The future looks bright with the new crop of soul artists. The sensual and often autobiographical soul music, mixed with jazz and hip hop influences, keeps finding its way to the more general public. The female duo Jazzyfatnastees was given a leg up by none less than The Roots. The Jazzys, who at the time numbered four, were the band's supporting-act and also made a contribution to the album Illadelphhalflife. After two out of four left the band, Tracey Moore and Mercedes Martinez decided to continue as a duo. The two found a home at the same label as The Roots and in '99 they released their debut album The Once and Future. Partly with the intention of promoting their own music, the two came up with Black Lily - A Women in Music Series, an annual event where female artists can present themselves. Artists like Alicia Keys, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu performed there, as did the Jazzys themselves, of course. And recently their new album came out too.
