JOAN WASSER OF JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN BRINGS "VIBRANT & POTENT APPROACH" TO BEAR ON MORLEY'S STUNNING ALBUM 'UNDIVIDED'

MORLEY'S NEW ALBUM OUT APRIL 3 WITH NYC & LA SHOWS COMING UP

Joan Wasser of Joan As Police Woman added Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, piano, electric violin, and vocals to Morley's album 'Undivided,' out April 3. Joan testifies to Morley's talent, "Morley takes this life -- the joy and love, pain and sorrow -- and purifies it in her songs. She is the real deal, able to make me cry at the drop of a hat. What most moves me is that she truly means it and that's all I ever want from a song."

Morley recalls, "Joan is masterful and fearless in the studio, she brought joyous vibrancy and deep honest contributions to the songs. It was exciting for me to share the space, she has a blazing focus that really allows an unfolding to happen in the music."

Wasser sang on "Love & Understanding"; played piano and electric violin on "On My Way"; Fender Rhodes on "Two of a Kind"; and played Wurlitzer and sang backing vocals on "Bear Song," a pensive song to a loved one who has passed away that shows off Morley's gorgeous alto.

Morley says, "I look up to her. She encouraged me so much early on. I think of her like a sister."

New Yorkers: Morley will celebrate the release of 'Undivided' with a concert at Joe's Pub, a venue she sold out in November, on April 7.

Los Angelinos: She will perform solo April 23 at Room 5.

Bostonians: She'll be at Johnny D's on May 11.

NY TIMES EMERGING ARTIST OFFERS UPLIFTING, NEW GENRE-HOPPING ALBUM UNDIVIDED WITH GUESTS JOAN WASSER (JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN), RAÚL MIDÓN & DAVID AMRAM

Undivided — adj.: not parted by conflict; characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity, a single devotion.

Morley — the New Yorker singer and composer whom the New York Times said, "embodies modern-day New York femininity in all its multicultural finesse." — will release her uplifting, genre-mixing new album, Undivided, on April 3, which also marks her debut as solo producer. She is joined on the album by a stellar cast of musicians including Joan Wasser (Joan As Police Woman), Raúl Midón, Dave Eggar, and the legendary David Amram (Thelonious Monk, Allen Ginsberg).

"This is album is influenced, sonically and rhythmically, by my time in the desert of Morocco. I went there to heal from a personal loss and found solace and strength."

Undivided, Morley’s fourth recording, is also deeply rooted in her work with young people from international conflict zones, through the organization Face to Face/Faith to Faith. "I’ve witnessed an amazing kind of alchemy in the teenagers I get to work with from conflict zones, their willingness to open doors that have been boarded up by generations before them and stand in a place of possibility amazes and inspires me."

From the driving rhythms of "On My Way" and "Thank You" to the ethereal, pensive "Wild Bird" to the playful call-to-action of "Love and Understanding" and "Be the One", Morley fuses hip-hop, world rhythms, acoustic guitars, and piano to take the listener on a journey of celebration and reflection.

Morley has performed at TEDWomen and for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Ban Ki-moon, Mary Robinson, and Ela Gandhi. She has also written, collaborated, and shared the stage with renowned artists such as Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Norah Jones, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Queen Latifah, Angélique Kidjo, Sarah McLachlan, Wynton Marsalis, and Cassandra Wilson. Growing up in diverse and urban bustle of Jamaica, Queens, Morley has been a dancer and choreographer, yoga instructor, and a teacher of expressive movement in a variety of settings, from public high schools to community centers to rehabilitation centers for the formerly incarcerated.

Musicians, fans, and press alike have embraced Morley. Elle Magazine has said, "Morley creates modern soul music — cerebral lyrics, sultry grooves, and vocal sophistication." Multiple Grammy® Award-winning artist-producer Daniel Lanois says, "The music of Morley: love, kindness and hope at every bend."

Hear a few tracks and more information.

Photos.