Atlanta’s own Winston Warrior is studious enough to admit when he needs lesson reinforcement and for his sequel album, Lifeology 101…Back 2 School he’s created a punchy collection of flash cards, with new and refreshed songs from the previous project. Of the title, Warrior says, “Lifeology 101…Back 2 School is personal. I feel like I had learned a lot from the first album, but just like regular students there were some lessons I didn’t master. I had to go back to school to learn more about life, love and the industry.” Music, one of the toughest faculty, isn’t exactly known for her patience, but Winston Warrior proves he’s navigating the curriculum well in Lifeology 101…Back 2 School. In this soulful, no-pretense project, Winston reveals his vulnerability, growth and raw emotion wrapped in simple, perceptive prose. Lifeology 101…Back 2 School organically continues to thread and weave the story of love and life from Warrior’s debut. Opening with “Elevator,” a sexy-intimate remix by Megastarz for Freeenergy Music Group, Winston reveals unfinished business with the song, showcasing its intimacy and depth. Gliding into “The Only Girl (4 Me),” Warrior backs up his sexual desire, re-declaring devoted dedication for his ladylove. The peaks and valleys of love are no different from those in the classroom, as Winston eloquently explains in pulsed percussion-driven “Livin’ My Life,” in which he also pauses to pop a few bottles in celebration of his accomplishments to date. The self-defined incurable romantic, Warrior, strays little in his efforts to promote love and relations, with the next trilogy of songs: pleading for forgiveness in “Holdin’ On;” the emotional outpour of “Still In Love With U,” and tantalizing fantasy-ride of “Sex in the Rain.” “I’m a romantic, I really am. If you listen to the songs I write about it’s all about either a love lost that you’re trying to recapture; acknowledging that you messed up in a relationship and you’re trying to work through it; or professing your love.” At it’s rhythmic climax, Lifeology 101…Back 2 School bookends with gritty, house-laden remixes of “Bad 4 U,” “Keep Movin’,” and two versions of “Elevator,” all portraying varied versatility as well as Winston’s creative expedition and ability to re-craft the music with a new lens of artistry in mind. Each collaborator on Lifeology 101…Back 2 School, from Lenny Hamilton Jr. and Tremaine ‘Six7’ Williams to Dave Doyle and Megastarz challenged Winston to peel away to the tenderness and master the life lessons put before him. In Warrior’s raspy tenor voice, underscored with deliberately modest arrangements, he has opened up to create another authentically R&B album, modernized with infused housestreet highlights. Though a perfectionist in his quest to learn from Music, Winston Warrior is by no means a newcomer to her instruction. Warrior, like his signature emblem the Phoenix suggests, is reborn and will keep rising through the lessons and ranks. Once a member of the ’90’s all male breakout group, Lo’ Profile, Winston Warrior tasted stardom, to only have his hopes crushed under the pressures of industry realities. Dreams deferred he became a successful corporate marketing executive, but learned how unfulfilling life in limbo truly was and changed course to chase this dream once again. Winston Warrior, Singer/Songwriter Upcoming Album: Lifeology 101…Back 2 School • Label: Vintage R&B
Date Recorded: 9/5/2012
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