Draft:Casablanco (Marsha Ambrosius)

Casablanco is the fourth studio album by British R&B singer Marsha Ambrosius, released on June 28, 2024, through Aftermath Entertainment. The production was primarily handled by Dr. Dre, with contributions from Dem Jointz, Erik "Blu2th" Griggs, Focus..., DJ Khalil, and Phonix. The album was supported by the singles "The Greatest," "One Night Stand," and "Greedy," with each track receiving significant acclaim. Inspired by her personal journey and creative freedom, Ambrosius and Dre crafted an album blending elements of R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and soul, marking a new chapter in her career.

Background
In early 2024, Marsha Ambrosius announced her new album, Casablanco, executive produced by Dr. Dre, during a press event. The album was released on June 28, 2024, through Aftermath Entertainment and marks her first studio album since 2018. The collaboration with Dr. Dre began in 2020, following his recovery from a brain aneurysm. He reached out to Ambrosius, expressing a desire to create new music together, reigniting their creative partnership from previous projects.

The album was primarily recorded in Los Angeles, with Ambrosius and Dre enlisting a team of top producers, including Dem Jointz, Erik "Blu2th" Griggs, Focus..., DJ Khalil, and Phonix. The creative process involved extensive studio sessions that began in 2021, where the duo explored a wide range of musical styles, blending R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and soul.

Ambrosius described Casablanco as her most personal album to date, reflecting her journey through various emotions and life experiences. The album's title was inspired by the track "Tunisian Nights," which set the tone for the entire project. Dr. Dre suggested the name "Casablanco" to give it a unique twist and a more "gangster" feel.

The album was preceded by the singles "The Greatest," released on November 30, 2023, "One Night Stand," released on March 22, 2024, and "Greedy," released on June 14, 2024. Each single was accompanied by a music video that further built anticipation for the album.

The project began as a jazz album but evolved into a genre-bending tour de force, incorporating elements of funk, soul, rock, and more. Ambrosius and Dre pushed creative boundaries, resulting in an album that reflects their artistic synergy and dedication to crafting timeless music.

Personnel

 * Marsha Ambrosius – executive producer, performer, vocals, writer
 * Dr. Dre – executive producer, producer, mixer, writer
 * Dwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy Jr. – producer, programming, writer
 * Erik "Blu2th" Griggs – producer, bass, writer
 * Bernard Edwards Jr. – producer, programming, writer
 * DJ Khalil – producer
 * Phonix – producer
 * Sly Pyper – additional vocals
 * Fredwreck – programming, rhythm programming, percussion
 * Trevor Lawrence Jr. – programming, drums, writer
 * Karl Vincent – contra-bass
 * Reggie Hamilton – contra-bass
 * Trey Henry – contra-bass
 * Dominique Sanders – contra-bass
 * Tim Eckert – contra-bass
 * Marcus Miller – bass
 * Curt Chambers – guitar
 * Jerry "Jay Flat" Williams – flute, saxophone
 * Chris Johnson – trombone, tuba
 * Chris Lowery – trumpet
 * Caroline Buckman – viola
 * Leah Katz – viola
 * Rocio Marron – viola
 * Rodney Wirtz – viola
 * Stefan Smith – viola
 * Linnea Powell – viola
 * Andrew Duckles – viola
 * Charlie Bisharat – violin
 * Chris Woods – violin
 * Christian Hebel – violin
 * Daphne Chen – violin
 * Heather Powell – violin
 * Ina Veli – violin
 * Jennifer Takamatsu – violin
 * Marisa Kuney – violin
 * Radu Pieptea – violin
 * Shigeru Logan – violin
 * Susan Chatman – violin
 * Ashoka Thiagarajan – violin
 * Joel Drouin – violin
 * Juliette Jones – violin
 * Katie Sloan – violin
 * Lesa Terry – violin
 * Mark Robertson – violin
 * Songa Lee – violin
 * Luanne Homzy – violin
 * Paul Cartwright – violin
 * Samuel Fisher – violin
 * David "Preach" Balfourd – additional keyboards
 * Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering
 * Richard "Segal" Huredia – collage photographer, engineer
 * Paul Foley – album editor