showing it. Maybe it wouldn't have to be an in-your-face-60s thing, but music is kinda hiding out in a nice, shiny place hoping no one will notice.