by Andy Kellman
Respected and emulated New York-based producer, DJ, and label chief Osunlade grew up in a musical environment; as a youngster, he took piano lessons and sang in his church choir. At the age of 17, he joined the cast of the popular children's show Sesame Street as a presenter. He later produced music for the program. During the late '80s, he started working as a producer and session hand; since starting out, he has leant his talents to records by Musiq, Patti LaBelle, Najee, India.Arie, and Eric Benet. In 1999, Osunlade established the Yoruba label and began releasing deep house productions of his own while cultivating new artists. For his first album, 2001's Paradigm, the producer hooked up with the U.K.'s Soul Jazz label, which released the excellent LP and increased his profile significantly as a result. Easily one of the most gifted producers of soul/funk-influenced deep house, Osunlade -- an ordained priest in the African religion of Ifa -- graces everything he touches with spiritual, uplifting vibes. Offering, a mix album released by R2, came out in 2002.