| Ciara The title of her much-anticipated sophomore album says it all and as Grammy winning young superstar Ciara declares, "My second record is called The Evolution because I feel like I'm graduating to a whole new level creatively and musically. I co-wrote every song and co-produced many of the tracks on this record so it really reflects where I am as an artist. I had fun making my first album: with The Evolution, I had an actual plan of what I wanted to hear and the sounds I wanted on the record." Working with key hit-makers such as Pharrell Williams, will.i.am, Lil Jon, Dallas Austin, Rodney Jerkins, Polow and new players like Calvo and Brian Kennedy, Ciara -- whose 2004 debut album Goodies sold over three million copies worldwide -- was involved in the selection of producers for The Evolution as well as the development of the songs, a couple of which (such as "Do It," produced by wil.i.am and "Crush," a Lil Jon jam) were written on the spot in the studio. "What was really cool was that a lot of the producers I wanted to work with felt the same way about working with me," Ciara says. "Pharrell (Williams) said he had a song for me but when we got in the studio, we ended up writing a song from scratch which was "I Proceed," a track with a lot of energy. A lot of the tracks on this album are energetic like "Make It Last Forever," a real cool dance/party cut that Rodney (Jerkins) produced. He also did "Can't Leave 'Em Alone" which features 50 Cent. I toured with him so it was great having him on this record with me." The many music fans Ciara established worldwide through hit singles such as the three No. 1 singles -- "Goodies," and "1,2 Step," and "Oh" -- from Goodies, her Grammy-nominated debut CD -- have been eagerly awaiting her new CD, The Evolution, which includes chart and radio hit "Get Up" (from the Step Up soundtrack) and "Promise," the Ciara-penned first single -- with its steamy hot video directed by Diane Martel -- another immediate hit for the singer/songwriter. "A lot of the music on this album was inspired by old school records. There was a way music used to feel and I wanted to capture that," Ciara states. "I felt the inspiration from artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, TLC, Jodeci, Madonna: there was a certain groove I wanted to have and I think we got it on The Evolution. All I know is, it feels good with my soul!"
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