Acclaimed singer/songwriter Vesta seamlessly blends the sounds of R&B, funk, and jazz as she fearlessly explores the joyful and bittersweet aspects of her own romantic experiences. Relationships is Vesta's first concept record, and the story is all hers. "I wrote from the heart for this project," she says. "It's all about me and the relationships I've been in and everything I've learned." Recalling the experience of recording such intimate subject matter, she adds, "you feel naked, it's almost embarrassing, because these songs are so personal to me."
Vesta wrote ten originals for Relationships that explore the ecstasy, passion, and pain of modern romance, and she did all of the background vocals and vocal arrangements as well. The intense intimacy of the subject matter gives the record a distinctly "live" and organic feel. On the lilting "Somebody For Me", produced and arranged by Barry J. Eastmond, Vesta wonders if her perfect love is out there. Relationships is rounded out by Vesta's distinctive cover of Stevie Wonder's classic "You And I", which brings renewed vigor to Wonder's time-honored lyrics. "I have experienced the love that is expressed in "You And I", says Vesta, adding that she and longtime manager Iris Perkins had been seeking another "killer ballad" to round out the album. Vesta recalls, "Iris said, 'Why don't you do a remake?' and the first and only song I thought of was "You and I".

Regarding the broader musical scope of Relationships, Vesta says, "My tastes have broadened and my audience has matured with me. I would say that in the past I was categorized as an R&B girl, but I also wear other monikers. After the experience on the McDonald's commercials with Al Jarreau, a national audience had a chance to hear me scat, so people could see I had some jazz chops. I've also tried to sneak a little jazz on other records I've done."

Vesta started singing as a high schooler in her hometown of Coshocton, Ohio. As a teen, she sang R&B, jazz, funk, and top 40, and later developed a talent for stand-up comedy and impersonations, as well. Her soulful voice and ability to hit the notes made her a highly in-demand professional backup singer. Vesta has performed commercial jingles for McDonald's, Baskin Robbins, Exxon Gas, American Honda, Diet Coke, and Revlon, and has worked with such superstars as Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Sting, The Commodores, Gladys Knight, George Duke, Najee, David Benoit, Bobby Womack, and The Crusaders. She has also collaborated on previous projects with the likes of Chuckii Booker, Brian McKnight, and Michael M. Powell.

Vesta landed her first record deal with A&M Records and recorded four albums there, including the gold-certified Vesta 4 U. Her distinctive, full-bodied soul stylings have resulted in hit recordings like "Congratulations" and "Sweet Sweet Love", and her dynamic stage performances are likely to include impressions and comedy in addition to music. A week-long stint as host of BET's popular "Video Soul" program in 1991 gave viewers a chance to see the zany side of the singer. Vesta graced the big screen in the Mario Van Peebles film Posse, in which she plays a sexy Mae West-type of character, and wrote two songs for the soundtrack.

It was a stint with the successful jazz act Fourplay that led to Vesta's signing as i.e. Music's first vocalist. Long acquainted with Fourplay bassist Nathan East, he mentioned that the quartet needed a vocalist for an upcoming tour and asked her if she was interested. Vesta recalls, "I did the Fourplay tour, and in the interim made some really good friends in the band. Lee Ritenour and I really hit it off, so he started calling me to work on other projects like the Eric Marienthal record (Easy Street). I did a cover of the Aretha Franklin tune, "Til You Come Back To Me". Soon he started telling me about this label he was putting together." Vesta and her team, meanwhile, were busy looking for a new label home. The pairing seemed natural. "The key word I heard was 'longevity'," Vesta notes. "I was excited at the prospect of being a priority at a label."

With Relationships, Vesta presents a much broader range of her musical interests and capabilities. "This album is Vesta, chapter Now," she says confidently. "This is how I feel now, who I am now, and it's still all of what I was before."